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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 Home News Latest Stories Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable 10 things to know for Thursday 10 things to know for Wednesday Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Community actors balance day jobs, stage life Education Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers Business Ashland's Standing Stone Brewery owners to open Medford brew pub and restaurant Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Paul nets 41 as Clippers rally past Trail Blazers Grizzlies ace first MWL test Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Blazers clinch playoff spot Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon High school Grizzlies ace first MWL test Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Matthew T. Mangino: Prison deaths on the rise Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Our View: More of the same at SOU? Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Editorial Our View: More of the same at SOU? Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Our View: One for the books Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Letters Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Prison deaths on the rise Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Poets, put on your party shoes A Country Cajun Revival comes to the Unitarian Spring exhibitions open at Schneider Museum of Art Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Ticket availability Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Alan Alda knows the secrets to acting, marriage Movie Listings: April 3-9 'Shadows' gets staked in the heart Movie review: ‘Woman in Gold’ doesn’t shine Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Carol Link: Pruning rose plants, step by step Religion News: Indiana Republicans to amend ‘religious freedom’ law How often should you paint the outside of your house? Marketta Gregory: Many ways to wash feet Movie Listings: April 3-9 Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ticket Availability ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, April 2 ... Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying ... Ticket Availability ... Ashland Calendar, Thursday, April 2 ... Editor's Notes: Not falling, flying ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: Yes on welcome center Comment By Rich Rosenthal DailyTidings.com By Rich Rosenthal Posted Feb. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 1:30 PM By Rich Rosenthal Posted Feb. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 1:30 PM » Social News Few decisions by the Ashland City Council carry greater regional significance than the consideration of allowing municipal water and sewer connections to the proposed Siskiyou Welcome Center and Rest Area facility. The council decision represents the latest and possibly last obstacle in an 18-year quest by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Tourism Commission to build the $11.8 million complex along Interstate 5 at mile post 12.5, not far from the south Ashland freeway exit. ODOT is obligated by the Federal Highway Administration to replace the rest area that was shuttered near the Siskiyou summit in 1997. The inclusion of the welcome center in the project is the byproduct of advocacy from Travel Oregon and area chambers of commerce to boost tourism in Southern Oregon. Citing a litany of safety and land-use concerns, many people who live near the proposed facility are understandably opposed to the development. Numerous appeals of city, county and state decisions were rejected by courts, but the legal wrangling succeeded in delaying the project long enough that ODOT is up against the four-year completion deadline imposed by the Ashland City Council in June 2011. At that time, by a 4-3 margin, the City Council and mayor agreed to provide conditional use of water and sewer services — the same question facing us tonight. It's my job as your elected volunteer to weigh the pros and cons with a broad perspective: What's best for the community as a whole? What happens if we say no to providing water and sewer service now after saying yes in 2011? An operational welcome center certainly can't hurt Ashland's and the region's tourism economy, and it arguably aligns with the City Council's recently adopted economic development plans and goals. If Ashland denies the water and sewer connection and ultimately thwarts development of the welcome center, it is reasonable to conclude ODOT will construct a scaled-down version of the rest area at the same location with alternate resources, and without dedicated site supervision. Unlike a generic ODOT rest stop, the welcome center component would be staffed part of the day, including a work station for the Oregon State Police. When faced with the prospect of an unsupervised restroom in our community's front yard or a supervised welcome center/rest area, the best and safest option is clearly the latter. Perhaps as importantly, a no vote jeopardizes Ashland's intergovernmental relations with neighboring agencies for spurning a facility widely deemed beneficial to communities well beyond our city limits. Ashland certainly needs to do what's best for Ashland, but getting along with the neighbors is important, too. Keep in mind the state of Oregon, ODOT, Jackson County and the cities of Medford, Phoenix and Talent moved at warp speed last summer to allow the city of Ashland to connect to an emergency water source through their jurisdictions. And don't forget about the mutual-aid agreements with nearby agencies that came in handy when two dozen fire engines from all over Southern Oregon responded to fight the devastating Oak Knoll fire in 2010. Ashland also has a track record of fruitful collaborations with ODOT to secure state and federal transportation funds for important local projects like the East Nevada Street bridge and many other elements of the city's Transportation System Plan. Wish us luck in these collaborative regional funding venues going forward if we veto the welcome center. In my opinion, the city of Ashland's smartest approach is to negotiate site staffing, security and fire prevention terms for the Siskiyou Welcome Center and Rest Area via an intergovernmental agreement in exchange for access to municipal water and sewer systems. Rich Rosenthal is a member of the Ashland City Council. By Rich Rosenthal DailyTidings.com By Rich Rosenthal Posted Feb. 17, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 23, 2015 at 1:30 PM » 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. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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