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--> --> Hannon stumps at lodge gathering By Sean Wolfe Ashland Daily Tidings The sign on the mountain road said "closed for the season," but atop the mountain the lodge was brightly lit and hosted over 200 members of the Mt. Ashland Association, local politicos and one incumbent senator. Hosting their annual meeting and dinner on the same occasion for the first time, the association meeting featured incumbent Sen. Lenn Hannon, who took the opportunity to express his support for the ski area's controversial expansion, currently awaiting an environmental review from the Forest Service. Introduced by MAA board member and past board president Tom Reid as having "the biggest hammer in the Legislature," Hannon took the lectern to espouse his support for the ski area's expansion plans. "I wanted this to be apolitical. It has to do with a vision ... The people that preceded us had a vision, and it's our obligation to carry out that vision," Hannon said. "Tonight I'm stepping forward with you, to be a voice supporting expansion," Hannon added, drawing an outburst of applause. "We can be economically sound, environmentally friendly, and we can be a resort open to the people of Southern Oregon and Northern California ... Tonight I'm speaking to the choir - I realize that - but my wife and I are committed to move ahead with you, not as Democrats or Republicans, but because we care." Hannon was followed by Mt. Ashland Ski Area General Manager Jeff Hanson, who recapitulated the ski area's attendance, finances and progress. According to Hanson, the 95,170 visitors over the past year represents the area's third highest attendance record since 1963. Visits to the mountain were up 9 percent from the previous year, and 12 percent above the mountain's 10-year average. Overall, the ski area brought in roughly $2.1 million in revenues, and spent almost as much on operating expenses. Unlike the 2001 ski season, which left the mountain $115,000 in the red, this year Mt. Ashland profited marginally, breaking into the black by about $24,000. According to Hanson, 2001 was an anomalous year with little snow and bad wind conditions, and the only year the resort hadn't at least broke even in its history. Treasurer Bill Little was on hand to note that the ski area brought in enough funds to cover its current operations, and a variety of improvements to equipment and facilities. "We feel good about our financial position, not that we wouldn't accept donations," Little quipped. Hanson also called upon Mt. Ashland Association members to lobby the Forest Service to finish its environmental impact study as early as possible. Hanson said he expects to see the Forest Service response by early summer of 2003, and that it will allow expansion plans to begin by 2004. "The Forest Service needs to hear from you ... The improvements are necessary to stay healthy and vibrant for the future," Hanson said. He also said the association has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to streamline the expansion process, and thanked members of Ashland's city government, its many service clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce for their past support. During a lively question and answer session, numerous members brought up the difficulty of the mountain for beginning skiers and raised questions about the mountain's safety. Joan Thorndike, an MAA member, told the assembly that her children have been injured on the mountain, and expressed her support for the expansion plan's intent to create more beginner and intermediate terrain. "When I bring my daughters here, I hope that they don't break their legs," Thorndike said. "I won't stop them from skiing, but I always pray for them." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing