2. AREAS OF INTEREST: City Council standing committees include the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC), Planning Commission, Parks, Recreation and Visitor Services Committee, Parking Commission, Transient Lodging Tax Committee, Public Safety Committee, and the Historic Jacksonville Cemetery Commission. Which standing commission/committee are you most-interested in serving-on as a member and as the City Council liaison and why? Is there a project or activity you wish the standing committee to address?
Brad Bennington
Candidate
BRAD BENNINGTON: The committees that are most interesting to me are: Planning (where I currently serve), HARC (which is very involved in most of our development) and Public Safety. These committees have a common theme in that they all deal with livability in our city. Jacksonville has a unique feeling compared to any other city in southern Oregon and that feeling is directly linked to those three committees. If I am elected to serve on City Council I would be most interested in serving as liaison for Planning, then Public Safety and then HARC, in that order.
Kenneth Gregg
Candidate
KEN GREGG: I would be most interested in serving on the Historical and Architectural Review Commission. I have seen applicants at HARC hearings leave confused and befuddled because they did not clearly understand what the criteria were for getting their plans approved.
My project would be to develop a set of standards to help the commissioners in making decisions regarding architectural designs. These standards would reduce the subjectivity introduced by individual stylistic preferences and make the whole approval process more efficient for commissioners and applicants alike.
I support the changes in building codes as they are currently being revised regarding redefining the jurisdiction of HARC to structures within the Historic Landmark District Boundary only. Architectural review outside this area will be handled as an administrative decision within the Planning Department.
I would also like to see HARC work with the Planning Department in its enforcement of code violations pertaining to historic homes. Code violations lead to loss of historic character, and possibly to loss of historic designation. An education program should be developed to inform owners of historic homes of the need to preserve their homes according to guidelines set by the National Park Service and the State Historical Preservation Office.
Jim Lewis
Incumbent
JIM LEWIS: I started my civic involvement as a Commissioner on the Historic Architectural Commission and was its chair when I moved to the City Council in 1986. I currently serve as the Council liaison to HARC and hope to continue doing so next term. I have served on the Public Safety Committee and Personnel Committee and so would be glad to serve again on either or both. Council service in the various committees and commissions is necessary for keeping Councilors informed on problems, projects and process and assuring effective operational oversight. I have not yet served on the Historic Jacksonville Cemetery Commission but I would be proud to do so given the great relationship they have with Friends of the Jacksonville Cemetery whose efforts and accomplishments have been recognized on state and national levels as exemplary.
Ted Trujillo
Candidate
TED TRUJILLO: If elected to city council in November, I would like to focus my time on the ever important Parks, Recreation and Visitors Services Committees. My love of community and thirst for being outdoors would lead me to be a strong asset to these committees and act with the city in mind. The areas surrounding Jacksonville are exceptional for outdoor recreation of all types, diverse agriculture and tourism. As Jacksonville finds itself being the gateway to Applegate wine country and limitless outdoor recreation, we must position ourselves to embrace this growth in tourism and permanent residency for those who fall in love with Jacksonville, as many before us have. We must also be sure we don’t miss an opportunity to make this a world renowned destination, we must also honor our rich history while fostering new ideas. Parks, be it a green park or vast trail system, are a very important piece of the family structure and should be nurtured for locals and visitors.
Clara Wendt
Candidate
CLARA WENDT: The most important issue to me is CITY PROCESS. Does the City follow correct procedures in decision-making? Does the City take the appropriate steps to allow for public input? Today, although there are various commissions and committees, most exist in name only; they rarely meet and, as a result, inhibit public input. So, one of my strongest concerns is to see that the City revitalize the commissions and committees. Besides seeing that those groups become fully functioning, my interests are in Land and Buildings, Public Safety, HARC, and the Historic Jacksonville Cemetery. I will also work towards promoting a better understanding of the meaning and importance of Jacksonville’s Historic Landmark status.