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Letters: Take a look at plans for public events at Armory The Oregon Military Department has applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the Armory at the corner of Wightman and East Main streets. This site is zoned SO (Southern Oregon University) and is surrounded by R-2 zoned land (low-density, multi-family residential neighborhoods), rural county land, and a bit of land belonging to the Ashland School District. The permit, if granted, would "allow the existing 6,858 sq. ft. interior of the National Guard Armory facility � to be used for a variety of events, including trade shows, flea markets, community events, and private parties between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight" - presumably any and all days. Potential disrupting impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods and to this general area of Ashland with regard to traffic, noise, safety, lighting and parking stand to be considerable. Is this the beginning of general commercial development along East Main between Fordyce and Clay? Why is the Oregon Military Department requesting this? Why is SOU not opposing it? Why is the media not covering it? Might it have to do with funding homeland security or supplementing a diminishing state education budget? Will granting this permit set a precedent? At present, the closest commercial establishment to this corner is Rogue Valley Roasting Company (a half mile away, very small, and with limited hours of operation). The traffic and safety issues already associated with the schools in this part of town, the parking issues associated with the flea and grower's markets (which have already been permitted to use the armory on a limited basis this summer), and the noise generated by the activities at the two stadiums are of some concern already, although all are of short duration and associated with compatible activities. Operation of this facility for commercial and non-commercial activities from 8 a.m. to midnight in this otherwise quiet residential section of town does not seem compatible. If you are interested in further details, plan to attend the Planning Commission public hearing at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and call the city's Planning Department or a planning commissioner. S. P. Rust, Ashland Vandalism is not funny To the individual(s) vandalizing the Ashland Daily Tidings vending machines: It's okay if you don't like the content of the newspaper, but when you paint messages, damage components, and otherwise violate the machines, you are not hurting the people who write commentaries, articles and opinions. You are hurting the people who maintain the machines. "Typical right-wing jabber"? I believe the Daily Tidings is a very left (liberal) paper, as far as editorial content is concerned. Thanks for the extra work I don't have the time or budget for. Next time, just write a letter to the editor. Wesley Hassett, Circulation, Ashland Daily Tidings Time to move ahead with ski area expansion It is time to move ahead with the Forest Service's decision to proceed with Altemative #2 for the Mt. Ashland Ski Area's planned improvements. It is important to the community and region to keep this vital recreational amenity alive and growing as the population increases and the variety of winter uses expands beyond the original skiing concept which began at Mt. Ashland. Having spent the last 19 seasons skiing at Mt. Ashland, we can certainly list all the needed improvements that would make a safer, more user friendly updated facility. Altemative #2 addresses these concerns. We support the results of the extensive studies and research that resulted in the final DEIS. Qualified people have spent many hours in this endeavor. Mt. Ashland is well managed by experienced professionals and an asset to our community that must continue to grow. Multiple use of our National Forests has always been a given concept that must be continued and not be forgotten in today's society. Our wish is to be able to experience an expanded, updated ski area in the very near future. We urge the US Forest Service to stay the course and get the job done. Tom and Nancy Burnham, Ashland LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -