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49 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 2, 2004 Mayer takes CASA post Former sheriff’s captain brings 27 years of law enforcement experience to the Court Appointed Special Advocates group By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Former Jackson County Sheriff’s Capt. Ed Mayer is the new director of a local nonprofit agency that helps abused children in court. Mayer, 52, will head Jackson County’s CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — starting Sept. 16, board members confirmed Wednesday. He replaces outgoing director Mary-Curtis Gramley, who announced her resignation in June. Mayer brings 27 years of law enforcement experience to the agency that partners trained community volunteers with abused or neglected children involved in the court system. Mayer resigned from the Sheriff’s Office in 2003 after losing a heated election to current Sheriff Mike Winters. Since then, he has been operating his own consulting firm and administering a federal Department of Justice Grant dedicated to gun safety. "I’m very excited," said Mayer. "I think my law enforcement experience brings insight into the community and insight into the causes of what brings kids to CASA, especially the drugs and addiction." Advertisement Mayer served three years as commander of JACNET, the county’s narcotics investigation team. He was also an executive board member of Southern Oregon Drug Awareness. Board members said Mayer brings rich community connections, nonprofit fund-raising experience and a thorough knowledge of CASA to the full-time post, which offers a salary of $30,000 to $40,000 a year. "He’s familiar with CASA on a day-to-day, weekly basis," said board member Russ Jones. Mayer has been an instructor for the 40-hour training program required of new CASA volunteers. That set him apart from the more than 30 other candidates who applied, said board member Naurine McCormick. "Some of the persons that applied were really fund-raisers who didn’t know much about the program," she said. As CASA director, Mayer will be responsible for a five-member staff, about 100 volunteers and an annual budget of about $153,000. One pressing challenge will be to increase the number of volunteers available to work with about 240 children engaged in the court system. About half of those kids need immediate advocacy, officials have said. Gramley, 67, stepped down to pursue other projects, including a relief nursery for abused children and their families. "I’m just delighted," Gramley said of Mayer’s selection. "With his law enforcement and drug and alcohol addiction experience, he’ll have an understanding of many of the issues our families face." Mayer, who holds degrees from Southern Oregon State College and from the FBI National Academy, said his first goal will be to increase awareness about the agency. "I think CASA is one of the best-kept secrets in the valley," he said. For information about CASA, call 734-2272. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities