Your Wednesday evening update on Salem news
Good evening, Salem!
Your team at the Salem Reporter continues to press Salem city officials for documents and information related to the unexplained departure earlier this year of Steve Bellshaw, a deputy police chief in the Salem Police Department.
City officials on Tuesday said they would need even more time to consider those requests, which includes any record that Bellshaw was put on paid administrative leave before his retirement. That request has been pending at City Hall since Aug. 11.
Salem residents have continued to speak up themselves about the need for transparency over this matter. Emails continue flowing to Kristin Retherford, interim city manager. Readers have copied us on those and here is a small sampling of the recent messages sent to City Hall:
•”I am a reliable supporter of our police department. It does them no good to be mixed up in this kind of scandal. I will be in touch with my elected officials to demand an inquiry into this whole mess.”
•”It is tax dollars that went to pay Sgt. Bellshaw, paid by the citizens of Salem and the citizens want to know why Sgt. Bellshaw was gifted such a nifty sum? Why is that such a difficult question?”
•”The fact is, the Salem Police Department and the City of Salem are digging a rather large hole for themselves. I’ve seen it happen countless times, and I promise the deeper you dig, the greater the rescue effort.”
•”I beseech you, Interim City Manager Kristin Retherford, and City of Salem to allay suspicions of coverup and communicate openly, honestly, and transparently, regarding Steven Bellshaw. It is of vital importance to instill public trust and confidence in government at all levels, specifically herein at local city level.”
You too can reach the city manager with an email to [email protected].
Meantime, other news of the day from your team at Salem Reporter. Catch all the news anytime on our website.
salemreporter.com
Enrollment in the Salem-Keizer School District is up slightly over last year, and the district has fewer open positions and a larger substitute pool.
7 Sep 2022
salemreporter.com
Enrollment in the Salem-Keizer School District is up slightly over last year, and the district has fewer open positions and a larger substitute pool.
7 Sep 2022
salemreporter.com
The Senate District 10 race, which includes much of Salem, is among the most competitive legislative races on the ballot this November.
7 Sep 2022
salemreporter.com
The Senate District 10 race, which includes much of Salem, is among the most competitive legislative races on the ballot this November.
7 Sep 2022
salemreporter.com
Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian dives into a recent Salem murder case, plus the latest in the city’s micro shelter plans.
7 Sep 2022
salemreporter.com
Reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian dives into a recent Salem murder case, plus the latest in the city’s micro shelter plans.
7 Sep 2022
Salem Reporter needs you – contribute
Besides subscribing, another terrific and meaningful way to support the work of Salem Reporter is contributing. No matter the amount, such one-time contributions strengthen our operation and allow us to do the kind of watchdog reporting you don’t see much of these days. We put every dollar we can into gathering the news. We can and want to do more. YOU can be part of making that happen. Please DONATE.
–Les Zaitz, editor and CEO
We have a help page
Salem Reporter has added a new page with helpful information about managing your subscription. This answers the most common questions our crew gets and now you can get the answers immediately and at your convenience. Take a look at our Subscription Policies and Help page.
Reach us:
Contact your team at Salem Reporter
Email: [email protected]