Good morning!
And we’re off!
Salem Reporter’s Town Hall on city races is a go, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31.
The participants are set.
All eight candidates for Salem City Council have agreed to join us. That includes challengers Manny Martinez, Betsy Vega, Chris Cummings and Dave Inbody. Also joining in are four incumbent councilors seeking another term – Linda Nishioka, Mai Vang, Deanna Gwyn and Micki Varney.
Of the two declared candidates for mayor, one has committed – Vanessa Nordyke, executive director of CASA of Marion County and a city councilor.
Only one person seeking your vote in city races in May won’t be at the Elsinore Theatre that night in March – Julie Hoy, the restaurant owner and incumbent mayor.
As I shared a few days ago, we sent identical invitations to all the candidates. We gave them two weeks to consider participating in this public forum – and asking to let us know if they needed more time. The deadline was Friday.
Hoy didn’t turn us down.
She simply didn’t acknowledge the invitation. In plain terms, she blew us off.
We’ll let you and others judge that behavior.
Meantime, start thinking of questions you’d like us to ask the one candidate for mayor who will be on stage with Salem Reporter’s crew. We’ll be quizzing Nordyke about her experience, her actions as a councilor and her intentions as mayor.
Send your questions to me at [email protected].
In local government news:
•City councilors on Monday approved a new social services fund with half the money suggested by the budget committee. The $200,000 will be used for vulnerable community members, including those impacted by ICE, and will be split among four local organizations. Councilors also voted to have the city study possible renter protections.
•The city saw a drop in crime in 2025, according to a new Salem police report. Reported violent and property crimes both fell. Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack attributed the drop to more proactive work to reduce violence through community partnerships.
•Mayor Julie Hoy said she was never asked to sign a letter Gov. Tina Kotek released in early February calling for a pause on federal immigration enforcement efforts. Kotek’s office wasn’t forthcoming when Salem Reporter asked them to explain how they contacted local mayors for the effort, so we’ve filed a public records request with them to learn more.
In Salem schools:
•High schoolers spoke out about the impact they’re seeing on classmates from immigration enforcement, with some seeing relatives detained. Students at West Salem High School staged a walkout over the issue.
•Two historic rural school buildings, now empty, and a large administrative office near downtown Salem could soon be up for sale. That comes as local schools are facing declining enrollment and looking to consoliadte buildings.
In community news:
•Salem’s resident bald eagles are preparing to welcome new eaglets. A city volunteer program lets you sign up to watch the nest.
•A local artist, Yanely Rivas Maldonado, is receiving a significant fellowship to take her printmaking work to new levels. She spoke with Salem Reporter about how art can aid social movements.
•The city blocked off a parking lot on the southeast portion of Bush’s Pasture Park to address people sleeping in cars and a large number of abandoned vehicles.
Finally:
Be sure you’re keeping an eye on Salem Reporter’s Instagram account – another way we deliver information the community needs. Check it out: Salem Reporter Instagram.
Have thoughts about our reporting? A story we should do? A person we should profile? Or do you have questions about how we do our work? You’re welcome to send me an email – I read every one of them.
Email: [email protected]
–Les Zaitz, editor and owner
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