Keep Ashland Unique: Vote "No" on Measure 15-189

05/07/2020

Have you gotten your ballot yet?

Voting "No" is your chance to make sure you continue to have a vote in Ashland's administrative direction.

https://mailtribune.com/opinion/guest-opinions/keep-ashland-exceptional-vote-no-on-measure-15-189

05/06/2020

"Measure 15-189 would change this balance of power. If passed, it would transform our town to a council/manager form of government, giving all department-head appointment power to a city manager without requiring any input from elected officials; this could have a profound impact on policy direction of the city. Unlike a mayor, who faces elections, a city manager is wholly unaccountable to the community or the mayor."

https://mailtribune.com/opinion/guest-opinions/keep-ashland-exceptional-vote-no-on-measure-15-189

Looking at the landslide failure of both city ballot measures — a new city charter and a 'strong city manager' form of government, City Council members were philosophical, noting they probably won't tackle the charter again.

05/05/2020

Last time Ashland voters had the opportunity to persevere Ashland's charter, it lost by a 50 point margin. We can do it again.

Vote No on Measure 15-189.

https://mailtribune.com/news/government-politics/ashland-voters-reject-charter-changes

04/30/2020

Measure 15-189 is a solution in search of a problem.

Under the current Charter, the Mayor and Administrator work collaboratively on department head appointments.

This measure would remove that collaboration and shift power to a manager, who does not face elections, and away from a Mayor, who works for voters.

If passed, it would open the possibility for a manager from Anywhere USA, to fundamentally change the policy direction of the city.

Don’t vote away your power.

04/27/2020

Why vote away your power?

Ashland is successful because of robust community participation and engagement.

Measure 15-189 would change that.

If passed, Measure 15-189 would give the city manager control of department-head appointments without requiring any input from elected officials.