Jet boats are a danger to those who use the river

I have been a resident of the Rogue Valley since 1970. I have lived on the Rogue since 1973 and have enjoyed the river for over 50 years. I have floated this river in everything known to man.

In the old days, it was a big log truck innertubes and, one spring, I floated it in my drysuit. The hydrology of the river is something most people need to be made aware of. It’s that current dragging you into rocks or trees that push you underwater, which can result in drowning.

I have rescued many people in my lifetime who were stranded on trees, unable to move because of hydrology pressure.

The advent of jet boats now being used on the upper Rogue will result in severe injury or death. You cannot mix high-speed jet boats with rafters, fishermen and swimmers.

I am part of a local group asking to banish jet boats on the upper Rogue River. If they don’t strike someone going around a narrow corner, the wake alone will tip over most small flotations.

We have appealed to the Oregon Marine Board and local county officials for several years, requesting they put forth a ruling protecting the citizens of our Valley who enjoy the upper Rogue.

Don Blaser / Eagle Point

Cities need to take action to address climate change

Climate change is a global issue and will take a global effort to address. Cities large and small have been looking at ways to mitigate the effects of climate change; the City of Medford is no different.

Over recent years and worldwide, cities have developed a variety of common based plans to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Here is a sampling of those strategies: Creating sustainable urban developments to include establishing green building standards; the use of renewable energy sources; electrification; efficient and affordable public transportation; bicycle friendly infrastructure; ensuring clean drinking water; effective storm water and wastewater infrastructure and management; and developing disaster response strategies.

Creating environmental education programs to promote the likes of recycling plastic, paper, can and glass products; lessening the reliance on fossil fuels; transitioning to the use of better energy efficient appliances; reducing food waste; promoting composting; regenerative farming; enhancing green spaces along with tree and drought resistant plantings all of which help in the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the past years, a lot of us without much thought have substantially helped our environment: We replaced our old energy consuming tube type TVs with more energy efficient digital flat screen TVs. Likewise, in our households we continue to change from old energy consuming incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient LED lighting.

It’s starting to look like we Medford residents are, in part, environmentalists!

Gary Sumrak / Medford

Earlier Crater Lake intersection plan was scuttled

The letter written about issues at Crater Lake Avenue may need more information. The city of Medford had a plan to continue Crater Lake all the way to Barnett Road.

The city purchased the property at the Main/Crater Lake intersection for that purpose. This rerouted the street South via the West side of Portland Street, which required the acquisition of about 20 residential homes.

It then connected via a bridge over Bear Creek to the existing intersection of Alba Drive and Barnett Road.

However, the idea ran into problems with public support and the vocal opposition by a group that said the planned extension would affect wildlife.

This was the only option and it still is. It needs to be revisited before the city sells off the intersection land it holds.

Scott Henselman / Medford

Holiday brings memories of what was lost in fire

Merry Christmas to everyone! And not to be a Scrooge, but it is unfortunate that the current effort post-fire to restore the Bear Creek Greenway (which I heartily applaud) wasn’t thought of or started years ago.

If that had occurred to anyone back then perhaps those of us who lost everything in the fire would still have our traditional family mementos and decorations to enjoy today.

Martin Lentz / Phoenix

Medford council should support climate action plan

As one of many who lost their homes in Talent to the Almeda Wildfire, I know from personal experience that climate change is rapidly warming the planet and wreaking havoc nearly everywhere — making wildfires, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters happen more often and with more intensity, causing loss of life and properties on an unparalleled scale.

That’s why each and every city, county, state, and nation need to be engaged intensively in making plans for how to reduce each community’s greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. We must act together decisively so we can adapt to the new warmer climate.

I’m so glad that my new hometown of Medford is now working on its climate action plan, called the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CCARP). The city’s Planning Commission has sent the CCARP draft plan to the Medford City Council, which will hold its first public meeting about the plan at its regular meeting on Jan. 4.

When I lived in Talent, I was proud that the Talent City Council adopted its Clean Energy Action Plan in 2017. Ashland and Grants Pass also have adopted plans to address climate change, so I’m hopeful that the city of Medford will follow suit very soon. If you live in Medford, please ask your city councilors to vote Yes for CCARP.

Allan Hallmark / Medford