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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 October 13, 2006 Ashland council candidates square off on priorities, issues facing city By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Recruiting "green" companies that provide living-wage jobs, creating affordable housing for the working poor, and reining in Ashland Fiber Network's mounting debt are top priorities for many of the nine candidates running for Ashland City Council seats in the Nov. 7 election. In a novel quirk this year, one of the candidates is homeless. Randy Dolinger is well-known locally for his outspoken advocacy for the homeless and others. If elected, Dolinger said he may well be the first homeless person ever elected to anything. Dolinger said recent increases in Rogue Valley Transportation District bus fares have cut ridership significantly and that rides should be free to all. He favors community policing in which officers are assigned beats, particularly on the vandalism-plagued Plaza. He also opposes expansion of the Mount Ashland ski area. Advertisement Dolinger's opponent, incumbent David Chapman, said he favors affordable housing, but "I don't see how we can make any progress on it." Chapman said he's focusing on more pragmatic issues, such as saving RVTD and AFN. "Mass transit has to be on the screen. RVTD is going down fast and we have to save it," said Chapman. RVTD recently raised rates and cut routes to shore up a $1.2 million shortfall. "Representatives from each city have got to look at the numbers and tell them, what are you going to do with what you've got? They're raising rates, losing riders and going deeper in debt." Incumbent Kate Jackson, who faces three opponents, said "RVTD doesn't function" because of poor management by the director and the board of directors. She said workers are being priced out of living in Ashland and the bus is vital for them to get to their jobs. The city must "be part of it," she said. Jackson said she's "real pleased with the progress of AFN," including hiring a new manager, and although it doesn't handle its own debt yet, "I'm hoping it will. We need to develop a short- to medium-term plan (to pay off the debt)." Jackson is opposed by retired management consultant John Stromberg, attorney Bruce Harrell and computer programmer Nick Frost. Stromberg said the city, faced with $15 million in AFN debt and $20 million for water treatment system improvements, should sell off some city land and leave the red ink behind so it can create a "sustainable" budget that can impact pressing issues such as affordable housing. Large school lots could be used for building affordable housing for vital workers, such as teachers and police, Stromberg said. "Subsidizing the (housing of) 10 lowest paid cops at $500 a month each — that's $60,000, far less than the $1 million a year the city must pay for AFN debt." Harrell said he's "fed up with a lot of fiscal irresponsibility and poor judgment," such as the city spending money on a new American Indian statue when it could better use the money on a real person who needed a college education. The city should divest itself of AFN, he added, because it was "a terrible business decision — and the city has no business being in (private) business. "It's a loser because it's restricted to Ashland residents, so it can't compete against Charter. We're borrowing from our children to do this," Harrell said. Frost said the AFN debt could be handled by cost cuts of 1 percent to 2 percent in city departments, but the system should be retained and payoff options put to a vote. Frost said the city is "a bit murky and becoming murkier" in its operation. He said the city needs to change priorities, so it's not losing young people and families as its cost of living in town spins out of control. "Most families are putting 30 to 50 percent (of their income) toward mortgage payments and I suggest the city needs to set up a nonprofit organization to provide credit assistance to home buyers," he said. "The city should use its financial ability to lower interest rates for families." Medford police officer Greg Lemhouse and organic farmer and home designer Eric Navickas are vying for the seat being vacated by Alex Amarotico. Navickas wants to diversify the town economy by bringing in small, environmentally-friendly industries that create living-wage jobs. He also wants to sell off city lands to raise funds for work force housing, persuade the Legislature to allow a real estate transfer tax and create more affordable housing in new developments. Lemhouse says he will "see things in a balanced way, free of politics and ideological slant," and vows to tread the "middle way." He wants to continue community policing, pay off AFN debt by selling land or part of AFN, and create affordable housing through a nonprofit agency "rather than government getting into business." Lemhouse criticized the council, saying "every issue has been politicized too much and we need to look at things realistically in a way that benefits the most people." He said city leaders "micromanage departments too much, and they (department managers) can solve their own problems." Both Lemhouse and Navickas have made news previously. Navickas participated in a nude sit-in at City Hall to protest a ban on nudity, and sued the U.S. Forest Service over its plan to expand the Mount Ashland ski area. Lemhouse was a member of the "Reservoir Dawgs," a Medford police unit that was noted for its aggressive work to keep downtown safe after dark. Running unopposed for a council seat is Alice Hardesty, who was appointed to fill the seat of her late husband, Jack Hardesty. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. A glimpse at those in the running Ashland City Council POSITION 2 Greg Lemhouse Age: 33 Employment: Sergeant with Medford Police Department Education: Bachelor of science in sociology with a political science minor, Oregon State University Experience: As a public servant, I have worked within the community to address difficult issues and solve problems. I have also had the opportunity to lead and make crucial decisions during critical times and have been willing to sacrifice my own well-being to place the needs of others first. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Bring diversity, balance and leadership to the council to make decisions and move the city forward in a positive direction. 2. Protect the community by addressing affordable housing, community policing and supporting our small business economy. 3. Hire and retain quality department heads and provide them guidance and support in doing their jobs. Eric Navickas Age: 36 Employment: Residential designer working at home. Joint owner of a small organic farm. Education: Bachelor's degree in architecture, University of Oregon, Eugene Experience: Active in Ashland city politics for 10 years, promoting environmental ethics, responsible development and the protection of civil liberties. Top three priorities if elected: 1. I will work to bring small, clean industry to Ashland and provide jobs for our citizenry. Ashland is losing its vitality as a community where families and children are able to live. We need a solid base of living-wage jobs to maintain the health of our community. 