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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Strenuous drug court is a game changer for the 55.5 percent who graduate ... Backcountry group to stump for wild steelhead sanctuary ... Recharged Lost Creek, Applegate reservoirs mean plenty of water for boating and fish ... Strenuous drug court is a game changer for the 55.5 percent who graduate ... Backcountry group to stump for wild steelhead sanctuary ... Recharged Lost Creek, Applegate reservoirs mean plenty of water for boating and fish ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: A freeway in our backyard Comment By Jacqueline Davis MailTribune.com By Jacqueline Davis Posted May. 21, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 21, 2016 at 10:55 AM By Jacqueline Davis Posted May. 21, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 21, 2016 at 10:55 AM » Social News It seems the Oregon Department of Transportation — affectionately known by the locals as ODOT — has in mind a game of tac-tac-toe for the residents of East Medford. Beginning at the northern end will be the O of the roundabout, and at the southern end the X that is the newly completed exit 24 interchange for Interstate 5. Those of us in the highest 3 percent homeowners' tax bracket will soon rue the day that each of us neglected to ask about the master plan for the area before we bought homes in this location. Recently, a neighbor sold her home on Thomasville Drive, saying she got wind of a proposed shopping center across the street and a widening of the highway. In short, she got out while the getting was good. As it is, with some stretches of North Phoenix Road having few traffic lights, hillocks that obstruct the view of oncoming traffic and four lanes across each day we residents exiting on Calle Vista take our lives in our hands just trying to get in and out of our subdivision. Forget exiting on Shamrock Drive, as one would have to have a death wish to drive there. Imagine our upcoming joy when Foothill Road will be four lanes, and day and night we will have the pleasure of hearing the rumbling of trucks and the constant drone of freeway-like traffic. Presently, many areas have a posted speed limit of 45 mph, which in reality means cars are zooming by at 55 mph. Mercifully, at least, funding this traffic nightmare will be a proposed gasoline tax, rather than heaping the cost upon the backs of the already burdened local homeowners. At least this makes the punishment more equitable. Not long ago, the Mail Tribune ran an article about a Californian who had moved to Oregon but who had started a tongue-in-cheek Go Fund Me account to finance his return to the Golden State. Fully realizing that many native Oregonians view Californians in a disparaging light because they have driven up the cost of Southern Oregon’s home prices, keep in mind that those who bought in East Medford boost the tax revenue that provides the backbone of Medford’s tax base. Make a freeway in the backyards of East Medford’s residents, and there just might be a surge in Go Fund Me accounts as people create a mass exodus to leave this land of roadside Xs and Os. Jacqueline Davis lives in Medford. By Jacqueline Davis MailTribune.com By Jacqueline Davis Posted May. 21, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 21, 2016 at 10:55 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501