Pair of amendments to city charter and city ordinance both headed to defeat by large margins

By Bert Etling, Ashland.news

Incumbent Tonya Graham, along with first-time candidates Bob Kaplan and Eric Hansen, appear headed to securing seats on the Ashland City Council, according to initial general election vote tallies released shortly after 8 p.m. by the Oregon Secretary of State.

A pair of measures affecting the city’s relationship with the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission both appeared headed for defeat, with more than 20% more voters voting against than for.

Graham, first elected to the council in 2018, had 5,937 votes (64%) in the initial tally, well ahead of the 3,259 (35%) recorded by Joy Fate, in the contest for Position 2 on the council.

Kaplan notched 5,648 (62%), while Jill Franko was at 3,482 (38%) for Position 4.

Eric Hansen pulled in 5,420 votes (61%), well ahead of Jim Falkenstein with 3,459 (39%) for Position 6.

Measure 15-210 would have amended the city charter to put the city manager in charge of all city employees, including those in the parks department, instead of answering to the parks commission. A total of 6,024 “no” votes (64%) were recorded in initial results, compared to 3,417 (36%) in favor.

Measure 15-211, which would have amended the city’s Food and Beverage Tax Ordinance, trailed with 3,860 yes votes (40%) compared to 5,745 (60%) against. The ordinance currently allocates at least 25% of the tax revenues to parks property acquisitions, development and rehabilitation, up to 73% for street repair or parks use, and 2% for administration of the tax. The proposed measure would have allocated 25% for parks in general, 2% for administration, and 73% for general government purposes, and extended the tax until 2035.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.