August 29, 2020
Are PACs Inherently Bad?
It’s become apparent that there are some Ashlanders who feel that PACs (political action committees) are inherently bad.
August 6, 2020
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…
August 6, 2020
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…
July 31, 2020
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.
July 12, 2020
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…
June 28, 2020
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…
June 28, 2020
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,…
June 24, 2020
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…
June 10, 2020
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…
May 30, 2020
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.
May 2, 2020
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.
May 2, 2020
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…
May 2, 2020
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.
April 28, 2020
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…
April 27, 2020
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…
April 26, 2020
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…
April 26, 2020
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…
April 22, 2020
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…
April 16, 2020
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…
April 12, 2020
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…
March 10, 2020
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,…
August 8, 2019
Tidings Guest Editorial Confronting Ashland’s Budget Crisis
Nothing has changed in Ashland over the last 10 years, yet our budget has nearly doubled.
May 22, 2019
Ashland Citizen Gets to the Root of City Financial Problems
Last week during the public forum I had to grit my teeth while a former mayor pontificated on how well the city had been run in the past from a financial…
March 24, 2019
Ashland Facing Two million in debt
Ashland Tidings Article March 24, 2019. The city of Ashland faces a $2 million deficit in its general fund for the next biennium. Financial Director Mark Welch…
March 13, 2019
TV Interview Julie Akins & Russ Silbiger on Two Million Dollar Debt
The City of Ashland is facing a projected $2 million deficit heading into the budgeting process for the next biennium. With that deficit, major cuts could be…
General Budget
General Budget