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June 19, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels May 17, 2004 This red tape is worth watching Pay attention, they're rewriting your constitution. Not the Constitution. Rather, the Ashland City Charter, seen by many as the parallel of the Constitution on the municipal level. On May 4, the city council approved the creation of a charter review committee to begin the work of sifting through the 130-year-old document. Last updated in 1970, the charter is the basis for determining the power and structure of city government. Why does the mayor only vote to break a tie? Because the charter says so. Why do councilors serve for free? The charter says so. Why does the Parks Department operate on a different level than other departments? Again, the charter. The document also governs city elections, how taxes are levied, the creation of ordinances, public improvements, the city's relationship with Ashland Community Hospital, open spaces, and (crucial with recent events surrounding Colin Swales' planning seat) the appointment of committee and commission members. There are many common-sense aspects of the charter which should be upheld and even strengthened. Others, not so much. Article IX, Section 5 reads: "Debt Limit: The Council, by a two-thirds vote at any regular or adjourned meeting, shall have the power within the limits of the City of Ashland to borrow money upon the credit of the City and authorize the issue of orders or notes therefor to an amount not exceeding $5,000.00 when required for municipal purposes, which orders and notes shall bear a reasonable rate of interest and shall not aggregate at any time to exceed $5,000.00." What does that mean? $5,000 is a drop in the bucket to the city's debt, but, by redefining what "debt" means, the city has sidestepped the potential conflict. But, "It raises some confusion when we're going out to finance a project," City Administrator Gino Grimaldi said. There are other parts that even City Attorney Paul Nolte says are indecipherable. The committee will look at all this, and more, then decide where to propose changes. In the end, it's up to the residents. According to the charter, any alteration must be voted on by the people of Ashland. But if residents don't know what's in the document, or what changes are being considered, how can they vote responsibly? Check out the charter at www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=156, talk to your councilors, talk to your neighbors. In fact, the mayor is still looking for people to fill out the charter committee. Pick up an application at the city recorder's office in the City Hall on the Plaza. Call 488-5307. It might not be a big deal, but how would you ever know? DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams