HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-1005 Submitted at Meeting
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October 5, 2009
Goals, Values, Vision
Comments received after council packet was distributed
******************
Tom Ward's Comments to City Council Values Vision and Goals
I find it very bold of us to plan ahead just now when we do not have enough information.
The future is very open, . We appear to be having a hard time examining our key
assumptions such as that economic expansion is our only option; that quantity will bring
quality,
I find the already submitted comments of the Transition Town group to be appropriate for
a power down future. However we as citizens and governors cannot know with
confidence just what happens next and when.
I am seeing sustainability as ultimately a question of biology and therefore climate
change and local food security among other issues of local resource use trumps questions
of insurance, finance and real estate, Since the city depends on fees and economic
expansion as its life blood we are trapped in a monster. It is difficult if not impossible to
recommend downsizing and austerity to a boomer society.
Yet the carrying capacity both local and global is overwhelmed, There are LIMITS TO
GROWTH, We must live within these limits or we will fail as a species and as a
dynamic biological complexity: that is life on this one planet.
So I recommend that the goals of city planning are to support RESILlANCE and
FLEXIBILITY. A ROBUST government that can deal with coming changes will need to
exhibit resourcefulness and conservation, The most difficult planning challenge is to be
looking for the missing pieces of the minimum set of parts that can support sustainability.
This is called searching for LACUNAE, There is very little math that can account for
missing but critical information.
Thus our job as planners and citizens is to be open minded and willing to change much of
our life styles and procedures, The optimistic promise is that we all will benefit from
improvements in quality of life and the sense of belonging in place and of involvement in
the culture of place,
/
To offer examples from one possible future scenario that the city may someday soon be
led to consider I suggest that widespread unemployment and homelessness may
encourage the city to charter an non-usurious city bank. I suggest that city seizure of tax
delinquent and abandoned housing and manufacturing infrastructure may be restructured
as city subsidized cooperatives. I suggest that we consider a tax on the rentier (land
owning) class to support city integrity. I also suggest that we need to start working the
surrounding forests and grazing lands on a seasonal basis and that the town folk need to
open their facilities to nomadic worker collectives that might spend the winter in town
doing value added crafts, The future of tourism might well be ecological and vernacular
exchanges between adjacent regions,
.
"
Our first opportunity should be to find ways to support those folks that are ready to adopt
a low energy and small footprint life. These light living volunteers deserve our subsidy
and facilitation so that we are investing now in a positive future.
I hope that this seemingly very bold future scenario imagining is of some use, I found
that thinking about how to comment to this goals setting process was very challenging for
me. I am willing to admit that although I am excited to witness these unfolding presents I
am also not able to offer predictions and solutions, We are living in a time of speculation
on too little fimi and carefully examined assumptions, I encourage us all to carryon
bravely none-the-less, If the goals setting process was to be seen as a scenarios practice
rather than a blue print for immediate action we might be all behaving more sanely,
Permaculturally Yours, Tom Ward Post Office Box 1282 Ashland, Oregon 97520
******************
Hi, I had a little difficulty using the online form so here are my brief comments. I
assume you will pass them on to the correct people, Thanks,
1, The eyes glaze over when one reads the statements, Ashland needs a short clear
phrase that describes our bctter selves, something like "The city of Ashland - Creative,
Sustainable, Friendly" '
2. All goals need numerical output measures benchmarked if possible, Progress needs to
be measured not by what we have done but by the results we have gotten. Seven to ten
such measures should be chosen to be emphasized and published yearly.
Thanks again, Jim Hatton
*************************
un Forwarded Message nn_
From: "Carolyn Shaffer" <carolvnshaff(a)earthlink.net>
To: "John Stromberg" <iohn(QlcoLlncil.ashland.or.us>
Sent: Saturday, October 3,20091:28:16 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: request
Hello, John--
Thanks again 'for inviting me to comment. I'm very impressed with the outreach that you and the
other councii members are engaged in--and with your taking time out from the day to day to refiect
on vision, values and goals. I regret that I'm getting my comments in so late, I realize that this may
preclude their getting into the packet for all the council members, It's been an intense few weeks,
Here are my refiections:
VISION
I responded most positively to
--vibrant neighborhoods in which people know and care for each other and can easily walk to shops,
recreation and open space.
--community gardens dot the parks
--community cleans and re-uses every drop of stormwater and effluent
--connected to RV and entire West Coast through strong transit and rail systems
--entrepreneurs choose to start and grow their businesses here
What I would like added to vision for Ashland:
--models a heaithy, vibrant, iocalized food system that's integrated with the whole Rogue Valiey food
system (educates people about the value and necessity of this)
--sustainable farming operations fiourish within the city, in part thanks to the establishment of
sustainable agriculture land trusts
--models integrated development (and the zoning) that makes such farming viable: vertical integration
of growing, processing, packaging and retailing food on same site that aiso inciudes "green" cohousing
for farmers, small food business owners, and others
--models a vibrant small business culture and economy in which startups are incubated, and
established businesses receive mentoring and training (as well as loans) to grow and succeed
--residents garden on sidewalk park strips, rooftops, backyards, frontyards, vacant lots (City aliows
safe, effective deer fencing, such as see-through black mesh, even on corners)
--each neighborhood has its own food processing and preservation center in which equipment is
cooperatively owned
--in these centers, neighbors also cooperate in collecting and re-using previously used items by re-
fashioning them into clothing, art, household items, gifts, etc.--almost nothing goes to waste
--residents re-use graywater and coliect rainwater (City removes legal barriers to this whiie preserving
safety)
--well-established, efficientiy-run complementary currencies (local and regional) create economic
stability and resilience in the face of a fiuctuating dollar (City removes barriers to this and educates
people about its value and legal requirements
VALUES
I applaud all of them and responded most strongly to:
Good Government
--transparent, honest, responsive
--strong, creative leadership
--active, intelligent, respectful citizen invoivement
--volunteerism in government and community
Responsible Land Use
--Deveiopment that makes efficient use of land, water and energy
--Deveiopment that protects our relationship with nature and emphasizes quality design
--Strong neighborhoods
Economy
--A business community that is attuned with our environmental and social aspirations
--An economy that capitalizes on community assets and allows our homegrown entrepreneurs to
succeed
Sense of Community
--Strong neighborhoods, families and communities of interest
--Residents participate in community life and feel a strong sense of belonging
What I would like added or emphasized:
Good Government
--Fostering collaborative technologies, such as Integrated Decision Making (part of the Holacracy
system), Open Space models, and Dynamic Facilitation, that generate collective intelligence and
relationship-building across the "divides" (rather than warring factions)
,
--Turning "enemies" .into aliies by making them the center of highly focused positive (rather than
negative) attention: giving them the fioor and respectfully iistening to them, inviting them onto task
forces and committees in which they are given responsibilities and held accountable, finding out what
they most want, beneath their superficial agenda items and rants, and helping them generate this in
their life
Responsible Land Use
--Reserving land, rooftops, etc. for bio-intensive farming and gardening--sustainable food production a
high value
--Low-impact development that uses minimal water and energy--water and energy conservation a high
value
--Beauty (aesthetics) a high value
Economy
--Non-financial assets (skills, knowledge, compassion, passion, leadership capacities, support
capacities, networks of reiationships, etc) are valued even more highly than financial assets
--People are viewed as gifted and encouraged to discover, express and share their gifts
Sense of Community
--An invitational attitude that allows unpressured, "accidental" community to emerge
--No imposed agendas or subtle coercion to conform or join
--Healthy, joyful models of collaborative endeavors (serious and piayful) attract others to engage
Love, iife and joy,
Carolyn
Carolyn Shaffer
www.whvworrvauide.colll
www.livinowellwav.com
877-488-0058 (toll-free 24-hr voice mail)
541-488-0058 (Ashiand, OR, line that rings)
************************************
Response from employee
Ann,
This is only partialiy related to your E-mail however, I feel that this should be said. I spoke recently
with the wife of a builder in the valiey and she told me horror stories of how difficult it is to get the
city to cooperate with builders and contractors when it comes to permits and codes, Unnecessary
deiays and communication breakdowns are common.
I have heard this on other occasions as I know many people in the business. They all say the same
thing. A lot of these.folks after one experience with the city (I don't know which people they refer to
in particular) will not have another thing to do with Ashland.
This city has a frightful reputation in this area and I felt that a heads up was in order,....Kip
Kip Keeton, Community Service Officer
Ashland Police Department
1155 East Main Street, Ashland OR 97520 '
(541) 482-5211 ext 2839
FAX: (541) 488-5351
***************************
,
.
10/4/09
Hi John, thanks for the opportunity to share some thoughts about community values, goals, and vision
prior to Monday's study session. I apologize for being tardy in doing that.
