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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Wider is better ... Hands needed to help Food Bank with bi-monthly drive ... Ashland High grad, professor, author and musician plays here Friday ... Our View: Wider is better ... Hands needed to help Food Bank with bi-monthly drive ... Ashland High grad, professor, author and musician plays here Friday ... OUR VIEW Our View: What price history? Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The City Council's apparent intent to spend $57,000 on a replica of the "Pioneer Mike" statute that stood over the Plaza for more than a century raises some interesting questions about historic preservation and when it should be a priority. The original statue, incorrectly known as "Iron Mike" after a long-ago error in this newspaper (before we were here, we trust), has suffered repeated indignities over the years, more than once involving inconsiderate people breaking off Mike's rifle and the arm with which he holds it. Now it appears the zinc casting is not durable enough to be repaired and survive continued exposure to the elements. Preservation consultant George Kramer has recommended casting a replica in bronze, which would cost more but would last much longer, and fix the original for display indoors. The council has not yet voted, but members have indicated support for the plan. Here are some questions councilors should consider first: What does Mike represent to Ashland, beyond his presence for 105 years? He's not an actual person, but a generic pioneer figure, one of multiple copies of the statue installed in Salem and in Iowa, among other places. How important is Mike to Ashlanders? How many noticed he was gone, or would really miss him if he never returned? Would indoor display of the original be sufficient preservation? Should a replica even be considered historical? If Mike is important enough to replace, we agree a bronze replica makes sense. Councilors must decide whether that is worth $57,000.   DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501