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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Twin brothers get prison on federal heroin charges ... Four more lead pigtails found in Medford ... Most cities will vote on Heritage District in November ... Twin brothers get prison on federal heroin charges ... Four more lead pigtails found in Medford ... Most cities will vote on Heritage District in November ... HISTORY Most cities will vote on Heritage District in November Shady Cove opts out; cost would be 5 cents per $1,000 Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 2:01 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 2:01 PM » Social News With the exception of Shady Cove, city officials throughout Jackson County want to give their residents a chance to vote in November on a proposed Rogue Valley Heritage District. If approved, the district would cover the county, except for Shady Cove, and would cost property owners 5 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value — or $10 per year for the owner of a home assessed at $200,000. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to initiate formation of a Rogue Valley Heritage District. The district must win voter approval during the Nov. 8 general election. Commissioners Rick Dyer and Doug Breidenthal voted to take the step, while Commissioner Colleen Roberts voted against the move. Dyer said he isn't necessarily endorsing or opposing a heritage district, but wanted to give voters a chance to weigh in on the issue. Southern Oregon Historical Society supporters have said the society could cease to exist if it doesn't receive funding from a heritage district. The heritage district would provide funding for SOHS, as well as other historical societies and heritage organizations in Jackson County. Breidenthal said he supports SOHS and wants the heritage district to pass. "If we lose our history, we lose our past and we lose our future," he said. In addition to having buildings and museums throughout the county and holding history-oriented events, the historic organizations together are responsible for more than 3 million artifacts, documents and photographs. To raise money and reduce storage expenses, SOHS has already sold off many items it decided weren't significant to local history. Breidenthal said it was too difficult for history supporters to collect enough signatures themselves to get the issue on the ballot for voters to decide. He noted initiatives involving tax increases require a higher number of signatures than regular initiatives. Explaining her vote against moving forward with the heritage district proposal, Roberts said she appreciates the work of SOHS, but backers should have collected signatures instead of asking commissioners to put the issue before Jackson County voters. She said many property tax payers are overburdened already, especially with the recent passage of funding measures for library operations, the local extension service, the Rogue Valley Transportation District and Rogue Community College. "Where does it stop?" Roberts asked. Jackson County will hold a public hearing on the proposed heritage district at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, in the Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 2:01 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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