Hallet will make run for county board seat

By JILL BRISKEY
Mail Tribune

With a promise to shake things up and make changes for the better, Medford resident John Hallett announced plans to run for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Thursday.

"Do we need a change? What do you think," Hallett asked a crowd of more than 40 supporters in Hawthorne Park. "(The Board of Commissioners) have been there way too long."

Hallett, a former Medford councilman, will go head to head with commissioner Jack Walker in the November 2002 election for Position 1.

Walker said he hasn't formally filed for re-election but added that he will do so in the next month or two.

During the event, Hallett told his audience that if he's elected, he will make it a point to keep commitments and represent his constituents. Hallett also questioned the effectiveness of the commissioners. He worries about their existing emergency management plan, adding that he doesn't think they've, "done enough."

"They have massive problems with affordable housing. They have massive problems with health care," Hallett said. "It's time for a change."

Some of Hallett's main concerns include land-use planning and processing, livability issues, improving the county's relations with city governments and improving sheriff's department coverage in rural areas.

Dave Gilmour, a Central Point councilman, attended the event to show his support for Hallett.

"I'm 100 percent behind him," Gilmour said. "I've known him for years. He's a very honest fellow."

Hallett moved to Southern Oregon in 1969. He was the former territory manager for Warner Lambert Company. With his wife Beth, Hallett formed Nice and Easy Landscape Maintenance in 1991. The couple have two daughters and three grandchildren. He attended the University of Oregon Law School, and received a bachelor's degree in social science and psychology from Southern Oregon University.

Hallett served on Medford's council from 1978 to 1991 and again from 1993 to 1997.

Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail jbriskey@mailtribune.com 

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