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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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Racist threatens OSF actor ... Horror film to start, end Saturday in Talent ... Ticket availability ... Racist threatens OSF actor ... Horror film to start, end Saturday in Talent ... Ticket availability ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Try a referendum Comment By David Bryant DailyTidings.com By David Bryant Posted Jun. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM By David Bryant Posted Jun. 25, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News In response to the recent kerfuffle over the proposed Gateway Island art installation, and more broadly in response to criticism of the City Council's handling of other widely discussed matters such as the remodel of the Plaza and the Normal development plan, I have a suggestion: When a matter before the City Council meets one or both of the following criteria, why not have a simple, non-binding referendum to the city's voters? The criteria would include matters that are: 1. Generating a lot of public interest, or 2. Large, expensive, long-lasting, and/or largely irreversible. The City Council, after completing its work in essentially the same way it presently does, would refer any matter meeting one or both of the above criteria to the citizens of Ashland before making a final decision. The referral could include, at the council's option, a recommendation and/or an explanation of how it reached its conclusion. Such a referendum, in a city the size of Ashland, would be simple, quick and very inexpensive. Because the result of the referendum would be non-binding, potential fraud would not be of any real concern and voting could be done online, via cellphone, or at the library or City Hall. Voters would be required to give their name and address, but nothing more. The entire process might be limited to a week or two. The council seems to do a pretty good job of gathering facts, taking substantive input from residents and performing the required analysis on most issues. But many large issues properly have a subjective component, in addition to their facts and analysis. While open meetings permit some residents to offer opinions, the ones I have attended have been limited in time and speakers were requested to speak only if they had something of "substance" to say. Well, what about all of those who "just don't like it?" Are their opinions to be discounted because they are subjective? And what about all those who simply don't get to speak due to time constraints? It seems to me that the council would welcome the input of a referendum. When the result of the referendum matched the vote of the council, their vote would be publicly endorsed. When the result of the referendum was close — say 48-52, or 52-48 — popular opinion would be almost evenly divided and the council could justify a decision either way. But when the result of the referendum was strongly contrary to the position of the council, and the council nonetheless ignored the referendum, they would "have some 'splainin' to do," as Desi might say. In a system "of the people, by the people, and for the people," what could be more appropriate than finding out the opinion of the people? Especially when it could be done so quickly, easily and inexpensively. David Bryant lives in Ashland. By David Bryant DailyTidings.com By David Bryant Posted Jun. 25, 2016 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501