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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us April 6, 2005 Set quarry record straight Headlines about the proposed Dead Indian Memorial quarry/asphalt application indicate that the applicant, Joe Dauenhauer has withdrawn a 24-hour asphalt operation from his application. At the recent county hearing, the applicant’s attorney did make this request. But, his attorney then went on to say that if in the future one of the applicant’s contractors expressed an interest in asphalt then indeed Mr. Dauenhauer will allow for its production — but not for 24 hours per day. It is no wonder that Mr. Dauenhauer feels that the community doesn’t trust him — he has again misled us. If his true intentions are to never produce asphalt and to build trust let him act on it in a legal, deeded fashion and not by misinforming the public. According to the article, Mr. Dauenhauer also cites that he feels asphalt is the main reason for opposition to application for a quarry/asphalt operation. In reality, many of the nearly 100 attendees at the hearing cited numerous reasons for objection including but not limited to: traffic safety, air noise, water pollution, conflict with open grazing territory, wildlife impact, water and residential well issues, spoiling of a scenic viewshed. The fact that there are 331 approved quarry sites in Jackson County. What hopefully was demonstrated by the attendees was that there are other options to supply the area’s rock and asphalt needs that are far more suitable than Dead Indian Memorial Road. Mitchell Sherman Ashland Plan for rising elderly care Living in a retirement residence, I have become very aware of the many caregivers working in our community. As this Valley is attracting seniors, more care giving will be needed. As a preparation for hiring and or using a caregiver, a good resource is Rosalynn Carter’s book “Helping Yourself Help Others —A Book for Caregivers” (c1994). It is available in our libraries and bookstores. The National Federation of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Inc., reports that “every week…our life expectancy goes up 2 days.” Jean Strand Ashland Who is dividing the spoils? Around town, I’m surprised to find that many in the community are not aware that Lincoln Elementary School is closing this spring, even though there is not enough room for all the children to fit in the remaining three schools. It will be a difficult transition for many — crowded conditions in the remaining schools, large classes, zone changes for many families. I’ve heard that families with children are leaving Ashland because of high housing costs, but now I hear of many who are leaving, not the town, but the public schools because of the forced changes and destruction of the strong small community neighborhood schools. Recent e-mails from concerned friends tell me that there have already been negotiations for the sale of Lincoln Elementary School to be sold soon to the University. A sale of Lincoln amounts to the University taking advantage of the school funding crisis to encroach on Ashland real estate. I’m wondering if there have been hidden agendas all along precipitating an early closure of Lincoln. I am heartened to hear that Ashland School District wants to offer more alternatives such as the Waldorf-style first grade at Willow Wind School in order to offer a small community choice for families, but isn’t it kind of ironic that this comes in the wake of destroying the small community feel we’ve had for so long until the recent closures? And why the hurry to sell so quickly? Does this have anything to do with the upcoming school board elections in May? I am hoping to get clarification. Perhaps the Ashland School Board or the Superintendent Juli Di Chiro would like to respond. Have our school priorities changed from nurturing lifelong learners and citizens to making money? Hal Palmer Ashland Density at issue with co-housing I’m responding to John Javna’s March 3. My property is adjacent to the Fordyce parcel that is under appeal to the city council for a zone change from single family residential to low density multi-family to accommodate a 13-unit co-housing community. I want to set the record straight. I like the co-housing concept and I know many of the neighbors surrounding the 1.3-acre Fordyce parcel do also. We’re not opposed to co-housing! But we are opposed to a spot zone change to a higher density. Our neighborhood consists of all single family homes. Given the current zoning rules, the 1.3-acre Fordyce parcel could be developed with 6 to 8 residences. The co-housing group wants a zone change so that they can build 13 residences on that parcel consisting of some duplexes, a triplex and a community building. That’s double the residences, people, vehicles, traffic, visitors, pets, noise and impact on the environment than the parcel is currently zoned for. The lack of parking spaces that the co-housing group proposes for the increased number of residents and their guests is also a concern with the neighbors. Our crowded streets will have to accommodate their overflow parking as well. The planning commission voted 5-2 to deny the proposal for a zone change in part because the neighbors don’t want the added density and also because spot zone changes are concerning and don’t typically support the Comprehensive Plan. I hope the co-housing group will reconsider and submit a proposal for a co-housing community consisting of 6 to 8 residences. It would fit in with the zoning of the rest of the area and we’d welcome our new neighbors. Beth Lippert Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Women's & Men's Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress afsa home equity loans teleconferencing W2 Forms Homeschooling Tatoos student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts African Safari Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation diamonds Currancy Exchange Online Casinos Community Fasa Student Loans Tatoo Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams