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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Woman files sexual harassment lawsuit against Ashland Elks ... As It Was: America Butler's diary a window into 'women's work' ... Council: No smoking, no blocking ... Woman files sexual harassment lawsuit against Ashland Elks ... As It Was: America Butler's diary a window into 'women's work' ... Council: No smoking, no blocking ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: A reality check and two updates Comment By Carol Voisin DailyTidings.com By Carol Voisin Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Carol Voisin Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Reality check The mayor’s proposal for Ashland to implement the Palo Alto Downtown Streets Program as a way to address issues arising from Ashland’s homeless population raises a number of questions. Ashland has a sizable population of homeless, transients and travelers, and there are a number of services already in place to address most of their needs. At the heart of the mayor’s proposal is that Ashland would hire consultants from the Palo Alto Downtown Streets Program to move to Ashland to implement their program and be a coordinator of services. Let’s compare the services and costs of the Palo Alto Downtown Streets Program (PADSP) with our existing Ashland Community Resource Center (ACRC). PADSP is essentially a jobs program, a peer-to-peer volunteer program that promotes self-confidence and a work ethic among the homeless so they can more readily find employment. The working premise is that, by initially engaging in activities such as sweeping downtown streets and picking up cigarette butts, the homeless develop a work ethic and in the process build an outward image as people contributing to the broader community. From that, they gain respect from the business community. Ultimately, the program seeks to find the homeless paying jobs after a work ethic has been demonstrated. There is no follow-up program in place to determine the longer-term success of the program. Ashland Community Resource Center (ACRC), at 572 Clover Lane in Ashland, works with 17 community service partners to provide a wide range of services to those in poverty, including the homeless. Nine faith communities are also partners along with several businesses. ACRC’s new Ashland Jobs Match Program is thanks to the Leightman-Maxey Foundation and a city of Ashland grant. ACRC through this program finds temporary jobs as well as permanent employment for the homeless in Ashland. Services include résumé preparation, job skill refinement, and preparation for job interviews including interview skills and assistance with clothing and personal hygiene. Jobs turn into employment as résumés are built. Assistance in finding housing is part of the service. Finally, ACRC follows up with their placements, providing support where needed. The accompanying chart provides a comparison of PADSP and ACRC in terms of annual costs. The cost difference between the two programs is substantial, and it remains unclear how the mayor wants to pay for the PADSP program. ACRC draws all its funding from grants and consequently costs Ashland’s taxpayers nothing. ACRC has made 20 job placements since October with six of those in March. PADSP hopes to have 10 placements in a year. You do the cost/benefit analysis. Note that neither of these programs addresses directly any of the downtown behavioral problems. Updates Clay Street cottonwood — The Tree of Hope on Clay Street will not be felled to build 20 units of affordable housing. Thanks to a dedicated group of citizens who suggested an alternative to the city’s proposal, the Cottonwood tree will live. Over the next three years, between 17 and twenty new affordable housing units will be built on this property. The City Council agreed on a win/win solution that protects an historic tree while supporting affordable housing in Ashland. Kudos to all who worked to make it happen. East Nevada Street bridge — Ashland citizens are waiting to hear from Public Works about a public forum to discuss plans for construction of the East Nevada Street bridge. In the meantime, a report from Public Works will be presented to the Transportation Commission at their meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 28 in the Council Chamber on East Main Street. Carol Voisin is a member of the Ashland City Council. By Carol Voisin DailyTidings.com By Carol Voisin Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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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