Saturday

March 20, 2010 -- Rogue Advocates Environmental group gaining praise, condemnation


Jimmy MacLeod of Williams is one of the principal volunteers for Rogue Advocates, a land-use watchdog group that is making a name for itself in Jackson and Josephine counties.

By Damian Mann
Mail Tribune

With relatively little fanfare, a new group of Southern Oregon environmental activists has taken the lead in opposing controversial Jackson County planning decisions, earning praise from other environmental groups and condemnation from those who favor more development.

Rogue Advocates' main voice is Jimmy MacLeod, 53, a Williams resident who volunteers his time. MacLeod said the organization carefully chooses the cases it takes and develops arguments that will stand up to legal tests. So far, that strategy has worked.

"Mostly for the stuff we've tackled, we've been successful — either part of it, or the whole enchilada," MacLeod said.

That success has earned Rogue Advocates no friends among those who favor fewer restrictions on property rights and development. Jack Swift, the lead attorney for Citizens for Constitutional Fairness, acknowledges he has referred to Rogue Advocates as a land-use vigilante group.

"If you are planning to do something, you have to anticipate this group is going to appear and challenge you," the Grants Pass resident said.

Citizens for Constitutional Fairness formed to battle in the courts for Measure 37 rights.

MacLeod said in general, state laws have been fairly effective at inhibiting unrestrained growth. The trouble starts at the local level, he said.

"The (county) commissioners' job is to facilitate growth in the area," he said. "If it makes money now, it will be up to the next generation to pay the bill."

Swift said the land-use process is geared toward confusion and expense, which makes development on rural land in Oregon a difficult and risky proposition.

"You have five tiers of regulation, one on top of the other," he said. "A person has to negotiate through this three-dimensional maze."

Because of the complexity of the maze, Swift said it is relatively easy for a land-use watchdog group to battle a landowner.

"You have these no-growth advocates who challenge anything in that three-dimensional maze at no cost," he said. "It is very easy (for Rogue Advocates) to be successful."

He said some environmental groups view any growth as detrimental, and ultimately want to undo the growth that has already occurred, Swift said.

"They would really like to see it return to the 18th century," he said.

MacLeod said it is unfair to characterize his organization as being opposed to any development. He said Rogue Advocates wants to strike a balance that will allow some growth, while encouraging a vision for long-range planning.

"I don't believe in just naysaying," MacLeod said. "There are valid issues on both sides of the debate."

The idea for Rogue Advocates first emerged one day when MacLeod went hiking with Spencer Lennard, another environmental activist, above Applegate Lake. They reached a certain vantage point where they could look out over both the Rogue and Applegate valleys. What they saw on the Rogue Valley side made them think that a lack of planning would lead to more sprawl.

Lennard had worked with KS Wild, and the two talked about creating an organization that would tackle land-use issues head on. MacLeod said he was worried the new organization might step on the toes of Friends of Jackson County or 1000 Friends of Oregon. Later, he learned they welcomed the new organization and they will be working together on certain land-use projects.

At the outset, Rogue Advocates concentrated almost entirely on Josephine County issues. By 2008, it became more active in Jackson County, Now, Rogue Advocates is handling more issues in Jackson County than in Josephine.

Choosing cases is not necessarily based on a fixed policy, MacLeod said, but mostly on whether a land-use action is precedent-setting or has some county-wide significance.

With an annual budget of about $30,000, the organization relies on volunteers, though Ashland attorney Sarah Vaile is paid.

Jackson County Commissioner Jack Walker said his goal as a property rights advocate has been to make local ordinances no less restrictive than state laws.

"That's been a goal of mine since day one," he said.

Walker said Rogue Advocates and other groups want the county to remain more restrictive than the state and will likely fight his efforts at every turn.

"You're looking at a group out there that is looking at every excuse to appeal a land-use decision," he said.

Brent Thompson, of Friends of Jackson County, said he welcomes Rogue Advocates into the community of organizations concerned about the environment and growth in Jackson and Josephine counties.

He said Friends of Jackson County has been focused on a regional effort to map out the growth of Jackson County in anticipation of a doubling of the population.

MacLeod said unrestrained growth will strain transportation systems, lead to sprawl and ultimately promote a poor quality of life that large urban areas already face, he said.

"There is a whole lack of vision for something better," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.

Monday

March 5, 2010 - $90,000-plus salary could be a major reason for increase in number running for county commissioner seats

By Damian Mann
Mail Tribune

A $90,000-plus salary may be among the reasons the races for two Jackson County commissioner seats have drawn a crowd.

So far, 10 candidates are on the ballot for the May 18 primary, a number not seen since the 1990 and 1994 elections. The filing deadline is March 9, and at least one more Democratic candidate might file, which would push the number to a record level.
How much does a Jackson County commissioner get paid?

Commissioner Dave Gilmour, who is not seeking re-election, said he's not sure what impact the salary has had in attracting candidates.

"I don't think it's the main reason," he said. "But it is a reason."

The three commissioners each have a salary of $94,661, plus $27,000 in benefits. A new commissioner would have a starting salary of $90,168.

Two years ago, a county salary committee recommended the commissioners' pay be raised from $68,432 to $86,341. In addition to the raise, the commissioners could receive a step increase each year, subject to approval by the salary committee. As a result, the salary increased to $90,661 last year, then to $94,661 this year. In the past two years, commissioners have seen their wages jump by 38 percent.

Candidates for the two seats have said they are running to address issues and to improve county government.

However, some have said the salary is appropriate for the kind of professional skills required for the position.

Gilmour said the county commissioner position has become more professional over the past few years, and the salary reflects that trend.

The salary could be one of many factors a candidate weighs when making a decision to run, Gilmour said.

"If it attracts the best people, it is well worth it," he said.

Gilmour, who also works as a Central Point doctor, earlier said he wouldn't take the salary increase but now says he has decided to accept it in his last year as a commissioner because he needs the money.

"It's a little bit of self-interest as I transition back into my practice," he said.

Gilmour said he decided to take the extra money this year to help save for a three- to four-month period next year in which he will not be fully compensated during his transition back to work as a full-time doctor.

For most of his almost eight years in office he has taken a lesser amount in salary than his two fellow commissioners.

"The main thing is I saved $150,000 to $200,000 in salary and benefits that I did not take," he said.

Commissioner C.W. Smith initially turned down the salary increase two years ago, but decided to take it after his re-election in 2008.

Smith said he's not sure how much of an effect the salary increase has had on attracting new candidates.

But, he said that an appropriate salary for a commissioner makes it worth the risk for someone who already has a good career but wants to run for political office.

Smith said county government is a more dynamic part of the community in recent years, dominated by land-use decisions, reopening libraries and steering the budget from a deep hole to building reserves.

Commissioner Jack Walker, who said he intends to file his candidacy papers this week, said that one of the goals of the salary hike was to attract qualified candidates with business sense.

"Our big effort was to get business people involved in government," Walker said. "It makes a huge difference."

Walker said the county is being run more like a business now, which has put the county in a better financial position than it was three years ago, saving millions of dollars in the process.

As part of this effort to run the county like a business, Walker said it requires paying people salaries comparable to what they would have received in the private sector.

"I think it's an incentive to say I've always wanted to participate in government and now I have this opportunity to do this," he said.

Allen Hallmark, chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, said he thinks the salary could be a factor, but from his knowledge of Democratic candidates it is far down the list of reasons to run.

"Most of these guys are pretty sharp and could earn a living some other way," he said.

Hallmark was surprised the salary now topped $90,000, but said a commissioner should be considered a professional who spends a lot of time on behalf of the community.

Mark Ness, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, said the salary might have some effect on a candidate's decision to run.

"I think that's one of the attractions to it," he said.

However, he added, candidates also have a strong desire to be involved in the politic process and to contribute to the community.

Ness said he doesn't begrudge the commissioners their salary.

"I think the people should be paid well, and there should be a lot expected of them," he said.

He added, however, the benefits packages should be cut, and those running for political office should find their own retirement and health care.

For most people, he said, running for an elected office doesn't make sense because of the time involved and the lack of compensation. He noted that city council members are volunteers and state legislators receive relatively modest stipends.

The commissioners are one of the only local exceptions he could think of.

"Honestly, I don't think they're overpaid," Ness said.