1. BACKGROUND: Tell us about yourself! Age? Occupation? Why are you running for City Council and what do you hope to accomplish, if elected? Is there one (or more) compelling issue you feel needs to be a City Council priority? What life and/or work experience has prepared you for this office?
Brad Bennington
Candidate
BRAD BENNINGTON: I’m running for City Council because I think 40 years of business and professional experience will allow me to bring to the Council, perspective and ideas that that will be helpful. I’m 59, married 38 years, 4 kids and have decades of experience working and negotiating with government at the local, county and state level here in Oregon. My background in the construction industry has earned me a good understanding of how laws and rules can help, or hurt, a community. I’m currently serving on the following bodies: 1) Jacksonville’s Planning Commission 2) Jackson County’s Planning Commission 3) Board of Directors, Home Builders Association of Jackson County 4) State Director, Oregon Home Builders Association 5) Chairman, Governmental Affairs Committee, Home Builders Association of Jackson County 6) Committee Member, Governmental Affairs Committee, Oregon Home Builders Association. 7) Member: Citizens Advisory Committee, Jacksonville Planning Code Review. My job currently is as the Chief Executive Officer of our local Home Builders Association. I’m a 3rd generation Oregonian and I want to do my part to make Oregon a better place for my children and those who come after us. Jacksonville is a special part of Oregon that has special requirements and I believe that I have the ability to help our community take care of our historic needs and also prepare for our future challenges.
Kenneth Gregg
Candidate
KEN GREGG: I’m 67 years old with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. My career as a photographer began in 1970 working for The North Face as their catalogue photographer, followed by 35 years as a fine art photographer providing artwork for luxury hotels. Along with my career as an artist, I also worked as a software engineer, a business systems consultant and a website designer.
I am running for City Council because I want to streamline and clarify ways of decision-making and problem solving that will help make the council a more effective governing body.
I share the same goal as Jacksonville’s Comprehensive Plan: “to preserve the integrity of the past, while guiding the evolution of the future.” Basically, that is to preserve the best of what makes this town so special—its walkability, enterprising merchants, rich historical heritage, bountiful variety of local farms and wineries, woodland surroundings, world class cultural events and appreciative visitors— and to direct its resources toward maintaining a healthy and vital atmosphere for future generations.
The one issue that needs to be a City Council priority is to determine who we are and what we want to become, to clarify a vision for ourselves that will serve as a comprehensive template for economic, operational and planning decisions.
Broad experience from my photographic and business systems consulting careers enables me to solve problems creatively by breaking apart complex issues into easily definable parts. My work with the Planning Department and Citizens Advisory Committee has given me direct experience with critical city operations.
Jim Lewis
Incumbent
JIM LEWIS: I am sixty-nine years old and have lived in Jacksonville since 1980. I attended the College of William and Mary earning BA and Law degrees. I am a retired U.S. Navy Captain serving successive Viet Nam deployments. I have served twenty-six years on Jacksonville’s City Council, fourteen of those years as Mayor. I currently represent the City at the State and Regional level in the following organizations:
The League of Oregon Cities (Board Member)
The Rogue Valley Council of Governments (Board President)
Rogue Valley Sewer Services (elected Board Member)
Regional 911 (Board Member)
Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation (Policy Committee)
Metropolitan Planning Organization (Policy Board Member)
I am seeking re-election because I want to continue working to move the community forward as the best place to live in the region. A principal key to our quality of life is our preservation of the City’s history designation and assets. The City Council is the body most responsible for overseeing the continued maintenance, preservation, and when necessary renovation of public and private historic properties. I will work to assure that we continue upholding those efforts. For more than twenty years the City has been pondering the mandate that we remove the old reservoir dam. We have made much progress in recent years and I hope to be on the Council when we move this across the goal line.
Ted Trujillo
Candidate
TED TRUJILLO: My name is Ted R. Trujillo and I’m a 37 year old father of two young daughters, husband, Insurance Adjuster and entrepreneur. I have been married to my wife Sarah for over ten years, and have two Daughters, Ava and Dinah. I find my relaxation in the yard, being outdoors and of course in the Kitchen as there is always time for a great meal. Sarah and I are very active at Madrone Trail Public Charter School, where our daughters attend 4th and 2nd grades. I have been the Auction Chair for the past two years, and will be chairing the Fundraising Committee this year. Soon after moving my family to Jacksonville, I realized that I wanted to take an active role in serving my community. Having watched the popularity of Jacksonville grow considerably over the last 10 years, we are clearly moving towards a bright future! If elected to the city council, I can assure you that the future will be respectful of the past yet move forward with an ambitious commitment to the betterment of Jacksonville. With many years of experience as an Insurance Adjustor, I have gained a clear understanding of the importance of concise, honest and transparent communication and its value. I weigh all sides before making a decision as this is paramount to resolving conflict. Lastly, I’m willing to meet all challenges head-on and act in the best interests of the community.
Clara Wendt
Candidate
CLARA WENDT: I moved to Jacksonville on August 18, 1950 and have resided here continuously for 64 years. During that time, I devoted 33 years to teaching hundreds of students, including many second generations. I also served the community in various volunteer groups, including work with the library board, which started me on my lifelong path of City participation. I became very active in City volunteer work and served numerous years as a City Councilor and as Mayor of Jacksonville. For many decades, I have attended most every meeting of the Budget Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, Public Safety Committee, Cemetery Commission, Planning Commission, Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC), and City Council. I feel, therefore, that I have an extensive background that may be useful in making decisions on the important issues that face our City of Jacksonville.