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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 7, 2005 Jacksonville council ends watershed sale By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — The City Council voted Tuesday night to retain its watershed — declining to accept a recommendation to sell most of the land to a local motorcycle group — and the capacity crowd erupted into loud cheers. "Not necessary," said Mayor Jim Lewis, quickly gaveling the noisy crowd to silent jubilation. In just 10 minutes time, after two years of committee discussions, the council voted 5-1 to retain the city’s 1,800-acre watershed area "to be maintained and managed," said Lewis. As the crowd quieted, Lewis said there would be no further discussion of the issue that evening. "We’ve done about as much as we’re going to do with the watershed tonight," said Lewis. Advertisement Outside, David Lexow and Will HisleBeard of the Motorcycle Riders Association expressed disappointment in the council’s decision. But the MRA — which owns parcels totaling 300 acres over three sides of the watershed — still intends to be a good neighbor. "Ownership is not as important as stewardship," says Lexow, MRA president. Carolyn Kingsnorth of the Jacksonville Citizens League, received hearty congratulations from many in the crowd. Kingsnorth’s petition drive to block the proposed sale and turn the area into "The Jacksonville City Forest and Recreational Park" garnered about 900 signatures — which were forwarded with a letter of concern to the Mayor, Bureau of Land Management and Jackson County. "We were very concerned that we weren’t being heard," said Kingsnorth. "We don’t want to see (our) voice cut off." HisleBeard says the people who worked so hard to block the MRA from taking ownership have taken on a large responsibility. "They will find managing for recreation requires people who love it, large amounts of time and large expenditures," says HisleBeard. "Folks who’ve poisoned the pot against the sale, (will have a lot to answer for) when it’s time to pick up a shovel." The vote was marshaled through as the first order of business by Councilman Dick Ames. "We need to get something on the table," said Ames, a member of the watershed subcommittee in favor of retention. "We’re hanging on a cloud." City staff members had recommended a third option, to lease the land in addition to the sell or keep options. Councilman Bill Leep sought opinions from the public and asked about funding issues. "Is there a budget out there?" said Leep. Absent discussion, Ames asked for the up or down vote. Lewis, Ames, Doris Crofoot, Liz Kellogg and Donna Schatz voted in favor. Schatz also served on the sub-committee in favor of retention. Leep was the lone nay vote. (Dean Paddison was absent.) Kingsnorth says forming an ad-hoc committee of local citizens and professionals should be the city’s next step. Both sides said they’d be amenable to further negotiations regarding land swaps. For the right amount of acres — the lower acreage is worth more than the upper — the MRA would be willing to trade, Lexow said. "We don’t want to," said Lexow. "But we would." Kingsnorth says the land swap could benefit both groups. "It would be a good idea not to have to cross boundaries," said Kingsnorth. Lexow says "we’re not going away." "We’ll be here in five, 10, 15 years — maybe when the good idea to sell (to the MRA) sinks in," he said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Jacksonville council ends watershed sale ">[email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s