Mark Wisnovsky for Jackson County Commissioner

Wisnovsky: A balanced view
Public, private leadership are a powerful combination

Medford Mail Tribune endorsement
October 15, 2010

The Rogue Valley's growth in the coming decades will continue to create friction between the need for room to accommodate that growth and the need to protect the valley's livability and its agricultural roots. In the race for Jackson County commissioner, Position 3, the area is fortunate to have a candidate in Mark Wisnovsky who has considerable insights into both sides of that equation.

As with the other race for the Board of Commissioners, Jackson County voters have two viable candidates to choose from. Republican John Rachor brings to the campaign a strong business background and a commendable focus on improving county customer service and volunteerism.

But Wisnovsky's position as a vineyard and winery owner puts him squarely in middle of the sort of land-use issues that will continue to push and pull at public policy. That, combined with his leadership in both public and private arenas, leads us to endorse his candidacy.

Wisnovsky, a Democrat, is a familiar figure in the county as the president and co-owner of Valley View Winery in the Applegate Valley. His family planted the first commercial vineyards in the county and he has stepped forward to be a leader in that industry.

Beyond that, Wisnovsky has had a front-row view of the sort of land-use issues that confront and confound us. He is an advocate for protecting farmland and the area's livability, but also knows that businesses — whether farmers or manufacturers — need a government that works with them to find an equitable solution.

As a small business owner himself, Wisnovsky could easily be inwardly focused on that task alone, but he has made commendable efforts over the years to give back to the community. He was the chairman of the campaign to rebuild and renovate Medford schools and is the founding co-chairman of the Hearts and Vines fundraiser, which has pumped more than $1.5 million into local charitable agencies over the past 15 years. That commitment has earned Wisnovsky support from a wide range of community leaders.

Rachor's focus is clearly on providing faster and better service in the building and planning areas, which often come in for criticism from business and development proponents. He is an advocate of private property rights and says he would be aggressive in questioning state and federal mandates, something that has on occasion landed the county in expensive legal battles.

Wisnovsky presents a working model of a candidate who will seek to balance livability and economic growth. That combination earns him our endorsement.

County needs Wisnovsky

When I was a member of the Medford School Board, we asked for citizens to help improve our school buildings. Mark Wisnovsky stepped forward!

For nearly two years, Mark committed his time and energy to bettering the educational experience of all students in the district. Mark's genuine concern and compassion, coupled with his decades of involvement in civic and service activities, ensured the success of the school bond campaign.

Jackson County needs Mark's strategic vision and business acumen. He will work hard and think outside the box to help Jackson County move forward. He values the attributes of living here that we all do: sustainability, livability, culture, history, education, local business and our rich natural resources. Mark has many supporters across the entire political spectrum.

Mark is a genuine and good man and I am glad that he is a commissioner candidate.

Please join me in voting for Mark Wisnovsky.

~ Mike Moran, Medford