Good morning………
When the Legislature is in town, so are activists – out in front of the Capitol.
The people gather, hoping to get the attention of the state’s 90 legislators for their cause. They also hope the press will be there as a bit of a megaphone for their message.
These events take several forms. They can be an organized march. They can be sign-waving demonstrations or protests. They can be tent-covered events with goodies intended to lure legislators out for a chat.
At Salem Reporter, we watch out for these events but can’t cover them all. We’d need a full-time events reporter.
That doesn’t mean we’re not interested in the topics. Or that we’re making some silent political statement by our presence – or absence.
Simply put, we cover what we think is news for the people of Salem. That means, usually, large events that affect traffic in town. That means, sometimes, events devised by Salem people for a Salem issue.
Every legislative session produces these events. We invite organizations to give us fair notice of an event – and to provide us contacts. Sometimes, fliers announcing an event that circulate on the internet lack such information. Depending on circumstances, we alert the community through our newsletters or reporting. (Have an event? Send details to [email protected].)
Now, let’s turn to some of the news around Salem in recent days.
Reporter Joe Siess had two stories about the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport. In one, he shares the concerns that local pilots have with a new fee process. They are especially troubled about the city’s use of an out-of-state company.
And a city advisory committee is questioning whether the Salem City Council had good information before deciding to stop use of a runway. “It’s concerning to me that while general aviation makes up a large number of operations at the airport the consultants are throwing general aviation safety into the inconsequential pile,” one person said.
In other city reporting:
•Fences are going up to stop homeless camping under Interstate 5 at Market Street.
•The city is paying $850,000 to settle a lawsuit over the police shooting death of a Salem man in 2021, according to a story by reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian.
•More painted murals are going up in the Northgate neighborhood, just one news item in our monthly roundup of neighborhood association news.
In reporting about Salem people:
•The superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District got good marks from school board members – and a revised contract, according to the story from Managing Editor Rachel Alexander.
•Justin Kidd brings a blend of skills and approaches to his work as justice of the peace. “He has done so by holding court proceedings in Spanish, crafting solutions unique to the person standing in front of him and officiating holiday-themed weddings,” according to this profile by Ardeshir Tabrizian.
•Reporter Alan Cohen tells about the Salem nonprofit “that works to keep the Spanish language alive and embrace linguistic diversity as an integral part of Oregonian culture.”
In reporting on state matters from Oregon Capital Chronicle:
•The Oregon Court of Appeals decides that certain voter-approved gun restrictions are constitutional.
•A questionable state audit on the marijuana industry has been pulled by Secretary of State Tobias Read.
•Legislators are taking aim at plastic utensils and hotel toiletries.
Don’t overlook the calendar:
Just a reminder that Salem Reporter now gives you an easy-to-use calendar to find local events all in one place. Give it a look and find something to do.
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 co-founder
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