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OUR VIEW Our view: Cheers to MPD and jeers to an Oregon judge MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Sep. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Cheers: To the Medford Police Department for taking a common-sense approach to enforcing the city's marijuana odor ordinance. The City Council has passed an ordinance prohibiting people from allowing or causing "an offensive odor of marijuana" to drift from their property to their neighbors'. But Medford police say that doesn't mean people should call for a cop at the mere smell of pot. Rather, they say, they will respond to situations where an ongoing smell affects the livability of nearby properties. That makes sense. Marijuana is legal and its smell, while new to many people, is not necessarily any more offensive than smoke from a chimney or the exhaust of a car. As with those, the mere smell is not enough to be a code violation, but a persistent smell that makes it difficult to be outdoors nearby could trigger a response from law enforcement. Some Medford City Council members seem to be having a difficult time coming to grips with the new pot paradigm. They should follow the lead of the police department and rely on common sense. Jeers:  To the people in Portland who are placing "No Californians" stickers on real estate sale signs. We understand the frustration that accompanies the rapidly rising cost of housing in the city. But to suggest that a group of people should be discriminated against is decidedly un-Portland-like at best and illegal at worst. Like it or not, Portland is a trendy town and that's pushing prices. Homes that go up for sale in many neighborhoods last only a matter of days before getting multiple offers, often for more than the asking price. Unless there's some plan afoot to overturn the laws of supply and demand, those prices will continue to rise with the popularity of the city. The Portland metro area also has the most robust economy of anywhere in the state, which in turn attracts people to move to the area to take jobs and provides jobs for those already in the area. Both "outsiders" and locals benefit from that, but the boom has its downside, including more demand for housing. That's not a problem Californians created and the hostile message being delivered by the stickers is a poor reflection on those who would try to affix the blame on them. Jeer:  To Marion County Judge Vance Day, who has — among other things — said he will not perform same-sex marriages. Day, whose job is to uphold the law, has apparently decided that he is instead above the law and will enforce only those parts of the law that he agrees with. Day is also being investigated for hanging a photograph of Adolf Hitler in the courthouse — which he said was to celebrate victory over fascism —  allowing a felon access to guns and making false statements to investigators and fellow judges about the allegations leveled against him. No one can force Day or Kentucky's much-ballyhooed clerk, Kim Davis, to agree with gay marriage. But their jobs require them to uphold the law. If they can't do that, they should resign and take on work where they are more comfortable. Cheers:  To the National Park Service for offering free passes to fourth-graders and their families. The program, part of an effort to bring more youngsters to the parks, is a wise investment in the future of the parks and the kids. Getting children outside and away from their TVs and smartphones may not change the world, but it could change the kids' idea of fun in a positive direction. Parents, if you have a fourth-grader, take advantage of this. It's a chance to not only expand your child's horizons — literally — but also to increase your quality time with them. See www.everykidinapark.gov. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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. 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