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MEDFORD Metro Medford goes 'dormant' because of lack of funds Executive director steps down Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 5:45 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 5:45 PM » Social News An organization that promotes downtown Medford has gone "dormant" and the executive director has stepped down after funding sources dried up. Diane Raymond, who earned about $26,000 annually as a part-time executive director, is returning to the Bay Area to work in marketing but plans to help out with Metro Medford as it regroups over the next few months. “There was no funding for staff at this time,” Raymond said. “It was kind of a no-brainer.” One of the casualties of the organization’s funding problems is the Downtown Art + Sound festival, which debuted last year but won't be returning. Metro Medford still plans to promote the annual Pear Blossom Street Fair next year, however. “We will be dormant until Pear Blossom,” Raymond said. “We need time to evaluate our role in the community." She said her organization had survived on about $65,000 annually for the past three years and has been focused on promoting the downtown. Metro Medford’s finances took a big hit when the organization failed earlier this year to get enough support to form a downtown district that would have raised $315,946 over three years through fees assessed property owners. The proposal, which also failed to attract enough support in October 2013, aimed to promote downtown and dress up the streets by installing signs, maintaining tree wells, purchasing benches and installing hanging flower baskets along Main Street. After the defeat of the economic improvement district, Raymond appealed to the city of Medford for $37,500 in each of the next two years. The request was rejected. Raymond said the funding request would have given Metro Medford enough time to work on its long-range plans. The final blow was the Medford Arts Commission, which pulled its annual $7,500 in financial support to Metro Medford. “That was really shocking,” Raymond said. Councilor Clay Bearnson, who owns the Gypsy Blues Bar in downtown Medford, said, “It’s a sad day for people who want to see culture in the downtown.” Bearnson, who is a council liaison on the Arts Commission, said he disagreed with the commission’s decision to end the funding of Metro Medford. “I wanted to see some funding going their way,” he said. The 30-year resident said Medford needs as much support as it can to help market and promote the downtown. George Schroeder, president of Metro Medford’s board, said it’s going to be difficult losing an executive director. “I hate to see Diane leave,” he said. “Diane does a lot of things really well.” He said he’s sorry to announce Art + Sound won’t be back this year after Metro Medford struggled to arrange the event last year. Despite the setbacks, Schroeder said he expects the organization will continue even with just a volunteer board running it for the time being. He said other ideas are being floated to help generate money for Metro Medford, but he declined to elaborate on them before they’re fleshed out. “We’re going to survive,” he said. “It’s definitely a blow to the organization.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 5:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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