Jeff’s Accomplishments as Jackson County
Commissioner, 1987-1991
To be honest, most government accomplishments come from the work of teams of people, not just one individual. With that in mind, the following are instances when Jeff clearly played a primary leadership role as County Commissioner.
- Improved the Rogue Valley airshed: After many public hearings, Jeff negotiated with woodstove users and dealers, health and environmental advocates and the state DEQ to create the first-ever county ordinance restricting woodburning on days of stagnant air. To make the program viable, Jeff sought and secured enough federal funds to purchase low-emission woodstoves for hundreds of low-income families.
- Established the County’s initial reserve fund: Jeff advocated long and loud for the county to become fully self-insured, which has saved taxpayers millions of dollars in liability insurance premiums. Funds set aside at that time to handle potential insurance claims became the core of the County’s “rainy day” fund, which grown into today’s large reserve account.
- Expanded the quantity and quality of tourism jobs: Jeff represented Jackson County in Oregon’s Regional Strategies program, helping to bring millions of dollars to fund local projects. In that process he co-founded the Southern Oregon Visitors Association (SOVA), which deserves credit for the maturing of an industry that has employed thousands of local people.
- Partnering with community groups to get more done: Jeff worked with grassroots groups to save historic covered bridges in Eagle Point and the Applegate Valley. He arranged in-kind services from the Public Works Department while citizens organized fundraising and labor parties. This cooperation got an important job done at minimal cost to taxpayers.
- Forged local solutions for rural residents. Example: With careful negotiation, Jeff stopped the railroad from closing its crossing at Hartley Road, which preserved vital access for people living there.
- Bolstered historic societies in smaller communities. Jeff insisted that the Southern Oregon Historical Society share slices of its tax revenue with historical societies is smaller towns, spreading the economic and cultural benefits more evenly throughout the county.
- Protected community human service programs. Jeff led opposition to deep cuts in grants to human service agencies. His success in stabilizing funding levels is one reason these agencies have been able to mature to become a vital, cost-effective part of the essential safety net in Jackson County.
One thing we could have done better, in retrospect, is to have resisted certain nonessential spending requests and set aside a steady portion of timber receipts in order to build a reserve fund even earlier than we have.
