Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 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 January 24, 2003 RCC’s Denise Miller says she won’t seek re-election By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune A month after she was fined in a civil sex abuse lawsuit, the president of the Rogue Community College board of directors announced she will not seek re-election to the panel. Denise Miller, 65, of Ashland said she didn’t want fallout from her personal legal troubles to affect the college. "I don’t want to take any chance of harm coming to the school," Miller said. "I just don’t think it would be useful to run again under the circumstances." In December, a Jackson County Circuit Court jury ordered Miller to pay $140,000 for sexually abusing her stepson nearly 30 years ago. "I pled not guilty; I was not guilty. It’s unfortunate that the court did what it did," Miller said. The jury award followed a civil lawsuit filed in September 2000 by Miller’s stepson, Gregory Miller. Now 44 and living in Gold Beach, Gregory Miller claimed that his stepmother forced him to perform mutual sexual acts when he was between ages 15 and 18. He also claimed that she acted seductively to him from the time he was 10, growing up in the mid-1970s in Ashland. Gregory Miller originally sought more than $760,000 in damages. RCC officials took no formal action against Miller after the court ruling, college President Rick Levine said. "It was a civil case, and she’s an elected official," he said. "What’s gone on in the civil case is between her and the complainant." No criminal charges were filed in the case. Denise Miller is a real estate broker in Ashland with a long history of community involvement. She was first elected to the RCC board in 1999. Levine said Miller was a "wonderful" board member during her tenure. He acknowledged that concerns about the civil lawsuit would have clouded a bid for re-election. "For the institution and for her, it’s the best decision she can make," Levine added. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, 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