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2.7.06 Mayor: Ashland's back in business Wearing the Ashland school colors of blue and white, nearly 100 people marched at the state Capitol Monday to protest the $3 million study of a massive lake that could cover Ashland. Their efforts were rewarded. The Legislature's Appropriations Committee voted not to fund the study for lack of support. "We heard the decision just as everyone was getting off the bus in Ashland," said Mary Ziegenbein, who helped coordinate Monday's rally. An Ashland business donated about $300 so area residents could travel in a rented yellow school bus to and from the rally. "We're extremely excited," Ziegenbein said. "Now we can go on with our lives without having to worry about the big lake looming over us. We can continue with community goals and projects. We can continue planning for the future." The city of Ashland had been at the forefront of the effort to kill the bill, as a preliminary design for the lake showed the town covered in water. Residents created Web sites, organized informational meetings and, like Ziegenbein, eventually took a day off work or school to picket at the Capitol. "We came today because if this thing does go through, I don't think I could live with myself knowing that I didn't do anything about it," Chantelle Jackson said before the committee hearing. Jackson and her son, 5-year-old Zeke, a seventh-generation Ashland resident, carried signs that said "Please don't drown my town," and "We love Ashland say no to LB1121." Other demonstrators chanted "Ashland Power" and walked around the Capitol, eliciting honks and cheers from traffic and passers-by. The show of force made for an emotional Ashland mayor once the bill was killed. "I cannot tell you how happy I am to be the mayor of Ashland right now," Ronna Wiig said Monday night as she celebrated what she called an "Ashland victory." "Speaking up in front of the committee, I didn't know whether to cry or pee my pants, I was so nervous. The whole future of Ashland rested on this decision," she said. "Ashland's back in business." |
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