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59 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 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 January 22, 2004 Commissioners won’t endorse proposal to ease pollution regulations Jackson County Commissioners Wednesday voted against endorsing a proposal that could increase industrial emissions. Jack Walker was the only commissioner who supported the idea, while Dave Gilmour was steadfastly against it. Commissioner Sue Kupillas had hoped to hammer out a compromise agreement. "I’m very torn on this issue," she said. "I don’t agree with either one of them." Kupillas, an asthmatic, said the state Department of Environmental Quality proposal falls short of what she would like. Gilmour had sent out a letter to physicians in the valley asking them to take a stand against the proposal. Advertisement He received 121 responses, which he presented to the other commissioners. He was concerned with not only the safety effects of increased pollution, but how the program would be monitored and what the DEQ would do if safety margins were exceeded. Walker said that without the new standards, industrial development will continue to be hampered in this area because the county has the most stringent standards in the state. Medford and White City would be off-limits to industry, he said. This will be particularly difficult for the White City area, which relies on property taxes to help it develop. "You are letting down the taxpayers in Jackson County immensely," he said. Audience members also weighed in on the debate. Jacksonville resident Gary Pellett said, "My wife is a chronic asthmatic and we’re personally concerned about the impacts to air in our valley." Brad Hicks, chief executive officer of the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County, urged the commissioners to support the air proposal. He said Oregon is in a deep financial crisis, and Jackson County needs to attract more high-paying jobs. 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