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Sign up for the Morning Brief Newsletter . Daily Tidings Daily Tidings Sign up for the Morning Brief Newsletter . facebook twitter Antisemitism Exists in Ashland – City Council Urged to Investigate By Edith M. on July 20, 2024 ASHLAND, Ore. — The Social Equity and Racial Justice Commission (SERJC) has urged Ashland City Council to hire a professional to dig deep into possible complicity that could harm traditionally marginalized people. SERJC states that Ashland has been experiencing an increase in antisemitism since the October 7 attack by Hamas, in a report back to the City Council at its monthly meeting earlier this week. Local Jewish Resident Experienced Several Acts of Antisemitism, Including a Bullet Through his Window During public comment on the SERJC report, local resident Gil Livni says he had a swastika placed on his property, a bullet through his window, and nails puncturing his car tire. Livni says antisemitism ‘is alive and existing’ in Ashland, wryly adding that he has been the recipient of remarks such as ‘for a Jew you’re okay.’ The council agreed to explore hiring a professional to investigate acts of complicity against marginalized residents. The project will be part of its next budget biennium. The council also agreed to act on the SERJC recommendation to include antisemitic-specific training in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training program. However, this will be done on the understanding that its training budget is already thinly stretched. Buildable Lands Inventory Earmarks New Housing Sites At its meeting, the council approved an update to the Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI) created by the Ashland Community Development Department which earmarks land available for development inside and outside existing urban growth boundaries. According to population growth projections by Portland State University, Ashland will need 848 new dwellings in the next 20 years says the city’s Senior Planner Aaron Anderson. However, Ashland has sufficient land to build 2,710 new dwellings, which includes 1,407 within the existing Urban Growth Boundary, and a further 1,303 if the boundaries are expanded. Based on data provided by Portland State University, Ashland is expected to have a growth rate of 1% annually says Community Development Director, Brandon Goldman. Ashland Japanese Garden Receives Funding Injection The Ashland Japanese Garden will receive the bulk of funding awarded to the Parks Department for its Black Pine Replacement Project and improvements to the Koi Pond. In a budget supplemental presented by Finance Director Mariane Berry, the council heard that Ashland received $271,007 in revenue from timber sales generated by Ashland Forestlands Climate Adaption Program. The council approved revenue totaling $61,662.15 awarded to the Parks Department for the following projects: Ashland Japanese Garden Black Pine Replacement Project – $31,000 Ashland Japanese Garden Koi Pond Improvements – $22,199.15 $2,000.00 – APRC Volunteer Appreciation Dinner – $2,000 The rest of the funds have been earmarked for: Bicycle Safety Education – $1,838 Bicycle Education Program Helmets – $1,500 Rogue World Music Festival – $1,500 OR AFS Education Materials and Participation Grant – $975 2023 Vaccination Clinics – $400 2024 Bird Day – $250 Council Widens Search for New City Manager The city council has decided to widen the net to find the right candidate to fill its City Manager position. The meeting agreed to appoint a recruitment firm to undertake a nationwide search for candidates for the position. Ashland Jackson County News Share Related Posts Jackson County Fair in Oregon Now Underway Talent Residents are Frustrated by Power Outages During Triple Digit Heatwave Due to Popular Demand, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Introduces More Frequent Behind the Curtain Summer Tours Comments (0) Add Comment