November 11, 2011 - Keizertimes

Celts make big showing in all-league honors

Posted by Admin | Nov 11, 2011 | McNary, Sports |

They might have struggled in the win/loss columns, but a throng of Celts caught the attention of opposing coaches and were named to the Central Valley All-Conference honor rolls last week. Top honors went to receiver Garren Robinett who was named to first team all-conference. Kelly Cowan at offensive tackle, Mason Ross at offensive guard, and Tyler Brown on the defensive line were named to second team all-conference. Honorable mentions included Anthony Flores at offensive tackle; Joel Hunter at offensive guard; Todd Hatley at center; Austin Hejny at tight end; Justin Gardner at receiver; D.J. Harryman and Justin Burgess at quarterback; Cody Bond at running back; Gonzolo Cervantes at kicker; Ross, Bruce Isabel and Jordan Zielinski at defensive line; Perry Groves at linebacker; Robinett and Corey White at corner; Hejny and Harryman at safety; and Burgess at punter. Honors are determined by the CVC head coach votes for each...

Netters’ season ends in defeat by Warriors

Posted by Eric Howald | Nov 11, 2011 | McNary, Sports |

By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes In its final game of the season, a playoff play-in game with Aloha High School, the McNary High School varsity volleyball team was haunted by one of the same problems that surfaced regularly throughout the season: a weak first match. “We started out pretty weak. The second game was a little better and the third games was a little better still. We never played to our best,” said Averi Wing, a Celtic senior. “They were good, but they were beatable.” The Warriors swept the Celts in three games 25-11, 25-19, and 25-21. Wing said the takeaway from the match was the necessity of each team member wanting the win. The Lady Celts finished the season with an overall record of 10-12 and a league record of 4-6. Wing said the best moment for her was the Celts’ second match with South Salem High School. “Coming back beating them after they beat us the first time through was really fun,” she...

What does ‘no’ mean?

Posted by Lyndon Zaitz | Nov 11, 2011 | Editorials, Opinions |

Now that Measure 24-324 has failed at the polls it is time for all parties concerned to take stock of where they are and where they go from here. Measure 24-324 would have added a $4.86 per month on every Keizer dwelling. and building. The city of Keizer would have received 64 percent of the $800,000 plus the fee would have raised annually. The other 36 percent would have been received by the two fire districts that cover the city. Supporters of the measure argued that the money was needed due to the hole the city’s 9-1-1 obligation blows in the city’s budget each year. The 9-1-1 bill requires the city to use more than $260,00 out of the general fund. Opponents say that the proposed fee would be levied at the worst possible time, with the economy still stalled. The supporters of the measure might have been successful if they did not cloak their campaign in a “save 911” message. The measure was never about the viability of the communications system. The measure was about replacing the general fund monies that were paying for 9-1-1. The budgetary problem remains the same with the defeat of Measure 24-324. The city’s budget, which must be balanced, will still take a hit. City residents pay a 9-1-1 tax on their phones, both land lines and cellphones. The tax goes to the...

Dignity over fear in dying

Posted by Admin | Nov 11, 2011 | Columns, Opinions |

By KEITH SECKEL, RN As a nurse at Willamette Valley Hospice, I often hear patients and families say, “I wish we’d known about hospice sooner” and “We could not have done this without you.” Despite the many benefits of utilizing hospice care in the last six months of life, many patients only use hospice services for a short time. In fact, half of the patients we serve come to us in the last 18 days of their life or less – some only hours before their death. The sooner someone receives hospice care, the sooner a patient and their family can benefit from the expert services at their side. A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management even found that in certain illnesses, like congestive heart failure and some cancers, people that chose hospice care lived longer than those who did not. The hospice philosophy empowers patients and their families to live the final phase of life as they wish. Care encompasses far more than just the physical aspects of a person’s illness and is provided by a team of professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, spiritual counselors, and others. However, the most important members of the team are the patient and their family. Our focus is to optimize the patient’s comfort and help them maximize their quality of life. One of the...

Friends supporting Roland

Posted by Admin | Nov 11, 2011 | Letters, Opinions |

To the Editor: I have been a Keizer resident since I was a small girl. Take away the time at college, and the remainder of my years have been living in the fine city of Keizer. We have the distinction of being proud of our community and it’s volunteers which is what makes Keizer, Keizer. I was saddened and confused when I heard of the firing of one of Keizer’s finest. Roland Herrera who has worked in the public works water department for 19 years was fired. After reading of the allegations and what the reasons for termination were, I’m even more confused. These offenses appear to be ones that should have been handled with warnings, or other disciplinary actions. Termination seems too extreme. Roland has always been an incredible asset to Keizer. You could find him on the weekends at McNary high, or during the week bridging the gap between groups. During the floods in the 90’s Roland went above and beyond the call of duty helping us with the rescue of our dog. He truly represents what Keizer “should” be about, and what I thought Keizer was about. I’m hoping that the city leaders will reconsider this termination and right the wrong that was done in his firing. We need more people with Roland’s spirit. Mary Gene Atwood...