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1 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 Helana de Crespo to perform at Fringe Festival ... Rabies and West Nile virus found in Jackson County animals ... Strong thunderstorms, gusty winds in the forecast ... Helana de Crespo to perform at Fringe Festival ... Rabies and West Nile virus found in Jackson County animals ... Strong thunderstorms, gusty winds in the forecast ... LETTERS AT LENGTH Letters at Length, Aug. 8 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 8, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Council meeting was riveting I attended my second Ashland City Council meeting ever on Aug. 4 and I must admit, it was much more riveting and interactive than I would have expected. I was there as a representative of the nonprofit Sustainable Valley Technology Group to request permission to close a section of B Street for our upcoming Techtoberfest event — a community celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern Oregon. Despite the fact that there were two very controversial and lengthy discussions before our turn to address the council — water conservation measures and the potential clearing of contaminated soil by truck via Oak Street — the council members were patient and considerate of our request. I was inspired by the sincerity of the council members in their desire to support our mission — the creation of a community of support for entrepreneurs and local business. Councilor Voisin was a strong and eloquent advocate for why the city of Ashland should work with our organization and encourage us to have the event in Ashland. By halfway through the discussion on our request, I was convinced, no matter what the decision that evening, that the city of Ashland welcomed our event to their community and would work with us to make it a success. Despite the fact that there was no previous procedural structure for allowing the closure of B Street for our event, the council talked with us to identify ways we could work together to celebrate with the Ashland community. I feel very fortunate to see such strong city support for our organization’s desire to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation with the community. I am excited to announce that on Oct. 10, we will be celebrating with live music, family-friendly activities, guest speakers on innovative technologies, and interactive exhibits on B Street! Rosetta Shaw, program manager, Sustainable Valley Technology Group Ashland DEQ follies Like many Ashlanders during this smoke siege, I've looked at the DEQ air quality monitors and noticed that Ashland is conspicuously lacking. You got your Provolt, your Caveman Junction, your Shadeless Cove, your Grants Gass, your Mofo, but no Ashland. I remember seeing air quality readings from this city a couple of years ago during another bad smoke episode, but the monitor was removed for some "unknown" reason. Well that reason ain't "unknown" anymore. During an interview with a local news station, a patronizing woman with the DEQ said that due to numerous requests and complaints, they were going to move a "temporary" monitor to the city of Ashland, but it was just to shut 'em up because the air quality was essentially the same as the Medford site so it was a waste of everybody's time, though how she could know the readings were so similar, since there was no monitor in Ashland, beats me. Well, maybe, as a so-called expert, she knew what she was talking about. Wrong! A few hours later I was sitting at my computer when my eyes started to water and my throat tickle. The inside of my house smelled like I was sitting in the middle of a roaring campfire. I went outside and I couldn't see any stars, I could taste the air, and there was ash falling in the beam of my flashlight. Boy, Rogue Valley air quality must be taking a hit. I consulted the DEQ chart and the Medford air quality was listed as good. What? The air quality in Ashland was either "unhealthy for all individuals" or, more likely, "hazardous." Medford and Ashland are supposedly the same, huh? These people are either lazy, incompetent, or both. I vote for both. And furthermore, since the air is compromised in the winter too when there are serious temperature inversions, and since I spend a lot of time outdoors in all seasons, I want, no I demand, as a seriously overburdened taxpayer on a fixed income, that the DEQ put a permanent station in Ashland. And I have the perfect location. There's a large multi-million dollar fire station on Ashland Street that's being seriously underutilized and a bunch of (overpaid) individuals there with plenty of time on their hands who can keep an eye on it. It's a no-brainer. Right? Doyle Hirsch Ashland Editor's note: Since this letter was written, a temporary smoke monitor has been installed by USFS in Ashland. Data are available online at  oregonsmoke.blogspot.com . DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 8, 2015 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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