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Incumbent Darby Ayers-Flood and Mark Anderson are dealing with off within the race for mayor of Expertise.
Expertise voters face a transparent selection within the mayor’s race: proceed with issues as they’re, or make a change, says the challenger to a two-term incumbent mayor.
Mark Anderson, a 34-year Expertise resident, is difficult Darby Ayers-Flood, who was elected to the highest submit in each 2014 and 2018 and has served in metropolis positions for 20 years.
A proposal to kind a brand new city renewal district within the metropolis that will have lower funding for hearth companies and metropolis companies, together with police, acquired Anderson all for working. He’s involved in regards to the affect of the reductions. Ayers-Flood had inspired the formation.
Metropolis Council thought of adopting the proposal, which might have supplied funds to assist with Almeda Hearth restoration, however determined to not go forward in August after greater than 500 residents opposed the measure, as did native taxing jurisdictions that will have been affected. The council determined to place formation of the district to a vote of the folks.
The present purpose is to have an city renewal poll measure able to go to the voters in Might 2023, mentioned Ayers-Flood.
“City renewal is a good suggestion,” says Anderson. However he thinks a vote in Might 2023 could also be too quickly. That might enable for a tax base to make use of Jan. 1, 2022, values earlier than a lot of the rebuilding is full. That timing would nonetheless affect hearth, metropolis and different taxing district budgets considerably, and he would favor to have the district tax base set on the values as of Jan. 1, 2023.
Each candidates belong to coalitions that embody people working for 4 vacancies on the Metropolis Council. Ayers-Flood’s coalition consists of the incumbents within the seats. Anderson’s has residents who filed on their very own initiative, however later met collectively. Anderson mentioned he put out a flyer on his candidacy with the 4 council challengers listed on the again.
Ayers-Flood says the present council is essentially the most collaborative, cohesive staff she has seen.
“We don’t at all times agree on issues, however when we’ve variations of views on vital points, we work by way of it with the intent to provide you with the perfect answer for the neighborhood,” the incumbent mentioned. “We felt we wished to precise that by way of our marketing campaign. We work so properly as a staff.”
Help for metropolis staff must be coming from the elected officers, mentioned Anderson, recalling a interval in 2020 when staff had been essential of the environment created by elected officers. Return of a 24/7 police drive would even be a precedence for Anderson.
“I feel a change in atmospheres would make an enormous distinction in retaining police right here,” he mentioned.
High points for Expertise are people who residents are bringing ahead, mentioned Ayers-Flood. That features a want for reasonably priced housing and bringing dwelling the households that had been displace by the hearth.
“We’re nonetheless in transitional housing. Transferring towards everlasting, reasonably priced housing and growing plans that may present for the stakeholders, the hearth survivors, are wanted,” mentioned Ayers-Flood.
“The opposite subject I hear about quite a bit are simply ensuring we proceed to work on enterprise restoration. They’re survivors, too,” mentioned Ayers-Flood. “With our metropolis in rebuilding, we wish to do every part we will for the companies that withstood the hearth, that withstood COVID.”
“We nonetheless have an extended strategy to go, however the building is encouraging. It’s now not miserable to drive alongside Expertise Avenue,” mentioned Anderson. Low-income housing and serving to companies return are outstanding wants, he mentioned.
Ayers-Flood labored within the hospitably trade for a variety of years, however is now a enterprise improvement specialist for Micro Enterprise Providers of Oregon, which works to assist folks from underserved communities begin their very own enterprise. She says there may be pleasure in serving to others acquire their goals.
Anderson served as pastor of Ashland Christian Fellowship for 22 years. He’s now self-employed as an insurance coverage dwelling inspector. He served in a nondenominational church the place there was a cross part of all denominations, and robust opinions got here with that. He mentioned he discovered how you can hearken to folks and worth folks, however not allow them to drive the bus.
As president of the Firehouse 5 Basis, Anderson mentioned the group’s work with victims of Ashland’s Oak Knoll Hearth taught him the worth of nonprofits working collectively and serving to households.
If he turns into mayor, Anderson mentioned, he would carry again in-person Metropolis Council conferences. All conferences at present are held on Zoom, though the council is exploring how you can supply hybrid periods. As a semiretired employee, Anderson mentioned he would have time to hearken to residents’ issues.
Ayers-Flood mentioned she gained’t exceed a $750 restrict on marketing campaign bills. She’s doing a little promoting and mailers, however will forgo indicators as a result of there’s quite a lot of work placing them out, getting them again and recycling. She’s canvasing neighborhoods, and the coalition is holding meet and greets.
Anderson has not set a marketing campaign spending restrict however mentioned he has obtained only some donations to assist with bills. He’s placing up indicators round city and knocking on doorways to satisfy residents.
Attain Ashland freelance author Tony Growth at tboomwriter@gmail.com.
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