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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-1221 THE PAST DECADE 1978 - 1988 THE PAST DECADE WHERE ASHLAND WAS THEN - WHERE ASHLAND IS TODAY GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT IS NICE TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU HERE FOR THE LAST REGULARLY SCHEDULED ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF 1988 AND TO HEAR MY FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND. TO SOME PEOPLE A DECADE MAY SEEM LIKE A LONG TIME, BUT FOR ME THE PAST TEN YEARS PASSED FASTER THAN ANY OTHER TEN YEARS OF MY LIFE. THE PAST DECADE WAS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND REWARDING PERIODS IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY. WITHOUT A DOUBT FUTURE HISTORIANS WILL RECORD THAT ASHLAND'S ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, ARTISTIC CULTURE AND CITY GOVERNMENT CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN THE 80'S -- ALL FOR THE BETTER. TODAY ASHLAND IS INDEED A MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE CITY IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST YOUR MONEY THAN IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO. AT THIS TIME LET ME EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE IN ELECTING ME TO SERVE TWO YEARS ON THE COUNCIL AND THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AS MAYOR OF OUR CITY; AND MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO MY WIFE RAMELLE FOR HER SUPPORT AND ALL THOSE LONELY HOURS SHE SPENT WHILE I WAS WORKING FOR THE CITY! BEFORE SPEAKING OF THE 80'S LETS GO BACK TO THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE 70'S TO SEE HOW DOWNTOWN ASHLAND LOOKED. STARTING WITH BUSINESSES LOCATED ON THE PLAZA, THERE WAS AN ANTIQUE STORE, A GROCERY STORE, A SMALL CAFE; A BARBER SHOP IN THE ODDFELLOWS BUILDING. THE LOG CABIN TAVERN WAS, AND STILL IS, A BUSY PLACE. THE DAHLIA RESTAURANT (CHINESE CUISINE) AND ONE JEWELRY STORE. THE MYRTLEWOOD SHOP AND BOOKSTORE, PERRINES GENERAL STORE, PARKVIEW DEPT. STORE AND THE MASONIC BUILDING. THERE WAS NO TOMMY'S, NO GREENLEAF DELI, ALEX'S, YOGURT SHOP, MUNCHIES OR FUDGE SHOP AS TODAY. THE POLICE STATION OCCUPIED HALF OF THE GROUND FLOOR OF CITY HALL, WITH CITY UTILITIES AND CITY RECORDER'S OFFICE USING THE OTHER HALF. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY COURT AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES OCCUPIED THE SECOND FLOOR. A PRINT SHOP WAS WHERE ASHLAND CAFE IS NOW, WITH A BOOKSTORE NEXT DOOR WHERE A LADIES WEAR SHOP IS NOW. CHATEAULINRESTAURANT WAS OPEN ND SERVING THE SAME DELICIOUS FRENCH CUISINE AS NOW. ACROSS MAIN STREET THE OLD LITHIA CAR DEALERSHIP BUILDING WAS BEING RENOVATED AND REMODELED INTO WHAT IS NOW THE ORCHARD LANE MALL. NIMBUS WAS TO COME LATER. GOING NORTH ON MAIN FROM THE PLAZA THERE WAS ONLY THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT AT GRANT & E. MAIN - NO BEASEY'S OR BROTHERS. GOING SOUTH THROUGH TOWN THE MARK ANTONY AS NOW WAS CLOSED AND FOR SALE, JUDY PATTERSON WAS OPENING PADDINGTON STATION WHERE THE SISTER MOON SHOP IS TODAY, ANDERSON DRUG WAS ACROSS THE STREET WITH A MUCH LARGER STORE THAN IT HAS TODAY IN THE ELKS BUILDING. THERE WAS A THIRD DRUG STORE AT THE CORNER OF FIRST STREET WHERE THE SWEET SHOP IS TODAY. AT THE END OF THE NEXT BLOCK AT THIRD ST. AND MAIN WAS THE OLD STEAK HOUSE RESTAURANT WHERE ROTARY MET EACH THURSDAY BEFORE A.H.I. OPENED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SAFEWAY STORE WHERE THE STRATFORD INN IS TODAY. DOWNTOWN, ALONG MAIN STREET BETWEEN 1ST STREET AND THE PLAZA THERE WERE SEVERAL EMPTY BUILDINGS. SO MUCH FOR A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HOW ASHLAND LOOKED IN THE 70'S. A SLEEPY LITTLE TOWN EXCEPT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THEATRE PATRONS AND TOURISTS CONVERGED ON OUR CITY. HERE ARE SOME ECONOMIC FACTS AND FIGURES FROM '78 COMPARED WITH '88 DATA: 1978 1988 NO. OF LODGING ROOMS 250 950 (A.H.I. OPENED IN '78) NO. OF B&B'S -0- 30 PLUS MOTEL/HOTEL TAX $45,481 330,229 ANNUAL CITY BUDGET $11,769,731 - $35,407,392 (INCLUDES $8MM HOSPITAL BUDGET AND 965M PARKS & REC. BUDGET) TRUE CASH VALUE PROPERTIES) PROP. TAX LEVY REVENUE $519,646 NO. OF ELECTRIC UTILITY ACCOUNTS 6,125 POPULATION 14,375 INCLUDING SOSC STUDENTS 223,065,582 - 482,582,620 (ALL CITY - 1,194,925 - 7,125 - 16,310 (INCREASE OF ONLY 1945) THE 1982-83 CITY BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME INCLUDED FUNDING FOR SHAKESPEARE AND THE V.C.B. THIS YEAR - 1988 - THE V.C.B. RECEIVED $72,300 AND SHAKESPEARE $31,000 FROM HOTEL/MOTEL TAX REVENUE. IN 1982, CROMAN CORP. TOOK OVER THE BANKRUPT MCGREW SAWMILL AND TODAY EMPLOYS 135 PEOPLE WORKING TWO 9 HOUR SHIFTS, CONTRIBUTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO OUR ECONOMY ANNUALLY. SOUTHERN OREGON'S FINEST HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER - ASHLAND HILLS INN - OPENED IN 1978, WITH 159 ROOMS, AND HAS PROVEN TO BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO OUR ECONOMY THROUGH HOSTING NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL CONVENTIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. A.H.I. IS OUR SECOND LARGEST TAXPAYER - SURPASSED ONLY BY U.S. WEST COMMUNICATIONS. DURING THE PAST DECADE, MANY NEW BUSINESSES HAVE STARTED UP HERE AND SOME HAVE RELOCATED HERE. THE DAREX CORP. WHO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE AND EMPLOY 45 PEOPLE, RELOCATED THEIR BUSINESS HERE FROM ILLINOIS IN 1979. SEVERAL ENTREPRENEURS HAVE STARTED NEW BUSINESSES, SUCH AS COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND RELATED ITEMS, AND ARE DOING QUITE WELL - YES - ASHLAND'S ECONOMY HAS GROWN MUCH LARGER AND STRONGER DURING THE LAST DECADE. NOW TURNING TO THE ARTS. THE OREGON SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL IS THE PRIMARY REASON THAT THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS VISIT OUR CITY ANNUALLY. TEN YEARS AGO, THE SEASONS' AUDIENCE TOTAL WAS 244,600. THE PAST YEAR'S AUDIENCE TOTAL WAS 344,870 - OVER 100,000 MORE THAN TEN YEARS AGO. LET ME AT THIS TIME COMMEND WILLIAM "BILL" PATTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JERRY TURNER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, AND THEIR STAFF; AND THE O.S.F.A.'S DEDICATED BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE OUTSTANDING JOB THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST DECADE IN ESTABLISHING THE OREGON SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL AS A TRULY PROFESSIONAL WORLD REKNOWNED REPERTORY THEATRE. THE SIGNING OF A CONTRACT WITH THE THEATRE ACTOR'S GUILD IN 1984 WAS HIGHLY INSTRUMENTAL IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE PLAYS THROUGH THE SELECTION OF THE MOST TALENTED PEOPLE AVAILABLE. THE BUILDING OF A NEW SPACIOUS AND EFFICIENT SCENE SHOP AND WAREHOUSE WAS A POSITIVE FACTOR ALSO IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF ALL PRODUCTIONS. IN CELEBRATING ITS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY IN 1985, THE FESTIVAL GAINED NATIONAL PUBLICITY - THE THEATRE CRITICS OF AMERICAN HELD THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION HERE IN ASHLAND - THE FIRST TIME THIS PRESTIGIOUS ORGANIZATION HAS HELD THEIR NATIONAL MEETING ANYWHERE OTHER THAN A LARGE METROPOLITAN CITY. THEY ATTENDED ALL THE PLAYS, WENT TO CRATER LAKE, RAFTED DOWN THE ROGUE, SHOPPED IN LOCAL STORES AND OTHER THINGS TOURISTS DO - WHEN THEY WROTE THEIR REVIEWS OF THE FESTIVAL AND THE PLAYS, MOST OF THE REVIEWS WERE VERY GOOD -- A FEW WERE CRITICAL ABOUT SOME ASPECT OF THE FESTIVAL, BUT ALL HAD ONLY GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT OUR TOWN -- ASHLAND, OREGON. AS PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND TALK TO A NUMBER OF THE WRITERS AND THEY ALL WERE HIGHLY COMPLIMENTARY OF THE CITY, THE THEATRE AND OUR CITIZENS. THAT SAME SUMMER NBC AIRED A FIVE MINUTE SEGMENT OF THEIR TODAY SHOWN ON THE OSFA AND ASHLAND'S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION. THE FESTIVAL'S INCREASED ATTENDANCE THE LAST THREE YEARS IS NO DOUBT IN PART DUE TO THE NATIONAL EXPOSURE ON NBC AND THE REVIEWS WRITTEN BY THE THEATRE CRITICS THROUGHOUT AMERICA. THANKS TO THE O.S.F.A. ASHLAND IS NOT ONLY THE PRINCIPAL CULTURAL CENTER OF SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT OF THE ENTIRE WEST COAST. IN ADDITION TO O.S.F.A. - A NUMBER OF SMALL "OFF SHAKESPEARE" THEATRES ARE FILLING THE NEED FOR GOOD THEATRE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS AND SUMMER MONTHS WHEN FESTIVAL TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ONE EXAMPLE IS THE CASCADE THEATRE WHICH PERFORMS AT THE "OLD PINK" CHURCH WHICH WAS BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED BY CRAIG HUDSON. THE NEW SOSC DRAMA BUILDING HAS ALSO ENHANCED THE ARTISTIC CULTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE BEAUTIFUL NEW SCHNEIDER MUSEUM OF ART ON THE SOSC CAMPUS IS ATTRACTING MORE AND MORE PATRONS OF THE ARTS TO OUR CITY FROM THROUGHOUT THE WEST COAST. APPRECIATION OF AND SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. NOW FROM THE ARTS, LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF OUR CITY'S BUSINESSES - 10 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL TURN-OVER OF RETAIL SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, ETC. EACH YEAR ONCE THE FESTIVAL'S SEASON WAS OVER AND THE TOURISTS LEFT TOWN. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS MOST OF THE SHOPS, STORES AND RESTAURANTS HAVE ENJOYED A STEADY BUSINESS THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ASHLAND MERCHANTS DO $90 MILLION IN RETAIL SALES ANNUALLY. DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS THE ASHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS ENJOYED A PHENOMENAL GROWTH AND GAINED FINANCIAL STABILITY - THANKS TO THE MOST CAPABLE DIRECTORSHIP OF SANDRA JAMES, HER STAFF, A DEDICATED AND EFFECTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS. CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM LESS THAN 200 IN '78 TO OVER 400 IN '88 - AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET FROM $25,000 TO $150,000 IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. THANKS TO THE AGGRESSIVE AND EFFECTIVE PROMOTION OF TOURISM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS "12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" - WINE, FOOD AND ART FESTIVALS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, MOST ASHLAND MERCHANTS, THE A.H.I. AND SOME OTHER MOTELS REPORT THAT BUSINESS HAS IMPROVED FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH. THE 1982-83 BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME INCLUDED FUNDING FOR SHAKESPEARE AND THE V.C.B. THIS YEAR - 1988 - THE V.C.B. RECEIVED $72,300 AND SHAKESPEARE $31,000 FROM THE HOTEL-MOTEL TAX REVENUE. THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING ASHLAND ANNUALLY HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS WITH A QUARTER MILLION TOURISTS NOW VISITING OUR CITY EACH YEAR. WE CONGRATULATE THE CHAMBER AND V.C.B. ON THEIR SUCCESS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR AGGRESSIVE PROMOTION OF TOURISM TO KEEP ASHLAND'S ECONOMY HEALTHY AND GROWING. FROM THE ECONOMY TO ENVIRONMENT - OREGON HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS "THE ENVIRONMENTAL" STATE OF THE U.S.A. YOUR CITY OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS ARE COMMITTED NOT ONLY TO PROTECT, BUT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. HERE ARE SOME FACTS: 0 THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN OUR CITY HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING SUCCESSFUL PROCESS WHICH HAS DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED OUR CITY AESTHETICALLY DURING THE LAST DECADE. SPECIAL COMMENDATION GOES TO THE ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE IN PROTECTING ASHLAND'S HERITAGE. THANK YOU TERRY GRANT AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC COMMISSION FOR A GREAT PERFORMANCE - KEEP IT UP! O LET ME ALSO HIGHLY COMMEND THE ASHLAND PARKS COMMISSION AND PARKS DIRECTOR KEN MICKELSEN FOR THE RESTORATION OF LITHIA PARK WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND INCLUDED A SHALL BUT BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE GARDEN, THE CHET CORRY MEMORIAL AZALEA GARDEN, WALKING TRAILS, RESTORATION OF THE BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC PEROZZI FOUNTAIN, WHICH WAS DEDICATED ON JULY 4, 1987, AND NEW EQUIPMENT AND WADING POOL IN ASHLAND CREEK FOR CHILDREN. TODAY, ASHLAND'S "CROWN JEWEL" LITHIA PARK WAS NEVER MORE BEAUTIFUL, NOR MORE FUNCTIONAL , TO BE ENJOYED BY PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. COME ONE - COME ALL, ENJOY YOUR PARK. