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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 15, 2004 Mold solutions long overdue After months of denial, defamatory comments and distortions of the truth, the Phoenix-Talent School District appears to have agreed to a damning indictment of their administration. The school board and district have put legalistic considerations above humanistic concern resulting in possible life-long neurological and/or respiratory damage to at least three of their employees. Many other staff members and students have respiratory illnesses which may be associated with the past or present condition of Middle School facilities. A recent Institute of medicine report found sufficient scientific evidence to support an association of damp and/or moldy indoor spaces with upper respiratory illnesses and was unable to rule out an association with other illnesses; e.g., fatigue and neuropsychiatric disorders. The report also concluded there is insufficient information on which to base quantitative recommendations for either the appropriate level of dampness reduction or the "safe" level of exposure to dampness-related agents. OR-OSHA substantiated a minimum of six employees with significant symptoms. No health professional; e.g., an epidemiologist, has visited the sites or interviewed affected staff or students. OR-OSHA issued two hazard notices, cited the District for failure to train employees in hazard identification and investigation and noted the lack of permissible employee involvement in the remediation process. Recently, the School District's attorney, after hours of bargaining, publicized an Agreement wherein the Board noted disagreement with their employees' doctors and the District agreed to communicate with their stakeholders. Perhaps someone will seek the answer to why so many occupants of Talent Middle School facilities have mold associated health outcomes. Jo W. French, Sr. Ashland Kerry camp not involved In a letter from V. Moscaritolo (July 7), the writer complains about the behavior of the John Kerry campaigners in the Fourth of July parade, specifically, the tossing around of an effigy of President Bush. This parade entry was NOT the John Kerry campaigners. The Rogue Valley for Kerry group marched for John Kerry, expressing our positive feelings for the man we feel is right for America. We marched proudly, waving American Flags, wearing Kerry T-shirts, handing out balloons and singing patriotic songs. Among us were children, veterans, students and octogenarians. We were 100-plus strong, enthusiastically expressing support for the man who we hope wil be our next president. John Kerry has taken the high road in this campaign. He has repeatedly spoken of all of us being "in one boat" together and of a flag that is for all Americans. His Rogue Valley supporters have followed his lead. We, too, wish to restore unity in our country. Misstatements create divisiveness and polarization! Open your eyes, V. Moscaritolo, and get your facts straight. John Sanders Ashland Disappointed for the last time After 15 years I have just attended my last Fourth of July parade in Ashland. Our city has long embraced liberal issues and politics, which in a free society is certainly acceptable. Independence day however should be a time when we honor and celebrate our heritage and the people and institutions that made us a great nation. Those who have lived and died from all political parties and ideologies were dishonored by the juvenile antics of adults bashing the president and moralities of mainstream America. I acknowledge the rights of all Americans to protest what they may feel are injustice, but is this the time and place? What message do we send to all the hundreds of children who watch grown adults behave in ways they are admonished to avoid? Ashland is a town filled with hypocrisy. It revels in its tolerance and diversity; its peace and non-violence, yet crowds of people shout with glee as an effigy of the president is thrown around, hit, kicked, and sprayed with objects. Our children are watching our non-violence and peace loving antics. Ashland's problem is not what it embraces, but rather the hypocrisy and selectivity in what it chooses to tolerate. Many will chain themselves to a tree to save it or a nesting bird, but do nothing to save an unborn human. Those promoting marriage against natural laws were almost given a standing ovation, while anyone promoting morality is heckled or at best met with silence. All forms of religion created by man are tolerated and accepted, except for the one who created all things and came to give man real freedom. Those who gave their all including their lives were not Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Green Party, gay, or straight; they were Americans who came together for a common cause, which we in Ashland have forgotten to honor with respect and dignity befitting our heritage. Alan Garner 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