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Letters: Expansion report needs re-drafting To quote the Tidings, Aug. 4, "Supporters believe the expansion (Mt. Ashland) would bring the area more up to date and increase the venture's economic viability." Thank you for putting clarity on an issue where supporters constantly talk about providing easier runs and greater access to skiing. I wonder what the mountain would say about its being brought up to date. Probably: "I want to go back to where I was 150 years ago." The published DEIS is once again deficient in dealing with many of the issues that represent the environment, both present and future. It does not fully and accurately deal with the impact on wetlands or down stream water quality. This deficiency allows the Mount Ashland Association to deal with water quality in a "best possible outcome scenario" The DEIS also does not address the full impact on the Englemann spruce and other endangered plants. This report needs to be re-drafted to fully represent the impact of any expansion. I urge all citizens who oppose the expansion to continue to be heard. Contact the Forest Service and ask it to deal with the real issues. Contact the City Council and advise (members) to resist the economic pressure and make the best long-term decision for the environment, not just the MAA. Mount Ashland is not just a place to ski, make money and bring tourists to fill the "shoulder season" in our local economy. It is a repository of our past, and a gift to the future. Ken Gosling Talent *** Guest forum: Is it just a distaste for skiing? By Jerry Nutter Ashland I would like Eric Navickas to write a letter to the Ashland community expressing what he finds so unacceptable about people skiing and snowboarding on our wonderful Mount Ashland. He goes on about the rare plants, which we will of course protect, about the watershed, which we will of course conserve, about erosion and sediments making their way to Reeder Reservoir, which we will of course prevent. We will of course turn our unique Ashland sensibility toward all of these very important points of consideration, I dare say to anyone's satisfaction. Does any one seriously doubt this? I suspect that Mr. Navickas has an unstated ax to grind about skiing in general. And I wish he would just share it openly and honestly. What I do know, is that he will attempt to thwart the growth of a fantastic winter recreation by such means as depriving it of power. He is suing to see that the existing power line, which is very old and obsolete, will not be upgraded, which would effectively block any expansion, and possibly compromise the current ski facility, and the communications installations on Mount Ashland. What next? Try to block the snow removal budget so no one can get up the road during winter? Deny the application of cinders? It appears there is not much that Mr. Navickas would not do or say to stop the growth of skiing in our community. Were it not so, I suppose Mr. Navickas would be a voice of intelligent, creative ideas as to how best to accomplish this expansion, expressing all the values and concerns he and this community hold in common. I would expect him to be an exemplary contributor to a project that can enhance the winter recreation of this community for years to come, instead of being its arch detractor. *** An apology By Jo Fries Ashland This is an apology to the students, parents and teachers at Willow Wind Learning Center for my letter, printed in the Daily Tidings July 17. I was deeply distressed by the story on July 10, reporting that the Willow Wind community objected to flying the flag at the school. It was incredible to me that parents thought they should vote on whether the law should be obeyed. I was also distressed and offended, on behalf of the many generations of fine men and women who have, for more than 200 years, left their families, even given their lives, to fight for our country, the flag it represents, and our freedom. When I tell you that I have a son that served in the Army for 20 years; a step-son in the Navy for 8 years; one son-in-law, a Marine and another, a soldier, who still struggles with lingering effects of injuries, disease, and trauma suffered in Vietnam, I hope you may understand my emotions when the country for which they served is slandered. I appreciate the freedom for which they all fought. It gives Willow Wind parents the right to express their opinions, just as it gives me the right to express mine. However, after reading Erin Terrall's letter in the July 27 Tidings, and realizing that some of my comments were misconstrued, I regret sending my letter to be printed. After writing it to "let off steam" I should have trashed it. Please allow me to correct some of your misconceptions, Erin. * I am sure that Mrs. Bungay is "a kind, wonderful person," and that she is also a loving mother. Nowhere did I imply that she was not, although I did disagree with her opinions about America. * I've reread my letter and confirmed that I never mentioned home-schooling. In fact, I admire parents who give their lives to teach their children. * I did not intend to imply that the students at Willow Wind are lawbreakers. My idea was poorly expressed. I should have written that I believe when parents or teachers advocate voting whether or not to obey laws, children may be influenced to disrespect and disobey them. Although I don't agree with some actions of our leaders, I still love America and respect the flag. I don't like some laws, but obey them regardless because lawlessness leads to anarchy and chaos. My friends and acquaintances know me as someone who is mild-mannered, loving, and compassionate. It would be completely out of character for me to offend anyone intentionally. I am sorry that Erin, and possibly others, were "insulted" because I had received the impression from Mrs. Bungay's comments that she hated our flag and our country. Obviously, I am intensely patriotic. I am thrilled when I hear our wonderful city band, or any band, play "Stars and Stripes Forever," and tears come to my eyes when a flag passes in a parade. When I see our beautiful flags waving as far as I can see down Siskiyou Boulevard on holidays, I am grateful that I live in this great country, with freedom and all the other blessings we enjoy. I hope that all of you who may have been offended by my letter will try to understand why I objected so strenuously to the attitude of those who were interviewed for the Tidings. I also hope that you will accept my apology for inadvertently "insulting" you. 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 -