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW COMMUNITY PARK AT HELMAN SCHOOL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH CAMPUS COMPLEX, WITH THE BUILDING OF A DOZEN OR SO PLAYING FIELDS, FOR SOFTBALL AND SOCCER, A CONCESSION STAND AND RESTROOMS HAS GREATLY IMPROVED THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE OPENING OF A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL IN HUNTER PARK IN 1983 WAS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN OUR CITY DURING THE PAST DECADE. ATTEMPTS TO BUILD A PUBLIC POOL, BOTH BY THE CITY (VOTERS WOULDN'T APPROVE THE FUNDING) AND THE YMCA HAD FAILED, THEN ONE OF OUR CITIZENS PATRICIA (PAT) ADAMS, HER HUSBAND AND A FEW FRIENDS, STARTED A PUBLIC FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO BUILD A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL IN ASHLAND. THE INITIAL RESPONSE WAS GOOD, BUT AS OFTEN HAPPENS, THE ENTHUSIASM AND RESPONSE SLOWED, LEAVING THE DRIVE SUBSTANTIALLY SHORT OF ITS GOAL. THANKFULLY, HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME, A CIVIC- MINDED BENEVOLENT COUPLE, AL & MARGARET MEYER, WHO DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BUILD A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL IN ASHLAND FAIL, GAVE THE NECESSARY AMOUNT OF MONEY (A SIZABLE SUM) TO PUT THE CAMPAIGN OVER THE TOP. NOW DURING THE SUMMER, THE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ENJOY ASHLAND'S DANIEL MEYER SWIMMING POOL. 0 THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE'S FORENSICS LABORATORY, NOW COMPLETED WITH DEDICATION SCHEDULED IN EARLY '89, WILL PERFORM SCIENTIFIC WORK INCLUDING RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS. THIS NATIONAL LABORATORY WILL ATTRACT SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE U.S., ALONG WITH 90 OTHER NATIONS, OBSERVE TREATIES PROTECTING ENDANGERED WILDLIFE SPECIES. IN ADDITION TO PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT, THE FORENSICS LABORATORY WILL STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY. I THINK YOU'LL AGREE THAT THE FACTS AND FIGURES I'VE RELATED TO YOU SHOW THAT ASHLAND HAS INDEED CHANGED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS - AND ALL FOR THE BETTER. NOW LET ME CITE A LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ATTAINED OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS - DURING MY TWO TERMS AS MAYOR. BEFORE I TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT OUR MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE CONTRIBUTED UNSELFISHLY OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO ASSURE THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EACH AND EVERY PROJECT. FIRST LET ME RECOGNIZE THE PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WITH WHOM I'VE SERVED THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE COUNCIL SETS THE POLICY WHICH GOVERNS THE CITY - WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF THE COUNCIL, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS I'M GOING TO CITE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ATTAINED. YES - THE COUNCIL MAKES THE POLICY AND THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR IMPLEMENTS THAT POLICY AND SEES THAT HIS STAFF AND CITY EMPLOYEES ADHERE TO IT. ASHLAND IS INDEED FORTUNATE TO HAVE A TRULY PROFESSIONAL STAFF UNDER THE CAPABLE DIRECTION OF BRIAN ALMQUIST WHO HAS BEEN OUR ADMINISTRATOR FOR 18 YEARS. HE HAS SERVED UNDER 4 MAYORS AND NUMEROUS COUNCIL PERSONS. THE RECORD SHOWS THAT HE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AND SERVES THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND WITHAN EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE YEAR AFTER YEAR. HE CONSISTENTLY RECEIVES HIGH MARKS FOR HIS PERFORMANCE ON HIS ANNUAL EVALUATIONS BY THE COUNCIL. THE CITY'S WELFARE IS HIS FIRST LOVE, HE'S ALWAYS THINKING AND PLANNING HOW TO MANAGE THE CITY MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY. HE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN SELECTING HIGH CAPABLE AND DEDICATED PEOPLE TO HEAD UP EACH DEPARTMENT OF CITY GOVERNMENT. I'VE COME TO KNOW BRIAN AS A MAN OF THE HIGHEST INTEGRITY, MOST QUALIFIED AND COMPLETELY DEDICATED. IT HAS BEEN A REWARDING EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH BRIAN ALMQUIST FOR TEN YEARS. WITHOUT NAMING EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD, LET ME SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN INDEED A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO WORK WITH SUCH HIGHLY CAPABLE, COMPLETELY HONEST, HARD- WORKING, TOTALLY DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS. TO THE REST OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, LET ME EXTEND MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR DEDICATED, EFFECTIVE SERVICE IN HELPING KEEP ASHLAND SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE. LET ME EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE HUNDREDS OF LOYAL, CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS WHO RAVE SERVED SO UNSELFISHLY AND EFFECTIVELY ON THE VARIOUS CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! NOW TO THE LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE'VE ATTAINED DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS: * BONNEVILLE POWER CONTRACT UPON BEING SWORN IN AS MAYOR, JANUARY 6, 1981 I STATED IN MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS - "WITH THE PRESENT POWER CONTRACT WITH PP&L EXPIRING IN FEBRUARY 82, BY FAR THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM FACING THE CITY TODAY IS THE NEGOTIATION OF A NEW POWER CONTRACT WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE GENERAL FUND WITH ELECTRIC REVENUE. IF WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PURCHASE POWER FROM PP&L AT A NEW CONTRACT PRICE OF DOUBLE OR POSSIBLY MORE THE PRESENT PRICE OF 7 MILS PER KWH, WE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND WITH A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FROM OUR ELECTRIC REVENUE. "HOWEVER WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE NORTHWEST POWER BILL BY CONGRESS, WE ARE HOPEFUL OF NEGOTIATING A FAVORABLE LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH BONNEVILLE WHICH WILL ALLOW THE TRANSFER OF 1/3 OF THE ELECTRIC REVENUES TO THE GENERAL FUND". AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, A TWENTY-YEAR CONTRACT WAS SIGNED WITH BONNEVILLE AND ON FEBRUARY 27, 1983, THE CITY OF ASHLAND STARTED RECEIVING POWER FROM BONNEVILLE AT A COST OF 11.4 MILS PER KWH. THANKS TO THE NEW CONTRACT, ASHLAND'S ELECTRIC RATES ARE 12% BELOW PP&L'S RATES. THE NEW CONTRACT ALSO ALLOWED THE CITY TO CONTINUE THE TRANSFER OF REVENUE ANNUALLY FROM THE ELECTRIC FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND WITH THE AMOUNT TOTALING $1.6 MILLION IN 1986-87. THANKS TO OUR ELECTRIC REVENUE ASHLAND'S CITY PROPERTY TAX OF $2.44 PER 1M ASSESSED VALUE IS THE SECOND LOWEST OF 51 CITIES IN OREGON WITH POPULATION OF 5M OR MORE. WHEN YOU COMBINE OUR ELECTRIC RATE AND PROPERTY TAX, ASHLAND RANKS 48 OUT OF THE 51 CITIES. YES, THE SIGNING OF THE NEW POWER CONTRACT WAS A MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT ASSURES SUPPORT AND STABILITY OF THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND REVENUE FOR YEARS TO COME. * CLEAN AUDIT OF BUDGET ANOTHER HIGHLY IMPORTANT FINANCIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THAT WE AGAIN THIS YEAR RECEIVED ANOTHER FLAWLESS AUDIT REPORT ON OUR BUDGET, THE SEVENTH SINCE I'VE BEEN MAYOR. OUR 1988-89 BUDGET IS $35,407,392 VS. $11,769,731 IN 78-79. ALL REVENUE MONIES AND ALL EXPENDITURES WERE ACCOUNTED FOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING STANDARDS AND STANDARDS FOR AUDITS OF OREGON MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS. THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS OF ASHLAND MAY BE ASSURED THAT THEIR CITY OFFICIALS ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THEIR CITY'S REVENUES. FINANCE DIRECTOR JILL TURNER AND STAFF ARE TO BE HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THEIR EFFICIENCY, ACCURACY, AND FRUITFUL LABORS. * RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AT SOME RISK, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, UNDER BOB NELSON'S SUPERVISION, BEGAN A RETROSPECTIVE RATING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY'S WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE MORE THAN NINE YEARS AGO. THIS AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF INSURANCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL. ABOUT $1 MILLION WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE GONE TO INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOW DRAWING INTEREST IN THE INSURANCE SERVICES FUND. SOME OF THE INTEREST EARNINGS NOW SUBSIDIZE THE OPERATING DEPARTMENTS. ONE PROGRAM, COLLISION SELF-INSURANCE, IS NOW CONSIDERED FULLY FUNDED AND MAY NEVER AGAIN REQUIRE PREMIUMS FOR OPERATING DEPARTMENTS. THE CITY OF ASHLAND ENDEAVORS TO REDUCE HUMAN SUFFERING AND PROTECT CITY-OWNED ASSETS IN THE MOST ECONOMICAL MANNER POSSIBLE. SAFETY, LOSS PREVENTION, INSURANCE AND SELF- INSURANCE ARE AMONG THE TOOLS UTILIZED TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS. AT THIS TIME LET ME SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT BOB NELSON. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, BOB RETIRED DECEMBER 31, 1987 AFTER NEARLY 17 YEARS AS OUR CITY FINANCE DIRECTOR. BOB DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMAS EVIDENCED BY THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION HE AND OUR CITY RECEIVED DUE TO INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL PROCEDURE, ESPECIALLY OUR RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. THANKS TO BOB, ASHLAND WAS AWARDED THE INTERNATIONAL RISK & INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY'S RESEARCH AWARD FOR 1986. BECAUSE OF BOB'S EXPERTISE IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT FIELD, HE CONTINUES TO HELP HANDLE THIS PROGRAM FOR US. * NEW CIVIC CENTER ONE TRULY NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR NEW CIVIC CENTER IN WHICH WE ARE MEETING TONIGHT. DEDICATED IN 1982 THIS FINE FACILITY PROVIDED MUCH NEEDED NEW ADEQUATE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND COURTROOM. THE OTHER WING OF THE CENTER HOUSES OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR "STATE OF THE ART" COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. THE $700M COST OF THIS FINE FACILITY WAS PAID FOR BY REVENUE SHARING FUNDS, PART OF A CONTINUING CITY POLICY FOR INVESTMENT OF REVENUE SHARING FUNDS IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, PROVIDING LONG-TERM COST SAVINGS TO THE CITY AND NO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS. THIS NEW CIVIC SHOULD SERVE THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND WELL FOR THE NEXT 75 YEARS OR SO. * NEW SERVICE CENTER ANOTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN 1984 WITH THE COMPLETION AND DEDICATION OF THE NEW $900M CITY SERVICE CENTER, INCLUDING WAREHOUSE, GARAGE AND YARD. THIS ULTRA MODERN FACILITY ENABLES PUBLIC WORKS AND ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES MORE EFFICIENTLY AND SAFER. THE COST OF THIS FACILITY WAS PAID FOR BY REVENUE SHARING FUNDS AND SOME UTILITY-FUND TRANSFERS - AT NO DIRECT COST TO THE TAXPAYERS. , ASHLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK ONE OF OUR TRULY SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE LAST DECADE WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ASHLAND'S NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK WHICH IS LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 66 (ASHLAND STREET) ADJACENT TO I-5. ON JANUARY 4, 1983 I REPORTED "ASHLAND'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, UNDER CHAIRMAN BEN TYRAN'S LEADERSHIP AND THE ASHLAND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT MARION KREBS, ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO BRING NEW INDUSTRY INTO OUR CITY WHICH WILL PROVIDE JOBS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY OF OUR CITY. A NEW 21 ACRE INDUSTRIAL PARK MAY SOON BE A REALITY INSTEAD OF JUST A DREAM." ON JANUARY 8, 1985 I REPORTED "A NEW 21 ACRE INDUSTRIAL PARK HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH TWO TENANTS, ONE BEING THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE'S ASHLAND RANGER STATION". FOR YEARS, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE ASHLAND RANGER STATION WAS LOCATED ON CLAY STREET BELOW THE HIGHWAY 66 RAILROAD OVERPASS. THIS RANGER STATION HAD OUTGROWN THEIR FACILITY AND WERE CONSIDERING MOVING TO KLAMATH FALLS IF THEY COULD NOT RELOCATE CLOSER TO AND WITH AN EASY ACCESS TO I-5. IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO KEEP THE RANGER STATION IN ASHLAND. THANKS TO THE ASHLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK CORP. (WHOSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE DEDICATED CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS) BOUGHT 21 ACRES OF THE MOST DESIRABLE INDUSTRIAL LAND IN THE CITY, LOCATED OFF HIGHWAY 66 NEAR THE I-5 SOUTH INTERCHANGE AND BEGAN DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL PAR. WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS, PLANS FOR THE PARK WERE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL. IN SPITE OF SOME CRITICISM AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS BY SOME LOCAL "NAYSAYERS", THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PLANS WHICH INCLUDED THE SALE OF BANCROFT BONDS TO INSTALL UTILITIES AND PAVE STREETS TO THE INDUSTRIAL PARK. TODAY THE ASHLAND RANGER STATION HAS A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY IN ASHLAND'S INDUSTRIAL PARK AND EMPLOYS 29 PERMANENT EMPLOYEES, PLUS 15 MORE EACH SUMMER. THEY OPERATE ON A MILLION DOLLAR ANNUAL BUDGET WITH 1/2 MILLION ANNUAL PAYROLLWHICH PUTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CITY ECONOMY ANNUALLY. IN ADDITION TO THE RANGER STATION, THREE OTHER LARGE, ATTRACTIVE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT BY MR. DAN RALLS WITH THE SPACE IN ALL BUILDINGS NOW LEASED TO CAPACITY BY 13 BUSINESSES EMPLOYING OVER 60 PEOPLE. ONE IS A SMALL FOOD PROCESSING PLANT WHOSE SALES VOLUME REACHED A MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR! WITH THE RECENT SALE OF THE TWO REMAINING LOTS THE 21 ACRES WILL BE FULLY DEVELOPED AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT, CONTRIBUTING THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO OUR CITY'S ECONOMY. LET ME THANK THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE LATE MARION KREBS, PRESIDENT, AL MEYER, TREASURER, AND ATTORNEY DICK COTTLE, OF THE ASHLAND INDUSTRIAL PARK CORPORATION, THE CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF FOR THEIR DEDICATED EFFORTS IN ASSURING THE SUCCESS OF ASHLAND'S INDUSTRIAL PARK. , REEDER RESERVOIR GENERATOR ANOTHER HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THE COMPLETION OF THE REEDER RESERVOIR GENERATOR PROJECT. IN 1984 THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND BY A 2-1 VOTE, PASSED A $700M BOND APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF THE REEDER RESERVOIR GENERATOR TO PRODUCE 4 MILLION KWH ANNUALLY AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE CITY. DEDICATED MAY 10, 1985 WE ARE GENERATING ELECTRICITY FOR 2.7 CENTS PER KW COMPARED TO OUR COST FROM B.P.A. OF 2.4 CENTS PER KW. ONCE THE HYDRO-GENERATOR BONDS ARE PAID OFF, OUR COST WILL BE ONLY 1/2 CENT PER KW, AND THIS SMALL GENERATOR WILL PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY BY USING A RENEWABLE RESOURCE--WATER. THE BONDS ARE BEING RETIRED BY ELECTRIC RATES, NOT TAX DOLLARS. , UPGRADING OF WATER SYSTEM NOW FROM ELECTRIC TO WATER NEEDS OF OUR CITY -- AND ANOTHER HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT. IN 1982 THE VOTERS OF ASHLAND PASSED A ONE-MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR WATER BOND ISSUE ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 2 MILLION GALLON ALLEN ALSING WATER RESERVOIR ON TOLMAN CREEK, WHICH NOT ONLY MEETS THE STATE E.P.A. RECOMMENDED 48 HOUR WATER SUPPLY STORAGE FOR CITIES OUR SIZE, BUT SUPPLIED ADEQUATE WATER TO THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY PERMITTING US TO LIFT A WATER MORATORIUM WHICH HAD RESTRICTED BUILDING IN THAT PART OF THE CITY. IN ADDITION WE WERE ABLE TO REPLACE SEVERAL LARGE OLD LEAKING PIPES AND INSTALLATION OF LARGER LINES TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH SECTIONS OF OUR CITY. THE WATER BOND MONIES ALSO HELPED MAKE SOME NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS AT HOSLER DAM. IN 1986 A LARGE AMOUNT OF THE SEDIMENT IN THE REEDER RESERVOIR WAS SLUICED OUT AND THE RESERVOIR DRAINED AFTERWARDS. A NEW 4-FOOT HOLE WAS CUT THROUGH THE DAM AND A NEW SLUICE GATE INSTALLED TO ALLOW MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SLUICING IN THE FUTURE. A WATER INLET TOWER WAS INSTALLED ALLOWING WATER TO BE DRAWN FROM THE RESERVOIR AT THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS. THE PROJECT COST WAS $400M WHICH WAS PAID IN PART BY MONIES LEFT OVER FROM THE WATER BONDS AND OTHER MONIES IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT WATER SYSTEM BUDGET. WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN THE LAST 8 YEARS TOWARD UPGRADING OUR ENTIRE CITY WATER SYSTEM - BUT THERE'S A LOT TO DO YET. ANOTHER RESERVOIR