Planning commissioners need to listen to the public

Having attended multiple planning commission meetings over the years, I’m always left with a sense of frustration and the belief that the effort of providing feedback was futile.

I’ve observed developers given hours to present (and speaking so slowly to run the clock out), sidebar meetings with planning commissioners during breaks and then generously giving individual public members one minute to present a rebuttal. That’s right 60 seconds vs. hours. This appears as if the “good old boy system” is front and center with the planning commission.

Issues that should be seriously considered prior to continued growth is solid planning to assure adequate water, fire protection and escape routes. Before we add more congestion and service demand, address these issues.

We need individuals who will actually listen to the public and stop rubber stamping developer projects.

Having sent a letter expressing development concerns to the Medford and Jackson County planning commissions a year ago, not one individual took the time to respond (Randy Sparacino, Sarah Spansail, Nick Card, Kevin Stine, Tim D’Elessandro, Chad Miller, Jessica Ayres, Erick Stark, Zac Smith, Medford Planning Commission commissioners, Jackson County Planning Department).

These are positions to represent the public. Time for a change.

Sue Kline / Medford

Animal shelter service district proposal raises questions

As of March 26, Jackson County Commissioners began discussing a service district for a new animal shelter. The current shelter is outdated and insufficient for the number of animals needing care.

The plan includes a volunteer coordinator with a salary of $91,374 in year one. Why have the commissioners added a paid position when Friends of the Animals has provided a coordinator AND more than 300 volunteers at zero cost to taxpayers?

A decision was made by the commissioners recently to no longer take in any cats other than for legal cases, there by shifting the burden to community groups or individuals to care for abandoned cats.

Fees for a permit to these groups, which are known as Animal Rescue Entities, were increased 142% in eight months to $315. Wouldn’t it make sense to encourage groups to spend their funds on operating expenses rather than dis-incentivizing them by increasing their costs?

Cindy Harper / Talent

Jet boats on Upper Rogue cause problems, need monitoring

I strongly oppose the use of commercial jet boats on the Upper Rogue River north of TouVelle Park.

I’m a hardcore river-rafter, and I’ve had a couple of jet boats almost hit me on the middle Rogue because of their recklessness. They also disrupt river wildlife, and cause noise pollution, and massive damage, to the shoreline.

The upper Rogue in the Shady Cove and Trail areas are loaded with rafters and fisherman. They can’t coexist with jet boats.

If Rogue Jet Boat Adventures has operated for 13 years, then it has operated in a smaller scale for many years, with fewer boats and a smaller footprint. Now they want to expand, and dominate the river for their own personal use.

If Rogue Jet Boat Adventures has never been cited by the sheriff, then when has the sheriff had a constant presence on the river to site offenders? How often does the sheriff even patrol the upper Rogue?

There are a number of waterways in Oregon where motorized boats are prohibited, or their speeds are regulated. The Upper Rogue needs to be one of those waterways.

If someone wants to view or experience the Rogue, then they can ride in a raft or a drift boat instead.

Curt Ankerberg / Medford