Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 9, 2007 Historical organizations outline funding plan Plans to keep afloat include permanent levy, 'heritage districts' By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Historical organizations revealed plans Thursday to create a new heritage district and ask voters to support a small permanent levy in 2008 to keep history alive in Jackson County. "We're all just struggling to stay afloat," said John Enders, executive director of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Historical society funding has dried up over the past three years as the county braced for budget cuts with the loss of a federal timber payments program. The society's budget will drop from $1.1 million this fiscal year to $581,655 next year. Enders said the historical society has been working with local legislators to amend state law to allow the creation of heritage districts. This would give historical societies the chance to seek their own permanent funding source. Advertisement Enders said the exact amount of the levy hasn't been worked out, but he estimated it would be about 6 to 8 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, generating $700,000 to $1 million annually. Once a heritage district is created in Jackson County, it would provide some of the funding for SOHS as well as the other 14 members of the Jackson County History Museums Association. The association includes such organizations as SOHS and the Talent, Phoenix and McKee Bridge historical societies. Most of the historical societies rely heavily on donations and volunteers. Enders said a portion of the levy will create a fund specifically earmarked for restoration and preservation of the county's historical buildings, something historical societies struggle to maintain. In Jackson County, the historical societies had operated on a levy of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation until Measures 47 and 50 consolidated all levies into the county's general budget. Historical societies, which received $740,772 from the county in the current fiscal year, still believe the county has an obligation to provide some funding. At a meeting of the museum association Thursday, one member asked what had happened to the money. "Theft," responded Bob Casebeer, president of the board of trustees for the Talent Historical Society. "That's been bothering my indigestion for a long time," said Dick Croly, president of the board of trustees for the Phoenix Historical Society. Enders said SOHS challenged the county in court over the issue, but ultimately agreed to a settlement in 2003. Casebeer said he feared that further funding cuts will permanently damage the vast history of Jackson County that is in the hands of museums and other organizations. "History is lost if not preserved," he said. Ralph Hunkins, treasurer of the Talent Historical Society, said he favors the levy idea, but remains doubtful that voters will support it. As a result, he said, "Each small-town historical society will end up fending for itself." Bruce Budmayr, president of the SOHS board of trustees, said the levy wouldn't go before voters until November 2008, giving history supporters enough time to organize a grassroots effort. He said the amount of the levy has been purposely kept low to make it more attractive to voters. "It makes ours very affordable," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary