Document text
--> --> Weighing in on county and parks County Commission Race Republicans Jack Walker and Ric Holt are determined to hold their seats in positions No. 1 and 3, respectively, as Jackson County commissioners. Democrats John Hallett and David Gilmour have mounted stern opposition for the two positions. Walker and Holt have served a combined 18 years as commissioners. The year 2002 should put an end to their run. There are many accusations swirling around regarding Walker and Holt's bid for re-election - not the least being chronic absenteeism from meetings. However, there is an overriding issue that cannot be ignored. Both commissioners played sloppy hands in dealing with the Cascade-Siskiyou Monument. Both commissioners were responsible - in their issuing of reduction recommendations to the size of the monument to Secretary of State Gail Norton - for citing that the vast majority of local citizens were against the monument as designated by then-President Clinton. Reviews of the letters and petitions clearly indicated that those results were padded with out-of-the-area signatures, multiple signatures, and signatures to petitions that had nothing to do with the monument. Nevertheless, armed with spurious data, both commissioners marched forth and broke their bond with county residents. Hallett served with distinction for 16 years on the Medford City Council. His efforts to pass a city clean-air ordinance was an indication of his commitment to the valley. Gilmour's priorities of slashing commissioners' pay by one-half, and increasing the board from three to five members is laudable. His stint in the Peace Corps and education - Dartmouth College and Milton Hershey Medical School - will serve him well on the commission, and therefore county residents. We urge votes for Hallett and Gilmour for County Commission positions 1 and 3, respectively. Parks and Recrea t ion Commission Long-time Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioner Rick Landt's seat is up for grabs Nov. 5. The prudent, money-wise approach to parks, open space and trails earns candidate Rich Rosenthal our endorsement. Parks Commissioner Laurie MacGraw's seat is being contested by J. Ellen Austin and Diane Amarotico. The Tidings gives the nod to Amarotico, whose work on the Ashland Watershed Stewardship Alliance - which advocated for environmentally responsible wildfire fuels reduction in the city's Watershed - makes her a solid choice. Talent Parks Levy The parks maintenance levy in Talent is a bargain for what residents can expect down the line. With many public recreation areas in need of weeding and equipment repair around town, between $36 and $54 per year for most homeowners is a small price to pay. Talent is fast shedding its small town image, moving up in the ranks of Rogue Valley cities in terms of choice real estate and regional political voice. Residents should expect a healthy parks system to help tie Talent together, but that means they have to pay for it. Vote for 15-35. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing