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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 12, 2006 Billings' broken dream an uneasy sign John Billings is an icon of Ashland — a symbol of what it means to live a life well among neighbors, family and friends. Unfortunately the development that bears his name may become iconic in an altogether different way — a monument to the petty, divisive and destructive. Billings is one of six generations of Billings to live on the picturesque farmland and pond on the north edge of the city. Now in his 90s, Billings is honored as one of the city's most loyal citizens — a World War II veteran, family man and lifelong member of civic clubs and organizations. His dream for the former dairy farm was a picturesque golf course. A few years ago, construction began on the development surrounding the proposed golf course. A festive groundbreaking made the news, with Billings whacking a celebratory slice into the fields. But the festivities soon turned to headaches. Plans for the golf course stalled under environmental concerns, the inability of the developers to acquire more adjacent land and slowed real estate sales. This month the project developers said the golf course was off the table indefinitely. Construction of more of the proposed homes is on hold until sales of existing inventory rise. The development has drawn sharp criticism from locals because of the high cost of the homes (roughly between $600,000 and $800,000), the small lots and stacked town homes with roofs visible from Highway 99. But beyond a typical development, the beleaguered project has become the poster child of those angry that Ashland is changing, sold to the highest bidder. The golf course seems symbolically despised by some for its stereotypical appeal to yuppies and greedy power brokers. Symbols and stereotypes are almost always hurtful and this is no exception. The loss of the golf course is unfortunate. The scenic farmland provided a beautiful backdrop for what would have been a wonderful addition to the local recreation offerings, whether one plays the sport or not. Most importantly, it was what John Billings wanted to do with his land. It hurt no one. Though the golf course may never materialize it is quite possible another couple of hundred homes may. Who wins if that's the case? Further, slowed real estate sales suggest a changing tide in our local real estate market that will have an economic effect on the city. This may be nothing more than a market correction from the booming real estate market of the last decade or so, or it may indeed be the start of the nationwide decline that could have grave impacts on the economy. Neither is a laughing matter. In the end, news of the downturn on this one promising development is simply bad news. More troubling is what this development has come to symbolize, providing another glimpse of the ugly division and developing class warfare that is starting to plague our city. Current Comments: It is indeed a great pity that John Billings dream has been dashed by those few who oppose change at any cost. Given the crop af far-left reactionary idealogues running for council the divisions between those of us who support change and those that don't is only going to get worse. We should not be surprised if future battles over private property rights and proposed developments to be even more bitter that they currently are. The Mount Ashland ski field imbroglio is another prime example. Doug Forsyth - Ashland - October 12th, 1:53 PM While I do not support the building of a golf course where water is an issue, I very much support Mr. Billings' legal right to develop his property in an approved manner. And Doug, there is only one candidate in the pack who does not meet your description- Greg Lemhouse. If you want to see a well balanced Ashland, get to know him and be darned sure you and your like minded friends put Ashland first by NOT voting for so-called progressives who are as the Editorial states, creating class warfare. Bill Bartlett ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - October 12th, 5:04 PM Please be careful when you make such claims as "John Billings is an icon of Ashland � a symbol of what it means to live a life well among neighbors, family and friends." How can you make such a statement without interviewing every single man woman, and especially CHILD this person has come into contact with? Such blanket statements should not be said lightly because, as I have said before, one can never tell what really happens behind the public's eye. M - Ashland, OR - October 12th, 9:16 PM Alan DeBoer's recent online comments (September 21st) apply to this editorial as well: "Perhaps the paper is the source of a lot of our problems in town. This editorial kinda feeds the fire." Bill Street - Ashland - October 12th, 9:47 PM Our family is among the despised, newly-relocated California residents. We were very open to seeing any and all real estate in the town and knew nothing of the imbrogio surrounding Billings Ranch. I can say that we were appalled by what the builders did. The houses are okay despite complaints about the archicture. It was how closely squished and packed together they were that repelled us. Had the builders been a bit less greedy, they might have sold more of those homes. kathleen - ashland, OR - October 13th, 11:00 AM That's the whole point of an "editorial" Bill (feeds the fire). As long as they are labeled as such. The problem arises when editorials are not labeled and people believe a person's view on something is "news". Max Power - Ashland, OR - October 13th, 11:43 AM Kathleen, I don't think if accurate to say that old-timers despise newly-relocated residents, be they from Calif. or not. I think what angers people is folks who move here and immediately think they know best and begin strongly voicing opinions based on where they are from (No, Red Dog, I don't expect newcomers to sit on their hands). But I don't think it's too much to expect that newbies recognize we're not stupid. We built a community YOU choose to move to. Maybe you should listen awhile. enough - ashland, or - October 13th, 4:32 PM Enough, I am listening. I like Ashland just the way it is. That development began way before we even thought of coming here. We didn't need locals to tell us that the development was poorly planned and built mostly with greed in mind. One of those monster houses doesn't have room in the back for a bbq. And the builder thought we no-nothing 'newbies' wouldn't mind? And they wonder why those houses sit there unoccuppied? But thanks for the welcome anyway. kathleen - Ashland, OR - October 15th, 9:06 PM Kathleen...the reality is that most of Ashland isn't native born. People moved here because they recognize what a phenomenal place it was/is. I think what is going is newcomers v. oldercomers, with the latter trying to keep things moving in a positive direction and the former just scared we will turn in Berkeley (as in Stromberg) or wherever they came from. Growth is NOT the end of the world. Unmanaged growth is. You ARE welcome..I just want people to listen before they vent, ok? enough - ashland, or - October 16th, 9:20 AM I will once again make a plea that some of these disucssions would be much easier at the AT Forum site, which still begs for usage (but it is getting better). Kathleen, Mr. Iverson, RedDog, all of you that regularly post here should consider checking it out. enough - ashland, or - October 16th, 9:22 AM I can honestly say, after living in ashland for 22 of my 27 years, I would rather see a golf course any day, over a couple of hundred houses and the environmental strain the occupants would create. Can't we all agree that the people who would endu up living there would use more H2O, and energy, and create more waste/pollution from daily life than a golf course? robin - ashland, or - October 16th, 11:02 AM Actually, Robin, I think most studies find that golf courses are among the biggest water users around...plus all the fertilizer that is needed to keeps the greens green year-round. The daily water numbers quoted for the Billings project, as well as Dom Provost's proposal, are partially why all the neighbors are so concerned about wells drying up etc. Houses, whether pro or con, probably use less per acre than a golf course, but somebody can/will correct me, I'm sure. enough - ashland, or - October 16th, 3:04 PM OK, I give. What's the AT forum? Do you mean the MT forum, which for some reason excludes Ashland and the rest of the South Valley? Why the MT and Daily Tidings sites can't be combined, I don't know. It would certainly be better to have one vital site that served the needs of this valley, instead of 2 cheesy sites that accomplish little. bbqboy - talent - October 16th, 4:00 PM Enough, I have a feeling we're on the same side. Growth in Ashland is inevitable and managing it properly is crucial. I also have been visiting the Forum and am very glad it's there. I hope it's successful! Bbqboy, the AT forum is the Ashland Tidings, I think. The MT forum is open to everyone but it encompasses many issues and subjects for Medford which don't interest me too much. I want to learn about Ashland and this is a good place to do that. kathleen - ashland, OR - October 16th, 7:30 PM "The daily water numbers quoted for the Billings project, as well as Dom Provost's proposal, are partially why all the neighbors are so concerned about wells drying up etc." I was under the impression that while Provost's proposal DOES include new well water, Billings' farm has historic water rights sufficient for a golf course, and they pre-date those water rights of the city of Ashland. Educate yourself prior to spouting off. Clinton - Ashland - October 16th, 8:25 PM Clinton... where do you think Mr. Billings water comes from? And where do you think the water that would go to the course goes now (as into the aquafier). I didn't say anything about his project, merely about the neigbors