Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW It's no con: 'Dirty Rotten' is hysterically funny ... Charter, marijuana tax measures await Talent voters ... Emigrant Lake drowning victim identified as Medford man ... It's no con: 'Dirty Rotten' is hysterically funny ... Charter, marijuana tax measures await Talent voters ... Emigrant Lake drowning victim identified as Medford man ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Council jumps the gun Comment By John Gaffey DailyTidings.com By John Gaffey Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM By John Gaffey Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News In presenting the "10x20" initiative petition to prospective signers, Councilor Carol Vision and the other 30 pavement-pounders proffered the standard language: A signature would mean only that the initiative would appear before the voters in early November. The implication of the time frame is, of course, that there would be time and effort put into further public discourse concerning the goals and consequences of the initiative. But, in its Aug. 16 action, the council "adopted" the initiative, obviating the need for a public vote. At its Sept. 6 meeting, the council will make 10x20 the official policy of Ashland. 10x20 is nothing more than an unfunded mandate for something to happen. Councilor Voisin spells it out in all of its breathtaking nonexistence in her Aug. 31 Tidings Council Corner piece: “It’s important to note that there’s no specifics in the initiative regarding how to implement 10x20 or what it will cost. Such details are for the for council to determine with citizen input and discussion.” To navigate this void, Voisin asserts, “We’ll need a project manager with experience in municipal solar power installations to lead the council and citizens through the roll-out process.” And, “Energy from the solar farm or other new installations will need to be incorporated into existing infrastructure (Ashland’s Municipal Electric Utility’s feeder and distribution lines).” Undaunted by all of this pure speculation, our new energy czar concludes, “The project must immediately become part of the city’s 2017 budget.” She also notes, “I urge all citizens to pay close attention to the council vote Sept. 6.” Indeed. This is especially galling as the mayor and council established the city's Climate & Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee that has been pursuing these and similar concerns in a much more publicly inclusive and deliberate process with the goal of presenting their “Presentation/potential adoption of (the CEAP) draft plan” at the City Council meeting Jan.17, 2017. In his Council Corner piece July 26, city councilor and CEAP Committee Chair Rich Rosenthal tells us, “... Given this brief synopsis of comprehensive data (the standard 'it’s bad and getting worse' reporting) coupled with robust citizen feedback garnered through 17 public meetings and two well-attended open houses, the CEAP committee recently made seven preliminary recommendations. ... Over the next several weeks, the city's consultant will draft actions, options and cost estimates based on these initial recommendations. Then comes the hard part. Are the implementation, adaptation and mitigation proposals feasible? Are they socially equitable? Can we afford them?” Despite the several more scheduled CEAP meetings and two public open houses yet to come, apparently, councilors Rosenthal, Voison, et al, have decided they can safely move ahead without waiting for the answers. — John Gaffey lives in Ashland. By John Gaffey DailyTidings.com By John Gaffey Posted Sep. 2, 2016 at 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501