2. Providing work force housing is equally necessary. I will take an aggressive role in confronting this problem through working with land trusts, continuing funding for a housing specialist on staff, providing city property for housing, and lobbying the state Legislature. 3. I will promote and protect the downtown as our economic core and community gathering place. The merchants and locally owned businesses of Ashland give our community appeal, character and life. I will also work to actively promote more use of the downtown by the citizens of Ashland. POSITION 4 Nick Frost Age: 33 Employment: Ashland independent computer programmer, notary public Education: Southern Oregon University Top three priorities if elected: 1. Work with the entire community to ensure a viable economic future. Small, green industry should give Ashland another economic cornerstone to grow on, but not at the expense of our current economy. Producing our own commodities locally will lower the cost of living and improve our quality of life. 2. Creating on open government and encouraging citizen participation. I believe that people have the understanding and ability to directly address issues effecting their neighborhood, community and environment. An informed dialogue is absolutely necessary, and an open, transparent government should take responsibility for fostering this dialogue. 3. Restore the Senior Lift to all of Ashland and use it as a model for improving community transportation. Explore avenues to improve air quality and increase local and tourist foot traffic. Kate Jackson, incumbent Age: 53 Employment: Self-employed as a rural land-use planner since 1999 Education: Bachelor of science in natural resources, University of California, Berkeley; master of science in soil science, University of California, Davis Experience: Worked for 26 years as a water resource technician, soil scientist, environmental engineer and as an associate planner and floodplain manager at Jackson County Planning Department; owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Ashland for eight years; served as council liaison to six city commissions and two regional organizations, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. and the Regional Problem Solving Policy Committee (also served as chairwoman); volunteered with the city on numerous committees after the 1997 flood; Ashland Emergency Food Bank board member, four years. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Jobs and housing are inextricably linked. We must find ways to help existing businesses grow and stay here. How can we attract new entrepreneurs and small businesses that provide living wages to their employees? How can we provide housing for workers given the disparity between income and cost of housing? 2. Energy preparedness: Worldwide climate change requires that we plan for a shift in the sources of our energy. Local solar, wind, and methane power and biofuels should be part of a new strategy. Conserve electricity without reducing livability. The resilience of our local electric grid should be strengthened. 3. Water quality and conservation: We cannot outgrow our water supply. We must manage our watershed for production and for safety. Extend our water conservation programs. Use irrigation rights for agriculture, not development. Reuse wastewater effluent for irrigation. These steps will protect our watershed and reduce per capita water use. John Stromberg Age: 66 Employment: Retired organizational and management consultant Education: Doctorate in business administration, University of California, Berkeley Experience: Twenty-seven years in organizational and management consulting; Ashland Planning commissioner since spring 2005; Downtown Plan Committee; community policing advocate; worked to develop public/private partnership to save city of Eugene's public art gallery; cofounder, Napa Valley Land Trust; economist with the RAND Corp. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Control city spending and borrowing. 2: Stimulate and diversify Ashland's economy by making it a center for sustainability — including research, start-ups and municipal applications. 3. Develop work force housing for teachers and police as part of a comprehensive housing plan for Ashland. POSITION 6 David Chapman, incumbent Age: 60 Employment: Semi-retired, computer research programmer, theatrical designer and technician Education: Master of science in computer science, University of Minnesota; bachelor of arts in theater, University of Texas Experience: Appointed to Ashland City Council 2005; Ashland Budget Committee member, Public Advisory Committee member of Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization; Traffic Safety Commission member, Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission member, Siskiyou Boulevard Citizen Design Committee. Top three priorities if elected: 1. Develop a self-sustaining local economy. 2: Conserve land, water, air and fuel; increase renewable energy generation. 3. Enhance safety and pleasure for walkers and cyclists; improve our public transportation system. Randy Dolinger Age: 52 Employment: Worked in most aspects of building, maintenance and repair Education: Humanistic studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1972-76 Experience: No previous experience in elected or appointed office Top three priorities if elected: 1. Restoring our identity — cleaning up downtown, our parks and public transportation, our schools. 2. Investing in discovery — harnessing local creativity to meet the twists and turns that surely lie ahead. 3. Cleaning up the mess our present council will be leaving us. That means accountability. We need to reverse the direction from secrecy and insider deals to openness and clear visibility in our city government. This is how mankind has always moved forward. Bruce Harrell Age: 52 Employment: Attorney Education: Doctor of jurisprudence, University of California, Los Angeles Experience: Attorney at law, judge pro-tem, volunteer political organizer and lobbyist Top three priorities if elected: 1. Fiscal responsibility, e.g., divesting AFN; supporting instead of burdening local business; reducing exorbitant Planning Department, utility and restaurant fees and taxes; requiring intelligible city financial statements and accountability; and ending needless, wasteful and harmful city "improvements." 2. Preparing for the future, e.g., greater incentives for increased residential use of solar power, requiring larger residential developments to include a portion for low-income housing, and expanding Ashland borders to acquire by voluntary cooperation agricultural and wildland for preservation in public trust. 3. Downsizing city government to increase funding for essential services and to establish a rainy-day fund to withstand economic vagaries. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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