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L/RAIN Temp: 43 °F Wind: N at 4 mph Wednesday, December 11, 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 November 24, 2002 New officer to enforce Medford code violations The bilingual Medford employee will focus on low-income areas By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Sweep up your debris — the enforcer has arrived. Joe Jimenez has been hired as Medford’s first code enforcement officer, scheduled to begin Dec. 2. Louise Dix, Medford’s neighborhood resource coordinator, said Jimenez is no brute; in fact, his calm demeanor is partly what sold her. "He’s diplomatic," she said. "He’s a person, I think, who could mediate. He’s not going to antagonize." She said it’s an important trait for someone who will be knocking on doors, telling residents to clean up their yard. "You don’t become a bully," said Jimenez, adding that he’s more concerned with violations that are health issues than eyesores. Jimenez, who was one of 88 applicants, will be paid $33,446 annually, plus benefits, for the full-time position. The job is funded by a federal community development block grant. Because of the grant, he’ll focus on low-income areas, such as those in west Medford, but his jurisdiction includes all of Medford. Jimenez works in customer service at Home Medical Inc., and worked with the Jackson County Health Department. He’ll spend the first few weeks of his new job learning the municipal code and meeting other city staff, he said. "My first responsibility is to find out what is my authority," said Jimenez, 52, of Medford. "I’m not a police officer. I’m not a building inspector. I guess I would be a help mate." The job is not just about fining people. Jimenez will educate residents on what the ordinances are and how to get help, if needed, said Dix, who will be his supervisor. He’ll figure out a lot as he goes along. "It’s a work in progress so we’re not sure how it’s going to pan out," she said. The fact that Jimenez is bilingual is an added bonus, Dix said, "because we have a lot of Hispanic people in the city." Not only can he work with Spanish-speaking people with violations, but he can help with other issues, she said. He can translate the ordinance into Spanish, and assist when a Hispanic person wants to complain about something, said Dix. There are other situations, such as when a Spanish-speaking tenant doesn’t have a trash Dumpster provided by his landlord, Jimenez can help find necessary resources, she said. Dix said she thinks he’ll be writing citations for things like trash, substandard housing, and illegal signs. "Basically nuisance types of things," she said. "It’s not a pretty job, but it’s a job that someone has to do," said Jimenez. After Dec. 2, report code violations to Jimenez by calling 774-2016. 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