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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad July 27, 2005 In defense of MacLennan By Starla Jones Ashland I find it very disheartening that there are so many people bad-mouthing Officer MacLennan over the Ashland Police Association’s decision to sign a letter of no confidence in Chief Mike Bianca. David and Linda Young’s personal and public attack of this officer is a perfect show of a “lack of knowledge” on their own part. I would like to remind everyone that this man is the president of the association and therefore the voice that speaks for the group publicly, so don’t attack him personally. I happen to know Officer MacLennan from a few dealings that I have had with the department and he handled my situation extremely knowledgably and with respect for myself and the other party involved. I would also like to point out that Officer MacLennan has been recognized numerous times by MADD for his work removing DUII drivers from the streets of Ashland. He was even awarded the title of DUII Officer of the Year for the State of Oregon because he alone arrested more DUII drivers in one year than any other officer in the entire state. I would say that is quite an accomplishment that we should all be proud of and thank him for making the streets of Ashland safer for us all. How many tragedies would have occurred had he not been out there stopping these people? Obviously Ashland is not exempt from tragedy, as we all know too well lately. Maybe people like the Youngs should take the time to meet Officer MacLennan and see that he isn’t such a bad guy after all, and just how extremely knowledgeable about his job and our city he is, before opening their mouths. For all we know, he might have been one of the few officers who voted not to get rid of the chief. I wouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions, especially when you don’t know. Chief Bianca has no hard feelings against him and is proud to have him serving the city, Why shouldn’t you be? --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.