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Letters to the editor: 'Better Not Bigger' worth reading I have just finished reading a small 153-page book which I recommend to anyone concerned with the problem of growth in Ashland and in the valley. The title is "Better Not Bigger," and it is written by Eben Fodor, one of the Northwest's leading researchers on the impact of urban growth. Among the interesting points he makes are: o Increased urban density can threaten the quality of life enjoyed by existing residents; o Small, locally owned businesses are likely to be the casualties in the competition growth brings; o Local government can make land development more profitable by increasing the density of land use and diverting public resources to support development; o City planning has become primarily the process of accommodating growth; o Appointed citizen involvement committees (CIC's) should stand for Conflict of Interest Committees; o Affordable housing can be a convenient pry bar to take apart existing growth controls. After reading Mr. Fodor's book, it is hard not to come to the conclusion that Ashland is doing more to foster growth than slow it, official protestations not withstanding. Again, the only way things are going to change is for every person who wants to preserve Ashland's unique character to get involved in a big way. Mr. Fodor has a number of excellent suggestions about what to do. Get a copy of his book from the library, or better yet buy a copy, read it and share it with friends, and then get busy. There's still time to turn the growth machine around. Jack Hardesty, Ashland 'Republic' is a myth In a July 16 letter to the editor, a California reader wrote "this country has never been a democracy, it is a Republic." The reader is either uninformed or victim of GW Bush Syndrome: purposefully misleading people. The United States (like Britain, Canada, Japan, Germany and France) is a democracy. According to Robert Dahl, a distinguished political scientist, a democracy is "a form of government in which people have the final authority, they have the right to make or at least influence decisions that affect their everyday lives." A republic is a representative democracy, a type of democratic government. And while we don't have a direct democracy, the U.S. is still a democracy. Why is it that a number of Americans, especially conservatives, work so hard to perpetuate the myth that we aren't a democracy and therefore people don't have to right to participate. Who, like U.S. Supreme Court justice Anthony Scalia in the decision placing GW Bush in the White House, claim that voters have no right to choose the President. Are they afraid of democracy. Would they prefer an oligarchy controlled by a group of neo-aristocrats like the Bush clan? Bruce Evans, Ashland Editor was right to support flag Congratulations to the editor for exercising his right of freedom of the press in support of our flag. Maynard Telpner, Ashland Guest forum: Ashland is wonderfully supportive By Kristy Offineer Board President of NALI, Chairman of Emigrant Lake Powwow 2003 Committee This letter is a thank-you to the wonderful community of Ashland and the surrounding areas for their participation in the second annual Emigrant Lake Powwow, last weekend. Our organization, the Native American Leadership Institute (NALI) sponsors this event but not without the commitment of many local business owners. Remarkably, less than eight NALI volunteers were largely responsible for organizing the 3-day event of Native American drumming and dancing, food booths and vendor booths while the beautiful scenery of Emigrant Lake County Park became the perfect backdrop of this public event. It's a great sign when strangers ask to shake your hand and tell you what a wonderful, open event our powwow became. And it was indeed open to everyone in the park regardless of race, if you were respectful of our need to have a space free from alcohol use. Because our powwow is about wellness and the need to overcome our sad and often tragic history, we strive for a "clean and sober" event. At our health fair, Cece Whitewolf told her story of surviving breast cancer and becoming part of a national cancer survivor network for Indians across the U.S. Arlie Neskahi, from Seattle, taught spectators about flute music and traditional hand drum songs. Our Head Man Dancer Aaron Wright and Head Women Dancer GeorGene Nelson sponsored a beautiful dance special to honor their parents and all Native women who carry on our traditional dance styles. As for myself, I took the opportunity to express my admiration for the greatest role model in my life, my own mother, through the Southern Fancy Men's dance special. NALI is proud to organize one of the few public events in Southern Oregon celebrating racial diversity and I thank each charitable donor for their assistance, each spectator for their respectful attendance, and all the drummers and dancers for sharing their living connection to traditional Native American ways. Last but certainly not least, to all my volunteer staff members for their hard work. NALI strives to empower Natives in business endeavors, addressing Native health issues and creating understanding and communication among non-Natives. We look forward to our future events in the Ashland area and Southern Oregon and establishing connections once again to those donors willing to support this beautiful public celebration. For more information on this Native American organization see www.nalinet.net LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | 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 -