Your Tuesday evening update on Salem news
Good evening, Salem……
For some of you, transparency by government officials in Salem is important.
That’s clear from the sampling of messages people have been sending city officials regarding their insistence that public records ought not be public when it comes to a top city official. Here are excerpts of a few emails that have gone to city officials:
•“I would argue that the city’s deputy police chief entering a separation agreement and taking a payoff to leave city employment – specifically the reasons behind this – are clearly of public interest, given the police’s broad scope of authority and reach into the lives of every resident.”
•“Just because Belshaw is no longer an employee doesn’t mean that what happened is not relevant to today. In fact, it is even more relevant so that the city ensures that a similar situation doesn’t happen again.”
•”It is concerning that someone who is under investigation would get a substantial amount of money as they chose to retire from the organization. Without knowing the full details (which I would like published to the public) it seems that corruption might be at hand.”
•“We don’t trust the City, SPD or DA. Indeed, those organizations don’t seem to trust us citizens with any explanation or explanation of why they cannot provide an explanation.”
•“It serves little useful purpose for the future of democracy for the PD to stonewall disclosure and the DA to invite legal action instead of revealing the truth. Please let more light on this subject and give voters a reason to feel hopeful about democracy and the rule of law.”
•“I would like to have faith in the Salem city government but the reluctance to disclose the information properly requested by the staff at Salem Reporter provides sufficient reason to doubt those involved…top to bottom.”
•“I as a taxpaying citizen with voting rights am very disturbed by this type of hide-and-seek game going on here and will continue to follow the Salem Reporter articles as they come out and fully support the Salem Reporter in the pursuit of full disclosure by the city in this matter. We are paying attention!!”
•“Refusing to release records of questionable expenditures of taxpayer money contributes to the feeling of government mistrust, the last thing I would think any government agency would want.”
Our news team appreciates the other encouraging notes we have received. This is what local journalism is truly about – holding those in power accountable for how they use that power. If you’re not sure what this is about, see the link below to the Editor’s Column. That also shows how you too can message city officials if you have thoughts about the matter.
Meantime, here is some of the local news from your team at Salem Reporter. Remember, you can see all of our stories anytime you want on our website.
salemreporter.com
Volunteers painted a colorful street mural at the intersection of Northeast Columbia and Hazel streets over the weekend.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
Volunteers painted a colorful street mural at the intersection of Northeast Columbia and Hazel streets over the weekend.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
Commissioners on Wednesday will consider state funds to provide services for people facing criminal charges found unable to aid and assist in their own defense.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
Commissioners on Wednesday will consider state funds to provide services for people facing criminal charges found unable to aid and assist in their own defense.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
As the state fair runs this week, Willamette Heritage Center curator Kylie Pine dug up archival photos of one of the fair’s main food attractions in the 1950s.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
As the state fair runs this week, Willamette Heritage Center curator Kylie Pine dug up archival photos of one of the fair’s main food attractions in the 1950s.
30 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
EDITOR’S COLUMN: Salem Reporter has spent weeks seeking to answers for the public as to why a top police official was able to retire with an unearned $53,500. But Marion…
29 Aug 2022
salemreporter.com
EDITOR’S COLUMN: Salem Reporter has spent weeks seeking to answers for the public as to why a top police official was able to retire with an unearned $53,500. But Marion…
29 Aug 2022
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