Letters To The Editor
Call for cooperation
A spot runs periodically on SOPtv, Channel 8, KSYS. The first frame shows a group of men in an international meeting arguing. In the second frame a child stands up in the visitors' gallery and says, "The more we get together, the happier we'll be." In the last frame, the men are looking are each other and nodding in agreement.
This is a song we sing to our children when we are teaching them to be social beings. What would happen to the world if adults only practiced this song? What would happen in Ashland if representatives of the many interests in Ashland, on a regular schedule, sat at a round table with a facilitator and talked and listened to each other.
I think of recent controversies — the Downtown Plan, the Bemis project, the Northlight project, panhandling, and homelessness to name a few. We have charettes and meetings. We have letters and editorials in the paper. We have shouting and accusations. But I don't see people learning the why of different points of view and this is important. If I don't know why you feel the way you do, how can I understand your actions and behavior? And vice versa.
The more we get together the happier we'll be. We teach this to our children. Why can't we practice it as adults?
Edith Montgomery
Ashland
Garage door mother speaks
As the home owner of the infamous garage door mural on Willamson Way, I would like to clear up a few things.
First, because of the Tidings article it seems Dillon's art will be saved. He couldn't be happier. However, the Tidings in it's zest of a charged story once again edited in and edited out all the right stuff to imply a juicy controversy. We never had any problems with Mahar Homes and never wanted to create a controversy. We weren't clear about the zoning, made a mistake and Mahar did what they had to do. In the end they are giving us a replacement garage door.
I think the discussion of art in the community, zoning and real estate values is a great one, but whether you agree with zoning laws or not please respect the neighbors who live on Williamson. I was extremely disturbed to hear that people drove by and said negative things to them.
On another note we are so touched and grateful for all of the support for Dillon and his mural. It is heart warming to experience such compassion for art in the community. We are now looking for a new home for the mural.
Audrey Flint
Talent
MAA has crossed the line
I am appalled at the Mount Ashland Association (MAA) for ignoring ethical legal procedure, the City Council resolution, and the people of Ashland, regarding the possible Mount Ashland ski area expansion.
They have no right to clear cut acres of trees at the headwaters of Ashland Creek, which supplies us with our water, before the court case with subsequent appeals has been completed. They have no right to act before they have informed the City Council as to the cost of expanding the ski area, which could end up costing the citizens of Ashland big-time. We are financially liable for ski area financial failure, which I'd guess is highly likely in light of global warming.
Ashland Creek is a great blessing to the people of Ashland, as well as to all those who visit our city, whose beauty is directly related to our clear mountain stream. MAA has no right whatsoever to exercise a unilateral policy, which arrogantly ignore the city, its people, and the full legal process.
Irene S. Bernstein
Ashland
