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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 Butte Creek Mill owner says rebuilding is possibility ... Mail Tribune 100: Dec. 24, 1915, continued ... Cave Junction woman killed in head-on crash ... Butte Creek Mill owner says rebuilding is possibility ... Mail Tribune 100: Dec. 24, 1915, continued ... Cave Junction woman killed in head-on crash ... OUR VIEW Our View: Agency's money-saving approach was all wet Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Housing Authority of Jackson County is on solid ground in wanting to save money on outdoor watering at a subsidized housing complex in Talent. But the agency stumbled in the way it broke the news to tenants. The 64-unit Patio Village features one- and two-bedroom units. Many residents have lived there for years, and there is a waiting list to get in. Over the years, residents have personalized their small outdoor areas by planting vegetables and other greenery. The complex also features lawn areas, the only Housing Authority project that has extensive grass, according to Scott Foster, the agency's executive director. The units are not individually metered, and the authority's water bill has grown to as much as $3,000 a month, $6,000 in the summer. That has the potential to force rent increases if the cost cannot be controlled. The Housing Authority plans to replace the grass with wood chips and drought-tolerant shrubs, a prudent move considering the cost of keeping grass green. And Foster says the agency will work with tenants to allow them to keep some plantings in pots. But the way in which the changes were announced left a great deal to be desired. Residents were given one day's notice before a Wednesday meeting when they were told work could begin as early as the following Monday. If the Housing Authority had approached residents ahead of time, laying out the financial concerns and asking them to collaborate in finding solutions, hard feelings could have been avoided. Instead, they were presented with an ultimatum. Lawn watering requires more water than small vegetable or ornamental plantings, especially if drip irrigation is installed for the latter two. And residents are correct when they point out that gardening is therapeutic for many. The agency gave the residents more time to remove plantings and yard features, and Foster says the Housing Authority will explore the possibility of a community garden space. The agency should do more than explore the possibility. Just do it. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501