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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 Our View: A place to sleep ... Is BSA right to allow gay scout leaders? ... Ticket Availability ... Our View: A place to sleep ... Is BSA right to allow gay scout leaders? ... Ticket Availability ... COUNCIL CORNER Council Corner: Citizens on the move Comment By Carol Voisin DailyTidings.com By Carol Voisin Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:03 PM By Carol Voisin Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:03 PM » Social News As a city councilor, I am amazed at the robust involvement of Ashland citizens in decisions that the council will be taking or has already taken. Here is a summary. The Welcome Center — Citizens living primarily in the Oak Knoll subdivision and on Crowson Road are asking the council to put safeguards and limitations in the intergovernmental agreement with ODOT. They want the council to stand up for their constituents, who want 8-foot fencing, personnel present at the center, oversight of the use of city potable water, etc. Decisions will be made at tonight's (May 19) council meeting. 2014 Tree of the Year — citizens respectfully disagree with the council’s decision to fell the Fremont Cottonwood that is the Tree of the Year, 2014, at 380 Clay St. Citizens are asking for a moratorium from the city for a permit to remove/fell the tree. They are working on finding a win/win alternative to save the tree and to keep affordable housing development. Over 1,000 citizens have signed a petition to save the Fremont Cottonwood. Citizens interested in working to find an alternative to felling the tree can contact Bryan Holley at  [email protected] . A solar park on the Imperatrice property — Citizens carefully and systematically prepared a proposal and presented it to the Citizens Budget Committee asking for $75,000 from economic development money to develop  plans for a 10-megawatt solar park on 40 acres of the 864-acre Imperatrice property. The funds are to hire a solar electric professional to write the plan to entice developers to propose a park, then guide the council through the proposals and a complex lease. After 10 to 15 years, the park would revert to the city to decide to use the solar power for our city or sell it. The investment of $75,000 couldn’t be more beneficial for citizens of Ashland. The Citizens Budget Committee will make a  recommendation on Thursday, May 21, at the council chambers. Watch for these issues on the City Council agenda: A recommendation to change the city recorder from elected to appointed. Requiring a charter amendment, this would come to the voters. Learn early what the pros and cons are; participate in the final decision before it comes to a citizen vote. Changing the median strips on Siskiyou Boulevard from grass to artificial grass. The council will hold a study session on the Imperatrice property at 5:30 p.m. June 15. The public can speak at the meeting. Look for the sample sections and let the council know what you think. Learn what the savings are as well as the expenses, the pros and cons of the project, then chime in. Businesses and citizens are working on ways to get a shuttle that runs through our town for visitors and citizens. Look for letters to the editor and announcements of the progress this group is making. Where citizens need to be involved in the decision making is clear. Get involved by applying for a city commission —  there are vacancies — and attend meetings of commissions and the council to let your voice be heard. Go to the city website, www.ashland.or.us , for more information. Carol Voisin is a member of the Ashland City Council.                               By Carol Voisin DailyTidings.com By Carol Voisin Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:03 PM » 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... 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