Regarding efforts at strengthening Ashiand's economic base by seeking diversity of employment,
greater results from equal effort might result from faciiitating an existing employment trend. Although
it hasn't grown from the city'S "vision" or goal setting, Ashland has become somewhat of a haven for
entrepreneurs of products of the mind (talking books, Project A, other programmers, various kinds of
artists, etc.). The creative and intellectual climate generated by the presence of SOU and OSF is no
doubt important for this trend, without any effort made to facilitate it. "Businesses focused on
products of the mind make minimal demands for infrastructure and minimal impacts on the
environment", (However, AFN is an important resource for the information sharing that facilitates
creation of products of the mind).
It's values that lead to goals and define "vision," but individuals differ enough in their hierarchy of
values that complete consensus on immediate goals is rarely possible. Peopie often tend to value most
that which they don't have. For instance a study found that people with the lowest incomes ranked "a
comfortable life" 6th among 18 values, while people in the highest income group ranked it 15th,
People rarely change their hierarchy of values, so the purpose of discussion is to find out what an
issue at hand means to various people, and find paths to solutions that are acceptable to a majority of
citizens.
An example from iocal politics: Citizens value affordable housing and environmental "livability," But
affordable housing requires urban 'density (to minimize the sprawi that drives up the cost of providing
city services and the cost of housing and living in the city). When an infill project is proposed, those
near the proposed project rate environmental livability above affordable housing. So for the last 30
years the local poiitical process has defeated state goals for urban density and affordable housing.
Good luck with your study session.
Hai Cloer
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From:
To:
CC:
Date:
Subject:
Nancy Slocum
Ann Seitzer
Mike Faught
10/5/2009 4:27 PM
Comments from TC re: Council Goals
Ann, Mike asked me to send you the comments from the Transportation Commission. I hope you could make something
more of them than I could! Let me know if you have any questions.
Nancy
D. Councii Goals
Councilor Chapman reported that the City Council prepared a new vision and values statement every ten years. Draft goals
were included in the packet and Chapman asked for feedback using the forms included in the packet 50me of the
comments included: will the language stop progress?; are they iegally binding?; too vague?; too long?; ADA language
should be included; multimodal ideas are shut down, never implemented; establishing bike lanes should be added as a
separate box as should mass transit.
Faught noted that the City implemented transportation-related goals through the work of the Transportation Commission
whose charge was to generate the details of the T5P. Chapman noted that the Commission was formed as an offshoot of
the Traffic 5afety Commission and the Bike and Pedestrian Commission. He does not want the community values of those
commissions to be ignored.
Sommers wondered why the MPO study and presentation to the Planning Commission was not then presented to the
Transportation Commission.
Chapman noted the rail service goal related to the moving of freight between jurisdictions in order to avoid an increase in
tractor trailer traffic and adding a third lane to 15. Ashland may have the option of ieasing or purchasing right-of-way. A
second goal is the addition of a commuter rail to Central Point or Grants Pass. Burnham related a recent Newsweek article
stating that commuter rail was less ecologically efficient compared to the automobile.
Commission was satisfied with the goal regarding the T5P.
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City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
ECONOMY Yes this is an No, this is not an No Opinion
im )o.'tant goal im lOrtant goal
1. Deyelop and Implement a comprehensIve
economic development strategy for the purpose
of:
. Diversitying the economic base of the )!I 0 0
community
. Supporting the creation and growth of '~ 0 0
businesses that use and provide local and
regional products ]E, 0 0
. Increasing the number of family wage jobs in
the community iiJ 0 0
. Leveraging the strengths of Ashland's
tourism and repeat visitors J& 0 0
Comments on this goal.
2, Complete Croman Mill Master Plan and
develop an implementation strategy for funding
and infrastructure for Croman.
1i't
o
o
Comments on this goal
City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
ECONOMY continued Yes this is an No, Ihis is not an No Opinion
illl JOrtant ::oal illl ortant ::oal
3. Increase the clarity, responsIveness, and
certainty of the development process.
Comments on this goal.
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ENVIRONMENT Yes this is an No, this is /lot an No Opinion
illl ortant ooal illl ortant ooal
1. Develop an integrated land use and
transportation plan to increase the viability of
transit, hicycles, walking and other alternative
modes of transportation,
. Reduce per capita automobile vehicle miles ~ 0 0
traveled
. Provide safe walking and bicycling routes to
home, work, shopping and schools .~ 0 0
. Implement environmentally responsible '~
0 0
design standards
. Minimize new automobile related ~ 0 0
infrastructure.
~ 0 0
Comments on this goal.
2
,
City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
ENVIRONMENT continued Yes this is an No, this is not an No opinion
illl)ol'tant "oal illl JOl'tant ~oal
2. Adopt an mtegrated Water Master Plan that
addresses long-term water supply including:
. Climate change issues I~ 0 0
. Security and redundancy
~ 0 0
. Watershed health
. Conservation and reuse ~ 0 0
. Stream health
!){ 0 0
Comments on this goal.
3. Implement specific capital projects and
operation programs to ensure City facilities
and operations are a model of efficient use of
water, energy, land, and other key resources.
Comments on this goal.
4. Adopt land use codes, building codes and
fee structures that creates strong incentives
for new development that is energy, water,
and land efficient and supports a multi-modal
transportation system,
Comments on this goal.
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City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
ENVIRONMENT continued Yes this is an No, this is not an No opinion
im ol'tant goal im ortant "oal
5. Develop a strategy to use conservation and local
renewable sources to meet Tier 2 power demands
o
o
o
by 2014.
Comments on this goal.
Social Equity Yes this is an No, this is not an No Opinion
im ortant "oal im or.tant "oal
1, Complete the development ofaffordable
housing on the Oay Street Property,
o
o
o
Comments on this goal.
2. Conduct a comprehensive study of Ashland's
homeless.
o
o
Comments on this goal.
Oruanization Yes this is an No, this is not an No opinion
b
im ortant goal im ortant goal
1. Develop plan for fiscal stability, manage costs,
prioritize services, and insure key revenue streams
for tbe City Parks & Recreation.
o
o
o
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City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
Comments on this goal.
2. Address issues regarding the stahility of the
organization including:
. Employee recruitment and retention )l 0 0
. Succession planning
Effective and increased use of citizen ~ 0 0
.
volunteers ~ 0 0
Comments on this goal.
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PUBLIC FACILITIES Ycs this is an No, this is not an No opinion
im ortant goal im ortant goal
1. Develop a plan to replace Fire Station #2.
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Comments on this goal.
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2. Refine a long term strategy for the Ashland
Fiber Network that improves its financial
viability, provides high quality services to
residents, and promotes healthy economic
development.
Comments on this goal.
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City of Ashland
Goals
June 2009
PARTNERSHIPS Yes Ihis is an No, this is nOI an No opinion
im orlan I "oal im lOl'lanl goal
1. Fosler strong coUaboration of the local
community, City, State and Federal leaders in
efforts to improve the health of the Ashland
watershed through reducing fire hazards and
restoring forest health.
Comments on this goaL
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2, Reslore rail service 10 and through
Ashland.
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Comments on this goaL
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Please list other goals you believe should be considered.
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City of Ashland
DRAFT Values
June 2009
As members of the Ashland City Council, we value:
Good Govcl'l1l1lcnt Ycs, J valnc No, J don't valuc No opinion
a, Transparent, honest, responsIve
b, Strong, creative leadership
c. Excellent public service
d, Stewards of public resources
e. Active, intelligent respectful citizen
involvement
f, V olunteerism in government and community
~ 0 0
,1:S1 0 0
,g( 0 0
fit 0 0
~ 0 0
~ 0 0
Other suggested values for Good Government
Natural Environlllcnt Yes, I valuc No, I don't valuc
a, Beauty and Quahty
b, Enhance quality of air, water, land, open
spaces, wildlife habitat
c, Treasure parks, natural areas and
recreational opportunities
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]a
.
o
o
o
o
Other sUl1l1ested values for Natural Environment
City of Ashland
DRAFT Values
June 2009
RCSI)onsiblc Land Usc Ycs, I valnc No, I don't valuc No opinion
a, Development that makes efficient use of .R( 0 0
land, water and energy
b. Development that maintains our ~ 0 0
architectural heritage
c, Development that protects our ;g 0 0
relationship to nature and emphasizes
quality design ;;zl 0 0
d, Strong neighborhoods
Efficient public infrastructure and public ]X 0 0
e.
services
Other suggested values for Responsible Land Use
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4. Floce Exprcssion Ycs, I vahlc No, I don't value No opinion
a, A creative climate that invites an open
exchange of diverse ideas ~ 0 0
b, The' social, economic, and creative
contributions of the arts, cultural activities
and community events. ~ 0 0
Other suggested values for Free Expression
2
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City of Ashland
DRAFT Values
June 2009
Divcrsity ~,~ Ycs, I valuc No, I don't valuc No opinion
a. A community that invites and respects
the individuality and contributions of all
people
Other suggested values for Diversity
A
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Economy I; Ycs, I valuc No, I don't valuc No opinion
. s.:
a, A business community that is attuned
witl1 our environmental and social
aspirations.
b. An economy that capitalizes on
community assets and allows our,
homegrown entrepreneurs to succeed
c. An economy that creates community
wealth, supports arts and culture,
connects to Southern Oregon University
and supports high quality public services.
d, A diverse economy that provides
employment and economic choices for
individuais and families
Other suggested values for Economv
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City of Ashland
DRAFT Values
June 2009
Indcpcndcncc Ycs, I valnc No, I don't valnc No opinion
a, Our ability to be innovative, to set our
own course, to provide public services
and to meet residents' basic needs.
