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Letters, Oct. 28 By Gary Nelson By Mail Tribune readers Oct 28, 2022 12:00 AM A A Bring silence Our crown jewel is Ashland’s Japanese garden. There are no words to describe it; you’ll just have to come see it for yourself. Bring silence with you. Carola Lacy Ashland Vote no on 15-210 Ballot Measure 15-210 is an Ashland City Charter change asking voters to support moving Ashland Parks and Recreation employees from reporting to the parks director to reporting to the city manager. This seems odd for a couple of reasons, but mostly because the city is struggling to retain and manage their current staff. Consider this. Over the past four years one APRC superintendent was laid off responding to the COVID pandemic. Over that same time period the city has cycled through three finance directors, three city attorneys, an HR director, three administrative assistants and two city managers. High city staff turnover is the recent norm. VOTE NO on Measure 15-210 to keep management of parks and recreation in the hands of stable, knowledgeable staff that report to a parks director who is supervised by five elected APRC commissioners. Mike Gardiner Ashland Voting for the future Voters wishing to promote the climate crisis and wildfires in Oregon have two options in the gubernatorial race. As minority leader in the House, Christine Drazan orchestrated walking out to prevent voting on a valuable climate bill while, as chair of the joint Ways and Means Committee, Betsy Johnson consigned proposal after proposal to the scrap heap, preventing either chamber from voting. This judgment may seem harsh, but we know that a major contributor to wildfire risk is the summer warming and drought that dry our soils and vegetation. This is exacerbated by climate change. The only candidate for governor who understands this connection is Tina Kotek. If you want to address wildfires and the climate crisis in Oregon and avert an unlivable planet for life as we know it, Kotek is your only choice. For the Legislature, candidates to support are Golden, Marsh and Davis. Republicans refuse to act. Bruce Bauer Medford Loosen leash laws Ashland has many dogs but is not very dog-friendly. There is only one space where a dog can run, catch a frisbee, or play with dog friends. All the dogs are compressed into that park. And the experiences are not good. Meanwhile parks, trails and open spaces are mostly empty throughout the day. Yes, owners aren’t always responsible. They don’t manage their dogs, don’t clean up behind them. But allowing certain times and locations where dogs could run and play, would decompress many issues and make the overall dog culture in Ashland better. It wouldn’t cost anything and there could be additional fees to influence behavior in positive ways. Allow dogs off leash in city parks, (excluding Lithia), from 6-10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m. And institute high-priced fines for not managing your dog. We have all gone through years of stress. The city is rougher. We’re all tired and distrustful of each other. It will take time to rediscover the power of kindness and patience. Playing fetch outside of the one dog park is a step toward releasing the pressure that has built up for all of us. Dan Pfister Ashland A mysterious slate We’re facing a situation in Talent. We have five leaders up for reelection. Talent is in a huge transitional stage, rebuilding after Almeda. There’s a slate that’s filed to run against current leadership. The incumbent leadership was elected in a landslide in the last election and has been working hard on rebuilding Talent. The challengers are five people who’ve never been involved in Talent. The evangelical pastor running against Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood just attended his first council meeting. Four of five challengers changed their registration from Republican to Democrat or Independent in the days before filing; a coordinated effort? They all refuse to answer questions on record; they’ll only answer by individual phone call. Who are they? Why’d they change party? Do they stand by their previous party beliefs? Why won’t they address the public? Who keeps sending anonymous hit pieces on current leadership? Why won’t they sign names? Courtney Bucolo, fire survivor Talent Our votes, our voices Denise Krause and Al Densmore have earned our votes for county commissioner seats. Their combined experiences and capabilities would require thousands of words. Commissioners of three different parties working collaboratively could better represent us than three members of the same party who are currently serving. Denise is working tirelessly to meet people where they are and skillfully communicates her priorities for Jackson County’s people and lands. Listening, showing up and working hard, she has proven her commitment of meeting in the middle and welcoming all voices. She has been preparing for this 24/7 job her whole life. See her image in the last Sneak Preview or on the sides of RVTD buses. (krause4commissioner.org) As 20-year veterans, retiring in Rob’s hometown in ’89, we’ve seen our beloved valley evolve with challenges unforeseen as young adults. Commissioners leave legacies that effect everyone. Join us voting for Denise and Al. Teddie Hight Medford Fight back Two facts to consider while voting. First, the local Republican Central Committee voted to reject 2020 election results, denouncing democracy. Only Alan DeBoer spoke against this lunacy. Second, I watched “The DOVE” recently and heard their leader (I believe a former Oregon Republican chair) talking about civil war. Election lies and threats are tools being used to bring about a Trump dictatorship. Unity is the antidote. Democrats must stand together. All of us who try to live our religious faith must stand together. Reject the Republican Central Committee and all lies about our elections. Reject candidates flooding the airwaves with dark attack ads funded by the extreme right, and shame on local participating candidates! Reject the fake religion of right-wing extremism. Start fighting back by voting! My response is voting all Democrats in 2022, especially Jeff Golden. Need a dose of courage, think Ukraine. Fight back and good can win. Dan Van Dyke Ashland