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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels September 1, 2004 Cheney could learn from Phelps Dick Cheney could learn a lesson or two from Olympian Michael Phelps who gave up his spot on the 400-meter medley relay team to teammate Ian Crocker. Michael Phelps was Mr. Olympics, winning five gold and two bronze medals going into the 400-meter medley relay, which the U.S. was a heavy favorite to win. His gracious action gave Crocker a chance to win an Olympic gold medal. Phelps did not lose anything by giving his spot to his teammate. Because he swam in the qualifying heats, he would earn a medal if the U.S. team placed in finals. What Phelps displayed and gave as a reason for his actions was that he was being sensitive to the other members of the team. By giving this teammate an opportunity to participate and shine, he strengthened team spirit, received goodwill from other competitors and the world, and showed true leadership. Contrary to Dick Cheney's assertion, Michael Phelps showed that sensitivity to others is a sign of strength and leadership not weakness. Bruce Evans Ashland 'Democracy Now!' on JPR Having just returned from a visit to southern California, I was informed, enthused, and charged by hearing Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now!" starting in Chico and then all the way to Santa Barbara and back. Imagine: a whole week of authentic, true public radio; something we are denied in our "JPR" listening area. Don't misunderstand me; I am a supporter, contributor, and volunteer for the past 20+ years at JPR but we do not enjoy the same listening diversity that the public does south and north and east and southwest of our listening area. We enjoy "alternative" radio as in not commercial radio, but the "public" is denied us by the management at JPR. I'm tired of petitions: I'm tired of offering to double my monthly contribution to JPR if they will include "Democracy Now;" I'm tired of demonstrating and pleading to be heard. As one of many, many listeners who have traveled and lived elsewhere and experienced the complete coverage that "Democracy Now!" offers, I want us to be heard. My point is: I want the listeners in the JPR area to help me put the "public" back into Jefferson "Public" Radio. It isn't truly public now, and I love this station and most of the people who work there. Maybe it is time for "regime change" a little closer to home, like our listening area! So, repeat, I will double my contribution the day the "Democracy Now!" starts being broadcast, and it's free for the first year! Do we really need all those hours and hours of "All Things Considered"? (A commendable news program that I really appreciate.) But, couldn't one tinsy, winsy little hour be given to the award-winning, inspiring and courageous reporting of "Democracy Now!" If not, why not? Venita Varga Ashland Golf course fuels wrong growth Do those who advocate building the proposed Billings golf course feel that a high-end golf course (irrigated by sewage effluent!) will enhance Ashland's small-town livability? Young families will not be moving to Ashland to play golf, so an upscale golf course will accelerate Ashland's transformation from a family-oriented community into an enclave for the affluent retired. Young families will be increasingly priced out of our community. Some favor the golf course because they prefer it to a subdivision. Of course. But a subdivision is not a likely alternative. The area is not only outside Ashland's city limits, it is also outside Ashland's Urban Growth Boundary, so the city council would first have to vote - after required public hearings - to expand the UGB, and then annex the area after more public hearings. That is not a likely process, given Ashland's increasing doubts about the benefits of growth. The one claimed benefit the golf course developers have offered is to exchange Ashland Creek water rights for sewage treatment plant effluent. Considering the outcry at the proposal to spray effluent on farmland across the Valley, do the developers really think that a golf course irrigated with sewage effluent will attract players? Nor has either the city or the developer explained just how this exchange would work, what the effective temperature reduction would be, nor what alternatives there are. Obviously the developers would benefit from the golf course, but would the community? Connie Battaile Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams