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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels July 16, 2004 Local no-growth group in limbo By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings. With Alternatives to Growth Oregon ceasing state operations a month ago, the local AGO group is struggling to find a new identity. "Our local group has not met since the state organization notified us that they were no longer operating," Connie Battaile, local AGO representative said. "We'll just have to consider what to do next. Our membership is from throughout Jackson County." AGO was the state's only voice linking problems such as traffic congestion and pollution to a growing state population. The group, in its prime, had more than 1,000 members and a budget of approximately $200,000. Its main goal was to preserve rural lands throughout the state. During its five years, AGO sponsored a study showing Oregon spent $1 billion a year bringing new business to the state and helping with infrastructure. AGO supported a 2003 proposal that would have given local governments the right to charge developers for new schools, roads, libraries and police. Battaile said the local organization hopes to continue its work. "I don't know if we will keep meeting," she said. "That is something we will need to decide. If we do, our main concern will be in maintaining a sustainable future for the Valley." The local AGO will have to look at a name change if it continues. "I think we would not continue with that name, as it would be confusing," Battaile said. "People's membership is in that state organization, it is not a local membership. The question now is, 'Will there be the number of willing bodies available to keep the organization going?'" Bryan Holley, a local activist and Tree Commission member, said the disbanding of the organization came as a surprise to him. He said the closure will make it tougher to fight the fight against uncontrolled growth. "I think it is one of two alarm bells," he said. "One being the unfortunate dissolution of this group. The second is Measure 36 on the upcoming ballot. It would essentially overturn 100 years of Oregon Land Use Law. "The last time it came along it was called Measure 7. It is a document that those who worship at the alter of private property rights love and the rest of us should be scared to death of. It really will change everything from zoning to how Oregon handles growth and urban sprawl." 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