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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (June 19, 1955)
TOC MTOTORD (OXEGOK) MAIL TRIBUHE . Sunday,. June. It, 19SS swirs irestiii89 Mod On Alnlln)xafllnl Nan mm Series Of Meetings Scheduled To Explain Facts On Proposal , The first in a series of meetings to discuss annexation prob lems was held in the Jackson County court house auditorium Fri day night. Residents in the proposed area questioned city offi cials regarding different aspects of annexation. ' , A second such meeting will be held at radio station KYJC Wednesday night. The meeting will be sponsored by the Jackson County Health association, which also sponsored Friday's dis Pamphlets containing .information regarding nroposed an nexation of South Medford and Laurelhurst addition are be '. ing sent to post office box holders and householders by city - ' officials. The pamphlets contain a map indicating the area to be an--! nexed. as well as information regarding, city services which would be provided if annexation is approved. Residents in South Medford and Laurelhurst addition will vote on annexation at an election July 5. If approved, annexation will double present city area, and furnish residents of the areas with city services. Mayor Earl Miller and City Manager Earl Duff answered questions, and commented on annexation. Also attending was Jackson county commissioner L. G. (Shy) Morthland, who said he believed annexation of the area would be less expensive for residents over a number of years. The following questions and answers on a number of dif ferent phases of annexation are those which have come up during the past week, many of them at Friday's meeting. Answers to any additional questions which may arise will be obtained and published in the Mail Tribune before the election July 5. Q. Who is promoting annexa Hon? A. Mayor Earl Miller pointed out the city is promoting annexa tion. The city now furnishes ford, and those areas, Miller benefits at a cost equal to or slightly more than residents liv ing in the area now pay. Q. Whit is included in the ; area? A. The area is shown shaded in the map on .this page, pre pared Dy cuy oiuciais, a onei description of which accompan- " tinn nh exact locations of nroDer- ties may be obtained at the city ' halL posed for annexation while simi : lar areas north of the city are not? A. South Medford is believed " to be the most rapidly develop V ing area. Mayor Miller pointed out that adverse sanitation con ditions, a new community hospi tal, two shopping centers, a new armory, an elementary school, and several subdivisions which re. planned or under construc s tion, determined the planning " commission's recommendation to ! the council for annexation of the ' area. Long range plans call for an nexation of areas north of Med ' ford. The area south, if annexed, would be used as a guide for an nexation to the north, and city officials will have a working ba sis for future annexations. Q. Why is South Bear Crook Sanitary district included in an nexation plans when sewar fa cilities are available in the dis trict now? A. Annexation is not exclu sively for sanitary purposes, Mayor Miller pointed out. An nexation would also provide proper city, planning and zoning for community development as well as provide additional po- . lice and fire protection. City Manager Robert Duff said it isJ almost impossible to expand city limits without including either a water or sanitary district Q. If the city is interested in sanitation, why did Medford residents go to Salem in an at tempt to defeat Sen. Philip Low- - ty's Metropolitan Sanitary Dis trict bill? A. Mayor Miller, who was in Salem when the bill was intro duced, said he does not "know of anyone from Medford who was ' there opposing the bill." He pointed out the Metropolitan Sanitary District would take too much time to correct sanitary conditions in many areas pro posed to be annexed, and that annexation was deemed the quickest and most efficient way of, coping with the acute prob lem. ' , Q. Can sewer districts be or ganised in the area without an- . aexation? A. Yes. South Bear Creek San itary district was organized out side the city limits, and uses city sewage disposal facilities. Duff pointed out, however, that a large area is needed to finance bonding a sanitary district, and . that annexation would solve the problem quicker and with less expense than a sanitary district. Q. Are residents required to connect to sewers? A. If a sewer line is. within 200 feet of a residence, that residence is required to connect . with the sewer. Q. How long will it take to get sewer lines installed? A. Petitions must be submit ted to the council with over 50 per cent of the assessable proper ty owners' signatures. It then ;.:tak;s between 60 and 