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Other suggested values for Independence
Pcrsonal '''cll Being Ycs, I valuc No, I don't valuc No opinion
a, All people seek physical, mental and ~ D D
emotional well-being
b. Each person needs adequate food, pi D D
~lothing, housing transportation,
health care and personal safety
Other suggested values for Personal Well Being
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Scnse of Community, Yes, I valnc No, I don't valuc No opinion
a, Strong neighborhoods, families and
communities of interest
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b. Residents participate in community life
and feel a strong sense of belonging
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Other suggested values for Sense of community
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City of Ashland
DRAFT Values
June 2009
Please list othcr valucs you bclicvc should bc addcd to thc ahovc list.
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City of Ashland
Draft Vision
June 2009
VISION STATEMENTS Yes this is an No, this is not an No opinion
accurate vision vision for the
for the Ashland Ashland of the
of the future. futnre.
Ashland is a strikingly beautiful town,
nestled on the edge of the Siskiyou
Mountains, Ashland is a small, safe, and
welcoming place, Residents enjoy the
urban amenities of a university town and a
center for world-class outdoor recreation
and performing and visual arts,
. /
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Comments on this vision statement.
V~l ~ Jc-\) ~ eft. -
Ashland has vibrant neighborhoods,
Young singles, families, children, and
seniors live in diverse housing types
throughout the town, People know their
neighbors, and they work together to care
for each other, Children walk and bicycle
to their neighborhood schools, and
Ashland's school system is one ofthe best
in the nation, Every resident can find
shopping, recreation, and open space
within an easy walk from their homes,
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Comments on this vision statement.
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City of Ashland
Draft Vision
June 2009
VISION STATEMENTS Yes this is an No, this is not an No opinion
aeenrate vision vision for the
Continued fOl' the Ashland Ashland of the
of the fntnre. future.
Ashland's residents treasure the natural
environment. Salmon spawn in Ashland's
creeks, Solar panels gather energy on
rooftops, community gardens dot the parks,
drought tolerant plants grace yards, parks and
open spaces. The community cleans and re-
uses its stonnwater and effluent so no drop is
wasted, It is as easy to walk and bike in
Ashland as it is to drive. Ashland is connected
to the Rogue Valley and the entire West coast
through strong transit and rail systems,
Population growth is managed, making
efficient use of land and ensuring the
community is vibrant.
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Comments on this vision statement.
Residents and visitors share Ashland's lively
downtown, Ashland is eclectic and funky, and
peoples' differences are treasured, not just
tolerated, Visitors return to Ashland year after
year to refresh themselves, to hike, bike, and
ski, to learn, and to experience the perfonning
and visual arts, Community events and
festivals allow locals, regional residents, and
visitors to share music, food, and ideas.
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Comments on this vision statement.
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City of Ashland
Draft Vision
June 2009
VISION STATEMENTS Ycs this is an No, this is not an No opinion
accuratc vision vision for the
continued for the Ashland Ashland of the
of the futlll'c. future.
Ashland supports businesses that are
committed to family-wage jobs and Ashland's
environmental ethic. The business community
has a strong working relationship with
Southern Oregon University, and university
graduates find ample, rewarding employment
in Ashland and the region. Small businesses
thrive, and entrepreneurs choose to start and
grow their businesses here,
o
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Comments on this vision.statement. __ -- ,.} , '. ~ ~ c:\-- __ __:~
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A wIlderness IS a short h1k ay from the .-.J
downtown piaza, Ashland's forests are healthy
and managed to support the unique habitat of
the Siskiyou Mountains, support recreation,
provide clean drinking water, and ensure
Ashland is safe from forest fire,
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Comments on tbis vision statement.
The City of Ashland is respected in Oregon and
the region as an innovative, effective, efficient,
and well run municipal government. The City
is well connected to its citizens, and is
responsive to citizen and business needs. The
City is an employer of choice to high quality
professionals who have chosen public service
as a career.
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City of Ashland
Draft Vision
June 2009
Pleasc list othcr visions statcmcnts for thc Ashland ofthc futurc.
4