Residents slowly began moving in Wednesday, the first day of operation for Ashland’s new emergency shelter. Everyone moving in that day spent the night before sleeping on sidewalks or in their cars. This would be their first night in a climate-controlled space with the luxuries of a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee pot and a cot to sleep on.
Ashland Parks & Recreation is a frequent target of budget hawks, who have sharpened their claws over a recent ethics complaint and an almost $1.7-million budget error. Leslie Eldridge, who started as parks and recreation director over two months ago after the resignation of former Director Michael Black, recently helped uncover the error in the capital improvement projects budget, which will likely lead to scaling back or delaying projects.
The Ashland City Council will hold an executive session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to conduct city attorney interviews, according to an agenda posting. The council will hold a second executive session from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, followed by a business meeting from noon to 1 p.m. open to the public, according to the post. Both are billed as being about selection of a city attorney.
The city of Ashland issued a public statement Saturday afternoon pointing to the need for stability and change as the reason for City Manager Joe Lessard’s departure. His “departure from the city” was effective Friday, Oct. 27, but he remains on paid leave until Jan. 31, 2024, at which point he will accept a one-time, four-month severance payment.
The Ashland City Council voted unanimously to accept City Manager Joe Lessard’s resignation at a special meeting Friday evening. After the 6-0 vote to part ways, councilors took turns expressing their appreciation for Lessard as he exits the role of city manager.
Ashland Parks and Recreation Commissioners will discuss issues from a budget shortfall to the health of salmon populations at a study session meeting to be held via Zoom Wednesday, Nov. 1. The budget for fiscal year 2023 has been reconciled after the ending fund balance for the year was originally projected to be $5.6 million, then discovered to be $4 million. Some line items in the budget are already committed to critical projects or fund transfers that can’t be altered.
City officials remained tight-lipped Wednesday ahead of a special meeting of the Ashland City Council on Friday on “Termination of employment … City Manager Resignation,” according to a public notice posted Tuesday morning. Joe Lessard has been city manager since Jan. 3, 2022.
Nearly 50 people filled the Ashland City Council chamber Wednesday, Oct. 18, for the first of two community meetings to discuss a possible city ordinance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new residential development. The next CEPAC community meeting on the electrification ordinance will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Ashland City Council chamber at 1175 E. Main St., Ashland.
Ashland city manager Joe Lessard has resigned. After one year and 10 months on the job, Lessard has resigned from his position, according to an agenda item for a special meeting of the Ashland City Council on Friday, Oct. 27, posted today on the city’s website.
The doors of the 2200 Ashland St. shelter opened to the public for the first time and met with a reception of cautious optimism and lingering worry. The Wednesday evening open house was attended by neighbors, curious residents, homeless advocates and staff from the shelter’s operator, the nonprofit organization Options for Housing and Rental Assistance (OHRA). Ashland city staff members, councilors and Mayor Tonya Graham were available to answer questions.
Obituary: Margaret McCartney died Dec. 4 at 83. Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 N. 2nd St., Ashland.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced plans to offer free opioid overdose reversal kits to middle and high schools throughout the state. Ashland Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove shared his support for the increase in availability of Narcan, the brand name for a device that delivers naloxone, to Oregon schools, including in Ashland.
With local rescue groups still overflowing with cats and kittens, those wishing to bring home a new family member for the holidays will have opportunities to do so on two upcoming December weekends. On Saturday, Dec. 9, Ashland-based Friends of the Animals (formerly Friends of the Animal Shelter) will partner with Feral Cat Advocacy (FCA), Melly Cat Rescue, and Hero Tails Animal Sanctuary for a Feline Fair at the Rogue Valley Mall.
Dozens of area residents ushered in a spirited first night of Hanukkah on Thursday, gathering on the Ashland Plaza late Thursday afternoon to light the first flames on the menorah.
Charles “Al” Huth: We can expand our potential to build true knowledge by altering what we spend time focusing on in our daily lives. In short, search for the Truth.
Herbert Rothschild: Apparently, Kissinger insisted on recording practically every word he said. His aides later commented that he needed to keep track of which lie he told to whom.
(It’s free)
