TOC MTOTORD (OXEGOK) MAIL TRIBUHE
. Sunday,. June. It, 19SS
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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
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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
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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"
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that the
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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.
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