Good morning………
Salem voters soon will decide which vision of their city to support.
Some enthusiastically back a tax levy put on the May ballot by the Salem City Council. Extra money would sustain what the community now gets from the city’s library, senior center and parks operations.
Others are equally determined to see city government cut spending. They prefer that to seeing their tax bills go up.
To help voters sort the facts, Salem Reporter is hosting a public Town Hall. We’ve done these events in the past, acting as neutral hosts for vital community conversations.
Let me underscore the word “neutral.”
Salem Reporter doesn’t take positions on political issues. We don’t endorse or oppose ballot measures – or candidates.
Our duty is to provide reporting the most complete and accurate information we can assemble. We’ll be giving you plenty as the election draws near.
The Town Hall is one more way for you and others to get information.
We have assembled a panel to tell you the issues. Then, our team will question those panelists. If you follow our reporting, you know these reporters don’t shy from tough questions.
Finally, we’ll present questions submitted by the readers like you and those in the audience.
You can start submitting them now by email to me ([email protected]).
You can get details on the April 15 program in our story announcing the Town Hall. (TICKETS: Free online)
To be clear, the organization of the Town Hall is entirely the responsibility of Salem Reporter. We are not acting on behalf of any organization or interest.
Now, to the news of the week around Salem.
The turmoil in Washington, D.C., continues to have impacts here in Salem and Oregon.
The impact is becoming more evident in the recently-passed federal budget provision passed by Congress.
The CASA program, which provides vital help to children in foster care, is seeing its budget cut. Reporter Joe Siess explains what that means for some of Salem’s most vulnerable kids.
And Salem’s congresswoman put the spotlight on other impacts of changes in federal spending, giving a platform for local farmers to speak up. Our colleagues at Oregon Capital Chronicle have the story.
Meantime high school students from the local Career Technical Education Center continue to excel in the kitchen. Reporter Alan Cohen has the story and photos of the team’s winning work at a recent cooking competition.
“The CTEC team’s starter was a cut of rockfish atop an apple frittella — an Italian fried doughnut — drizzled with lemon oil, zesty lemon breadcrumbs, black olive spread and fresh fennel fronds,” he reports.
The CTEC team won the management competition for the second year in a row.
In city government reporting:
•The city has released its plans to develop Fairview Park in south Salem, as detailed by reporter Madeleine Moore.
•Half of renters in Salem are spending more than 30% of their income just for housing, a new city report says. Reporter Abbey McDonald has the story on steps the city has in mind for more affordable homes.
In public safety reporting:
•The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is behind schedule with its analysis of violence in areas just outside Salem city limits. Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian has the story.
•The rush hour commute into Salem on the north end was disrupted by a significant police action. Two men were arrested and several guns seized.
•Hoping to clear one backlog of criminal prosecutions, Marion County judges are taking a more active role to see that defendants get attorneys.
In community reporting:
•Dolly Olson of Salem is honored for decades of helping with scouting in the area. She explains to why she is so dedicated.
•A new program gives you a chance to learn science on a local level, starting with a session on Salem’s white oaks.
•The newest steed to join the local carousel herd has braces. There’s a reason for that, as Abbey McDonald reports.
Finally, impact reporting:
Reporter Abbey McDonald was contacted by frustrated residents at a Salem apartment complex. They couldn’t get hot water – for months. Abbey’s calls to learn what was happening triggered action by officials to fix the long-standing problem.
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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