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Medford prepares to hire Bob Smith By Jessica Smith The City Council looks poised to send former congressman Bob Smith�s consulting firm to Washington as a lobbyist for Medford. Council members voted 6-2 Thursday to prepare an ordinance granting Smith�s agency, Smith West Co., a "government relations" contract initially awarded to another firm. The council�s decision was not without controversy. A Medford businessman questioned whether the city should award the contract to Smith, who has contributed to political campaigns for council members. But the majority of the council said Smith�s political clout � he represented Oregon�s 2nd District for 14 years, chaired the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and recently joined the Bush administration�s transition team � would mean a great deal to Medford. The city wants to increase federal funding for programs and projects. "If you want to cut to the mustard, the idea is to get line items for the city of Medford in national bills," said Councilman Curt Bennett. The city needs an advocate who "knows the halls, knows the talk and the knows the walk," he added. Though the council�s discussion was not subject to a public hearing, Medford stockbroker Peter Sage advised the group against choosing Smith�s firm to lobby Congress to avoid what he characterized as a conflict of interest. "This is bad for Medford," Sage told the council. "I was not at all surprised to see Bob Smith�s name on a variety of contributions and endorsement ads this November, including council races. ... I was surprised, though, to learn that he is applying for a significant city contract." Smith�s political action committee, the Oregon Smith Fund, contributed $500 apiece to campaigns for Bill Moore and Bob Strosser. Smith�s son, Christopher, contributed $100 to Strosser�s 1998 campaign and Dwane Bales, a former assistant to Smith, also gave Strosser $100. Mayor Lindsay Berryman said she returned a $500 contribution from Smith because she knew Smith�s firm bid on the city lobbyist contract. Berryman, who returned the donation to keep her "slate clean," said she shared some of Sage�s concerns. "It is an issue of whether you can be a political activist and a professional working for the city at the same time," she added. "I have some qualms about that." Smith said he takes "umbrage" at the suggestion he "paid off" council members to win the lobbyist contract. "I don�t think (anyone on the council) can be purchased for $500, do you?" Smith said. "I contribute to a lot of candidates and there�s never been a quid pro quo. These are honorable people and they wouldn�t succumb to a quid pro quo." Moore and Strosser voted with Bennett, Sal Esquivel, Skip Knight and Claudette Moore to grant Smith�s company the lobbyist contract. Councilmen Jim Key and John Michaels voted to award the contract to another firm, Sagamore Associates, which represented Medford on Capitol Hill this year. According to Sagamore representatives, the firm is responsible for securing $315,000 in federal funds for Medford�s downtown revitalization effort and ecosystem restoration projects for Lone Pine Creek and Lazy Creek. The council is expected to review the ordinance at its next meeting, set for Jan. 4. Under the contract, Smith�s firm would lobby Congress through Dec. 31, 2001. Medford would pay $72,000 for the firm�s service. It appeared the city would re-up its agreement with Sagamore at its Dec. 14 meeting, when Mayor Berryman broke a tie vote to award the contract to the Washington firm. But Strosser, who voted for Sagamore last week, said recent discussions with Smith and constituents prompted him to reverse his decision. Strosser said he came to believe that hiring Smith�s firm would be "best for Medford." Council members Bill Moore and Claudette Moore, who did not vote on the issue last week, also lent their support to Smith West. "This is a great opportunity for our community to get an outstanding American to represent us," said Bill Moore, citing Smith�s record of public service and his connections in Congress. Aside from Smith�s many years in Washington, he served in the Oregon Legislature 22 years. Members of the council also credited him with securing federal funds for the Medford airport and other local and regional projects. "We are dedicated to the place we live and I�m proud of it," Smith said. "As far as I�m concerned, the council did the right for Medford." Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.