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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2004 Phoenix officials air concerns over problem-solving By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune County and city officials, local mayors and regional planners from around the valley packed the Phoenix City Council chambers Monday to encourage the city to stay on board with a regional problem-solving effort. Mayor Larry Parducci submitted a letter last week to the Rogue Valley Council of Governments questioning the city’s further involvement and outlining nearly 20 concerns about Regional Problem Solving, a formal process involving seven municipalities and the county, facilitated by RVCOG for planning the next 50 years of regional growth and change. The effort is aimed at ensuring development and changes throughout various cities and the county are compatible and don’t cause problems for any municipality involved. Parducci was concerned that decisions could be made by other entities in the process that would negatively impact the city of Phoenix without allowing the city to intervene. In addition, several council members had concerns pertaining to establishment and regulations for buffer zones. RPS project coordinator John Eads assured the council and mayor that concerns raised by Parducci were being felt by all entities involved in the process but that continuing to work as a region would ensure the success of the process. "We’re here to make sure that everyone is on the same page about RPS � I think the questions you’ve raised are excellent questions and I am here as an advocate for RPS and for Phoenix’s further involvement in the process," said Eads. Advertisement Eads told the council that the overall process was flexible and that a lot of issues were still considered uncharted territory. To Parducci’s concerns about buffer zones, Eads said the process would not be aimed at taking land from property owners, but rather ensuring it was properly developed to avoid problem areas such as substandard development that often crop up between cities. Parducci felt the meeting eased some of his concerns and opened the door for further discussions on a number of issues. "I think it went well. I still have some concerns, but some of the issues were cleaned up," he said. "My main concern in bringing these issues to the table was that if I didn’t’ say something, what good am I doing for my council and the city? I just want to know what’s going to happen before the process is completed and decisions have been made." In other news, Parducci announced that Fire Chief David Tucker had submitted his resignation just minutes before the council meeting, effective immediately. Parducci said Tucker’s resignation could have been prompted by complaints received about department management, none of which specified Tucker, who was appointed chief in January 2003. Parducci said Tucker’s resignation was a great loss. "He was really helpful in the passing the (police and fire) levy," he said. "He worked extremely hard and was very well- liked by everyone. It’s unfortunate for us that he decided to move on." 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 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times