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Letters, Oct. 25 By Mail Tribune readers Oct 25, 2022 12:00 AM A A 15-210 is unnecessary Less than three years ago, with 64% support, Ashland citizens voted to change the City Charter from a strong mayor form of government to a strong city manager form of government. Included was a provision keeping Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission independent with staff responsible to a parks director who reported to an elected body, the parks commissioners. This charter amendment enshrined longstanding agreements that mandated that APRC staff be governed by the city’s human resources policies and procedures. Now, the City Council is asking voters to do the exact opposite of what the City Council asked voters to decide on a few years ago. This flip flop is confusing and unnecessary. Vote no on Measure 15-210. Stephanie Hyland Ashland Ashland Council candidates Were three council candidates swayed by Vote NO signs? Did they switch minds due to park commissioners’ pressure? Cutis Hayden, from the Sneak Preview, interviewed the candidates. Candidate Bob Kaplan stated, “I’ll be OK with it,” answering to measure 15-211 on reallocating income from the food and beverage tax.”Sunday at the AAUW forum, he said he was voting no. Candidate Eric Hansen said he favored both ballot measures, 15-210 and 15-211. He added, “There’s also a second ballot measure giving control of Parks Department employees to the city manager. I support that also.” at Sunday’s forum ,he said, “no, no.” Councilor Tonya Graham, in the Ashland Chronicle Oct. 27, refused her opinion on two measures, “Some decisions are too large, they should be made by the voters.” Sunday, she recommended a no vote. Can we trust candidates who switch and sway? Nancy Boyer Ashland Principled leadership What could justify replacing a public servant who is doing a remarkable job? Why replace someone representing the people with courage and principled conviction? Colleen Roberts, our county commissioner, was instrumental in working with the U.S. Forest Service to change their policy from “let-it-burn” to “put-it-out.” Result: the last two summers, no wildfires in Jackson County went “rogue.” At the outset of the pandemic she fought the tyranny descending on us from Gov. Katye Brown in Salem. Many criticized her. In hindsight, Commissioner Roberts looks not only prescient, but clearly demonstrated the leadership citizens want — defending constitutional liberty, protecting local business and demanding health care policies based on reason and balance. Just because the local “uniparty” team wants her gone? Colleen Roberts has shown time and again — she is on the people’s team. We need to keep her in office. Re-elect Colleen Roberts Jackson County commissioner. Will Reishman Medford Lucky to have Golden I have just returned from a town hall with Jeff Golden in Jacksonville. How lucky we are to have Jeff as our state senator. The town hall dealt with SB 762, and Jeff showed his breadth of knowledge and how much he truly cares for our community. He has put so much time and effort into helping our community deal with our ever increasing wildfire risk. Jeff showed great respect for everyone’s opinion and I think almost everyone came away feeling better about the bill than when they entered. As I walked away I thought: Can anyone imagine Jeff’s opponent doing the work for our community and then exposing himself to criticism, and truly listening as Jeff had just done? I am certain not. When I think of Jeff’s opponent two words come to mind: invisible and ineffective. Vote for Jeff Golden — we are so lucky to have him! Tom Pratum Jacksonville Support Measure 111 We have an opportunity to make history this election. The right to health care is on the ballot — Measure 111. We can add this life-saving service to our Oregon Constitution alongside the right to education. By saying yes we will be sending a message to our legislators to keep working on a system of care that is affordable, efficient and high quality at the time of need for all Oregonians. And we will be saying no to medical bankruptcies, delaying care, a system of inequality that leaves many without preventative services, medications or support for chronic conditions. Let’s stabilize our health care system from the winds of politics! Let’s be the first state to codify this important right. Vote yes on Measure 111. Lauri Hoagland Ashland Krause for commissioner We have known Denise Krause since she moved back to Oregon five years ago. As a member of our church, we’ve seen what a smart, compassionate, hard-working woman she is. We’ve watched her tackle a problem through research, listening to others, and working with others to come up with and institute solutions. We are confident that Denise will take on the issues we care about here in Jackson County being visible, and listening to us all. Learn more about her on her website, krause4commissioner.org We want Denise Krause as our county commissioner. Please join us in voting for Denise Krause on Nov. 8. Laurie and Bob Carter Ashland Yes on parks measures I’m voting yes on measures 15-210 and 15-211. Parks Director Michael Black has had at least two lawsuits filed against him — one was settled for over $500,000, the second one is pending. The recent one alleges that Black and others at Parks are part of the “Boys Club” or “Four Horsemen”, who spent their taxpayer-paid time harassing women until they were forced to leave employment there. Black and the commission have shown that they cannot be trusted to manage the Parks Department thus the need for Parks employees to be managed by the city. The commission has also mismanaged the Oak Knoll Golf Course. Black and park commissioners have proven that they are incapable of properly managing Parks employees and Parks resources. Therefore, it’s time to put the city in charge of the Parks Department budget and personnel. Vote yes on 15-210 and 15-211. Tom Dimitre Ashland