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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 1955)
rOURTEZH MTDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE Sunday, November 20, 1953 iedford Officials Study Many City Problems at Oregon League lew Ideas, Points of View Given for Solution of Development ieetsng; Questions Acquaintance With Other City Leaders Assists Officials Most Municipal Problems Talked New idea and DOints of view for coping with municipal prob lems, profiting from experiences nf nthpr pities, and learning techniques of federal and state agencies these are among the maior advantages of the League of Oregon Cities' convention held in Portland recently. Medford Citv Manager Robert Duff, in a report to the council on the city s participation at me convention, indicated the meet ings also helped establish per sonal relationships with other city officials. This promotes bet ter cooperation between cities as well as state and federal agen cies, he said. Many Subject Meetings at the convention covered almost every subject concerning problems of munici palities, ranging from water sup plies to uniform and standard ized construction codes to urban and fringe area development. Among those giving reports on fringe area problems were Duff, Klamath Falls Mayor Paul Lan dry, Springfield Mayor Edward C. Harms Jr., and Washington County Judge Harry M. Seabold, who suggested legislation so , areas adjacent to cities would be forced to annex. He noted that some states now annex judi cially without an election. Subdivisiom Controlled Mayor M. A.. Davidson of The Dales reported that The Dalles requires all utilities to be in stalled in subdivisions before an nexation, and that subdivisions are limited by the city's water supply. Problems in Klamath Falls, Springfield, Medford and other Oregon cities were similar, and many of them were faced with sanitation problems simi lar to Medford's. Mayor Landry said Klamath Falls has neither power nor wa ter 1o entice annexation, and at Springfield, a high water table and soil conditions create poor drainage and adverse sanitary conditions. Subdivisions should be studied before planning commissions ap prove plats, Loyd T. Keefe, di rector of Portland Planning commission, noted. He said among items considered are ca pacities in streets, lack of cross connections and land use rela tive to proposed street system. Street Dedication Streets should be dedicated with adequate width for future arterials, Keefe said, and arterial streets and freeways should be fully determined before the sub division is approved. C. A. McClure, planning en gineer at Salem, said maps of the area within the Salem plan ning commission jurisdiction show all subdivision streets and dedicated streets. The plat is submitted to the post office for approval prior to the planning commission's approval he said. McClure pointed out that Sa lem also requires park areas in new subdivisions, and in some cases subdividers are required to deposit funds to be used for purchase of parks. The amount is based on the number of acres in the subdivision. Package Deals Ray N. Cruden, Oswego city engineer, said subdividers there receive permits for "package deals" including all improve ments and pay the city 6 per cent for engineering costs, ine Eueene Dublic works director said nublic utility easements should be required in subdivi sions before the development is completed. A committee has been formed to study standards for subdivi sions. J. W. Barney, Hillsboro city manager and chairman of the committee, reported. He said the committee, which has held only one meeting, . will consider street patterns, drainage, traffic circulation, lot areas and sani tary requirements, pattern of utility extensions and land uses, in determining possible standards. State Standards Barney said subdividers would cooperate if the subdivider knew what statewide standards he had to maintain. He pointed out that master plan for subdi vision standards should be used FREE COUPON This coupon entitles bearer, accompanied by parent, out free private lesson in any one of the following: Tap, Baton, Hula, Afro-Cuban, Spanish or Ballet "The Hollywood Way." Jackie Locke School of Dance 1002 W. 4th, Medford-Phone 2-2857 Phone EARLY MEDFORD Main st. in Medford, looking west from near Riverside ave., is shown above in the picture from Ben Trow bridge's collection. The picture was taken more than 50 years ago, but resemblances to only as a guide, noting that diffi culty arises in enforcing strict plans which cannot be changed. The convention passed a reso lution urging Oregon cities to cooperate with the state interim committee on local government and urban area problems in pre senting views and problems. The resolution said the solution of many problems may require an evaluation of "new concepts" of annexation and other fringe area and urban problems. Standards for improvements in new housing developments also were discussed at the con vention. Ronald C. McReary of Commerce Investment, Inc., said developers should have stand ards which may be followed with reasonable cost. The de veloper, he pointed out, wants the city to accept the develop ment upon completion. City Supervision Utility installation in new de velopments, McReary suggested, should be under contract with city supervision. The developer, he said, could contract for util ity work, and pay the city for supervisions and inspections. He also suggested relocation of water and sewer lines to between the curb and sidewalk, and sug gested that asphaltic concrete streets be specified instead of oil mat to eliminate some mainten ance work and expense. From the investment point of view, McReary said, the devel oper improves the area and scale of living, and wants a reason able return on the investment. Parks and other recreation fa cilities in new areas also were discussed. Mrs. Edith Eden, Med ford planning commission mem ber, said she noted a trend in other cities to plan parks near or adjacent to schools, so both the city and school may benefit. Eu gene, she said, coordinates use of a swimming pool between the city and schools. i Before Prices Rise Among other items discussed concerning parks, was the im portance of obtaining facilities in newly developing areas be fore purchasing prices increase to a point where the city is burdened. Swimming pool temperatures, lessons for adults and children within and outside the city, and wading pools being used at cer tain hours for handicapped children, also were discussed, as was the possible use of bath houses for teen-age club houses during winter months. The league adopted a resolu tion recognizing the importance of parks and recreation pro grams, and urged Oregon cities to develop programs consistent with their financial ability to provide necessary facilities and personnel. Traffic problems, including freeways, were discussed by W C. Williams of the states high way department. Medford Public Works Director Vernon Thorpe outlined the cost to the public of traffic congestion. Cost of Congestion He pointed out that the truck ing industry estimates that con gestion costs truckers between S5.000 and $6,000 per year per vehicle, and that the highway research board has estimated a cost of about $10,000 per year for delay in new traffic signals. Freeways, it was pointed out at the convention, are planned to funnel traffic safely and quickly through congested areas, Mayor Landry of Klamath Falls said freeway routes should be determined early so investments might be made wisely. Freeways should be construct ed in conjunction with a city's over-all street system, and an arterial plan should be extended into the future so right-of-way may be obtained in advance of needs. Williams outlined activities of the National Urban Transporta tion committee which is working on an overall plan for standard ization of inventories and reports for needs on arterial systems. Landry reported on Klamath Falls' arterial street program, pointing out that before final plans were adopted, cross town traffic and a traffic pattern had to be determined. Ask Share of Money The convention voted to reaf firm its 1954 request that laws be passed to provide an equit able distribution of county road funds to cities. The resolution last year asked for the ' propor tionate distribution to cities of any county market road levies made in lieu of general road taxes. Among other topics discussed at meetings attended by Medford city officials were personnel problems, city finances, uni form construction specifications, PAST PRESIDENT Diamond L. Flynn, former Medford may or, is retiring president of the League of Oregon Cities. He was succeeded by Astoria Mayor Peter G. Cosovich, who was elected at the League's annual convention recently. Flynn was elected to the board of directors. Another Medford man Charles Champlin, chief of police was elected president of the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police at the convention. - - 'WATSON'S STEAK HOUSE 3310 NORTH PACIFIC. . . PHONE 3-1678 OPEN: 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M. EVERY DAY Try Our $1.00 Dinners SPECIAL THANKSGIVING With all the trimmings present buildings (see picture at right) can be distinguished, as Hubbard Brothers store and the building just west of it. Part of the second bay window at center of above picture still may be seen at Swem's. air pollution, aerial mapping, water supply, and street number ing. Herman Kehrli, director of the bureau of municipal research and service and executive secre tary of the League, said police officers and other city employees often have employment on a part-time basis in addition to reg ular employment. He said re cruitment of competent em ployees, especially in police and fire departments, was one of the major problems facing commun ities. Recruits Needed Clyde A. Warren, Salem po lice chief, said his department was operating with several va cancies, and there was no one on the eligible list. The panel dis cussion revealed that several cities in Oregon, including Med ford, are operating with below complement police departments, and getting suitable recruits for career work is one of the major problems. Discussions on financial 'prob lems and procedures and city recording departments were at tended by Miss Neva Samuels and Darell Huson. Among speak ers were Max Manchester, exec utive secretary of the Public Em ployees Retirement board, who spoke on retirement systems; John W. Schuler, bonding at torney for the state, who dis cussed municipal bonds; and Robert K. Wood, chief of the ac cpunting systems section of the state department of finance and administration. Schuler listed procedures to avoid difficulty in selling mu nicipal bonds, and Wood reporte ed on services evailable to local governments, including services obtainable on a rental basis. Revisions Said Needed V. L. Goodnight, Corvallis city engineer, said there was a need for revising specifications and standardizing them so contrac tors could bid on a municipal project anywhere in the state without difficulty. He pointed out such standardization of spe cifications would help smaller communities. The standard specifications are being prepared by the League's committee on standard ization of construction specifica tions, and is patterned after the American Public Works specifi cations. Among the problems in developing the program, charters in various cities. must be con sulted for specifications before standards are adopted. Air pollution was discussed by A. M. Westling' of the League, who noted that methods have been devised to measure fall outs from sawmill waste burners. He said where cities adopt air pollution codes, the state .air pollution board handles fringe area pollution. Aerial Mapping Coos Bay City Manager Bob Kyle reported on the Coos Bay area' aerial mapping project, which cost about $5,000 with DINNERS $1.50 ' ' ' f ' '' ' " It Jrf TODAY'S MEDFORD Main st. in Medford, looking west from near Riverside ave., is shown in the Brainerd photo above. The pic ture, with several others, was part of Med ford's exhibit at the recent League of Ore- the cooperation of North Bend and the Coos Bay Water board. Such maps are used in zoning, planning, street construction, sewer construction and other problems. Kyle, pointed out that the method of mapping was con siderably cheaper than if sur vey crews mapped the area. Mayor Richard W. Long of Oregon City reported on prob lems in water supply, and O. J. Fett Jr., of the Roseburg plan ning commission, reported on street renumbering. Seek Better Relations Other resolutions adopted et the convention included one for better intergovernmental rela tions, and supporting decentral ization of government with more responsibilities for local units; supporting a program to require federal agencies pay special local improvement assessments; and supporting a program in which the federal and state match local Home Superintendent Talks With Physicians Dr. Irvin Hill, superintendent of . Fairview home, Salem, dur ing his recent visit to Jackson county, discussed the home with a number of local doctors. While Fairview is a home for children of low. mentality as well as for older inmates, he stressed that the primary role of the state institution is for re habilitation of the children, en abling them to return to their local communities as soon as they have' been trained to care for themselves. He said he plans to. publish a mimeographed form in the near future giving details of the steps necessary for children to be. ad mitted to Fairview. Copies will be made available to all doctors in the county, he stated. Man Bound Over In District Court Friday Bob Orville Barton, 34, of 132V6 Almond st., Medford, waived preliminary . hearing in district court Friday on charges of .obtaining money by false pre tenses and was bound over to grand jury. Bail was set at $1, 500. The . case involved a $10 check. Also in district court, Jimmie Mack White, 23, of . 49 Pines Trailer court, Gold Hill, was ar raigned. The case was continued until Monday on charges of con tributing to the delinquence of a minor. Bail was set at $1,500. Y.M.OA SWIMMING CLASS for Boys and Girls Ages 3-4-5-6 Starting Tuesday, November 22 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. CLASS WILL MEET ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS Mothers must be in the water with the child REGISTER NOW PHONE YMCA 2-6295 INSTRUCTOR WILL BE DON DAY "''v-; funds for purchasing civil de fense equipment. A resolution also requested the interim tax committee to study and analyze financial needs of RESERVOIR DIKE. Shown above standing on top of the soil conservation district dam, completed last week at the Vic Skou ranch in the Upper Table Rock area, are, left to right, A. M. Petska, soil conservation service engineer who. designed the dam, Skou, and Lester Adams, contractor. The 1,300-foot long dam will back up some 130 acre-feet of water for use in irrigation. The ranch reservoir was constructed in cooperation with : the Sams Valley-Beagle Soil Conservation district. (SCS photo) Complete New Earth Dam; 45 Acres To Be Irrigated An earth dam completed last week on the Viggo Skou ranth, north of Upper Table Rock and south of Highway 234, will pro vide irrigation water for" 45 acres of previously dry land. The Skou ranch is located in the Sams Valley-Beagle Soil Conservation district and techni cal assistance for construction of the dam was provided . by Bill Cox, conservationist; Albert! Petska, engineer; and M. B. i Lamp, conservation aide. It was . built by Lester Adams, Medford j contractor. . j The earth dam, which is 1,300 ; feet long and 18 feet high at the highest point in the fill, ,will be stocked with .trout to provide recreation for the Skou family. It will hold 130 acre-feet of water. Skou has owned and operated the 200 acre dry land ranch for the past two years. He plans to plant hay and pasture crops on the new tract of irrigated land. Use Tribune Want Ads QUICK and EASY! gon Cities convention in Portland. The "ex hibit showed progress of Medford since about the turn of the century. It was one of the most popular exhibits at the convention, according to city officials who participated. cities and consider methods and sources of supplementing city revenues in order that 'the obli gations of local government may be discharged properly. MON Wishes Your Special Thanksgiving DINNER $3.00 Salad Assorted Relishes Soup du Jour Turkey de Luxe Dinner Dressing,, Baked Yams, Pickled Pears, Vegetable Virginia Spiced Baked Ham wifh Fruit Sauce, Baked Yams, Pickled Pears end Vegetable DELICIOUS Prime Ribs of Beef Au Juis Baked Yams and Vegetable Thanksgiving Basket of Assorted Fruits SPECIAL DESSERT Tea or Coffee OPEN AT 3:00 P.M. For Reservations Phone NO. 4-2513 Awards Presented io orniin ueeK, SW Medford Clubs Pins and card awards were presented to members of Griffin Creek and Southwest Medford 4-H clubs at achievement day ceremonies at Grirtin creeK Grange Friday night. Gene McCurley, agricultural field representative of the First National Bank of Portland, Med ford branch, presented the awards. Included in the program were demonstrations on how to prepare a cow for milking, se lecting aprdns, and the seven bas ic foods. Vocal numbers were sung by Beverly Nelson and Bruce Boldenow. Pin Awards Presented Pins and card award were presented to: First year pins Sidney Bates, Carleen Black, Bonnie Brantley, Carol Depner, Judith Foreman, Mary Kay Har ris, Charlene Muir, Candace Newland, Carole Newland, Ron Perry, Nat Rode, Heather Rode, and Donald W. Smith. Second year cards James Albright, ElizabettPClark, Diane Evernham, Bonnie Goehring, Lynda Knips, Judy Maxson, Kar- lene Neill, Constance Patterson, and Barbara Walker. Third year pins Robert Al len, Ann Dariand, Elise Eskew. Harold Knips, Dolores Meyer, Raymond Nouguier, Jeannette Nouguier, Norman Renner, Jean nette F.obertson, Charles Show Keith Smith and Diane Walker. Fourth year cards Bruce Boldenow, - Sheila1 Couey and Mavis Strom. Fifth year pins Carolee Brantley, Judy Nelson, Donald Smith and Stephen Smith. Sixth year cards Dee Ann Clark. Ninth year card Beverly Nel son. Achievement Program At Sams Valley Monday The Evans Valley 4-H club achievement program will be held at the Wimer Grange start ing at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Achievement pins will be pre sented by representatives from the First National Bank of Portland, Medford branch. A potluck supper will be served at 7:30 p.m. McLaughlin Students Give Hedrick JH $323 A gift of $323.60 was pre sented to Hedrick Junior High school student body by Mc Laughlin Junior High school stu dents at an assembly at HedriclF last week. The amount was part of McLaughlin's $743.75, and was presented as friendship ges ture to start Hedrick's treasury. DE'SIR You a Happy
