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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, April 8, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 8, 2005 Center for mental patients will move By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Neighbors who protested an Ashland center for mentally ill criminals were relieved Thursday to learn that a new Medford location should be ready by August. "Really? We hadn’t heard that," said Joyce Dickinson, 74, who lives near the Hazel Center at 330 Maple St., Ashland. "I’m always going to be alert as long as that facility is here." Renovation is finally under way on a permanent site at 1915 Hazel St., Medford, near Table Rock Road, said Hank Collins, Jackson County director of Health and Human Services. Despite the Ashland furor, at least one Medford neighbor said she’s made peace with the idea of living near 16 mentally ill clients, including several who’ve committed violent felonies. Advertisement "When I first heard about it, I was pretty upset," said Marie Klingerman, 49, who lives and runs a business within sight of the new center. "But they’ve assured us that it’s secure and they can’t get out. I hope it’s true." Vitus Construction Inc. of Gold Hill has begun a $940,000 renovation of the county-owned building that will become the new center, Collins said. The work originally was expected to be finished by May, but delays pushed completion to November. On Thursday, Collins learned the center should be habitable by August. "May 1 would be better," said Dickinson. "But I’m relieved. Wouldn’t you be?" Dickinson and several Ashland neighbors were alarmed last year when they learned a former rehabilitation center would house mentally ill criminals, including several guilty of crimes including assault, sodomy and attempted murder. The clients, who were judged guilty except for insanity, are supervised by the state Psychiatric Security Review Board. Pending lawsuits forced state agencies to create community-based housing for clients ready for release from the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. Collins sought a $1.7 million state contract to provide the services locally. In the 10 months since the clients have lived in Ashland, the neighbors have noticed no serious incidents, said Wil Thomson, who lives at 360 Maple St. Although he never liked the idea of having criminals live so close, Thomson acknowledged that they seem well supervised. "There are pretty strict rules they have to go by," he said. The Ashland neighbors remain concerned about the future of the building. Thomson said he was worried more mentally ill criminals might move in. Collins, however, said that his contract with the hospital foundation ends in November. Patrick Flannery, director of the foundation, confirmed Thursday that the county contract would not be renewed. Tentative plans include renovating the building for use as medical office space, although the foundation board hasn’t voted on the proposal, Flannery said. Back on Hazel Street, Marie Klingerman said she can watch renovation of the new center from the window of her business, Rogue Safe Co. Inc. She hopes it might actually benefit her neighborhood with increased police patrols and county attention. Meanwhile, she said she’ll keep an open mind about her new neighbors. "They’re human beings, too. I know they have problems, but I have a little sympathy," she said. "So far, I say it’s OK. But after it’s open — who knows?" Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s