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HAZE Temp: 48 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2002 Candidates take on issues Medford council hopefuls square off for two contested races during televised debate By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune In a civil discussion Thursday, Medford City Council members Claudette Moore and Bob Strosser took on their respective opponents, John Statler and Susan McKenzie, in a live televised debate. Moore (Ward 3) and Statler debated for the first half-hour, and McKenzie and Strosser (Ward 4) for the second. The call-in debate was hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Rogue Valley. Jim Key of Ward 1 and Skip Knight of Ward 2 are running unopposed. The four positions come before voters in the Nov. 5 general election. One issue that drew differing opinions from the candidates was the south interchange project. Moore, 53, said she didn’t think there was a perfect solution for everybody, but she supported the proposed Oregon Department of Transportation project. "I think they have probably come up with as good a program as we’re going to find," said Moore, a real estate agent. Statler, 54, said he would have to ask how it would help to build a sense of community in West Medford. From that perspective, he said, he doesn’t see a huge impact, but he’d have to research it more. "Why not just add a freeway exit, why close one down?" said Statler, who owns his own computer consulting business. Strosser, 57, said he supports the project. "I think the alternative selected is the best of the bunch but certainly not ideal," said Strosser, a real estate agent. McKenzie, 54, said this was the issue that got her involved in running for the council position, because she didn’t think her council representatives listened to what the residents wanted. "I’m a supporter of ‘no build’, and let’s go back to the table," said McKenzie, who lists her occupation as volunteer livability advocate and also serves on the Rogue Valley Transportation District board of directors. Moderator Bill Mansfield asked whether council members should be paid. Statler said he thought a way to get representation from low-income residents was to make City Council seats paid positions. He said it was easy for the "country club set to come down and sit at council meetings." Moore disagreed, and said that with meetings held at lunch time and evenings, people with full-time jobs can and do make it to meetings. "I don’t feel the city needs to pay us," she said. McKenzie said that while the amount didn’t have to be as great as that of the county commissioners, she thought it was important to have some income. "There is a barrier to participating," she said. "I believe that there is a mechanism that council could put into place that could break that barrier down." Strosser said he knows public service offers a challenge, but he said he didn’t want to be paid. "It spoils the sense of volunteerism," he said. Mansfield asked if they saw their role as to serve the entire citizenry of Medford or to serve their own ward. Statler said his responsibility would be to his ward. "It’s important to represent everyone, but my primary responsibility would be to represent the people of west Medford." Moore also leaned toward seeing the ward as the priority. "We have to represent those people who elect us," she said, adding that it was important to also look at the whole picture. McKenzie said that she sees Ward 4 as part of a large community. "Neighborhoods are a vital component of a livable community," she said. "I’m not a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), I don’t support NIMBY activities," she said. Strosser said that while council members are elected by their ward, the council looks at issues concerning the whole city. "I’m not going to divide my community," he said. The debate will be rebroadcast by Rogue Valley Community Television on cable channels 9 and 30. Check the Web site for times, www.roguetv.org . Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S