Key Information Missing
As a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I have been attempting to look into the city of Ashland’s finances during this budget season to better understand the…
Mail Tribune: Budgeting Process Update
At the first meeting of the 2021-2023 budget process, Finance Director Melanie Purcell told the Citizen’s Budget Committee she foresees structural deficits…
Cost Benefit Analysis – Waste Water Treatment
I’m trying to find out why there has been no cost-benefit analysis of abandoning the Ashland wastewater treatment plant and hooking into Rogue Valley Sewer…
Ashlander’s Letter to Budget Committee
I have some thoughts regarding the “process” to share with you prior to listening to the upcoming presentation of the recommended budget on March 30, 2021.…
Are PACs Inherently Bad?
It’s become apparent that there are some Ashlanders who feel that PACs (political action committees) are inherently bad.
Mail Tribune: Publish More Investigative Reporting
Gratifying to read that the Mail Tribune intends to further emphasize and expand local news. This is, of course, the principle reason we, and I’m sure many…
The Real Reasons Ashlanders Rejected City Manager Contract
After reading an article on Thursday by Joe Zavala, entitled “Ashland City Council tables agenda after receiving public feedback,” I would like to clarify and…
Ashlander Joins the Whiners on Utility Charges
I have lived in Ashland for 18 years and I never paid much attention to my utility bill. I just paid it.
Ashland City Council Must Act Now!
In less than six months, the most significant change to Ashland’s city government in decades will occur: the switch to a council/manager form of government. A…
Furuichi Speaks Out on Budget Plan
Three months after the city of Ashland declared a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, it finally rolled out its plan to address inevitable revenue…
Diversify or Economic Ecosystem
On May 19, the Ashland City Council approved a modified resolution that removes economic development, cultural activity, and sustainability from its Economic,…
Bloated, Over-Compensated Ashland City Staff
A number of elected city officials and others have taken issue with the often-repeated ACES statement: “Ashland has three times the number of city staff…
Group Demands City Tighten its Belt to Save the Town
Saying that Ashland is on the brink of collapse as a tourist magnet, ACES, a local financial watchdog group, is badgering the City Council and mayor to do some…
Ashland Needs Sound Fiscal Management
The corona virus pandemic necessitates immediate revision of Ashland’s current budget because city tax revenues will be much reduced for some time.
ACES Response to Cathy Shaw – Part 1
False: …ACES has raised $4,000, 81% of which is from an out-of-state company, 4 Republicans and one NAV.
ACES Response to Cathy Shaw – Part 2
As Michelle Obama said, "when they go low we go high". Ashland Citizens for Economic Sustainability (ACES) refuses to join in the mudslinging, name calling…
This Vote is Premature!
During my 35-plus years in Ashland, I’ve looked at each proposed bond or tax in the light of benefit vs. cost and supported many.
The City Council Needs Our Help
It has become apparent that most of our city council members are out of touch with the citizens they claim to represent. They continue along the path of fiscal…
City Councilor Speaks out on City’s Reaction to Crisis and City Hall Renovation
In the Sunday, April 19 Mail Tribune, Ashland City Councilors Rich Rosenthal and Stephen Jensen urged readers to “Reject the politics of misinformation in…
Ashland Doesn’t Need a Grand New City Hall
In their April 19 opinion submission, Rich Rosenthal and Stephen Jensen miss the main point of Ashland Citizens for Economic Sustainability — a growing public…
Rosenthal and Jensen Response so Entirely Off-putting
The Ashland City Council likes to bask in civility and expects it. There are few things one can do in Ashland that councilors frown upon more than to fail to…
City Hall Renovation: Misguided at Best
As a novice yet determined environmental activist, I have had to take a crash course in city politics and the underlying problems associated with convincing…
Moran Details Actions the City Should Take
As the coronavirus strengthens its grip on Southern Oregon, most Ashland businesses, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs remain shut. A huge percentage of Ashlanders…
Ashlander Speaks out on City’s Reaction to Crisis
The financial heart of Ashland has stopped beating. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University and most of our businesses are closed. COVID-19…
Ashland still doesn’t have a handle on spending
Ashlanders are generous, socially conscious, hardworking and proud of their city. However, many are being forced to move as surging taxes, utility bills,…
General Budget
General Budget