MUST BE BUILT ON THE NORTH END OF TOWN AND REPLACE SEVERAL OLD LARGE LEAKY MAIN LINES, AND INSTALL NEW ONES TO PROVIDE ALL THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND THE WATER THEY NEED AND DESERVE. AND THIS CAN AND MUST BE PAID FOR BY WATER REVENUE NOT PROPERTY TAX. * RENOVATION OF COMMUNITY CENTER ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT WHICH HAS PROVEN HIGHLY BENEFICIAL TO OUR CITIZENS WAS RENOVATION AND RE-DEDICATION OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER AT 59 WINBURN WAY. THIS 66-YEAR OLD FACILITY WAS FIRST DEDICATED ON DECEMBER 2, 1922. WITH A $55 THOUSAND STATE HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT RECEIVED IN 1984, THE 59 WINBURN WAY BUILDING WAS RENOVATED (INCLUDING A NEW ROOF) TO MEET THE EVER INCREASING DEMAND FOR THE USE OF THE BUILDING. THE ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER, AS THE FACILITY IS NOW CALLED, WAS RE-DEDICATED ON JANUARY 30, 1987. LAST YEAR SAW ALL RECORDS BROKEN FOR THE USE OF THIS BUILDING - AN AVERAGE OF 2500 USERS PER MONTH HELD DANCES, WEDDINGS, RECEPTIONS, GAMES, MEETINGS, LUNCHEONS, DINNERS, ETC. IN THIS POPULAR FACILITY. * CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN NOW TO TELL YOU OF ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN IS TO OUR CITY'S LAND USE PLANNING PROCESS AS THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IS TO OUR NATION. ALL LAND USE PLANNING ACTIONS WITHIN OUR CITY MUST CONFORM TO GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS IN OUR CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. AFTER MANY WEEKS AND MANY PUBLIC MEETINGS, ASHLAND'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WAS COMPLETED IN 1982 AND SENT TO LCDC FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT ON OCT. 7, 1983. A PERIODIC REVIEW AND UPDATE TO MEET NEW STATE LAWS AND NECESSARY CHANGES IS BEING CONDUCTED THROUGH A SERIES OF MEETINGS BY CPAC, THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL. THIS IMPORTANT DOCUMENT IS AN EFFECTIVE PLAN FOR ORDERLY GROWTH IN OUR CITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. LET ME COMMEND PLANNING DIRECTOR JOHN FREGONESE AND STAFF, MEMBERS OF CPAC (CITIZENS PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE) THE PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL AND HUNDREDS OF CITIZENS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AND DEDICATION IN HELPING FORMULATE OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. * ENERGY CONSERVATION IN MY CITY ADDRESS OF JAN. 4, 1983 - IN ANNOUNCING THE SIGNING OF THE NEW 20-YEAR POWER CONTRACT WITH BONNEVILLE POWER I STATED "..THIS CONTRACT WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE THE CITY WITH A RELIABLE SOURCE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY--BUT ALSO MAKES OUR CITY ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION AND WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM FUNDS WHICH WILL PAY LARGE COST AND ENERGY SAVINGS DIVIDENDS FOR YEARS TO COME". A NEW CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT WAS FORMED AND DICK WANDERSCHEID WAS APPOINTED THE CITY'S ENERGY CONSERVATION COORDINATOR. THANKS TO THE FINE PERFORMANCE OF DICK AND STAFF, ASHLAND HAS GAINED NATIONAL AND STATE RECOGNITION AS THE LEADER IN ENERGY CONSERVATION. SINCE 1982, WHEN WE BEGAN OFFERING B.P.A. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, 1300 ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES HAVE BEEN WEATHERIZED UNDER B.P.A. PROGRAM. OVER 1200 STREET LIGHTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FROM MERCURY VAPOR TO HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHTS, WITH B.P.A. FUNDING UNDER THEIR STREET AND AREA LIGHTING PROGRAM. DURING 1984-86 UNDER THE B.P.A. WATER HEATING MARKET TEST PILOT PROGRAM, REBATES OF $300.00 WERE PAID FOR INSTALLING 113 SOLAR OR HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS. SINCE 1985 WHEN WE BEGAN OFFERING THE SUPER GOOD CENTS PROGRAM WE HAVE CERTIFIED 69 ENERGY EFFICIENT SUPER GOOD CENTS HOMES, AND HAVE ANOTHER 30 UNDER CONSTRUCTION. OUR PENETRATION RATE OF 75.6% in 1986 WAS THE HIGHEST RATE AMONG UTILITIES OF OUR SIZE IN THE B.P.A. REGION OF OREGON, WASHINGTON, IDAHO AND MONTANA. EVER SINCE THE ENERGY CRISIS IN THE 70'S, CONSERVATION HAS BEEN THE "NAME OF THE GAME". THANKS TO THE BONNEVILLE PROGRAMS WE HAVE SAVED MANY, MANY KWH OF ELECTRICITY AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, ALL CITIZENS OF ASHLAND. * COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS INITIATED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN JULY 1984, THE COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, UNDER THE CAPABLE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN D'ENTREMONT, CONTINUES TO GROW, PROVIDING INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO THE POLICE IN THE AREAS OF HOME SAFETY, SCHOOL SAFETY, CIVIL DEFENSE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OTHER POLICE AND FIRE ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE 265 VOLUNTEERS, BOTH MEN & WOMEN, PRESENTLY SIGNED UP WITH 47-54 SERVING EACH MONTH GIVING OVER 12,500 HOURS, OR STATED ANOTHER WAY, 393.8 DAYS ANNUALLY TO THIS VITAL PROGRAM. LET ME EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO JOHN D'ENTREMONT AND EACH OF THE VOLUNTEERS. * NORTH CAMPUS COMPLEX NOW WE TURN TO AN ACCOMPLISHMENT WHICH IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE FINE "TOWN & GOWN" RELATIONSHIP WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN OUR CITY AND S.O.S.C. IN 1985, THE PRESIDENT OF SOSC AT THAT TIME, NAT SICURO, AND I APPOINTED A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF CITIZENS FROM THE COMMUNITY, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE CITY, COLLEGE AND SCHOOL BOARD TO PLAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH CAMPUS COMPLEX FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FOR COLLEGE USE. AFTERAN INTENSE SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY MEETINGS, A PLAN WAS FORMULATED WHICH INCLUDED: BUILDING A CONCESSION STAND AND RESTROOMS; DEVELOP OVER A DOZEN PLAYING FIELDS FOR SOFTBALL AND SOCCER; CONSTRUCT A PAVED PARKING LOT AT WIGHTMANAND IOWA; EXTEND THE PAVEMENT ON WIGHTMAN FROM IOWA TO THE S.P.R.R.; PAVE IOWA FROM WIGHTMAN TO WALKER, PAVE WALKER FROM THE S.P.R.R. TO EAST MAIN AND A BIKEPATH FROM EAST MAIN ACROSS WIGHTMAN TO WALKER JR. HIGH SCHOOL. THIS BEAUTIFUL RECREATIONAL COMPLEX WAS DEDICATED BY PRES. SICURO AND I ON SEPT. 2, 1986 -- AND WILL BE ENJOYED BY OUR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS FOR YEARS TO COME! * COMPUTERIZATION TODAY'S WORLD IS ONE OF COMPUTERS -- OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "THE COMPUTER AGE". TODAY COMPUTERS ARE A MUST TO OPERATE A SUCCESSFUL AND EFFICIENT BUSINESS. IN 1982 JOHN FREGONESE WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BUY A MINI-COMPUTER COSTING $6,000. TODAY EACH CITY DEPARTMENT AS THEIR OWN COMPUTER AND UNDER THE CAPABLE SUPERVISION OF JOHN FREGONESE (JUST ONE OF HIS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES), YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT IS OPERATING MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN IT WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO. * BUTLER-PEROZZI FOUNTAIN ANOTHER NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT IN 1987 WAS THE RESTORATION OF THE BUTLER-PEROZZI FOUNTAIN IN LITHIA PARK. THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC ARTISTIC LANDMARK WAS RE-DEDICATED ON JULY 4 BEFORE A HUGE CROWD OF ADMIRING CITIZENS. THE SAME ORIGINAL ITALIAN MARBLE WAS OBTAINED FROM ITALY FOR THE RESTORATION BY SCULPTOR JEFFREY BERNARD. THANKS TO JOHN FREGONESE AND MANY VOLUNTEERS, CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALING $35,000 WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DEFRAY THE COST OF RESTORING THIS BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN - WHICH ADDS SO MUCH TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NATIONALLY KNOWN LITHIA PARK. * CITY HALL RENOVATION WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CIVIC CENTER THE POLICE, COUNCIL AND COURT MOVED FROM CITY HALL DOWNTOWN, RENOVATION OF THAT OLD CROWDED FACILITY WAS PLANNED AND COMPLETED AT A COST OF LESS THAN $50M. RENOVATION INCLUDED RE-ALLOCATION OF SPACE. THE PLANNING DEPT. MOVED FROM INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATIONS ACROSS THE PLAZA, ABOVE THE CHINESE RESTAURANT, INTO REFURBISHED SPACE VACATED BY THE POLICE. SPACE WAS PROVIDED FOR EXPANSION OF THE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENTS OCCUPYING THE OLD COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THE STAIRS LEADING TO THE SECOND FLOOR WERE REPAIRED, NEW AWNINGS WERE INSTALLED OUTSIDE AND THE EXTERIOR WAS PAINTED, WHICH DID A LOT TO BRING OUT THE BEAUTY OF THE OLD BUILDING. * ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NOW TO DISCUSS A CONTINUING ACCOMPLISHMENT - THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF A 50-BED MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL FOR OVER 23 YEARS! IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY AT RATES EQUAL TO OR BELOW THOSE OF OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE AREA, A.C.H. CONTINUES TO BE A VALUABLE ECONOMIC ASSET TO OUR CITY. WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 EMPLOYEES AND OVER A 4-MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL. WITH THE EVER-CHANGING TRENDS IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD TODAY, IT IS A REAL DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING ENDEAVOR TO KEEP A SMALL MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL FINANCIALLY SOLVENT. EVEN THOUGH A.C.H. WRITES OFF APPROXIMATELY $40M A MONTH FOR INDIGENT CARE, THE HOSPITAL HAS ALWAYS ENDED EACH YEAR "IN THE BLACK" FOR OVER 23 YEARS! THIS IS INDEED A NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT. I'M CONFIDENT THAT THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF A STRONG DEDICATED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF A MOST CAPABLE ADMINISTRATOR, JIM WATSON, AND SUPPORTED BY A SPLENDID MEDICAL STAFF OF 82 ACTIVE AND ASSOCIATE PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, A.C.H. WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF FURNISHING THE HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS AND EXPECTS FOR YEARS TO COME. * NEW TEEN CENTER LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 16, IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO CUT THE RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY OPEN ASHLAND'S NEW TEEN CENTER, LOCATED ON WINBURN WAY IN THE NEWLY-RENOVATED "OLD LOG CABIN" FORMERLY USED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION. THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW FACILITY IS PRESENTLY A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" FOR A GROWING NUMBER OF TEENAGERS. AS I STATED FRIDAY NIGHT - OF ALL THE RIBBONS I'VE CUT IN OPENING NEW BUSINESSES, ETC., THE PAST 8 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER CUT A RIBBON FOR A MORE WORTHY CAUSE - CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO TEEN CENTER DIRECTOR PATTI BUSSE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN PROVIDING OUR TEENAGERS A PLACE TO HAVE GOOD CLEAN FUN AND LEARN TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OUR YOUTH FACE TODAY. IN SUMMARY I HAVE LISTED 19 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ATTAINED OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS WHICH HAVE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE AESTHETICALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME. AS STATED EARLIER, MANY, MANY PEOPLE GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO HELP ATTAIN THESE ACHIEVEMENTS. A COOPERATIVE CITY COUNCIL, AN EFFECTIVE AND TRULY PROFESSIONAL CITY STAFF, CITY COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, ETC. AND MANY PRIVATE CITIZENS. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. YOU TOO CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS WE'VE MADE OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. LASTLY, IN MY OPINION, THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT WE'VE ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS IS THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT I'VE LISTED TONIGHT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE PEOPLE FOR A PROPERTY TAX LEVY! ALL THE BOND ISSUES AND OTHER DEBITS ARE BEING PAID OFF THROUGH REVENUES FROM SERVICES PROVIDED AND/OR OTHER RESOURCES. THE CITY OF ASHLAND HAS NO BONDED INDEBTEDNESS (BONDS BEING RETIRED BY PROPERTY TAX) - "A DEBT FREE CITY" - YET WITH A 10 MILLION DOLLAR TAX LIMITATION. NOW FROM ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO AWARDS. CITY AWARDS THROUGH THE ATTAINMENT OF MANY OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ASHLAND HAS RECEIVED REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION RESULTING IN THE CITY RECEIVING A NUMBER OF AWARDS, SOME OF WHICH ARE: ASHLAND WAS DESIGNATED A "TREE CITY USA" -- 1984, '85, '86 AND '87 * LEAGUE OF OREGON CITIES AWARDS '1982 - CITIES AWARDS PROGRAM - OUTSTANDING ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM SPECIAL AWARD. '1985 - CITIES AWARD PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE - SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE CITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH & FITNESS '1986 - CITIES AWARD PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE - RISK MANAGEMENT '1987 - AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE COMPETITION - 2ND PLACE - COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH SYSTEM. 1984 - THE GOVERNOR'S ENERGY AWARD 1986 - PUBLIC POWER COUNCIL'S "THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD" HYDRO GENERATOR. 1986 - INTERNATIONAL RISK & INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY'S RESEARCH AWARD FOR 1986 (CORPORATIONS LARGE AND SMALL, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENTS WERE ELIGIBLE) 1986 - OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - ENERGY CONSERVATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. 1986 - B.P.A.'S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR THE SUPER GOOD CENTS PROGRAM. WE APPRECIATE RECEIVING THESE AWARDS AND ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS WHOSE DEDICATED EFFORTS EARNED THESE AWARDS FOR OUR CITY. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED ASHLAND AS A "ROLE MODEL" AMONG OREGON CITIES - A CITY GOVERNMENT THAT SETS AND ATTAINS REALISTIC GOALS WHICH IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS. NOW - IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING TIME, RATHER THAN GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF EACH CITY DEPARTMENTS' ACTIVITIES, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO RECOGNIZE EACH DIRECTOR AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THEIR FINE PERFORMANCE YEAR AFTER YEAR. I KNOW OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO BE DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN DOING EACH JOB WELL. IT IS A PLEASURE TO EXTEND TO THE FOLLOWING DEPT. HEADS OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR YOUR DEDICATED PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS: - PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR STEVE HALL, STAFF AND EMPLOYEES - ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR ALL WILLIAMS AND EMPLOYEES - PLANNING DIRECTOR JOHN FREGONESE, STAFF AND EMPLOYEES - CONSERVATION COORDINATOR DICK WANDERSCHEID - FINANCE DIRECTOR JILL TURNER AND STAFF - ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR KAREN HUCKINS AND EMPLOYEES - POLICE CHIEF VIC LIVELY, STAFF AND EMPLOYEES - FIRE CHIEF LEE ROY KING, STAFF AND EMPLOYEES - SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR BARBARA DUNLAP AND EMPLOYEES NOW LET ME SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT TWO "SPECIAL" CITY EMPLOYEES. FIRST OUR CITY RECORDER NAN FRANKLIN. AS YOU KNOW THE CITY RECORDER IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. NAN IS SERVING HER 3RD TERM AND IN MY OPINION HAS SERVED THE CITIZENS WELL. IN MY ASSOCIATION WITH NAN FRANKLIN OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS I HAVE FOUND HER TO BE MOST CAPABLE IN MEETING HER RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE CITY RECORDER. LET ME PUBLICLY THANK NAN FOR THE HELP AND COOPERATION SHE HAS GIVEN ME THE LAST TEN YEARS - THANK YOU NAN. THE OTHER SPECIAL EMPLOYEE IS OUR CITY ATTORNEY RONALD SALTER. RON PREFERS TO MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE WHILE GOING QUIETLY, BUT STUDIOUSLY AND THOROUGHLY IN MEETING HIS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CITY. RON IS HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN MUNICIPAL LAW, AS HE SHOULD BE. OTHER LAWYERS ARE NOT, UNLESS THEY SPECIALIZE IN THAT SUBJECT. RON HAS SERVED AS OUR CITY ATTORNEY VERY WELL FOR 18 YEARS. DURING MY TEN-YEARASSOCIATION WITH RON, I'VE FOUND HIM TO BE MOST WILLING TO DO WHATEVER WAS NECESSARY TO SERVE THE CITY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF LEGAL QUALIFICATION. IN CLOSING, I HOPE THIS SOMEWHAT LENGTHY ADDRESS HAS SHOWN VERY CLEARLY HOW ASHLAND'S ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE AND CITY GOVERNMENT HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS. ALL FOR THE BETTER - WE HAVE BUILT A BETTER COMMUNITY AND IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS. BUT THIS JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN - - IT TOOK FORESIGHT AND PRECISE PLANNING BY A DEDICATED CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF AND THE COMMITMENT OF MANY, MANY CIVIC MINDED CITIZENS WHICH MADE ASHLAND A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR YOU AND I AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. I AM PROUD OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND FOR ALLOWING ME TO PLAY A SMALL ROLE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR CITY - THANK YOU ONE AND ALL.