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Letters to the editor: More on building huge houses I know that I may be getting in late on this size limit issue, but I just read the letters today and need to respond. I am personally appalled at the arrogance shown by anyone feeling that they have the right to use the amount of resources needed to build a 12,000 square foot private dwelling. Historic districts aside, it is just wrong thinking to believe this to be an acceptable act. This IS an issue that really matters, and on a far larger scale than mere city business. It is an issue made important by the fact that this earth we live on is really just an island. It is finite and when we have trashed it, we cannot move on to a new island. It is the only one we have. It is time to say no to the more, more, bigger, bigger mentality that is gripping our consciousness. Bigger houses, bigger cars, more possessions. For goodness sake, the cars some of us are choosing to drive seem to barely fit on the streets anymore. The City of Ashland could be a truly forward thinking institution if it would create a limit based on conservation of world resources. And in the meantime I urge you, Mr. DeBoer, to consider the larger implications of your choice. Choose for us all, choose for the earth. Lisa Dorries, Ashland Limit is generous, not restrictive Doug Forsyth's recent commentary on the proposed limit on monster houses in the historic districts, like his previous two, is articulate, well-written, and inherently wrong. In this case Mr. Forsyth's opposition is based not only on fuzzy logic but entirely wrong mathematics. Like others who jump to conclusions about this proposal and seem to believe the City wants to force us all to use a single bathroom, Mr. Forsyth fails to comprehend just how generous a "limit" is being proposed. He states "We would not be able to add a planned future extension to the kitchen nor a much needed laundry. In fact, we would be stymied. Period." Unless Mr. Forsyth's plans are truly gargantuan, he is flat out wrong. The Forsyth's 120-year old house on Granite occupies a 15,246 sq. foot site and the current house, according to the Assessor, is 2200 square feet. Under the current proposed limitation, on this size lot, his house would be limited to 3650 square feet, or roughly 65% larger than it is today. Must be some laundry room he's planning. By my count this is Forsyth's third letter on this issue in the past 45-days, an apparent violation of the Tidings own editorial policy. I would respectfully suggest that if you are going to give anyone so much ink that Ashland, and certainly our historic districts, will be better off if you find someone who can multiply. George Kramer, Ashland Praise for street improvements To the Mayor, members of the Ashland City Council, and others who planned and carried out the task. A note of appreciation to all concerned. We think that the improvements on Ashland Street and on Siskiyou Boulevard are asthetically pleasing and functionally excellent. As the trees and other plantings mature, both streets will look even better. We especially like the extension of the bike lane through downtown. It would be nice to have some benches at the triangle opposite the new firehouse (which we also like very much, and the library. Ragan & Gerald Cavanaugh, Ashland Guest Forum: Weighing in on Ashland house size and classism By Vanessa Houk Ashland Being that I am on the opposite end of the spectrum in income level from the DeBoers, I can't afford to send 1,500 letters out to members of this community, so I am hoping that the Tidings might give me a chance to speak. When I first heard about the proposed ordinance limiting house sizes in the historic districts I was indifferent. Since moving back to Ashland I have pretty much given up on the dream that we might ever be able to afford a house here, and so I am ashamed to admit that I have developed an attitude of resignation, but after Sid DeBoer's comments at the recent city council meeting I am back in the ring. To hear him throw around words like classism and prejudice might be laughable, were it not so sad. Most of the time I do not even notice the material wealth around us - it simply does not enter my consciousness. Money, and material goods mean very little to me personally. I love this community partly because of the beauty of the hills surrounding us and also because of the very nature of the people who live here. One of my favorite things about this town is that it is a place where struggling artists, writers, free-thinkers, anarchists and even freaks live among wealthy business people and millionaires. This is my home. I am passionate about keeping this town from turning into a playground for the wealthy. I am not alone. I moved to Ashland about 15 years ago to attend SOSC and five years later we moved to Sunriver, then Bend and finally came full circle back to the Rogue Valley. This area has changed a lot in the last 15 years, but Ashland has not lost its charm. Some of what makes this town so special and unique is found in the homes that dot the hills above town and certainly it is important that these homes reflect the different personalities of the people who live in them. Although local homeowners might wish to see less ordinances, they exist for the greater good of this community. Our historic districts must be protected. Considering that the size of the house Mr. DeBoer is building (12,000 square feet) is roughly 12 times the amount of space my family of four lives in, I have a hard time understanding the need for that much space. It is simply not neighborly of the DeBoers to build such a large place in an area where the other homes are about 1/3 that size. I'd like to urge this community to remember Sid DeBoer's lack of concern for the history and beauty of Ashland the next time you are in the market to buy a new car. I fear that is the only message he will hear. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -