Category City Hall
CITY MEETING: Councilors approve $1.5 million from infrastructure bond for civic center electrical upgrades
Salem City Councilors voted unanimously to approve $1.5 million to upgrade the electrical system in the Salem Civic Center. The upgrades will be paid for using unassigned resources from the $300 million Salem Safety and Livability Bond approved by voters in 2022.
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CITY MEETING: Councilors to consider $1.5 million from infrastructure bond for civic center electrical upgrades
Salem City Councilors will vote on whether to approve $1.5 million to upgrade the electrical system in the Salem Civic Center. The upgrades would be paid for using unassigned resources from the $300 million Salem Safety and Livability Bond approved by voters in 2022. They’ll also hear an update on the new social services fund for supporting vulnerable community members.
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At 7, she helped save Salem’s library. She’s just getting started
Salem third-grader Zoey Harper’s public speaking skills were instrumental to the effort to pass a tax measure that prevented deep library cuts in 2025. Now, she’s hosted a candidate forum and posed questions to elected officials. She has no plans of slowing down.
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CITY MEETING: Council moves forward on downtown ambassador program
Salem city councilors voted to consider an ambassador program for downtown to help address homelessness during the council meeting on Monday, April 27.
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VOTE 2026: Councilor Vanessa Nordyke says she has the people on her side in mayoral bid
Vanessa Nordyke says she will be a more transparent and ethical mayor than incumbent Julie Hoy. Her supporters view her as a hardworking champion positioned to fight for the common good, while detractors say she’s too progressive for Salem.
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VOTE 2026: In her reelection bid, Mayor Julie Hoy ducks the spotlight
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy is asking Salem voters for another two years in the city council’s top position as she fends off a challenge from Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke in the May 19 election. She didn’t agree to an interview but has said in speeches that she brings steady fiscal leadership and a focus on core services.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 4
Councilor Deanna Gwyn, a real estate broker, is running for reelection to the Salem City Council after winning her first term in 2022. Challenging her is state health director Dave Inbody.
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Hoy, Nordyke usually vote together. Here’s where they’ve been at odds on the Salem council.
Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilor Vanessa Nordyke are in the midst of a contentious mayoral race after three years together on the Salem City Council. Salem Reporter reviewed three years of city council and budget committee meeting records to see where the contenders for mayor have stood apart.
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VOTE 2026: Meet your candidates for Salem City Council Ward 2
Council President Linda Nishioka, a retired department director at Willamette Ear, Nose and Throat, is seeking a second term representing south central Salem. Her challenger is Manny Martinez, a political newcomer and small business owner.
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