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2 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 Mushrooms best the Novelists Missing Ashland teen Hannah Thomas-Garner possibly seen in Florida, police say One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault Police Reports Hands-on lessons about art, food and teamwork Education Mushrooms best the Novelists Hands-on lessons about art, food and teamwork Reading for sport builds mental muscles Middle school to sell discounted books AHS Principal Zundel up for national award Environment Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Mt. 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John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Legislative leaders join in call for Kitzhaber resignation (updated) Nation - World Obituaries Michael Martin Gandee Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Gary Dean Wilkerson Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories It's the Knights' night Malcolm's big night powers Ashland past N. Eugene Burke's 19 helps Utah Jazz upend Trail Blazers No. 8 Raider women look to keep momentum going at home Much on the line for SOU men High school Malcolm's big night powers Ashland past N. 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Revels Latest Stories 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Moore's journey is moving in 'Still Alice' A look at the first plays SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Theater Ticket Availability Joyous re-launch of 'Dames at Sea' Ticket Availability 'Words' wordsmith went from copywriting to playwriting 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Music Victor D. 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Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Community Blog: Three Modes of Being Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Missing Ashland teen Hannah Thomas-Garner possibly seen in Florida, police say ... One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault ... Calendar: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Missing Ashland teen Hannah Thomas-Garner possibly seen in Florida, police say ... One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault ... Calendar: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: Yes on welcome center Comment By Rich Rosenthal DailyTidings.com By Rich Rosenthal Posted Feb. 17, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Rich Rosenthal Posted Feb. 17, 2015 @ 12:01 am » 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 @ 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. 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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