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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 Home News Latest Stories Two races set for council positions Deadly virus stalks Southern Oregon deer Police Log Oregon sues Oracle and executives over health insurance exchange website PDF: State of Oregon v. Oracle America Inc. complaint Education SOU ROAR's to life Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Environment Deadly virus stalks Southern Oregon deer National monument area still faces threats What do you think of the return of wolves to Jackson County? How has the drought affected you? Wimer organic farm reaches out for support Business Organic & Healthy Dobra serves up teas and tranquility Revised employment figures show job growth in Jackson County Store to receive national award Former Daily Tidings publisher named to head new Gannett print company Politics and elections Two races set for council positions Library district won't take maximum tax rate Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Taking an independent stand Library district board, county at odds over proposal State News Nation - World Obituaries Dr. William Lee Ninon Schults (Cont.) Ninon Schults Death Notices Frank Raymond Nadeau Sports Latest Stories No Mo’ne on mound, Philly loses to Chicago Giants fall short in suspended game, 2-1 Ashland sports calendar: Local events and sports on TV Foles, offense sharp as Eagles beat Steelers Manziel not ready for prime time High school Southern Oregon University Season of change Raiders lean on passing, strength up front Beavers will get another shot at Buckeyes SOU men voted CCC favorites Former Ashland High star Niki Small reunites with former coach Rohlfing at SOU Opinion Latest Stories Whither OSF? Two views City sets example on marijuana tax Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Our View: Review the ordinance, not the site Letters to the Editor, Aug. 20 Editorial Whither OSF? Two views City sets example on marijuana tax Our View: Review the ordinance, not the site Our View: New twist on the flying wedge Proof is in the numbers Letters Letters to the Editor, Aug. 20 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 19 Letter at Length: Bravo to Ashland for water conservation Letters to the Editor, Tuesday, Aug. 12 Letters to the Editor Guest opinions Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Hamas supporters spread anti-Semitism around the world A fresh start for the Tidings — and for Mount Ashland Republicans and the politics of cognitive dissonance Revels Latest Stories Community blog:Ashland Book and Author Festival Coming Soon Ashland's On The Fly Improv had the audience rolling Community blog:Poet Laureate Peter Sears in Ashland World of Wine celebrates local varietals 4 things to do this weekend Theater OSF adds 'Wrinkle in Time' Family Night Daedalus Project 2014 Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' Music 'On the Fly' Live 'on the bricks' Sweet Ghosts at Oberon's Tavern Visual Art First Friday art walk in Ashland Movies Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 22-26 'What If' hits the sweet spot Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 15-21 'Boyhood' and 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' 'A Most Wanted Man' is full of complexities Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Lifestyle Latest Stories Inner Peace: Being in conscious presence or peacefulness If pot is medicine, should it be taxed? Backstage: For TV, never go beyond take three Food Project is a success story Inner Peace: Spiritual maintenance Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries NEWS NOW Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample ... CALENDAR ... Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample ... CALENDAR ... FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland By Dave Kanner and John Stromberg DailyTidings.com By Dave Kanner and John Stromberg Posted Aug. 20, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Dave Kanner and John Stromberg Posted Aug. 20, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News One of the wonderful things about Ashland is that we suffer no shortage of citizen engagement. This stands in sharp contrast to most other communities that struggle to get citizens involved in city government. In fact, seminars offered at mayors’ or city administrators’ conferences on promoting civic engagement bear little relevance to Ashland with its highly engaged community. Some of that level of engagement is simply a function of the type of person who chooses to live in Ashland: politically aware, articulate and able to express opinions thoughtfully. But we’d like to believe it’s also related to the fact that Ashland has 15 standing commissions appointed by the council, plus the elected Parks Commission. Plus we currently have four ad hoc committees working on specific issues, ranging from downtown traffic circulation to the future of the recycling center. Some of our boards and commissions are specifically required by state law or the city charter. For instance, every city has a Planning Commission and Budget Committee. But while many cities, including ones much larger than us, have just five or six standing boards/commissions (and will often struggle to fill those positions), Ashland has chosen to follow a path that offers more opportunity for engagement to more citizens. Many of the boards and commissions provide a forum for exploration of key issues and then become a pipeline for input to the City Council. Examples include the Conservation Commission, the Housing and Human Services Commission and the Transportation Commission. Others have a quasi-management responsibility for specific enterprises or functions in City government, such as the Airport Commission or the Public Art Commission. No matter where your interest lies, we probably have an appointed body that would welcome and benefit from your time and talent (though you may have to wait for a position to open up). We know that some people shy away from this type of public service because of the time commitment involved. However, most of these boards and commissions require only the time it takes to attend a monthly meeting along with the time to read the materials that are prepared for each meeting. And while the city benefits from the energy that each citizen brings to the board or commission on which they serve, those who serve enjoy the rewards of contributing to our incredible quality of life in Ashland and getting an in-depth education about Ashland city government. You’ll also meet fellow Ashlanders from all walks of life, who will open your mind to new ways of thinking about the city you call home. For any of you reading this who have ever wondered about how to become more involved in your community and help build on those things that make Ashland such an exceptional place to live and work — we encourage you to consider serving on a city board or commission. To see where the vacancies are, go to the City Recorder page on the city of Ashland web site (www.ashland.or.us) and click on the Commission Vacancies link. Our boards and commissions really do make a difference and you can be a key difference-maker, too!   John Stromberg is mayor of Ashland. Dave Kanner is Ashland city administrator. By Dave Kanner and John Stromberg DailyTidings.com By Dave Kanner and John Stromberg Posted Aug. 20, 2014 @ 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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