Energy, watershed issues focus of forum

A solar energy farm on the east side of Interstate 5 might create a sustainable source of energy for the City of Ashland, City Council candidate David Chapman said at a Saturday forum.

The 360-acre parcel Chapman mentioned was originally planned as an effluent spray area. Its sale could help the city pay for a chunk of the $15.5 million debt from the Ashland Fiber Network.

Candidates pushed their views for how they want to see the land utilized rather than sold.

"I'd hate to see the city get rid of it," Chapman said.

He said director of the City of Ashland Electric Department Dick Wanderscheid is considering a plan that might make a solar farm feasible.

Other candidates jumped on the renewable energy bandwagon with ideas to use the parcel as agricultural land. Incumbent candidate Kate Jackson said she wants to see a trail from the tract of city land to the top of Grizzly Peak to the south.

Bruce Harrell, a candidate for seat four, disagrees.

"Instead of killing the critters and starting a farm, I propose we create a program where we have solar panels in our own homes," Harrell said.

Ashland City Councilor Kate Jackson answers questions during a Candidate forum at the A Street Market Place Saturday. (more photos in the DT PHOTO GALLERY) Orville Hector | Daily Tidings

Renewable energy options questions drew similar responses from candidates, but the city's role in the fate of the Mt. Ashland Ski Area and the Ashland Watershed drew a more distinct line in the sand.

The nine candidates are vying for four seats. Bruce Harrell, Nick Frost and John Stromberg are challenging incumbent Kate Jackson in seat four. Eric Navickas and Greg Lemhouse are in a race for seat two. Randy Dolinger is challenging David Chapman for seat six, and incumbent Alice Hardesty is running unopposed for seat one.

The Watershed

When asked for a yes or no answer whether they would vote to protect the City of Ashland's watershed at all costs, most candidates abstained.

Harrell compared the question asking a judge to rule before all the evidence was in. Harrell is an attorney and judge pro-tem.

Chapman, Hardesty and Lemhouse declined to go one way or another on ski area expansion or watershed issues, citing similar rationale to the one provided by Harrell.

Navickas stood firm on his environmental platform. He filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for the department's approval of a contentious ski area expansion.

"I think taking a stand on issues is one of the most valued aspects of a city councilor, and I am willing to take a stand," Navickas said.

Lemhouse responded with a reasoned approach.

"I am not a politician," Lemhouse said. "I am a reasonable person who makes decisions based on facts. I can't guarantee how I would vote."

Staff writer Alan Panebaker can be reached at 482-3456 x 227 or apanebaker@dailytidings.com.

Communication

When Mt. Ashland Association President Bill Little asked candidates what they would do to improve communication between the local ski area and the City of Ashland, he got a mixed response.

Little said he invited the council up to Mount Ashland 14 times in the past year (four of which he said were sent in September) to see a demonstration of scientific facts of how the proposed 71-acre expansion would cause erosion. He received minimal responses, and no one came up to the mountain, Little said.

Lemhouse said the city needs to start over in its relationship with the Mt. Ashland Association. Navickas said he thinks the city acted appropriately and responsibly when it revoked the Mt. Ashland Association's ability to go forward with any expansion until it sees a detailed business plan.

Non-incumbent candidates challenged the current council's inability to come to a consensus on anything, while incumbents defended the current consensus-making process.

"To me, there's a misconception that there is polarization," incumbent Alice Hardesty said.

Stromberg said the problem with the council is that councilors don't get information in time to study it enough.

As a planning commissioner, Stromberg claims he has made the process work better as a group by asking questions and taking more time with people.

Staff writer Alan Panebaker can be reached at 482-3456 x 227 or apanebaker@dailytidings.com.