Good morning………
Salem is getting safer.
Or so the latest numbers indicate.
A new city report shows that violent crime dropped in recent months.
Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian explains how the Salem Police Department’s change in tactics may be a factor.
“The boosted summer patrols are part of what authorities are calling the Community Violence Reduction Initiative, intended to grow into a collective effort with community organizations and service providers to curb deadly violence in Salem,” he wrote in his exclusive story.
That came out at the same time consultants issued their own report about what the city should do next on the violence front.
The steps outlined could have a real impact.
“This could mean fewer lives lost and a safer environment for young people vulnerable to gang violence,” the report said. “Parents will feel safer letting their children play outside, and businesses can thrive without the shadow of violence looming over them.”
Meantime, Salem’s budget committee has advice of its own for city leaders. Reporter Joe Siess notes how the blend of city councilors and volunteers outlined priorities for city services. And keeping them may take a vote on new taxes.
“I don’t think we can have a decent city that’s just police and firemen. We have to have community services to make this a livable place,” one volunteer said at the recent meeting.
For the first time since 2016, the Salem City Council voted to censure two of its own. As Joe Siess reports, this was a continuation of a controversy about whether two councilors acted properly in voting on a land use matter. (The matter involved Larry Tokarski, a Salem developer and an owner of Salem Reporter.)
And Monday’s the big day – you will find out the name for the city’s new street sweeper. Finalists have been picked among nominations from the community.
Neighborhood associations around Salem have been busy, and Managing Editor Rachel Alexander has our monthly roundup of their reports.
At the county, Clerk Bill Burgess is working through ballots to settle two very close races. Attention, especially among the political class, is focused on the race between Tracy Cramer, a Republican seeking reelection as state representative and her Democratic challenger Lesly Muñoz. Cramer had been leading since Nov. 5, but results flipped in recent days. The race is yet another example of how every voter matters. We’ll be updating results as new numbers come in.
In other county news, reporter Madeleine Moore examines the huge backlog in work for roads in Marion and Polk counties.
“Marion County needs over $143 million annually for transportation maintenance. Polk County’s need was estimated to be $101 million, largely to address much needed bridge repairs,” she reports.
One of our most popular stories in recent days was Abbey McDonald’s account of veterans who have found a home at Courtney Place. The veterans described life at the new downtown complex.
Photographer Ron Cooper found other veterans at Salem’s Veterans Day event at the Capitol. He put together a photo gallery from the event.
Another popular story was Madeleine Moore’s engaging profile of Tim Murphy, retiring as CEO of Bridgeway Community Health. “I had a mantra that, going to treatment, I want to make it as normal as going to the dentist,” Murphy said.
Another local organization is undergoing a leadership change. Elaine Lozier announced her resignation as executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance.
The renaissance downtown continues, this time with the former Cooke Stationery building being transformed. Rachel Alexander took a tour and talked with the developer.
Finally, we offer an Editor’s Note regarding the election of Donald Trump to a new term as president. Salem Reporter will leave the national reporting to others, but Rachel Alexander explains how we’ll be watchful for changes that will affect lives here in Salem. We’re open to your suggestions, as Rachel explains.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
Jay Alaniz is known as “the plant lady” in the Courtney Place Apartments. (Abbey McDonald/ Salem Reporter)
I’m always delighted to hear from readers. Send me your ideas, your questions, even your concerns or complaints. My direct email: [email protected].
Let’s go have a great week and do something helpful for the community.
– Les Zaitz, co-founder and editor, Salem Reporter
PS: Attention, Salem retailers…
We’re looking to once again provide a unique Gift Guide. As we did last year, we’ll focus exclusively on what’s available from Salem retailers. Here’s how you can get your business involved.
Salem Reporter is inviting locally-owned shops with interesting gifts for the holiday to help us spread the “shop local” spirit in Salem.
Here’s how our 2023 effort turned out: Shopping in Salem – where to go for unique local gifts this season
We will publish a guide to local retailers on Friday, Nov. 29. There is no cost for participation, but here’s what we need from your business:
1. Name, address, hours, phone, website
2. One gift item described + price – 3 sentences or so.
3. If possible, a photo of the gift.
4. Item should be in stock at your store
5. Gift certificates – do you offer them?
To have your item included, send an email to [email protected] by noon Monday, Nov. 25.
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