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--> --> Poll: Most say affordable housing is important priority in Ashland Ashland Daily Tidings Two-thirds of Internet voters believe affordable housing is one of the most important issues facing Ashland. Ashland's median home price is a whopping $275,000, making it one of the most expensive locales for homebuyers in all of Oregon. This week's question asked residents - in light of the high price to purchase a home - what type of priority should affordable housing be for city staff and the Ashland City Council. Off the 239 people who logged on to www.dailytidings.com this week to voice their opinion, 1099 people, or 46 percent said affordable housing should be the "highest priority." Forty-six people, or 19 percent called it a "high" priority, while 19 people or 8 percent said reasonably priced housing should be a "medium" priority for the city. Fifteen people, or 6 percent said it is "low" on the city's list, and 50 people or 21 percent said "not at all." The Tidings polling software allows only one vote per computer station. Poll respondents also are allowed to leave comments on the Web site after participating in the poll. Internet viewers can read the comments during the week by first going to the poll, clicking on "results" then "comments." Several people asked whether the Tidings monitors the clarity of the comments as they pertain to the question. The newspaper expects poll participants to act responsibly and furthermore reserves the right to delete any comment it chooses at any time during the week. Also, lengthy submissions on any given poll question have little or no chance of being included in the weekly article on poll results. This week's comments included: "Part of `livable' is diversity. That includes economic diversity. There should be nothing exclusive about Ashland." "Supply and demand. If you don't want (or can't) pay the market rate then move to Talent." "The highest (priority), unless no one cares if we become the next Aspen, Vail, or Carmel." "I hope we become the next Aspen, Vail, or Carmel. Those are all great towns." "I would rather have the council focus on raising the median income." "Many skilled and dedicated people are leaving this area because of housing prices." "Please, have the city pay for part of my house. Also, I'd like to stop working. Please help me out with this one also. Thanks Ashland." The poll question for this week is: "After nearly a year in elected office, how do you rate the performance of Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer?" The Tidings' weekly Internet poll is an unscientific measurement of public opinion. Its sole purpose is to provide greater public input on a variety of issues. 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