90 days ior improvement to start Q. What does a sewer connec tion cost? A. The average cost of a con nection, if one is made on an existing sewer line, is about $80. Connections are installed for residences when new lines are constructed. N Q. How much will water mains, sewer lines, streets and sidewalks cost? ' , A. It is estimated water mains and sewer lines cost an average of $2.25 per front foot, and that streets will cost , an average of about $7 per front foot. Those improvements can be instituted by petitions submitted to the council with at least 50 per cent of the property owners' signa tures. Q. How soon will improve ments be available? , A. They would be available upon annexation, and when peti tions have been submitted. . Q. Is it true assessments for water main and sewer lines may be financed under the Bancroft act? A. Yes. Improvements may be assessed over a 10-year semi-annual payment basis, providing assessment against the proper ty is not more than the assessed valuation.. In that case, the dif ference between assessed valua tion and the most of improve ments is paid in cash, with the balance financed under the Ban croft act. For example, if an im provement costs $135, and the assessed valuation 'is $-100, $35 would be paid in cash with the remainder financed. Q. What does a water connec tion cost? 1 A. A three - quarter inch con nection costs $40, with larger connections coating more de pending on the connection size. Q. Will private, water supplies be allowed to be used by resi dents? A. Yes. However, residents would be subject to assessments for water mains which might be installed in front of their prop erly. Mains are installed on peti tion to the council, and the city pays the difference between a six-inch cast iron main and the size deemed ,necessary to fur- msn an adequate supply of water. Q. Would water districts resi dents being annexed be respon- sioie tor their share of anv in debtedness previously contract ed by the district? A. Yes. Q. Would water district resi as at present within the city? A. Probably not. Optional water services rates exist in the city now, and residents may or may not be charged on a meter ed basis or flat rate. However, the water board probably would discontinue flat rates in an nexed areas, and charge on a meter-basis. ," Q. How can city officials state that fire insurance rates will be lowered when rates are control led by the State of Oregon? A. Rates in .the. annexed area, if approved, would become the same as within city limits, which are less than rural rates. Q. What effect will annexa tion have on streets and roads in the area? A. They would be maintained as similar roads in the city, until petitions are submitted to the council . for improvements. Q. What of privately owned streets which are 20 feet wide when city requirements are for a 60-foot street? . A. The street could remain as a "court" and privately own ed, as are some courts within city limits now. Q. How long will it be before residents of the area will be able to obtain sidewalks, improved streets, and other city improve ments? A. It take between CO and City Officials Set Television Broadcast On Annexation Plan ' The eity of Medford's plan of annexation to help solve the sanitation problem in Jackson county will be dis cussed on a television pro gram on KBESTV at 3 o'clock this afternoon. The half-hour program is under the sponsor ship of the Jackson County Public Health association and is a public service feature of the station. City officials who will dis cuss the proposed annexation of 3,000 acres to the east south and west of the present city lines include Mayor Earl Miller, City manager Robert Duff, and Tom Wray, chair man of the planning commis sion. Mrs. John Hansen, a resi dent of the area to vote on the plan, and Tom .Reeder of the sanitation committee, will rep resent the Public Health association. 90 days for improvements to start after petitions with at least 50 per cent of the property own ers are submitted to the council. Q. Can the city condemm land for road purposes? A. Yes. Condemnation is a court proceeding, and damages are awarded by the court. Q. Can livestock, such as chickens, dairy cattle, and oth er domestic animals be raised in the area if annexed? A. Yes. Zoning ordinances will permit farming and livestock raising. The planning commis sion is presently considering an additional agricultural zone which would permit all types farming. Q. Can people moving in the area force other residents to dis continue raising farm animals? A. Yes, if subdivisions develop within present farming areas, residents of the subdivision may request discontinuance of farm ing. However, farmers within the area will be protected by zoning codes, which will include orchardists, small acreage and other tracts. Q. Will orchard heating and spraying be allowed if the area is annexed? A. Yes. Farming will be car ried on as usual even after an nexation. Q. Why isn't the election be ing held within each separate district, such as water and sani tary districts, instead of a "pack age deal?" ' A. The election could be held within each district, Duff said. He pointed out if annexation fails July 5, other attempts may be made in smaller districts. The planning commission, after care ful, study, believed annexation as proposed the most feasible system. ' Should the large annexation proposal fail, city officials said smaller areas similar to Laurel hurst addition could then be an nexed. Residents there will vote on annexation July 5, an elec tion which was called after they petitioned the council for annex ation. An election is necessary, however, because 100 per cent of the Laurelhurst residents did not sign the petition. Q. Is it possible boundaries could follow street lines, instead of 200 feet or more to one side? A. It is possible, but city county problems ' do not arise when boundaries are to one side. For example, should, a water main be installed on such a city- county road, only those residents! within the city would finance it while those in the county would be outside the city and would not be assessable for the improve ment. Q. Why is annexation being submitted to the voters now. in stead of later to allow more time for publicity and voter registra tion? - A. City Manager Duff pointed out annexation received news paper publicity as early as March 15, and that there has been much subsequent publicity. Residents in the proposed area could have been registered to vote prior to June 6. Q. Can non-properly owners vote? A. Yes. Any resident within the proposed area who is a reg istered voter may cast a ballot. Q. Is it true that residents of Medford will vole on an increase over the 8 per cent limitation for the budget at the same time resi dents outside the eity vote on annexation? . A. Yes. But Mayor Miller pointed out that the city elec tion on financial questions has no direct connection with annex ation. Q. What additional revenue Announcing ... Ihm Opening of the Offices of DR. FRANK M. WILSON, DENTIST . for the practice of General Dentistry FLUHRER BLDG - SUITE 304 Phone 2-2414 Hours: 8:30 to 5 Daily Sat. 8:30 to 1 2 I f ' 7 -A iZprr1-1- i "'""Ii ' A V--- :-J r-H ,- 1-. - E : 2 - Jrsrssr "TTTTir i - J mr -Vfi - - I - A A - ' " f s 1 FT- ' ik h1 'J Tl - v ! V k,x Sk I : . iij r- 1 k-. -: Au. - L :r t k J ANNEXATION BOUNDARIES The proposed area to be. annexed is shown by the cross-hatched areas on the above map. The areas include the Laurelhurst addition north of Jackson st., and South Medford, briefly described here: From the east city limits, 200 feet north of Hillcrest rd., east to a -point 200 feet east of Foothill rd.: south (with two zig-zags as indicated toward the right of the above map) to a point east of South Pacific highway; west across Southern Pacific railroad tracks; northwest to opposite Charlotte Ann rd.; west ward 200 feet south of Garfield st. and to a point 200 feet west will the city receive from the area if annexed? A. The Medford levy (now 22.8 mills) will not be levied in the area during fiscal year 1955-56. The city will be underwriting the area for several years be cause revenue from the area will not pay for additional services until the area is more fully de veloped. Q. What will be the tax on acreage In the area if annexed? A. The tax would be at the city's millage rate. However, because of low assessments on acreages under present assessed valuations, the city tax on one acre assessed at $100 would be $2.28 annually at the present millage rate. Acreages annexed would not be assessed on a lot basis. Q. Will school district bound aries change? A. No. School district bound aries will be the same, unless changed by the boundary board. Q. How will fire protection increased in an area which al ready is served by the Medford Rural Fire Protection district? A. The rural fire district con tract provides that one piece of equipment be sent to rural fires. With annexation, the department would be obligated to 'send any and all equipment necessary to extinguish a fire. Q. What would happen to bulk gasoline storage tanks above ground if annexation is ap proved? . A. The city operates under state code, which would apply. If more than 125 gallons of gaso line or oil is stored above ground, a permit will be neces sary, or the storage tank will have to be underground. Q. If a piece of property in the annexation area is now paying a rural fire protection district tax. the county tax, a school district tax, a sanitary district tax, . a water district tax, and the rural school board tax, how would this be changed by annexation? A. The property would no longer be subject to the rural fire tax of 5.2 mills, and would have the city tax (now 22.8 mills) added to it. Otherwise it would remain the same except that when existing bonded in debtedness of sanitary and water districts is paid off, these taxes would be eliminated. City officials have pointed out that should annexation fail and growth continue in these areas, several districts probably would have to be organized for police protection, street lighting, and other services, in addition to those now being provided and paid for. The cost of maintain ing such numerous, separate dis tricts would in the long run be come much more than if the area were provided these identical services by the city, they said. . COSTLY ENTERTAINMENT Hartford, Conn. (U.R) A television show cost Joseph Cal lahan $80 and he didn't even see it. he money was taken from his nearby trousers after he dozed off in front of the screen. CentraD Point LtaaO Fire budget Ejection Dssues Are (Discussed Central Point - Approval of the 1955-56 budget by. Central Point Rural Fire district voters Thursday, June 23, may decrease fire insurance rates in the White City area and would insure pres ent tax levies in the district, it was reported last week. The election will be to approve $8,629 over the 6 per cent limita tion on a $30,370 budget. The $8,629 would provide equipment and personnel to operate per manently a Class 7 fire station in the White City area, land and a building which have been offered by the White City Realty company ' without, cost to the district. May Withdraw1 " District officials said reliable sources reported the 'White City portion of the rural fire district may withdraw if the budget is not approved. The Central Point American this week said, "It was said that White City firms will put in their own fire station if the proposal does not succeed." Should the area withdraw from the district, officials said, assessed valuation of the north east section would be lost, and taxes in the remainder of the district may be increased to sup port present facilities. The total assessed valuation of the 70-mile-square district is about $7,000, 0.00, including the White City industrial and residential areas. Would Decrease Valuation ' District officials pointed out that loss of the expanding area would greatly decrease total as sessed valuation, upon which a tax levy is based. Should the area remain in the district, ex panding industrialization in the future would be on asset in sup porting the fire district, officials said." If voters approve the budget, insurance rates for residences within 500 feet of a fire hydrant would be lowered for the fourth time in live years, according to district officials, who worked with fire insurance representa tives' in obtaining figures. Insurance rales would be low ered to between $6 and $6.80 per $1,000 of insurance for three years. It is estimated that at least 500 homes are in water dis tricts with hydrants, or are in areas in the process of organizing water districts. Estimated average insurance carried on dwellings in the dis trict is $4,000. The 1950 insurance rates on cmejity I 1 tmmk of 5 aid flag ewlekeirhTa Georqe E. 131 West Main, Medford - Phone 3-1841 of Thomas rd.; north to a point 200 feet north of Stewart ave.; eastward to a point 547 feet west-of Lozier lane; north to a point 200 feet north of West Main st.; and east to present city limits, shown toward left of map. The Laurelhurst annexation area includes that portion of the addition not now within the city. The boundary extends from the present city limits on Crater Lake ave.; north to a point 150 feet north of Stevens st., and east to Wabash st. Residents who are not. sure if they live within the proposed boundaries may check their residence location at the city hall. , district residences totaled be tween $11 and $22 per $1,000 for three years, but early in 1954, rates dropped to between $10.40 and $21. On Sept. 1, 1954, insurance rates were lowered to between $7 and $7.90, and should a station be constructed in the White City area, rates probably would be lowered to between $6 and $6.80. . District officials proposed the White City station to provide residents throughout the district with equal protection, pointing out that efficiency is lost when the department is called to a fire more than 4Vi miles from a station. - - The district covers an area of 70 square miles,-and equipment frequently has to travel as much as 10 miles from the station, of ficials pointed out, ' ' . .. Does Fire Job The board of directors said the "station and equipment in service now does a fine job, for the taxpayers who live close enough, but it does a relatively poor job for the people who live farther than 4li miles away." The present station south of Central Point was built first be cause it is in the area of highest risk, but the directors said "now that is is set up and functioning, the construction of the next most important station should be con sidered." The proposed budget, which was defeated in an election May 31, is an increase of $1,762.62 over 1954-55's budget. Some $8,629 is over the 6 per cent limitation, an amount which would furnish equipment and personnel for a White City sta tion. Construction of the station. estimated to be about $21,000, would be done by the White City Realty company, and donated to the district for use. v The. election will be held Thursday between 2 and 8 p.m. at the rural fire station south of Central Point. , BIDS INVITED Portland (U.R) The . Corps of Engineers here has invited bids for manufacture . and de livery at North Bonneville, Wash., of divider walls, stop logs, weirs and certain other parts for the experimental fish facility at the Washington shore fish ladder of Bonneville dam. Bids will be opened here June 30. Delivery must be completed by Sept. 15. ROYAL-1" HEARING AID .? Vaem fat few : ua. umrm snoot tn pnraia that the tortinf laboratory, which prove 1 Zenith Royal-T priced at lase taaa H as mm a onoti oqiu Ta lent performance to that 12SS lnrng o tested.. .aids-a S26S? White HEARING AIDS onpeabve ida-avef. No Injuries Result From Auto Accident No injuries resulted from two minor , automobile acciaems re ported in the county Friday, according to state police. A car driven by Keith Wesley Garrett, 33 North Pioneer st., Ashland, overturned in a ditch off Highway 99 south of Phoenix when he fell asleep while dri ving to Ashland, officers re ported. The other accident involved a car driven by James Lowery, 31, Shady Cove, and a J e e p driven by Anna Conover, 65, Eagle Point, and occurred on Highway 62 a mile south of Shady Cove. Damage was listed as minor, officers said. Fairgrounds Windows Reported Broken Out A total of 221 panes of glass have been broken in windows of a building at the Jackson county fairgrounds, Raymond F. Vin son, 767 Gilman rd., told city police Friday. " He- said that the malicious damage to the building included holes pushed through the walls. Youngsters in the area are be lieved responsible, according to the police report. Ray L. Casterline, M. D. - PHYSICIAN Announces the Resumption of Practice Limited to Diagnosis and Internal Medicine 832 East Main Street Phone 2-7440 Medford, Oregon IT'S ALWAYS UOnTClUEHLE At 1230 on the Dial Because of national and Lcsal (lews Merlin Aerontky Edncrd R. Llrrron FrtskGott Ch:i Itatby Pt:l llcrvoy Rogc) Vdhy depart Sea Hayes CBS and ABC South American Scourer Tired After Long Trip Portland, Ore. (U.R) A 28-year-old . South American Scoutmaster, who baa pedaled a bicycle some 35.000 miles en route to the International Boy Scout Jamboree in Canada, is looking for an easier way get back home. Israel Alfonso Acevedo Valderama, a carpenter from Barranquilla, Colombia, stop ped here Friday to rest his weary toga and . say a few words through an interpreter. "I'm tired." he said. "If X can't buy a motorcycle, I think IH work my way back en ship.'V Valderama- started out from his home six months ago and decided to see South Am erica first. He then pedaled through Central America and up the west coast of the United States. He plana to head through Canada to the Scout Jamboree at Niagara-O'n-The Lake. Ont., Aug. 18-28. DA, Deputy, Planning To Attend Conference District Attorney Walter Nun ley and Deputy District Attorney A. E. Piazza will be in Salem Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- day this week to attend the an nual conference conducted by . the Oregon attorney general'! office. The conference is another in a continuing legislative educa tional program for district at torneys. Subjects will include advising county officials, changes in the Oregon penal code, criminal trial tactics and techniques, handling juvenile offenders, non-support case procedures, and Oregon law of search and seizure. The Ore gon crime picture will be analy zed. A report on possible re vamping of the DA offices will be heard and general problems will be discussed. Beeneffort Engineer Awarded $200 Prize Portland U.R) A Beaverton engineer has been awarded a $200 cash prize for sustained superior performance by Col. James U. Moorehead, Portland district engineer. Dean L. Harshberger received the cash award for his super vision of Willamette Falls locks, the Willamette river from Cor vallis to the Columbia, and the Columbia river from below Bonneville dam to the Longview bridge. BETTER ROADS FUND New Haven, Conn. U. The will of the late Andrew R. Bradley bequeathed $774 to the state of Connecticut for im provement of its highways. Texeeo Repsrtsr Lowell Thsass Chsvrel:! Hans tizzz Edncrds .Ksrrs Vtlbr 7i::h:ll CDS Sisy llzm