concerns about it. And if you think THAT is me spouting off, you really ought check out what I have to say about local politics. My point was that golf courses use lots of water...not whether Mr. Billings has water rights sufficient to keep a course green. enough - ashland, or - October 16th, 9:53 PM enough... Point taken. I had not heard concerns about wells regarding Billings project, though I have heard plenty regarding well water in regards to Provost's plans. I see pros and cons to both projects, and agree that a golf course would be much more attractive than 200 or so homes at the entrance to Ashland. It will be interesting to monitor over the next few years and see what happens. Clinton - Ashland - October 16th, 11:37 PM Clinton..it certainly will be interesting. Life if full of trade-offs. Personally, I think the City should explore 'trading off' Oak Knoll for development and having a city-owned golf course on the Billings' property instead, but that's probably too much to hope for. Whatever happens in Ashland, it's almost always interesting though. enough - ashland, or - October 17th, 9:18 AM My sadness comes from being born and raised in Ashland, and listening to the drama regarding the Billings project. The houses would sell if the course project wasn't getting all the negative publicity and if the project could have gotten more support. My family has been here as long as Mr. Billings and I am disgusted that he was not able to fulfill his dream. Bet those houses will really be nice in the place of the golf course. To serve karma a gift because of ignorant defiance. Deplorable. Homer - Ashland , Oregon - October 17th, 7:49 PM The real problem with golf courses is the fertilizer and the chemicals (insecticides, pesticides etc), not to minimize the water wastage issue. But not one person on this thread mentioned concern for Bear Creek. To hell with Billings dream. And to hell with all greedy bastards rearranging deck chairs on the quickly degrading planet. Poor old man couldn't see his dream of a golf course. What a bunch of pathetic, egotistical and ignorant citizens - concern for self only! know your enemy - ashland - October 17th, 9:27 PM ""The real problem with golf courses is the fertilizer and the chemicals (insecticides, pesticides etc)"" As one who has severe sensitivity to chemicals, I second that emotion. MCS - Ashland - October 18th, 11:04 AM MCS-Check on what golf courses are using today to keep up their greens. The fertilizer-chemical issues are problems from the past. Courses today are very environmentally conscious (and have to be). This is an old scare tactic still being used by anti-golf course activists...They really aren't harming the environment on that end anymore, although they once did. Let�s have a clean and green gold course instead of more housing, okay? Open space instead of more in-fill. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - October 18th, 10:36 PM MCS, Steve Lieverson presents the option as homes or golf course...I think we all realize this is overly-simplified. Given that simplified choice however, I say less golf courses. Ashland has one. Have you seen the new one off of North Phoenix Road...huge! And chemicals are still a problem. That is why Bear Creek is water quality limited and for all intensive purposes...polluted. True, fertilizer is a bigger problem than the actual killer "ides". But both are killing Bear Creek. know your enemy - ashland - October 19th, 7:04 AM Steve and Know-- My comment was solely regarding the fertilizer & chemicals, whether they be used on golf course or private yards. I was also not commenting on pollution in Bear Creek. I may not have been clear in my writing, but I was commenting on the accepted usage of chemicals today. For some people, even "organic" or "natural" is not safe. That would be me. MCS - Ashland - October 19th, 1:52 PM I'm not offering two choices.I am seeing the future.The land will not remain a ranch with cattle grazing.Check again on the fertilizer argument, they are not dumping chemicals on the gulf courses and Bear Creek is not polluted from the course off Phoenix Rd. Where do you get your information from? The cow manure that is all over Billings land makes it way into the creek and there is a lot of that. I'm just saying a goflcourse is not a bad way to go given the greed of land developers in Ashland. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - October 20th, 1:11 PM I have had a vision for that land that would make it an asset to the whole of S.OR. That piece of land would be an awesome site for a botanical gardens and educational center. It's the gateway to Ashland & has excellent form, exposure,and the water needed to produce an excellent world class botanical gardens. This would preserve the land from future tract houses & preserve it for our future children & community! Just my 2 cents on the subject....Namaste Dave Orchid - Ashland - October 23rd, 7:37 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.