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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Nazi POWS once held at Camp White near Medford Emergency Services, March 30 Since You Asked: Fire station isn't gobbling up park Pear Blossom Festival kicks off with scholarship award, Junior Royalty crowning Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, March 30 Emergency services, March 29 Cottage Grove man dies in Rogue River boating accident Emergency services, March 28 State police: Grants Pass shooter tried to run victim off the road Politics and Elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Education Which comes first: The rocket or the egg? Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Oregon legislators may end fifth-year high school programs Phoenix High officer looks back on varied career Environment Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval State News Bend police kill cougar above popular hiking trail 5 things to know about Oregon's gun-control bill Feds celebrate sage grouse deal with Oregon ranchers Timber payments extension passes U.S. House $15 minimum wage bill dead in Oregon Senate Nation - World Obituaries Claudine Barbara Pollard Alexander Edwards Ray E. Kniffen, Sr. Lois Emmerette (Wright) Huntley James "Jim" Peter Duman Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories South Carolina earns first Final Four berth Only blue bloods need apply Familiar Feeling Walker wins hometown Texas Open Beavers take series finale over Mustangs Varsity 541 College Sports South Carolina earns first Final Four berth Only blue bloods need apply Familiar Feeling Beavers take series finale over Mustangs No. 7 Spartans Final Four-bound after OT win Pro Sports Walker wins hometown Texas Open Blazers beat Nuggets, move closer to division title Walker gains lead over Spieth in Texas Aldridge propels Blazers past Suns Warriors match record with 60th victory Community Sports Business Latest Stories After being sidelined by blindness, Stan Moore returns to the bike business in Medford Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews Blog: How to Practice Patience Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Medford shoppers wonder about impacts of Costco on Trader Joe's parking lot Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Harry & David announces new president Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 30 Other Views: Sage grouse listing would be unfortunate Kathleen Parker: A leap of faith — into thin air Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity Letters to the Editor, March 29 Editorials Other Views: Sage grouse listing would be unfortunate Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Our View: Some police videos should be released Our View: Public records rules should apply to lawmakers, too Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 29 Letters to the Editor, March 28 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 26 Columns Kathleen Parker: A leap of faith — into thin air George Will: Remembrance of Clintons past Dana Milbank: The end of the White House's insularity? Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Charles Krauthammer: The GOP racing form, first edition Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Guest Opinion: Guest Opinion: Raise your voice against child abuse Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Lifestyle Latest stories Mail Tribune 100: March 30, 1915 Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Prepare the beds for summer vegetables Pet of the Week: Spot Aging is less pleasant if you succumb to the number Food Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Frugal foodie Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Almond cookies pass the test Home and Garden Prepare the beds for summer vegetables Hot tub: The perfect centerpiece for outdoor living Garden Cameos: Welcome spring to the garden Paul Rogers: Ground unworkable, despite spring’s arrival Home Help: How green is your house? Health Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Community blog: Sleep Tight: Making Your Bed, Body and Mind Ready for Rest Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's top five picks for live entertainment this week The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Theater Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' opens at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music Futurebirds play the Brickroom in Ashland The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Farr Side: Lines are blurred with theft of Marvin Gaye’s classic groove Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Parsing the meaning behind wine medals and scores Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 22 Jasmine Thai Cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Nazi POWS once held at Camp White near Medford ... Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash ... In-N-Out has the urge to build more Oregon restaurants ... Nazi POWS once held at Camp White near Medford ... Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash ... In-N-Out has the urge to build more Oregon restaurants ... OUR VIEW Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Mar. 29, 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" --> Even the king of beasts was no match for Oregon's land-use restrictions. A Southern California couple who had hoped to support their sanctuary for lions retired from the film industry by charging the public to visit the animals wound up taking their wards back to California after a Jackson County hearings officer ruled against them. The Walking with Lions sanctuary near Phoenix is on exclusive farm use land. In general, Oregon's laws are designed to preserve agricultural land by restricting its use, and in general that's a good thing. It has prevented the kind of sprawl that has affected rural farm land in many other states. In practice, however, sometimes the one-size-fits-all approach means too much restriction. Using rural land to house lions doesn't seem to conflict with the intent of the law, but even the best-drafted laws cannot foresee every wrinkle. In this case, Vicki McMillan and her husband, animal trainer Brian McMillan, hoped to help pay for their lions' expensive upkeep by charging the public to view and interact with the animals. State law allows commercial ventures on farm land if they relate to the food and animals raised there. Think tasting rooms and event spaces on vineard land. The McMillans' plans would have been allowed if the lions were cows, sheep, horses or any other species listed as farm animals in the law. But they're not. It's unfortunate that the county could not find a way to make the lion sanctuary fit within the rules. In a local economy increasingly turning to tourism, the sanctuary would have been yet another attraction to entice people to visit Southern Oregon and perhaps to stay longer once they were here. Vicki McMillan says she doesn't blame the county for ruling against the operation. The problem, she correctly points out, is with the state law. Fixing that problem doesn't necessarily mean writing an exemption for a sanctuary for retired movie lions, or every conceivable exotic species that someone might want to house on EFU land. But some flexibility could be added so uses that are generally compatible with rural farms and ranches but need some paying visitors to survive could be accommodated. Failing to provide that modest flexibility only adds to the view that the state's land use system is out of touch, and adds to rural Oregonians' difficulties in creating strong communities. 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