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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 Will the gender pay gap ever disappear? Ashland Recycling Center hits quarter-century Louie’s Restaurant hosts fourth annual Equal Pay Day Police Reports 10 things to know for Friday Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Bracing for Common Core Ashland Kiwanis recognize Lillian Huang Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning Environment Ashland Fire & Rescue Alarm Box: There are good fires and there are bad fires Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Business Louie’s Restaurant hosts fourth annual Equal Pay Day Chamber celebrates innovation in the food, wine and beer industries Cars We Remember: 1964 Olds F-85 owner seeks information Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda Odyssey Silvio Calabi: Passat 1.8T Sport is satisfyingly rational Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable State News Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Death Notices Death Notices Death Notices Anna Mae Hassell Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race Grizz softball team keeps rolling For Raiders, a homecoming Sports & Bacon: So I didn’t fill out any brackets... It's not getting any easier High school SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race Grizz softball team keeps rolling AHS girls edge Roseburg Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Southern Oregon University SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race For Raiders, a homecoming Raiders remain No. 1 in spring poll Grizzlies blow away Eagles Baldrica sets pace for AHS girls Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Herb Rothschild Jr.: Spreading the risk of vaccination Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Help fill empty bowls in Ashland Jeffrey Gillespie: Buying the presidency Editorial Our View: Help fill empty bowls in Ashland Our View: Jackson County should say yes to Circle of Teran rehab request Our View: New cat on the block in Ashland Our View: Ashland High benefits as cycle racing club gets rolling Our View: Ashland is prepared, Firewise Letters Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Letters to the Editor, April 11 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Guest Opinion: Fremont cottonwood is not a hazard Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Columns Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Herb Rothschild Jr.: Spreading the risk of vaccination Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Jeffrey Gillespie: Buying the presidency Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Go to the poetry reading at the library on Sunday Community blog: Poems for parenting A tale of two plays at OSF Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Five picks for entertainment this week Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability A tale of two plays at OSF Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director Backstage: 'Poof: Something that wasn’t there is there' Music On TV: Your guide to the Academy of Country Music Awards The Farr Side: Intriguing time on the Hot 100 Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Is Kelly Clarkson’s weight truly news?  Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie review: Based-on-fact ‘True Story’ asks, ‘Who’s fooling who?’ Movie review: Lots of monkey business in ‘Monkey Kingdom’ Russell Crowe discusses WWI and being a first-time director 'Cinderella' revisited is stunning, magical Ben Steelman: Big-screen showings to mark anniversary of ‘Sound of Music’ Food and Drink Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Tot owners buy Playwright, hire Amuse chef Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Looking Up: Watching for the next big comet Adelante! Gallery showcases Zenga Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 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 Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Spreading the risk of vaccination ... Ticket Availability ... Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Spreading the risk of vaccination ... Ticket Availability ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Comment By Stephen A. Larson DailyTidings.com By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I live and run a licensed vacation rental at 635 Siskiyou Blvd. Although I am vice president of the Ashland Lodging Association, the comments I have are my own and not meant to represent those of the ALA. I have no problem with the creation of Accessory Traveler's Accommodations as proposed. In fact, I feel it would create a less expensive alternative and bring in visitors to Ashland who would not normally be able to afford it. Such accommodations are common in Europe and are quite inexpensive in comparison to a private room or house where the proprietor is not living down the hall. The proposal here mandates that only one party at a time with only one car can be provided with not more than two rooms by the hosting party. Use of the kitchen is prohibited and the proprietor must be present during the visit. Unfortunately, here is what will happen: Hundreds of applicants will apply for and be licensed to operate such accommodations in every neighborhood in Ashland. After that it will be impossible to determine who is complying with the ordinance and who is not. As in the past, those who don't find the rules agreeable will simply do what they want, except now, with their license, they will be able to advertise and operate in full view and without fear of being discovered. By passing this with no effective plan for enforcement, the City Council will be creating a chaotic situation which will lead to the end of any kind of municipal control of the accommodation industry here in Ashland. It is my suggestion that those who are in favor of this get rid of the rules pertaining to traveler's accommodation all together. Simply award a business license to anyone who is willing to pay for it and require a city room tax be charged. The negative impact of doing that, however, is another issue. Barring midnight raids and neighborhood surveillance cameras, how can the city make an attempt at insuring compliance by the licensees of these Accessory Travelers Accommodations? The only practical solution I can think of is, at the cities expense, to have personnel pose as tourists, book accommodations and physically stay there and report back any violations. Also, if licensed, all advertisements in the description of the property must include an outline of what an Accessory Traveler's Accommodation is as defined by the city and encourage visitors to report violations. Since there will be hundreds of licensees to monitor it should be a one-strike-and-you're-out policy. The city, at it's sole discretion, should be able to revoke a license and impose substantial fines. Perhaps with this, operators of these businesses will be intimidated enough that they will be more likely to regulate themselves and adhere to the conditions of their license. Stephen A. Larson lives in Ashland. By Stephen A. Larson DailyTidings.com By Stephen A. Larson Posted Mar. 16, 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. 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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