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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us December 29, 2004 DeBoer's work is done By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings When the sound of a chainsaw firing up broke the morning quiet, Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer was there to face the ire of sleepy neighbors and upset protesters who converged on the scene. A worker began cutting down a ginkgo tree to make way for the voter-approved Ashland Public Library expansion at 6:30 a.m. - half an hour before the city's noise ordinance allowed the action. Outgoing Ashland mayor Alan DeBoer stands on the steps of the Ashland Public Library, with the new firestation and rebuilt Siskiyou Boulevard/East Main Street intersection behind him - three of the large projects completed on his watch. Denise Baratta | Ashland Daily Tidings Then-City Administrator Greg Scoles had wanted to cut down the ginkgo at 6 a.m., before protesters could disrupt the work and possibly endanger themselves and crews, while DeBoer had argued for 7 a.m. They compromised to arrive at the 6:30 a.m. start time in what DeBoer now calls "one of my bigger mistakes." But mistake or not, the incident early in DeBoer's term presaged his style during the next four years: keep a close eye on city construction projects, take responsibility for decisions and face citizens openly. Hands-on The same day, DeBoer noticed a tree about to be cut that he thought was supposed to be preserved. A check of the plans revealed the tree was to be left on site, and it was saved. "It's always good to be on site if you're in a leadership role," DeBoer said. His oversight of what Mayor-elect John Morrison half-jokingly termed the "largest construction binge in city history" led fellow Ashland City Council members to present him with a hard hat and bright orange worker's safety vest last week. In addition to the library expansion, the city renovated Siskiyou Boulevard and Ashland Street, built a new fire station and remodeled the Hillah Temple during his term. DeBoer, the owner of Town & Country Chevrolet Oldsmobile just outside Ashland, had campaigned with the message that he was well-qualified as a business owner to help shepherd the projects that had been approved by voters or earlier councils. His business experience, combined with his service on the boards of the Ashland School District, Mt. Ashland Association and YMCA, appealed to many of the residents who voted him into office. But others worried the council would tilt too far in favor of business. DeBoer said all of the community benefits when Ashland is able to support and attract appropriate businesses. "I hope everyone in Ashland is pro-business. Business provides jobs and salaries," he said. Still, the mayor has his detractors. Environmental activist Eric Navickas said DeBoer's term will not stand out in the annals of Ashland history. "Overall, he didn't get a lot accomplished. I can't say he did anything horrible when he was in office�. I can't see he did a lot for the business community," Navickas said. But Jim Teece, president and CEO of Project A, said DeBoer stayed in close contact with the business community and continues to serve on the Ashland Chamber of Commerce's Economic Sustainability Committee. The committee works to support and attract non-polluting companies that offer living wage jobs. "Economic sustainability is the key to the future of Ashland," Teece said. "It's a great place to live, but if we can't figure out how to make it a great place to work and raise a family we're missing a leg on the stool." DeBoer showed interest in a range of issues - not just those that affected businesses - and was a strong, fair and even-handed leader, according to Teece. Open door policy To mark DeBoer's last council meeting, resident Bryan Holley penned a limerick that read in part, "he's been even and fair, though it's cost him his hair, and we thank him as he strolls out the door." Southern Oregon University President Elisabeth Zinser lauded him for his frequent visits with students, while Morrison said DeBoer treated everyone from Boy Scouts to visiting dignitaries with respect. Citizens who came to speak before the council found a receptive listener in DeBoer - something that wasn't always the case with former Mayor Cathy Shaw. "I thought Alan did a much better job in how he treated people," said Councilor-elect Russ Silbiger, who had occasional public clashes with Shaw. "Before, people's motives were questioned and (Shaw) would cut people off. One thing Alan certainly did differently was allowing the audience to speak. He made people feel more welcome, whether he agreed with them or not. It was a big change." Silbiger said he believes Morrison will carry on DeBoer's style of being open to citizens. Looking at the make up of the new council, DeBoer said the mix of members will represent the interests of the community well. "It's very varied and has some great thinkers on there," he said. DeBoer, who did not seek reelection, said he doesn't know if he will run for public office again, but does plan to continue working on community issues such as affordable housing. "In any elected office, there's an opportunity for ego and feeling like you have power. But I think of it like volunteering for the YMCA board," he said. "I look at those elected positions as nothing more than volunteering." 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 Slippers men's slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Memory Foam Mattress college loans alternative student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation trillion cut diamonds Currancy Exchange Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams