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May 17, 2011 Vote:
May 17, 2011 is when Damascans will vote on a referendum. The referendum, 3-375, sponsored by Ask Damascus asks voters to vote on the ordinance passed by the Damascus City Council which adopted the comprehensive plan that was developed by Damascans and which was built around the eight Core Values created by Damascans.

The comprehensive plan, created by Damascans, is the broad vision the City will use to plan the city’s future. Voting "YES" on 3-375 approves the ordinance 2010-45 the Damascus City Council passed on December 14, 2010. A "YES" vote on 3-375 tells City Hall to move forward using the plan balanced among the eight Core Values. A "No" vote means an additional expense to tax payers due to more meetings and hearings. After 6 years of public input it is time for Damascus to move forward!

• Saying "YES" to 3-375 tells City Hall ordinance 2010-45 as passed by the City Council is fine.
• Saying "YES" to 3-375 tells City Hall to move forward using the plan created by Damascans using the plan balanced among the eight Core Values.
• Saying "YES" to 3-375 approves Ordinance 2010-45 already adopted by the City and has been delivered to the State according to Oregon state law.
• Saying "YES" to 3-375 moves the planning process forward!
• Saying "YES" to 3-375 saves taxpayer money.

According the Dan O’Dell (then Damascus’ Interim City Manager and Finance Director, now Damascus City Manager) in the April, 2011 City Newsletter titled, "City Residents to Vote on Comprehensive Plan":

"A citizen initiated referendum will provide the opportunity for Damascus residents to vote on the approval of the ordinance that adopted the Damascus Comprehensive Plan. The election date will be May 17, 2011. Below is the Ballot Title Caption, the Question and a Summary of Measure 3-375. Information similar to that below will appear in the voters’ pamphlet:

MEASURE 3-375
CITY OF DAMASCUS

BALLOT TITLE CAPTION:
Approval of Ordinance 2010-45 Adopting Comprehensive Plan.

QUESTION:
Shall the voters approve Damascus’s Ordinance 2010-45 adopting a comprehensive plan and maps?

Summary :
This measure, if passed, would approve Ordinance 2010-45 (the "Ordinance"). The Ordinance adopted the Damascus Comprehensive Plan and Maps (collectively, "Comprehensive Plan"). The Ordinance was passed by the City Council on December 14, 2010 after public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the Council. Both the Planning Commission and City Council heard public testimony at the public hearings on the Ordinance. The public hearings on the Ordinance extended over a total of 16 public meetings.

The Ordinance was enacted pursuant to ORS Chapter 197 to comply with state land use laws and the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission’s ("LCDC") Statewide Planning Goals. In Oregon a comprehensive plan sets the land use policies for a local government and all implementing regulations, such as a zoning and development code, must be consistent with the comprehensive plan. The Damascus Comprehensive Plan has been submitted to LCDC to begin the acknowledgment process in which LCDC will determine if the Comprehensive Plan is consistent with the statewide planning goals.

If this measure is passed, the Ordinance would be approved and the city would continue the acknowledgment process with LCDC.

If the measure is not passed, the Ordinance would be rejected and of no further force and effect and it would be as if the city never adopted the Comprehensive Plan.

A "yes" vote will be a vote to approve the Ordinance. A "no" vote will be a vote to reject the Ordinance.

Copies of the Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan may be obtained from the city, or viewed on the city’s website at http://ci.damascus.or.us/References/Misc/Ordinance 2010-45.pdf."

Here is what some of your neighbors are saying about measure 3-375:

Your friends, neighbors, and businesses strongly urge you to vote YES on measure 3-375:

As you can see by the money being spent by the special interest groups, we're fighting an uphill battle. Donations to SaveDamascus.org are gladly and cheerfully accepted. Please see the AboutUs page for donation information.

For more information or to ask any questions, please send an email to info@SaveDamascus.org.