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1 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 Gold Hill mayor rethinking city hall cameras Jackson County searchers looking for missing man Book chronicles ski patrol evolution at Mt. Ashland Emergency services, March 7 Willow Wind students raise money for water Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Jackson County searchers looking for missing man Emergency services, March 7 Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Federal judge orders speedier Klamath wildlife refuge management plan Former Josephine County students sue school district over alleged abuse Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Nation - World Obituaries Brenda Lynn McMillan Shirley Jeannette Kopp Lucille J. McGinnis Ramona G. (Austin) Fletcher Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Ace helps Holmes expand Doral lead Saxons end Panthers’ season Heading North Spartans cruise to playoff victory Colorado stuns No. 8 Oregon State Varsity 541 College Sports Colorado stuns No. 8 Oregon State Four Raiders in semis at NAIAs SOU’s Maguin advances to 400-meter final Break time comes at worst time for Oregon No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 Pro Sports Ace helps Holmes expand Doral lead Spartans cruise to playoff victory Morgan's goal sparks 3-0 U.S. win Holmes keeps lead, McIlroy loses cool Blazers likely to look to Afflalo in Matthews' absence Community Sports Business Latest Stories Business briefs: March 7 Blog: A Few of Our Favorite Places New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 7 Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, March 6 Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 7 Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 3 Columns Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness George Will: Stopping the IRS Dana Milbank: Netanyahu's fighting words Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Barbara Presnell: How are you since your husband retired? Fishing Report: Friday, March 6 Food Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese 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 Gold Hill mayor rethinking city hall cameras ... Jackson County searchers looking for missing man ... Book chronicles ski patrol evolution at Mt. Ashland ... Gold Hill mayor rethinking city hall cameras ... Jackson County searchers looking for missing man ... Book chronicles ski patrol evolution at Mt. Ashland ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, March 2 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 2, 2015 at 12:09 AM Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 2, 2015 at 12:09 AM » Social News Vote no on pot tax I find it interesting that our county commissioners now want to be in the marijuana taxation business, when under our previous sheriff's administration hundreds of thousands of dollars was wasted in trying to eradicate this weed. The new state law is clear about who can tax it. It doesn't include counties. Too high a taxation rate will only help black-market sellers. I think the commissioners have received spurious legal advice, and they have now spent another $100,000 of our money to have us vote to tax marijuana. I urge you to vote no on this current scheme called measure 15-133. Stephen Joslin, Talent Not a nuisance It all started in 1937 when the fundamental human right to plant a seed was compromised. Years later, our state came together and voted to re-establish that right, and before it even goes into effect, the city of Ashland is threatening to take it away. City administrator Dave Kanner is drafting an ordinance to restrict marijuana growing within city limits to indoors. I challenge Kanner to describe the “offensive” nature of the odors, and the “quality-of-life issues” threatened by growing four backyard plants, as clearly outlined in measure 91, and supported by the majority of Oregonians. I’m all for neighborly respect, but this is a matter of public acceptance, not public nuisance. Many things in life have odors, and the odor of marijuana is something that Oregonians will become more familiar with, regardless of city ordinances. Ashland is a forward-thinking, environmentally focused town. It takes more energy to produce indoor marijuana than it does aluminum. The proposed restriction is incredibly wasteful, and does not represent the needs or beliefs of the community. I urge Ashland to take a well-thought-out, tactful plan forward, and not resort to hasty ordinances or taxes as we implement measure 91. Gabriel Rowland, Ashland Important climate bills Action to avert global warming is urgent. At our current trajectory, within 17 years we will exhaust the emissions allowance holding us below a potentially disastrous 3.6 degree Fahrenheit increase above the 18th-century level. While individual action is necessary, it is insufficient; we need effective political action. Two areas where considerable progress can be made are coal-fired utilities and transportation fuel. Among the bills before the Oregon Legislature, two particularly deserve support: SB 477 and HB 2729 would require power plants providing Oregonians with electricity to replace all their coal by energy resources that are 90 percent cleaner than coal by January 2025. Although the Pacific Northwest is abundantly endowed with hydro power, 30 percent (up to 60 percent in some situations) of our electricity is currently generated by dirty coal-fired power plants located in adjacent states. These bills would end such a practice and reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of our state substantially. Meanwhile, SB 324, extending the December 2015 sunset on 2009's HB 2186, would continue a program that reduces the global warming emissions in automobile fuel used in the state by 10 percent. For information on these important bills, other recommended actions, and legislator contact visit:  socan.info/state-political-action/ . Julia Rodriguez-Seidler, Ashland Tell the county no For some strange reason, the county seems to think that they are going to make a ton of money from taxing cannabis, so they are trying to get an outrageous tax on all phases of cannabis production and sales. Not too smart. Cannabis legalization is here to stay; we can’t go backwards. It is not the “evil weed” it has been made out to be over the years. Legalization in other countries (Portugal and the Netherlands) has not led to all the problems forecast by naysayers. In fact, the World Health Organization has recommended the decriminalization of all drugs. We are still a democratic republic and the people of Oregon have spoken: we want cannabis legalized, grown, distributed and, yes, taxed, but taxed responsibly. Tell the county to take and keep cannabis out of the black market: tax it appropriately. Vote no on 15-133. Robert Stermer-Cox, Talent MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 2, 2015 at 12:09 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. 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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