A Tale of Two Cities, Part I – A Report from 2018 Still Relevant!
A Tale of Two Cities, Part I Klamath Falls, just a tad larger than Ashland, is a city that believes in balancing its budget. “According to the City Financial Policies,” the Klamath Falls 2017-2018 budget... Read More
A Tale of Two Cities, Part II — Ashland and Klamath Falls (Originally Posted 2018)
A Tale of Two Cities, Part II What should we, as Ashland citizens, do to correct the projected $2.5-million shortfall in the 2017-2019 Ashland budget? As a beginning, let’s analyze the budgets of the city’s... Read More
A Tale of Two Cities, Part III – Report from Addie Greene in 2018
A Tale of Two Cities, Part III “The City uses a 10-year model to analyze projected expenditures and revenues,” the Klamath Falls 2017-2018 budget states, and “We determined that focusing efforts on distinctive areas would... Read More
Fact Check on Tidings Article February 22, 2020
Fact Check on Tidings Article February 22, 2020 Full disclosure, since I was singled out of dozens of people, I felt the need to respond. I’m also the publisher of the Ashland Chronicle. Carol... Read More
Exclusive: Solar Farm for Ashland Part 1
Ashland Must Go (Partially) Solar by 2020 Progress on the 10×20 Project? Part 1 of 2 Last week several members of the renewable energy advocacy group, Friends of 10 by 20, met to respond to... Read More
Undermine the Electoral College – Oregon Can Do It
Oregon must join the National Popular Vote Compact Oregonians expect our votes to count fairly in elections…and rightly so. Fair and equitable elections are at the very foundation of democratic governance, which requires that the... Read More
Where Is the Information Needed for the Ashland Budget Process?
Dear Editor: As a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I have been attempting to look into the City of Ashland’s finances during this budget season in order to better understand the issues and challenges facing the City during these difficult... Read More
Ashland Budget Committee needs to Get to Work!
Budgeting Process UpdateAt the first meeting of the 2021-2023 budget process, Finance Director Melanie Purcell told the Citizen’s Budget Committee she foresees structural deficits doubling in a couple of years to more than $5 million... Read More
What You Should Do on Your Own Property to Protect Against Wildfires
City of Ashland launches 3rd Annual Wildfire Safety Campaign ASHLAND, Ore. – KOBI ,NBC5 News The City of Ashland is preparing for fire season by educating residents on safety. For each of the next 4 months,... Read More
Tax Dollars Being Used for Fire Protection in Southern Oregon
Dual fire protection set in place for rural areas as fire season approaches SOUTHERN OREGON — Some of your tax money goes towards dual fire protection, courtesy of rural fire districts and the Oregon Department... Read More
Vaccine Available to All Oregonians over the Age of 16 Starting April 19 – Gov. Brown
Gov. Kate Brown announced on Tuesday the state will expand vaccine eligibility to all Oregonians over the age of 16 starting April 19, matching the timeline proposed by President Joe Biden. SALEM, Ore. — KDVR... Read More
CDC Recommendation Update: Fully Vaccinated People Can Resume Domestic Travel 4/2
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People Updated Apr. 2, 2021 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html Summary of Recent Changes Fully vaccinated people can resume domestic travel and do not need to get tested before or after travel... Read More
COVID Cases in Jackson County Soar According to Dr. Jim Shames 4/2
KOBI Jackson Co. reports highest Covid cases in weeks ahead of new risk level assignment “I was shocked. We’re seeing more community spread. Were not tracing as many infections back to a known source.” This... Read More
Finally, County Commissioners Declare Drought, Take a Look at the TID Map
Commissioners declare drought in Jackson County, awaiting Governor’s emergency declaration Source for map above:https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/roguetea.html JACKSON CO, Ore — KOBI Due to abnormally low water levels, Jackson County Commissioners have declared a drought. The declaration is... Read More
An Engineer (Retired) Raises Concerns with the Ashland Budget
As an engineer (Retired), I have a serious concern about the Ashland Budget. The CIP (Capital Improvement Program) for our City is way over stated. This becomes an annual budget concern in my mind because... Read More
A Veteran Citizen Budget Watcher & One Who Comments on It Weighs in on the Issues
To the 14 Budget Committee members: 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. Having observed 2... Read More