Posted inOregon politics Third Bridge

Help stop HB 2974, a Third Bridge taxing scheme

A bill in the Oregon legislature seems like a backdoor way to get a Third Bridge built in Salem. At least, that's how I and quite a few others view HB 2974. HB 2974 is sponsored by Rep. Paul Evans, who I usually agree with. But after I read the following email message from a group opposed to the bill, I became convinced that HB 2974 is a bad idea.  One big reason: four people elected to a Special Bridge District, plus an ODOT representative, would get to increase the taxes of everybody in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Yamhill counties…
4
Posted inCarole Smith Downtown Homeless

Should lying on downtown sidewalks be banned between 8 am and 11pm?

Downtown Salem has a serious homeless problem. This is obvious to anyone who visits the area. I go to a Tai Chi class on Court Street three days a week around 4 to 7 pm. I'm bothered by the trash, people curled up in sleeping bags, shopping carts filled to overflowing with people's possessions. Last month I wrote "Seeing Salem's homeless sleeping outside stirred up these feelings." But I've got to be honest. I didn't share all of the feelings I had.  Along with feeling bad about the plight of the homeless, I also don't like what homeless people are…
5
Posted in2020 election Donald Trump

Four reasons why I’m feeling fine about the Mueller report

Sorry, Trump supporters. I realize you think the Mueller report finding no collusion with Russia justifies a victory lap, with images of disappointed Democrats dancing through your heads. Think again.  I'm a Democrat who is feeling pretty darn good right now. Here's four reasons why. (1) Impeachment is even less likely now. Democratic leaders in Congress haven't been pushing for impeachment of Trump. Nancy Pelosi has said that she is against starting impeachment proceedings unless there's a bipartisan consensus in favor of this. Which will never happen. I suspect that impeachment now is even less likely, since apparently there's no…
5
Posted in2019 election

Raul Marquez will add much needed diversity to the Salem-Keizer school board

Raul Marquez. David Salinas. Remember those names when you fill out your ballot for the May 21 Special District Election where three board members of the Salem-Keizer School District will be elected. Then, vote for Marquez and Salinas!  Last Saturday I got to hear Raul Marquez speak and answer questions at a house party hosted by Salem city councilor Tom Andersen and his wife, Jessica Maxwell.  David Salinas and Raul Marquez He's a really impressive young man. This photo of Salinas and Marquez was shared on Facebook by Councilor Andersen. Salinas couldn't make the house party due to a family emergency.…
4
Posted inCity of Salem Downtown Humor

Downtown Cherry Pits takes a satirical jab at Salem issues

I like satire. I admire humorous writing. And I appreciate efforts to improve downtown Salem. Downtown Cherry Pits is a funny satirical newsletter that hits on all three cylinders for me. The March 2019 issue has a great cover. There's a lot of good stuff in the other eight pages also. Check out the issue via this PDF file of a scan I made of it.Download Downtown Cherry Pits March 2019 Or if you're lucky, there will be some free copies left in a box hanging on the wall outside 363 Court Street NE in downtown Salem (next to Lullu's). Carole…
No Comments
Posted inCity of Salem Comprehensive Plan Smart growth

Let’s make Salem a “Strong Town” with wise development

Excellent news! A Strong Salem group has emerged on Facebook that seeks to do a heck of a lot more than just exist in cyberspace.  If you're on Facebook, join the group and get in on the ground floor of what promises to be a force for positive change in this town. For example, one of the first posts on Strong Salem talks about the Our Salem effort aimed at updating the Comprehensive Plan. A primary motivation for starting up this group is to keep a close eye on the the "Our Salem" project at the City, which is a multi-year…
2
Posted inOregon politics

Measles vaccine works. Anti-vaxxers are endangering children.

Let me start off by saying that I'm not out to demonize people who mistakenly believe that vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent. Those people simply are misinformed.  I'm pretty sure that most of those involved with the anti-vaccine movement are quite different from global warming deniers. The fossil fuel industry uses false information to keep money flowing into their coffers. Sure, pharmaceutical companies do make money from from vaccines, but vaccines are safe and effective. (Some do have side effects, such as the new shingles vaccine that my wife and I had brief bad reactions to,…
No Comments
Posted inThird Bridge

Letter writer gets so much wrong about the Third Bridge

Today's Sunday Statesman Journal has a caustic letter to the editor regarding the recent City Council decision to kill the Salem River Crossing/Third Bridge project on a 6-3 vote. I couldn't find the letter on the newspaper's web site, so wasn't able to leave a comment telling Rose Treasure how much I disagreed with what she said -- which was full of falsehoods.  So to set the record straight from my perspective, and blow off some irritated steam, here's my responses (in red) to Rose's letter, complete with links to actual facts.  West Salem is on the short end of…
1