The Power To Sell Lithia Park To Developers
art, 27.03.2007 15:41
An Ashland May, 2007 ballot measures empowers City of Ashland to sell Lithia Park to developers. It's one of several powers transferred from the people to City government, buried in the 'model charter'-based proposal to replace our current charter.
Remarkably, the power to sell Lithia Park to developers has slipped below the radar by using the "model charter" template written by a Portland attorney, whom City hired as consultant. Although the proposed replacement has been discussed for 2 1/2 years, neither charter committee nor council ever discussed the power to sell Lithia Park to developers.
That is, until i discovered it by digging for details, and disclosed the hidden power transfer to council on 2007Feb20. Some councilors gave me that "deer-in-the-headlights" look. Others didn't. City attorney Mike Franell, who resigned in Jan, 2007 under council pressure yet is still working while looking for another job, confirmed (without checking, he already knew) that the proposed charter does indeed give City the power to sell Lithia Park.
Council majority didn't support this. At their final charter vote, on 2007Mar6, 3 councilors opposed putting this "travesty" (as councilor Eric Navickas called it) on the ballot. Kate Jackson, recently elected with large contributions from developers, moved to put it on the ballot anyway. An angry David Chapman seconded. Russ Silbiger attacked individuals who filed a circuit court case to repair alleged inadequacies in City's ballot language, required by state law to clearly tell voters the measure's major effect. This deeply divided discussion produced the now familiar 3-3 bloc tie. Mayor Morrison's tiebreaker put it on the ballot.
If the replacement charter is approved, the same 4-person JCSM bloc (Jackson-Chapman-Silbiger-Morrison) would be empowered to sell or lease Lithia Park to developers, in whole or in part.
Though only on the Ashland ballot, this power transfer would have regional impact. Lithia Park is a jewel of the Northwest. It's renowned for peace and beauty for residents and visitors alike.
There's more to know if you're interested.
On Wed, Apr 4, 6:30-8pm in Ashland Public Library, there will be a special Voter Education presentation on the 2 charter ballot measures. Library closes 3 days later. Please don't miss this closing-door opportunity to learn about proposed power shifts in Ashland's Constitution on the May 15 ballot. AshlandConstitution.org, the community dialogue group sponsoring this voter education presentation, is not a PAC and does not endorse or oppose either ballot measure.
You can find frequently asked questions, plus updated voter education schedule, at 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OfThePeople
You can publicly email your letter to the editor (questions or opinions) to 
OfThePeople@yahoogroups.com
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