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SATURDAY February 28, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels February 6, 2004 Closure decision needs more time I have been following with interest the apparently imminent closing of Lincoln School. I am not a parent, but I feel strongly that this decision has a direct impact on the quality of our life here in Ashland. How many of us moved here when Ashland had five neighborhood schools? I assert that these neighborhood schools are an indispensable component of what makes Ashland extraordinary. The closing of yet another neighborhood school diminishes us all -- no matter our state in life. I am incredibly disappointed that Lincoln's closing seems to be a foregone conclusion. Pronouncements such as "not a matter of if, but when" are not at all helpful. They betray a mind closed to new possibilities and options. If Ashland is "about" anything, it is about exploring possibilities. Sarah Cotton's recent letter particularly moved me. The issues she raises cannot be dismissed simply because she's a child. In fact, she speaks as an individual most directly affected by the agonizing decisions to be made. The school board and superintendent must, it least for a moment, put away their calculators and spreadsheets, listen to the desires and aspirations of our whole community, including the children, and arrive at a solution that meets the deepest needs of us all. If Lincoln is closed without fully exploring the possibilities earnestly offered by a committed and concerned community, we'll really have to wonder if Ashland lives up to the reputation it wishes to so carefully portray. Jim Schlight Ashland We're the authors of Mount Ashland Once upon a time, there was a very sacred mountain named Mount Ashland that looked over a beautiful valley. The mountain loved her valley and served as a guardian spirit for her people. Though most of the people in the valley never realized or gave much thought to it, the mountain provided many gifts and many of the things necessary for life. Her most precious gift was the gift of water. For water is life. The mountain also provided a lot of fun and laughter for her people by unselfishly allowing part of her body to be sacrificed for her people's recreation. But the people got greedy and wanted more of her body of their fun and material gain. What they did not realize was that by asking for her further sacrifices, they would be upsetting her delicate balance and that what was harmful for her would be just as harmful, if not more so, for them. The people bickered and debated, and very few of them thought to ask the spirit of the mountain what she wanted and what was best for her. For they had forgotten that she (and all of Mother Earth) is a living, breathing spirit to be honored, respected and consulted. They had forgotten that their very lives depend upon her vitality and good health. The end of this story has not yet been written. We are the co-creators of this story. May Mount Ashland and we, the people of her valley, blessed by her many gifts, live happily ever after. Robin James Ashland Money raised to protect wolves My name is Myan McQueen, and I earned some money for the wolf sanctuary. I think it should stay open because these people are trying to save wolves, and if the sanctuary closes down there will be nine or 10 wolves left in the world. Wolves are my favorite animal, and if I have to earn more money, then I'll do it. Even if it takes a month, I'll still do it. If the Howling Acres wasn't here, people probably wouldn't see wolves. I earned $65.75, and I hope I didn't earn that money for nothing. Myan McQueen 8 years old Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: The new search is here! Click here for more information. .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams