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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Should Ashland homeowners be able to rent rooms short-term? Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Forum to explores data gathered in National Monument Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Education Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Prisoners in their own home Louie's to donate sales to Helman Hug Fund Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Ashland Kiwanis recognizes Samara Diab Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Business Breaking ground on organic vineyard practices Southern Oregon University: Recent and pending projects at SOU total about $132 million Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries James Ellis York Death Notices Death Notices Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading Wade scores 32, Heat rally to beat Blazers AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor High school Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Grizz snowboard team heads to state with repeat potential Southern Oregon University Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Thompson, Weber to play in all-star game Beavers get No. 3 seed, host NCAA games Voices Latest Stories Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Our View: Tuition trauma Letters to the Editor, March 19 Editorial Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Our View: Ashland backs residents over visitors in lodging decision Letters Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Columns Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Council Corner: City considers the sharing economy Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Best bets for entertainment around Ashland, March 19 Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Community blog: Herzog scholarship for young writers Movie listings: March 13-18 Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Oregon Shakespeare Festival designer for a half-century says he's still learning Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Music Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: March 20-26 More wonderful wrinkles at 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' 8 must-see spring films Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Movie review: ‘Cinderella’ is an instant classic Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Stargazing is a fun, free family activity Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Ticket Availability ... Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Ticket Availability ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, March 18 DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Mar. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Tidings has it wrong Ashland’s proposed ordinance allowing homeowners to rent out rooms short-term (Travelers’ Accommodations or TAs) in R-1 zones does not support neighborhoods. First of all, on-street parking will increase instead of decrease as stated in the Tidings. Our experience living near a vacation rental is that one vehicle, two vehicles and occasionally a travel trailer come with the tenants. Enforcement, when the vehicles are present for short stays, only to be replaced by the next tenants, is impossible. But neighborhoods are much more than parking; they are affected by having new strangers next door every few days or week. Alert: This ordinance will affect more neighborhoods in the future; contractors know that people are planning additions for TAs. The proposed ordinance restricts rentors to not provide meals or kitchen use. The restrictions do not eliminate competition to legitimate B&Bs, as stated by the Tidings, because enforcement is not possible. An example: My wife and I could use a room in our house as a TA and charge handsomely, being close to the Plaza. Picture nice people enjoying their stay in our house; we're friendly. One morning, we offer a meal to save guests the trouble of going to town. And if they’re people with whom we have things in common, are we not going to offer to share a bottle of wine, snacks, and maybe a meal? And if they return next year, will we not be even more hospitable? Is any of this not competitive with legitimate B&Bs? How could violations possibly be enforced? Hundreds of people a week, eventually, and thousands per season will be in an R-1 TA. This is a serious change to our city, not only our neighborhoods, but also our businesses. City councilors have heard from people who have a vested interest in this issue, but not enough from the “neighbor people.” Let’s help them support neighborhoods effectively. Encourage them to vote against this proposal. Doug and Linda Smith, Ashland Neighborhoods are safe My name is Tom DuBois and I am a founding member of Ashland HOSTS (Host-Occupied Short-Term Stays). I’d like our readers to remember that 20 years ago, the Ashland City Council voted to allow residents in all residential zones to operate businesses from their homes. They created the Home Occupation Ordinance to govern the use of home-based businesses, in all Ashland neighborhoods by all  Ashland citizens. This ordinance honors the sacred trust between homeowners and the city by promoting the integrity and livability of neighborhoods and prohibiting nuisance business activities, and it permits very limited uses. For 20 years Ashland has thrived with “moms and pops” operating their small businesses from their homes. These are your neighbors and friends! Your kids take language, music and art lessons from them. Perhaps you visit a counselor, massage therapist, accountant or lawyer. I imagine everyone knows someone in their neighborhood who operates a business out of their home, or has patronized one. Home-based businesses make up 17 percent of all business licenses in Ashland. What is the 20-year track record? Have neighborhoods deteriorated? Has the quality of life diminished? On the contrary. Our town is a wonderful place... a place that embraces its local entrepreneurs and businesses. Allowing hosted micro stays into this vibrancy is a seamless, natural addition. Micro-stays are consistent with the quiet use of a neighborhood home. Our opponents say the rules will be unenforceable. We say the regulations are just as easily enforceable as those permitting current home-based businesses operating in Ashland for the past 20 years. We want to enjoy equal opportunity just like every other home-based business — but with one difference: Right now every single home-based business in my neighborhood could legally have 11 client and delivery visits every day of the week. I am asking for only one! I hardly think that asking for one overnight visitor is unreasonable. Tom DuBois, Ashland The sharing economy I am grateful that our City Council has been taking the time to carefully consider the many issues involved in allowing the rental of rooms in residential neighborhoods for short-term travelers' accommodations. I have followed this process with interest because I myself was considering engaging in this business when I began to learn of neighbors’ receiving “cease and desist” orders about a year ago. I am a semi-retired resident of Ashland, living in my own home in an R-1 neighborhood. I have used such accommodations in the past when traveling and find them to be a delightful and economical alternative to more conventional hostelries. It appeals to me to have the option to rent rooms occasionally as I go into full retirement, because it would enable me to have enough extra income to remain in my home. I cannot imagine that such short-term use of my property could have any negative impact on my neighbors or the character of the neighborhood, and as Pam Marsh pointed out in her opinion piece Monday, the sequestering of residents into purely residential enclaves is an idea whose time has passed. The limited use of our residences for home business and/or traveler’s accommodations is entirely consonant with the vibrant city life of modern times. And as I’m sure my fellow Ashlanders have observed, the tourists who visit Ashland tend to be very good guests indeed! Thanks to the City Council for taking time to investigate and deliberate the consequences of allowing a regulated expansion of the travelers’ accommodation market in our lovely tourist town. I encourage them to approve the proposed regulations which will allow people like me to continue living here and participate in the economy. Maureen Hicks, Ashland Legislature must lead When it comes to addressing global warming and our current climate chaos, the U.S. Congress is composed of too many anti-science enemies of future generations to allow action. Therefore, we must ask our state Legislature to serve as a leader and national role model. A series of bills introduced this session would: replace power plant coal with 90 percent cleaner energy sources (SB477 / HB2729), decrease the greenhouse gas impact of automobile fuels (SB324), impose a fee on greenhouse gas pollution from burning fossil fuels (several bills), promote the installation of solar capacity (several bills) and encourage the purchase of electric vehicles. Additionally, we should no longer tolerate the export of fossil fuels to be burned elsewhere emitting greenhouse gases. It has become increasingly clear that we cannot do it alone and federal action is just not coming. Therefore, the states and local communities must lead the way with reasonable programs designed to reduce emissions. Future generations will justifiably hold us accountable if we fail to do everything possible to protect the livability of our planet for them. We must consider our grandchildren — and act on their behalf. For information on bills, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now recommendations, and legislator addresses visit: socan.info/state-political-action/ . Louise Shawkat, Ashland DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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