Herb Rothschild Jr.: Corporate taxes
This is the second of three columns on Measure 97 which, if passed, will raise funds intended for education, health care and senior services by increasing the minimum tax on corporations with $25...
View ArticleHerb Rothschild Jr.: Measure 97, Part 3
This is the last of three columns on Measure 97, which proposes to raise funds for education, health care and senior services by increasing the minimum tax on a corporation’s annual sales of $25...
View ArticleHerb Rothschild Jr.: Revolution? Not really
The faculty member who taught Russian history during most of my years at LSU told me that when he first developed his course on revolutions, he wasn’t sure if he should include National Socialism. But...
View ArticleHerb Rothschild Jr.: Pondering term limits
Like most of you, I was saddened by the near coincidence of Peter Buckley’s retirement from the Oregon House and Sen. Alan Bates’ sudden death. But when I heard Pam Marsh and Tonia Moro, the Democratic...
View ArticleHerb Rothschild Jr.: Gender bias endures
When I was active with the American Civil Liberties Union, I attended two of its biennial conventions — in 1968 and 1970. Those were turbulent years in the life of our nation. An extraordinary number...
View ArticleHerb Rothschild Jr.: Our self-reflection
Ever since Donald Trump emerged as the Republican standard-bearer, political observers have said the GOP will have to engage in extensive self-reflection to decide the kind of party it wishes to be....
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Witness to a historic day
Be forewarned: I'm writing this strictly from memory and my experience of the event is totally subjective. For that reason I invite readers who were also present to send me your versions of what...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Should Ashland be carbon-neutral by 2047?
No single issue carries greater long-term significance than the condition of our environment, and climate change is a factor in an increasing number of policy decisions made by the City...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Stopping the cycle of discrimination
A few weeks back I was interviewed by a TV news reporter regarding the ugly incident in which a member of our community was threatened during a racist tirade by another local resident. During the...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Hopes and dreams for Ashland
I believe I have seen more people of color in our community.I hope it is so.I have heard from college students who face less housing discrimination.I hope it is so.I am committed to the fight for...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Reflections from under the bus
In my five-plus years on the council, the last couple councils have been really good and this has been one of the best, serving the citizens of Ashland. Some trying times for sure, but we work very...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Grow monument for flora, fauna, people
We all know we live in a special place. Sometimes it takes an act of good government to help us realize the truly unusual nature of our landscape.In June 2000, with the authority Congress gave...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: The '10 X 20' ballot initiative
During the last two months, over 2,000 Ashlanders signed a petition in favor of bringing a renewable energy initiative to the November ballot. The measure will require Ashland to produce at least 10...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Community can create the future
Editor's note: We are continuing to publish Council Corner columns by the mayor and City Council members while some are campaigning for re-election. We invite challengers to submit columns of their own...
View ArticleUsing meals tax to fix streets is a no-brainer
General election ballots contain fascinating decisions, but the most immediately impactful choice Ashland voters will make this November doesn't involve candidates — it pertains to the future condition...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Poverty simulation illuminates struggle
We all see it. All of us know people that live with it every day, but not all of us have experienced what it is like to be in poverty. Despite that fact, we support programs and give to causes that...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Prejudice takes many forms
This summer Ashland started working on a process to “unpack “ racism. I am glad Ashland is addressing this issue in a proactive way. I hope we continue to look at how we can be a community that truly...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: Voters' concerns have common thread
I have been campaigning to be elected to House District 5 since last December.Over the past 10 months I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with people across the district, perhaps including you.Thanks...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: City dynamics: The tail wagging the dog
After eight years on the City Council, I’ve come to the realization that an important piece of the governing process in Ashland is effectively broken. This may come as a shock to many, including those...
View ArticleCouncil Corner: My plan for Ashland in 2017
My platformHere is my plan for 2017. It's based on our community's proven ability to collaborate, to be objective about the facts and to problem solve instead of becoming distracted by ideologies.Top...
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