Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 3, 2005 A final, creative solution to AFN is badly needed By Vanessa Houk Ashland Those of us who try to advocate for low income families and seniors are grateful for the temporary reprieve of the financial burden of an additional utility tax. As someone who spoke out against charging those who live below the federal poverty level, I am hopeful that residents of Ashland can collectively put our creativity to good use and decide on a way to keep AFN going until it can be sold for more than the debt we have incurred, while excusing low-income residents from paying additional fees. It has been pointed out that AFN has helped improve the quality of life in Ashland by attracting businesses that might not have otherwise relocated here. Some say that even if we are not directly benefiting from the use of cable TV or high-speed Internet, the jobs that have indirectly been created have helped locals. Also that in an age of high technology, we benefit from being a town ready to adapt to new and improved communication. All of this is true. Walk down Main Street and pretend to be a tourist for an hour though and what will you see? A vibrant community that appears to value art and music. A place where business people in suits and ties sip coffee near green haired, tattooed youth, dogs are welcome to nap in the shade, street performers playing music near the festival, and little kids running through the fall leaves in Lithia Park. This is our Ashland. Our Ashland includes homeless and low-income families and seniors. Some are artists, musicians, dancers and writers. In a town that values the arts, it goes without saying that we all benefit from having these people here and keeping them here. It wouldn't be the same town without them. Imagine an Ashland with less music, less passion. Low-income people work in local restaurants, pump our gas, clean hotel rooms, sell clothing, gifts and books to tourists among other things. We benefit from being a town willing to try to find solutions that will make Ashland more affordable, to people we need as neighbors. We have two months to talk about it. I remain hopeful that we can work together to make better decisions about making AFN solvent. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams