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2 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 Resident vows fight after TID cuts back bushes Voter turnout at 29 percent for Jackson County pot tax Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford Ashland friends remember Lee Perlman as writer, officer ... and mensch Police Reports Education Willow Wind students raise money for water Getting its balancing act together Pulling strings for youth music education Bee college takes to the air Grizzlies shine at Eugene speech tourney Environment With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Ashland Rowing Club members put their backs into Emigrant Lake clean-up The birdman of Bellview Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Silvio Calabi: Volvo XC60 is sexy safety in an SUV Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Locally grown businesses bid for micro-investor attention Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Politics and elections Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out today Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Ramona G. (Austin) Fletcher Death Notices Earl Dean King Death Notices Lee Alfred Perlman Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Raiders tied for third, Gutches two wins from four-peat at NAIA nationals SOU's Maguin advances to 400 final Blazers likely to look to Afflalo in Matthews absence Gimme a break Fourth-ranked Raiders, Gutches try to make noise at NAIA nationals High school Grizzlies let second-half lead slip away in season-ending loss to CV Williams named first-team all-star Owls stun No. 8 Raiders Norvell goes from newbie to state favorite Grizz boys fend off Eagles, earn second straight win Southern Oregon University Raiders tied for third, Gutches two wins from four-peat at NAIA nationals SOU's Maguin advances to 400 final Gimme a break Fourth-ranked Raiders, Gutches try to make noise at NAIA nationals SOU relay team secures spot in title race Voices Latest Stories Our view: Ashland tackles school attendance areas the right way Letters to the Editor, March 7 Herb Rothschild: A meaningful freedom Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Editorial Our view: Ashland tackles school attendance areas the right way Our View: Spelling out safety Our View: Our View: A growing concern Our View: A change of scenery Letters Letters to the Editor, March 7 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Chris Honoré: Public schools: separate, still unequal Guest Opinion: Why so anxious to tax marijuana? Herb Rothschild Jr.: A good day for peace Columns Herb Rothschild: A meaningful freedom Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Jeffrey Gillespie: Putin on the blitz Mochas, midrash and mysteries: An interfaith dialogue Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Memorize poems with your whole body Alice DiMicele plays Unitarian Fellowship Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Community blog: Writers, submit Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Review: OSF keeps the comedy afloat in 'Much Ado' SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Music Alice DiMicele plays Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs The Farr Side: Smith dominates, Beck surprises at Grammys Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Antionette Kerr: Nimoy’s legacy lives on in ‘Star Trek’ Movie review: ‘Chappie’ is charming sci-fi with a violent edge Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Movie review: ‘Lazarus Effect’ should have been buried Movie review: Don’t ‘Focus’ on the problems and you’ll enjoy this Food and Drink Sammich does it Chicago-style Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Inner Peace: The reality of creating illusions Antionette Kerr: Nimoy’s legacy lives on in ‘Star Trek’ Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Barbara Presnell: How are you since your husband retired? Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Herb Rothschild: A meaningful freedom ... Voter turnout at 29 percent for Jackson County pot tax ... Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford ... Herb Rothschild: A meaningful freedom ... Voter turnout at 29 percent for Jackson County pot tax ... Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: In office 55 days and still alive Comment By Stefani Seffinger DailyTidings.com By Stefani Seffinger Posted Mar. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Stefani Seffinger Posted Mar. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter or email ... » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter or email [email protected] . » Social News So what have I learned about Ashland (that I can share) and what have I learned about myself (that I care to disclose) and maybe more importantly to you, the citizens of Ashland, will this make me a good representative for you (hopefully). As to the first part of the question, I have learned that Ashland is home to hundreds of people who care and care passionately about nearly everything. This means we have many commissions whose members have extensive knowledge on most everything. Subjects range from becoming a Bee City (yay for the pollinators) to how to protect the watershed (right on, Ashland Resiliency Project) to how to keep our city historic (I love the old key shop), to artful (wow, is the mural at the food bank wonderful) to how to keep our airport flying (without too many decibels) — just to name a few of our commissions. I have also learned the lesson Ricky Nelson learned when he sang at a garden party long ago (you can’t please everyone so you've got to please yourself). I learned this in my struggle to make the right decision on the items brought before the council. I know that not everyone agreed with all the votes I cast. What I can say is that I have tried to look at all sides of an issue and talk to the person on the street as well as those that send impassioned emails. I learned from experience as a psychologist that it is easy to generalize from one comment to think that is what everyone thinks, so I have tried to keep a balance. I have hopes. I want to believe I voted the right way with regard to the Visitor Center issue. I hope that by saying yes to allowing city water for this project that we can include conditions in the contract to ODOT that will increase security measures that will make the citizens on Crowson Road safer. I want you to know I do care and understand how this decision effects you. On a personal note, here are some of my passions: I believe protection of the watershed is of utmost importance. I think Ashland has much to be proud of in the forward-thinking approach we have taken to protecting the watershed. I will continue to work with the Forest Lands Commission and the Ashland Resiliency Project to promote forest health, conduct appropriate forest thinning, build single-use trails and promote public education about the watershed, our main source of water. I believe that we have one of the most beautiful park systems in the nation, which deserves to be protected. I support the proposal to transfer the Grove to be the face of recreation for the city and revitalize this underused facility. I believe that quality of life in important to both the citizens of Ashland and future economic growth. I am interested in creating a city that is truly age-friendly and provides the options needed to have our citizens age in place. I am interested in both AARP’s age-friendly cities program and the blue zones project for developing a healthy community. I am proud of many of our city's personnel (a special shout out to Jeff McFarland, the Paul Bunyan of Ashland), and I salute programs including the fire-wise community, the You have Options Program and the food bank. I have seen how Ashland has changed since my son was born here in 1980 with a snow storm on the way. I loved Ashland then even though I left for a number of years to pursue my career goals. I love Ashland now and can see that while it has changed, it still has a creative, caring and innovative spirit. How lucky we all are to live here. Off to see the bald eagles and cranes this weekend. Stefani Seffinger is a member of the Ashland City Council. By Stefani Seffinger DailyTidings.com By Stefani Seffinger Posted Mar. 3, 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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