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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 6, 2006 Letters To The Editor Letter Submissions Letters should be e-mailed in text-only format to [email protected] . Please include your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached for confirmation. Letters are limited to 250 words. At Length submissions are limited to 400 words. Submissions may be edited for length, content and clarity. The Tidings gives priority to letters on local and regional topics of current interest. It seeks to encourage thoughtful, well-reasoned leters and to discourage personal attacks, repetitive messages and personal disputes. Form letters are not published in the Tidings, nor are letters identified as having been published in other publications. Support for Greg Lemhouse I am going to vote for Greg Lemhouse for Ashland City Council. Greg, a native Oregonian, lives here with his wife and three children where he began his career in public safety in 1995. He brings the kind of intellect, energy, maturity far in excess of his years, and broad understanding of the issues facing Ashland. He will be a strong voice of reason much as Chris Hearn and Alex Amoratico whose seat Greg would replace. Greg is a consensus builder with proven management skills. Ashland needs the kind of character and integrity represented by Greg. It is time for new voices. Greg Lemhouse will also be a strong listener and respect a diversity of opinions as he seeks to put Ashland first. I hope you will take time to get to know Greg Lemhouse. You will be glad you did. Andy Cochrane Ashland Support for Eric Navickas I want to express my support for Eric Navickas for Ashland City Council for the following reasons: Eric walks his talk. He studies the issues and gets involved. Whether you agree with him or not, he's not afraid to stand up for his beliefs. Eric has been involved for a long time, knows the process and how the city works. His opponent is a newcomer. Eric believes in the same things as I: a diversified economy, affordable housing, and social justice. The council needs a perspective beyond grow, grow, grow. I sincerely hope Ashlanders look to a sustainable, environmental future and vote for Eric. Jay Almarode Ashland Killing is not the solution Last week the Jackson County commissioners unanimously approved spending $30,000 for a part-time hunter to kill cougars and bears when they pose a threat to humans or domestic animals. There are intense arguments on both sides. What bothers me greatly is the increased recourse to "killing" as a way to provide safety that we in this country are taking. If we can take the current war(s) in this world as any indicator, killing as a response to threat promotes more violence, not safety. While another alternative to killing is not easy, I would challenge these Jackson County commissioners to be more creative in their solution to this problem, which is actually caused by humans not by the animals that are only trying to survive in a world, which encroaches on their safety. I understand that we are afraid of being hurt, but why do we have to kill as a solution? It requires the opening of the human heart to find ways to live cooperatively in this world other than resorting to violence and killing. I am not impressed at all with this decision to kill cougars and bears. Anne Stine Ashland Navickas has questionable past When city councilpersons take their Oath of Office, they have to solemnly affirm to support the laws of the land. This being so, I have the following questions for Eric Navickas, candidate for Council Position #2. In the autumn of 2003, you and a group of fellow environmental activists staged a surprise guerrilla-theater attack on the annual public meeting of the Mt. Ashland Association. From what I gather, your group dumped dirt and other debris on board members' desks, spilling liquids and causing an atmosphere of apprehension and intimidation. As a councilperson, would you support citizen action of this kind and would you appeal to the Ashland Police Department to go easy on the perpetrators? In November of 2004, on the night before Veterans Day, a secret group went out, under cover of darkness, and filled with cement the metal tubing of the flag-holders along the boulevard in order to prevent the Kiwanis from putting up their American flags on Veterans Day. My first question is, did you have prior knowledge of this action and did you participate in its planning in any way? My second question is, if you were a councilperson, would you support citizen action of this kind and would you appeal to the Ashland Police Department to go easy on the perpetrators? And my final question would be, have you ever been the victim of someone's vandalism against you, personally, and if so, how did it feel? Neti Rest Ashland Current Comments: Mr. Almarode, a die-in-green supporter of the group think as near as I can gather, writes "The council needs a perspective beyond grow, grow, grow." Pretty nice generalization, sir. Can you explain how Ashland has done so? Why is our growth curve so much flatter than adjacent communities? I think we could grow smarter, were knee-jerk opponents to development Eric Navickas didn't raise red herring complaints about any growth or change ruining Ashland. enough - ashland, or - October 6th, 2:02 PM Wow, this Navickas chap sure generates a lot of negative energy. Sounds like a divider, not a uniter, to twist a phrase. Seems like with all that's going on- the town getting more and more politically entrenched and the sky is falling attitude that we are being force fed- what's next? A Hartzell recall? In reading these pages it looks pretty clear that mainstream Ashlanders (that'd be most of us, left or right) are not ready to turn the prison over to the prisoners. Time to put Ashland first. Bill Bartlett ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - October 6th, 3:43 PM Time and again over the past several weeks I've noticed Mr. Bartlett's comments in this section. Time and again I've read little of substance in his criticisms, and plenty of facile name-calling. In the above post alone, the are three cheap shots and one vacuous phrase masquerading as an idea. One wonders if Mr. Bartlett posts his venomous volleys as frequently as he does merely to generate publicity for his little-known website. Criticism and debate are vital; mudslinging is merely obnoxious. Jeff Altemus - Ashland, OR - October 6th, 5:44 PM Mr Enough, I'm not a Green party member, Sierra Club, Democrat or Republican. Two examples of the growth mentality: expanding Mt. Ashland and expanding the urban growth boundary. I agree we should grow smarter and it is not a city issue only, it is valley-wide. I want a politician who is judged not by how much they support the real estate or developer industries, but by how they improve the quality of life for those who live here. Jay Almarode - Ashland - October 7th, 6:16 AM I've read Neti Rest's letter a couple of times, and I find it troubling. She insinuates two instances of wrongdoing on the part of Eric Navickas. The first is a "guerrilla-theater attack" on the annual meeting of the MAA three years ago. Obviously the letter writer wasn't there ("From what I gather,..." she writes.), so that's hearsay. The second instance involving cementing flag-holder tubes on the boulevard -- "...did you have prior knowledge of this action and did you participate in its planning..." -- is a purely "when-did-you-stop-beating-you-wife?" kind of charge, totally unsubstantiated. I really don't think the Tidings should let anybody get away with this. Brad Knickerbocker - Ashland, OR - October 7th, 11:04 AM Eric,were you present in 1995,on MistleToe Rd when a logging truck was hijacked by a group of masked men?The driver threatened and his truck stolen from him?Similar to how terrorists do these things in the M.E.?How many logging protests have you been present at,placing workers in danger?Are you a card carrying member of ELF?What street names do you go by in extremist internet chat rooms?Do you have an arrest record?Do you use recreational drugs like marijuana. Can you pass a drug screening? Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - October 7th, 11:08 AM Mr. Almarode- Thank you for your response to my question. Perhaps we agree more than is evident on how Ashland ought deal with growth, yet I am still unclear about what concrete alternatives you belive Navickas represents or how his election would change. My experience with him is that he talks about managed growth and sustainability as a goal but rarely supports any actual proposal from the development community or offers a realistic alternative. Have you any comment? enough - ashland, or - October 7th, 11:50 AM More ad hominem attacks on Eric Navickas. How do politics in Ashland get so ugly? I'd like to see Greg Lemhouse disavow the mean-spirited innuendo that some individuals (proxies?) direct against his electoral opponent, else it all reflects pretty bad on him. Jay Lininger - Ashland - October 7th, 12:16 PM Mr. Lininger... I am not certain if you consider my requests for specificity ad hominem, but I do wonder how your apparently unquestioned support of Mr. Navickas is any less curious than others apparently unquestioned opposition. I still await some concrete example of how Navickas or Stomberg would realistic do things differently that doesn't amount to a general platitude along the lines of "improving govt transparency." That's pretty hard to take from folks that meet in secret. enough - ashland, or - October 8th, 10:15 AM Jay,this is still a family community with hard working honest people concerned about the future of our town.The business that is the City of Ashland,well over $100 million a year(that's a large business,close to "an evil corporation" size)needs to be staffed by people of character. People with strong morale values.People who don't use their mothers address because they no longer live in town.Maybe some of the questions asked are ugly.The answers are what's more important..no matter how ugly... Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - October 8th, 11:31 AM Steve, I share your concern that electeds managing public resources exhibit moral character. We have outstanding people serving now and a terrific slate from which to choose this time. However, my other concern now is with the tone of electoral discourse. It's one thing to ask specific questions, another to malign someone with hearsay. Enough, your want for specificity is mine, too. I'm hearing it from Eric: preserve lands zoned industrial, facilitate light manufacturing. Talk to him. Jay Lininger - Ashland - October 8th, 2:40 PM Jay,where in this community would someone facilitate light industry? Ashland is what it is;a small college town,reliant on tourism,college,and retirees.Where,given the price of land would a business open a light industry and hope to profit? Sure, there are some here and there, but it's a little late to diversify into that market.As a citizen,I don't want any industry here. No large delivery trucks or additional out of town commuters added to the traffic problems we have now. Small town living! Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 8th, 10:23 PM Mr. Lininger...Your comments on Navickas are encouraging and, if fleshed out, would be interesting proposals. Nothing on this order was dealt with at the Saturday event. On the Tidings web site I have asked that they consider modifying the format to allow more than 2 mintues, perhaps some actual debate. Perhaps a groundswell of public opinion would allow ALL the candidates to be more specific. Suggest it to Mr. Navickas if you agree. enough - ashland, or - October 9th, 7:08 AM Mr. Iverson... How can you state you don't want 'any industry' here? I don't think anyone is planning on building a steel mill in Ashland, nor could they afford to. But if we as a community don't expand our economic base to include some sort of blue-collar work (food industry, light manufacturing, electronics assembly, even the film and video industry) by zoning land for something other than subdivisions, HOW are future Ashalnders supposed to live? Not everyone gets a pension, you know. enough - ashland, or - October 9th, 8:16 AM Ashland is finished all ready.The town we live in is too valuable-real estate wise.No one will make money on manufactuirng here, not when the land is more valuable for building homes.And there is not enough land left anymore.Not in the city.Sometimes it's best to realize what you are and live with it.A quiet college town,with tourism and theatre the main money makers.It's okay, we don't have to change,many of us like it the way it is.We moved here for this.Not in hopes industry would take off. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 9th, 10:45 AM Can anyone actually answer whether Eric and others dumped dirt on the tables of the Mt. A board during a meeting. Because if he did, there is no way I'd ever vote for him. I expect public officals to behave in mature ways. To work civilly with those they disagree with. And I recently learned that,in an attempt to stop an ordence preventing public nudity, Eric wasted the councils time by showing a poster of a naked male to "educate" those present. This is a guy people want on council? Fur - ashland - October 9th, 9:18 PM Nearly 100 acres zoned for industrial and emplyment use (Croman property and Railroad property). Its value is not based on housing cost unless it gets rezoned. "As a citizen,I don't want any industry here"...its this thinking that will preclude family wage jobs and maintain the "community" that is Ashland. Don't confuse the built environment for the actual City -it's people. I cant earn a living to support a family working to serve tourists and retirees. Allow diversification of the economy. forward thinking - Ashland, OR - October 9th, 11:47 PM Mr. Iverson..your comments are so defeatist (or elitist, probably the latter) that I find no reasonable way to respond to them in 500 words. Since the Tidings "Forum" website has been down since last night, I will simply tell you that I support tourism. Its a great industry. It shouldn't be the only one we have. You're "I'm here now, let's leave it alone" attitude is short-sighted. enough - ashland, or - October 10th, 7:34 AM Yo,enough-did you read my e-mail friend? I totally support tourism and our small college town the way it is.That's what I said.Tourism OSF,the college and small business groups that support them.I continue to live here to stay away from industry and too many stores etc.I don't think it's short-sighted to love where you live and not want it to change.There are many things I do not agree with in Ashland, but I do not want to see it change drastically.Light industry can go elsewhere.Keep it small. Steve Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 10th, 7:46 AM enough-one more thing, don't think me defeatist for wanting to leave things alone. When I say Ashland is finished I mean it's I mean it's arrived and I like what it is. Would you move to Vail or Napa Valley and try to promote changes like light industry? They are what they are and people love those places. Ashland is what it is and we don't have to make all these changes, why is that short-sighted? I guess it must be natural for people to want to change things all the time.I just don't think so. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 10th, 8:08 AM Mr. Iverson...NO, I do not want to move, nor to live, in Vail or Napa Valley. Nor do I want Ashland to become one those stereotypical elitist communities. You will have to bear with me in that I didn't move here because of what we became. I was here before and worked hard to improve my town. We hoped it would remain a good place to live and raise and family. It's sad that most of us can't afford to stay here because there is no work becuase folks who joined us are afraid of change. enough - ashland, or - October 10th, 8:47 AM forward thinking - I was present at the planning commission meeting that approved the Mahar housing development on the corner of Mountain and Hersey. It was zoned for employment. By one vote the commission determined residential was an acceptable use. The vote was by the real estate agent who sold the property. It doesn't make me very optimistic about the future development of the Croman property. Dane Coefer - Ashland, Oregon - October 11th, 11:06 AM Dane, there is no doubt in my mind that Croman's property will be all housing. They may make some concessions, but that land is worth way to much money for rich people's homes and the retirees flooding north. Sorry if I present it hard,I'm no writer and I think I come across as negative. It's just how it is. I'd rather see homes in there;maybe there will be some families - enough? Could they throw a few small homes in there that families to afford? Like they did in the subdivision off Clay St? Steve Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 12th, 9:02 AM Steve is a fairly new comer he doesn't know what employment there used to be in Ashland. Parson Pine, croman, a bowling alley, a 24 cafe,2 other grocery stores and I can't remember all the rest Mcdonald and Pizza hut probally had 50 employee's between the 2 of the them. Don't chse out industry chase out building more expensive houses. ann - ashland or - October 12th, 9:02 PM Ashland is home to a number of light manufacturing outfits that do not seem taint Mr. Iverson's idylic concept of our town. For example, Renegade makes field gear for wildland firefighters - I use their backpack in my job. Others make aviation seatbelts, quality yurts, gourmet chocolate, even peanut butter. And there used to be way more of it. Let's have more industry so that young adults like me can earn livelihoods in the town where we were born and raised, pay taxes, and contribute. Jay Lininger - born in ashland - October 13th, 4:38 PM Way to go, Brad, you old Knickerbocker, you. People like N.R. who ask pertinent, reasonable, plausible questions of questionable candidates are ball-breaking, ovary-crushing, sexually-frustrated, mean-spirited, pathologically-lying scourges on society. You, on the other hand, are an honorable man. (Nice house, too. You and Ralph Temple will definitely be sucked up to sit on either side of my throne when the PC Rapture comes.) God - Heaven & Earth - October 16th, 12:52 PM Neti Rest's letter asks more than one question. The question I'd most like answered is, "Eric Navickas, if you were seated on the city council, would you support criminal behavior in the name of political expression?" In 2004, after the Kiwanis flagholders were vandalized, the council voted on a proposed resolution to issue a statement of public disapproval of the vandals' action. The resolution passed, with the mayor's tie-breaking vote. randy keating - ashland - October 17th, 1:27 PM yeah well,I'd l ike to know the difference between civil disobedience and criminal behavior. I could commit almost any criminal act and say I did it for a political reason. I highly recommend abook put out by the Southern Oregon Historical Society called "Land in Common", especially Chapter 5 on the KKK in Ashland and the general populist rebellion movement in Jackson County in the 1930's. shelton - jacksonville, or - October 17th, 4:38 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.