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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 Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless Public meetings in Jackson County for May 4-8, 2015 Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Class of 2016 can get a primer on senior year Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Emergency services, May 2 Gold Hill man torched his foreclosed property No leads on who smashed about 20 windows in Ashland before dawn Thursday Ashland man allegedly dragged woman with vehicle Politics and Elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Education More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Levy backers eye final push Two seats contested on Central Point School Board Neal Simon: This is a test Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers US, Canada unveil rules to boost oil train safety Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge Fixit tag for Portland's noted Portland Building: $175 million Fee targets rail cars that haul oil, other flammables Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Tim Lawrence Yockey Penelope Catherine (Turner) Martens William "Bill" Geisslinger Alice Irenia (McFall) Calkins Dennis Dean Ekwall Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories North sweeps past South Raiders' Abbott breaks 22-year-old record Dodge signs as free agent with Falcons Lockie stands out in Ducks' spring game American Pharoah gives trainer long-awaited Derby win Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders' Abbott breaks 22-year-old record Dodge signs as free agent with Falcons Lockie stands out in Ducks' spring game Raiders go 1-1, advance to today Singler shines in Raider spring game Pro Sports American Pharoah gives trainer long-awaited Derby win Rams take Beavers' Mannion in third Singler shines in Raider spring game Hawks beat Nets 111-87 to wrap up series in Game 6 Mariota eager to get to work Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Blog: Do You Want Cheese with Your Wine? Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 2 Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Granlund cartoon: Cities and fire starters Editorials Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Columns Michael Gerson: A pastor's faith in Baltimore George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Go with the (low) flow Find the starry ‘kite’ in the eastern sky Life Lessons & Loves: An ode to the sane and wonderful mothers-in-law Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Food Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Page H. Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Home and Garden Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Theater REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more Dining Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers ... Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless ... REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers ... Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless ... REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... ASHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT Levy backers eye final push Supporters planned to go door to door Sunday By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am Updated May 1, 2015 at 12:44 PM By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am Updated May 1, 2015 at 12:44 PM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . » 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" --> Ashland residents who heard an unexpected knock on their door Sunday afternoon were greeted by an Ashland High School student seeking support for the Youth Activities and Academics Levy (YAAL). Volunteers aimed to spread the word on Measure 15-134, the five-year local option tax levy that’s up for renewal on the May 19 ballot, making what they hope would be their final campaign push. If passed, the levy will require residential property owners within the district’s boundaries to pay $1.29 for every $1,000 of the assessed value of their home annually. First passed in 1994, the levy provides roughly 10 percent of Ashland School District’s annual general fund revenue — that was $2.6 million for the 2014-15 school year. Jackson County ballots were mailed out Friday. Those who do not receive their ballot by Thursday are urged to contact the elections office (541-776-6148). Voter registration cards can be submitted online at oregonvotes.gov. The YAAL committee, based in part in population density, targeted specific sections of Ashland. YAAL committee chairperson Leslie Gore said she hoped for a crew of 75 to 100 to hit the pavement. “I feel good,” Gore said. “I think there’s going to be a big push. We’ve got a lot of students interested in helping out with that, and mostly the conversation around me has been very positive." The YAAL campaign received an unexpected boost from Gore’s son, Kip Parowski, an Ashland High freshman who’s recruited friends to help with the campaign. A soccer player, Parowski and many of his friends have benefited from the levy, which covers most of the costs associated with team sports, eliminating the need for the pay-to-play model adopted by most Oregon schools. The hope, Gore said, is that the students’ personal experiences will illustrate the levy’s benefits to the community and that their presence will help associate YAAL with real faces. “We will have literature for people to pass out or leave on doors if there’s no answer,” Gore said, “but we’re hoping to create that personal connection as much as possible … We’ve got people lined up but we’re still asking people interested to come join us. The more the better.” The YAAL committee kicked off its campaign by authoring two arguments in favor of the levy that will appear in the voter’s pamphlet — one written by school board member John Williams and one co-written by former ASD superintendent Julie Di Chiro and former Ashland Schools Foundation President Maylee Oddo. Then, last Saturday, about 20 volunteers put up about 300 lawn signs throughout Ashland. The design of the signs is simple. It reads “Say Yes” in large type over a smaller inscription which reads, “Youth Activities and Academics Levy.” “It was a coordinated effort with the Ashland Schools Foundation to help us identify people who were willing to have these signs on their lawn,” said Williams, who helped by distributing signs between East Main Street and Hersey Street. “So we first spent a couple weeks getting together a list, and then we just divided the city up into regions and had people go out and put signs up. It was all done in about two hours.” Williams said that even though the levy has passed each time it’s come up for renewal, it’s never a slam dunk given the five-year gap between elections — enough time for shifting demographics to alter the voting landscape. He has other concerns, too. “I think one problem is that May elections do not usually have very much participation,” Williams said. “So I think now we have a challenge to get the message out to voters that the YAAL is 10 percent of the school district’s budget — that’s the critical piece. That’s essentially the equivalent of all the teachers at two of our elementary schools, over 35 teachers.” Williams’ argument in favor of the levy also touts the district’s high SAT scores, Ashland High’s Silver Award from U.S. News & World Report and high extracurricular participation rates. According to the district, roughly 50 percent of Ashland High students participate in a sport and the same ratio of Ashland Middle School students participate in music. Ashland’s ballot drop-off location is the Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd.   By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am Updated May 1, 2015 at 12:44 PM » 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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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