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Letters to the Editor: Spring has sprung Local artists and crafters are getting ready for the outdoor market season. Anyone who lives or visits Ashland knows how valuable these outdoor markets are to us all. The Lithia Artisans market enables individuals to offer their wares for sale from May through October. It has also become a place to visit with friends and neighbors, enjoy outdoor restaurants, and also enjoy great musical entertainment every weekend. Quality is high on our list for the market products. Each artist is juried in to the market and must create their own work. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Parks and Recreation Department for their help and support over the years. We also want to thank the retiring board members: Deanne Ragnell, Cory Wilk and Mary Crittenden for making 2002 one of our most successful seasons ever. We're all looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones as the market opens on May 3. We're located at creekside, on the Calle Guanajuato adjacent to the Lithia Park entrance. Jean Bakewell, Ashland Fight the 'bugs' with homeopathy In response to your April 18 article discussing the severe and rather protracted viral syndromes experienced this winter in the Rogue Valley, it might be interesting to your readers to know that there exists a very effective, safe, and gentle alternative for treating these "buggy" conditions that was not included in your reporting. Homeopathic remedies, when properly selected by an experienced homeopath, can and do rapidly reduce symptoms and restore health and vitality, even when you have a potentially nagging viral illness that might otherwise drag on and on. While conventional medicine has little to offer for most viral illnesses, homeopathy is markedly effective, even for classical influenza, as over 200 years of worldwide experience has shown. In my own clinic, I saw many of the same types of cases described in your article, and nearly all of my patients recovered quite quickly. Not only were they elated to feel better so fast, few needed to miss time away from work, family or vacations. As a physician trained in conventional medicine and homeopathy, I find it a real shame that homeopathy receives so little media coverage and so few people are aware of its incredible potential, without any toxicity or risk of side effects, even to pregnant women and children. Douglas Falkner, Ashland Election Letters: Show support for local schools In early May, we will have an election to renew our Youth Activities Levy. A yes vote is essential to continue support for elementary, middle and high school athletics, music, drama, debate, clubs, as well as seventh and eighth grade foreign language. A yes vote will not raise your current level of property tax. The levy is our opportunity to show local support for education. Our schools have been hit with terrible state budget cuts over the last two years. If the levy is not renewed, our schools will have to cut back even more and our kids will pay the price. This is a double-majority election, so we need at least a 50 percent voter turnout to pass this measure. Please vote yes on the Ashland Youth Activities Levy. Linda Alper, Ashland Don't let ASD lose levy dollars We are aware that cuts to public education in Oregon have already been severe and there is no relief in sight. The Ashland School District's fortunate that it has benefited from the support of its community in many ways, not least of which has been the Youth Activities Levy. The rich activities, support services and sports that the levy funds directly help Ashland schools stand out as exemplary. The loss of levy dollars, especially now when all other areas have been cut to the bone, would spell the end of the school system that Ashland residents take so much pride in. Contrary to some of the recent press, the cost of the Youth Activities Levy is not increasing. It will remain at the same affordable $1.38 per $1,000 (of assesed value) that is has been, and the money generated goes directly to the school programs and activities, such as art, music, theater and sports, that make our schools stand out. It may be difficult to impact school funding at the state level, but Ashland residents can make a difference close to home. Now is the time that our schools and our kids need your continued support more than ever. Get behind the Ashland Youth Activities Levy with your vote. Sean Bagshaw, Ashland School nurse says 'yes' on levy I am writing in support of the Ashland Youth Activities Levy. While it might seem that in tight times like this we should drop all extraneous activities and support just the 3 R's, I think that would be the wrong decision to make. In my work at the AHS Health Center, some of the students I talk with have a difficult time with class work. For these kids the extracurricular activities support learning the 3 R's. For example, athletes are required to pass five classes in order to play. Other activities have other participation requirements, but all require that the student be attending school. Also, the activities funded by our Youth Activities Levy give kids positive feedback for the multitude of skills they have outside of the classroom setting. This allows them successes so they can continue with the rest of the struggle. Please vote yes for the Youth Activities Levy. Judy Blickenstaff, FNP, Ashland A community that cares, writes letters Tonight, as I was assembling canvassing lists for the Ashland Youth Activities Levy, there was a knock at my door. Standing in the rain was a cheerful teen and his mother, here to install my lawn sign in support of the levy. Earlier today, I saw another Ashlander picking up the brochures that will go out to the Ashland community, designed by a local graphic artist and his wife, who also donated their time to this project. When I got home, there was an e-mail from another levy committee member reminding everyone to write letters of support to the local newspapers. The list goes on and on, like Santa's elves. In this time of severe budget cuts to our schools, this community cares passionately for its children. The phrase, "It takes a whole village to raise a child" comes to mind. I am proud to be a member of a community that selflessly volunteers its time, energy and money to raise the educational standards of our children. If you haven't already signed up to help on May 3, I hope you'll call 482-1520 to volunteer. All ages welcome. Prior experience, not required. Oh, and please remember to vote. Heidi Parker, Ashland LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -