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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 Since We Asked 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 August 16, 2006 Ashland council votes down resolution requesting halt to ski expansion By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune Wary of embroiling itself in ongoing litigation — and further polarizing the community — the Ashland City Council Tuesday night backed away from a resolution calling on the Mt. Ashland Association not to begin logging or construction on its proposed expansion until the matter is settled in court. The controversial measure — which drew a couple hundred opponents to demonstrations outside Ashland City Hall earlier in the night — won only two supporters on the council, Cate Hartzell and Alice Hardesty. Council members bemoaned poor communication between the city, which is the permit holder for the ski area, and Mt. Ashland Association, which runs it — and the council set up a study session with both groups for Sept. 6. Advertisement "We need to resolve this€¦and if they (Mt. Ashland) start logging while this is still in court, it would start a civil war in this town — and would be very dumb," said Councilman David Chapman. Beginning the expansion at this time, said Councilwoman Kate Jackson, "would not be a very good public relations move for Mount Ashland and (the controversy) has had the effect of polarizing the community — the petitions with all those signatures talking about clearcuts and the effect on our water supply, then the full-page newspaper ad — we're not getting anywhere with this." The proposed resolution, Jackson added, would be perceived as bringing the city into current litigation. Hartzell protested that the resolution did not polarize the community but only cast light on the polarization that was seethed for years over the expansion. Environmental groups — Oregon Natural Resources Council, Headwaters and the Rogue Group Sierra Club — are suing the U.S. Forest Service, which leases the land, to halt the 71-acre expansion. The dispute has simmered over the last 15 years, costing Mt. Ashland $2 million in expenses and legal fees, said association president, Bill Little. Approval of the resolution by the city, he added, "could stop the expansion." Regardless of who won in court, the other side would appeal, he said, extending delays three to four more years. Hardesty warned council members and a packed chamber, "I feel we don't have a lot of time and this (expansion) could happen very quickly and with consequences financially and for our watershed." The city's water flows mostly from Mount Ashland. Councilman Alex Amorotico said he felt "bullied" by resolution supporters, while Councilman Russ Silbiger expressed exasperation that ski area officials had not adequately responded to the city's request a year ago to meet its obligations as a good tenant on the mountain. After the favorable vote Tuesday night, which he called "a vote for improved communication," Mount Ashland Marketing Director Rick Saul pledged his group would respond, as requested, with a 10-year business plan and creation of a Quality Assurance and Quality Control board. The city has asked for a restoration plan for the expansion area, in the event the company failed and had to leave the mountain. Over 100 Mt. Ashland supporters got plenty of honks from passersby in a demonstration the hour before the council met — with a sprinkling of anti-expansion pickets. One, Gary Powell, carrying a sign that said "A Skier Against Expansion," called the plan "short-sighted because with so little left in the environment, the quality of air and resources, I plan to boycott and not ski anyway." Demonstrating against the resolution, South Medford High School science teacher Steve Jensen said the science of environmental groups is "riddled with half truths and mis-truths" and is "just a poster child in the effort to stop ski areas." Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews