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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 5, 2004 Lest the Tidings become the recipient of a barrage of written response to the idea that an Ashland resident is begging instant privileges that are more often acquired over lifetimes, let me clarify the context of a couple of recent staff reports out of the Parks and Recreation Department. I am the Ashland resident, and I did not come to the commission hoping that they would give me a home to preserve affordable housing. I have happily enjoyed residence in this house for 20 years, and I certainly do hope to remain here as long as possible - probably until such time as the house is razed in preparation for park development. I am pleased that the city land on which the house I live in sits is slated to be eventually developed into a neighborhood park. For 20 years, I have enjoyed seeing children play in this field, already their neighborhood park. Here is one of the few long sledding runs in this town. Here can giant gliders float for minutes on end. Here can baseballs fly without fear of breaking neighboring windows. Here children run free for hours, through tall grasses and under nearly Montana skies. The idea that the city partition the acreage and deed the house and its site to me was proposed independently by a longtime friend, who simply saw an opportunity for me to participate in the life of this community as a taxpayer. I have suggested, however, that if any portion of the large parcel is not in the final plan of the future park, then it might alternatively be considered as a potential for affordable housing. Cathy Tschanen Ashland Honor Peace Corps volunteers During the 4th of July parade in Ashland, I marched with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, rather than riding a car amongst the "dignitaries." During these very troubled times, it is important to remember that America is greater than either the might of its military or the prowess of its diplomats. It is a nation glued together by the radical concepts of equality of all citizens and the right of the individual to determine the course of his or her own individual life. Since its inception under President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has represented the best of America to the world. Volunteers do not live in guarded gated communities with other expatriates. They do not receive hefty tax free salaries. They are not given vehicles or translators. Instead, they live amongst the people with whom they serve. Upon their return, most continue to serve their communities, as teachers, health care workers, and workers in social services. I urge all former volunteers in our valley to join me in Ashland to honor the Peace Corps and the vision of America that it represents. Dave Gilmour, Jackson County commissioner Central Point Talent project provides more In a recent letter, Don Rist suggests that a proposed Talent City Hall is too expensive. He would probably be correct if the project was only for a city hall. However, the proposal calls for: o a multipurpose facility for use by local groups and citizens; o a much larger park; o improving Home Street; o a parking area for the new Civic Center; o improvement and upgrades to the police station; o and last, but not least, a new city hall. A new civic center for Talent will improve the appearance of our downtown and meet the needs of a community that has grown to almost 6,000 people. Donald Steyskal Talent Dixie Chick's gutsy move good Altho' I listen to country music with the same enthusiasm that I would look forward to open-heart surgery, I've got to admire Natalie Manes of the Dixie Chicks. Her statement that she was embarrassed to be from the same state as George Dub took a lot of guts, considering the political proclivity of her fan base. It's tantamount to a biker wearing a "Gay Pride" T-shirt at a Hell's Angels rally. Doyle Hirsch 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