Herbert Rothschild: As the number of ads in The New Yorker has shrunk, it seems as if the wealth of its readership has concentrated, just as one might concentrate the flavor of a sauce by reducing it on the stovetop.
George Kramer: Three members of the Ashland City Council voted against putting the question of whether residents should have a say before new fees or taxes are added to our monthly utility bills. Three others supported asking voters that question. Mayor Graham voted no, against democracy, which means the only way this question can be put to the voters is through the petition process.
Herbert Rothschild: Here’s one of my speculations. Suddenly the passing drivers see something that isn’t supposed to be there and they are perplexed. What is genocide doing in downtown Medford? That’s not part of my day. That’s not part of my life. Am I being asked to make it part of my life? How would I even begin to do that?
Ambuja Rosen: It seems to me that at least some of the time, the City Council is a yes-man for top staff. Not just the top staff who want Ashlanders to fund their substantial and frequent raises. But also the police chief, who has gotten council to “yes” him twice as he increasingly buckles down on our homeless citizens.
The city of Ashland is making it easier than ever for property owners to add an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, to their residentially zoned property. The city now offers seven free, pre-approved ADU designs that meet all local building code requirements. — Brandon Goldman, Community Development director
Sean McEnroe: Of course, if you’re a busy person, you could save a little time by using a leaf blower — neighbors be damned — or you could pay landscapers to make the noise for you.
Craig Anderson: All of this delay did not come from a “miscue.” It came from a pattern of belligerence exhibited by city of Ashland and state officials toward whatever obstacles stand in the way of development.
John Marciano and Leslie Dwyer: There will be less money to pay for food programs here and across the country. This is an inhumane treatment of struggling families. At the same time, the U.S. has spent billions supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Herbert Rothschild: Rightly understood, money is simply a tool for achieving what we want. Fortunately, what most of us want isn’t self-aggrandizement. Beyond giving us financial security, our money affords us an easy way to contribute to the well-being of others — family, community, world.
George Kramer: Passing this amendment is a reasonable way for voters to assure Council will be more thoughtful before extracting dollars from ratepayers. It’s not “horrible.” It’s democracy. Sadly, that is something currently in short supply.
As of Nov. 3, Ashland Community Food Bank has a new director at the reins. Catie Mahoney will serve in the role with guidance from outgoing director Amey Broeker, who will officially retire on Dec. 31 after serving in the food bank role since 2022.
The Ashland City Council will review a proposal from a potential provider to oversee its extreme weather shelter during its regular business meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Ashland Independent Film Festival has added a second screening showcasing Indigenous filmmakers on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Three and a half years into the war with Russia, Ashland violinist and longtime music teacher Faina Podolnaya is still finding ways to help Ukrainian refugees.
Herbert Rothschild: As the number of ads in The New Yorker has shrunk, it seems as if the wealth of its readership has concentrated, just as one might concentrate the flavor of a sauce by reducing it on the stovetop.
Local artist MaryAnn Shank will share the thoughts behind her newest novel “Sor Juana, My Beloved” at Bloomsbury Books Jan. 26. Shank is a finalist of The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book of the Year 2025 award, awarded by the International Latino Book Association.
(It’s free)
