Good morning…..
Salem faces another tax debate, this time over mass transit services.
Cherriots – the Salem Area Mass Transit District – is considering a new payroll tax on employers in Salem and Keizer.
That’s not sitting well with the business community. As our Madeleine Moore reported, a gathering organized by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce was not friendly territory for transit officials.
Business executives bemoaned another drain on their operations if the tax goes into play.
As Salem Reporter ahead of the meeting, transit officials say the tax, not yet approved, would raise $39 million.
The transit district runs off a budget now of $155 million a year. Riders in the last year paid about $2.2 million in fares on 3.3 million rides. (That ridership is down from the peak the district count of 5.5 million rides in 2004).
Our team will be reporting more in-depth on this issue in the coming weeks. We’ll explain the district’s money situation, what’s happening with ridership, and why officials concluded they need more tax money to keep Cherriots running.
I invite your questions or suggestions. Send me an email at [email protected] and we’ll consider your thoughts as we frame our reporting.
Meantime, our team covered several public safety stories in recent days:
•A 17-year-old died in a crash while driving alone in the hills of West Salem. Police hadn’t announced the accident, and the boy’s mother talked exclusively to reporter Abbey McDonald.
•A dramatic house fire late at night last week left a man injured. More than 40 firefighters responded to the blaze.
•Yet another prosecution for drug trafficking ensnared a Salem man. As we reported, “The investigation started last month when federal authorities learned of a fatal fentanyl overdose in Portland in early June, a federal affidavit shows.”
•Polk County deputies are off the river and Marion County is now handling more river patrols. Here’s why.
The team also profiled interesting people around Salem in recent days:
•Mirandah Davis-Powell produced a delightful story about a retired dentist raising money for parks by playing his guitar in public. “I think parks are important and they’re free, and something that enhances your property values — it’s a good investment,” he explained.
•Hailey Cook introduces you to “Bison,” a long-haul trucker who started a new business in town that warranted an annual award from business leaders.
•A Salem man performed with the Oregon Symphony for 41 years. He is retiring after countless concerts.
And a few other noteworthy stories from recent days:
•The ethics scare that had Salem city councilors skipping some public meetings appears to be over, as Joe Siess reports.
•Not giving up, Travel Salem is already in talks with another airline to land at McNary Field.
•The annual shuffling of principals is settled at the Salem-Keizer School District. Rachel Alexander reports on which schools get new principals.
•Photographer Laura Tesler captured the action at this year’s Hoopla, which draws thousands downtown for hours of basketball on the streets.
*Don’t forget to check our Events Calendar to find a complete list of things to do in the mid valley area.
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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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