Letters To The Editor
Letter Submissions
ALL SUBMISSIONS for the Opinion Page should be e-mailed in text-only format to tidingsopinion@dailytidings.com. Please include your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached. All submissions should be followed up with a phone call by the author to confirm authenticity. Please call 482-3456 x225 or x223 to confirm your submission within 48 hours of sending it.
Letters: Submissions are limited to 250 words and may be edited for content and clarity. Letters are given priority and published as soon as possible. Letters At Length and Guest Editorials are published as space permits.
Letters At Length: Submissions are limited to 400 words and may be edited for content and clarity.
Guest Editorials: Submissions are limited to 500 words and may be edited for content and clarity. Local residents only are encouraged to submit guest editorials on local timely issues. All editorials must include a tag line at the bottom of the submission that informs readers of who the author is and how long he or she has lived in Ashland.
The Tidings gives priority to letters on local and regional topics of current interest. It seeks to encourage thoughtful, well-reasoned leters and to discourage personal attacks, repetitive messages and personal disputes. Form letters are not published in the Tidings, nor are letters identified as having been published in other local publications.
Preserve A-town's natural identity
Thank you for printing the letters of Helmut Schroeder and Pepper Trail in the Tidings on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Both of them were very eloquent.
Helmut Schroeder placed his emphasis exactly where it should be, on community values. Too often we are insensitive, even arrogant, toward those with whom we must live. We have gotten used to taking from the commons (in this case peace and quiet) and giving nothing back. If we can learn to extend ourselves toward our neighbors, we will all be happier.
I too have noticed the pine tree Pepper Trail so beautifully evoked. He also placed his commentary in the proper context, the larger community of the plants animals with whom we live in our bioregion. While it can be argued that it is necessary to remove a tree in any individual case, the cumulative affect is an impoverishment of our environment.
So many trees have been taken in the name of development. Just up Walker a block, some stately mature conifers were chopped down to make way for a bland row of shops that, to this day, has only one, relatively recent, tenant. It is time for Ashlanders to admit that we are not good stewards of our trees. Perhaps that "Tree City U.S.A." sign at the north end of town should be removed.
We had a chance to pass a tree ordinance a while back, but it got watered down to impotence. When we make these decisions that favor mammon over nature, the whole community suffers diminishment.
David Leo Kennedy
Ashland
Update request for 'Where To Write'
Thank you for publishing the contact information for elected public officials, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses from President Bush to our local mayor. One suggestion I have is why not also include the Jackson County Commissioners, their address, phone number and e-mail addresses?
As a fairly new resident to the Rogue Valley it would be nice to know who they are and be able to contact them when we have questions and concerns.
I know space may be an issue so maybe once a month would be sufficient. Thank again!
Sally McKirgan
Ashland
Support for Randy Dolinger
What Ashland needs, what America needs, is nothing less than an extreme shift in our thinking, and the actions that come about as a result of our thinking. As a people we have created a world where our fear of losing something has taken the rightful place of our joy and our gratitude for what we have. This direction would be the end of us and only we can change it.
What my candidacy asks of you is to see the changes we need to make and decide to begin making them. All of us want what is right and good for everyone, but we find ourselves guided by other urges and temporary satisfactions, powerless to resist.
My candidacy invites you to summon the power of resistance. As each of us makes better choices in our lives, every day, a better future is created.
As an Ashland City Councilor I will represent the best interests of all the people of Ashland and not the misguided intentions of the few wealthy elite and those who have fallen sway to their charming deceptions.
Ashland is a progressive town. This is our identity and an identity that offers us a future. Vote for Ashland. Vote for Randy Dolinger.
Randy Dolinger
Ashland
