What’s next?
Now that the two measures on Tuesday’s special election ballot regarding Keizer Fire’s annexation of Clear Lake have been decisively defeated, it is time to move on. But, what’s next? First, all three public bodies involved in this issue need to let it be, mend fences and repair the damage wrought by the campaign. The city of Keizer needs to repair fences with the Marion County Fire District including its management and fire fighters. Mayor Lore Christopher is on record saying she did not trust the management of Marion County Fire. We understand her statements were political, she was watching out for her city. Keizer has no bigger cheerleader than its mayor, but to publicly disparage another public body and call into question their validity and credibility does neither her nor the city of Keizer any favors. In these times where every Oregon governmental jurisdiction is struggling with decreasing revenues and increasing expenses, they all need to work together. We don’t want to shut the city borders to outside fire districts; city residents need to depend on the mutual aid of surrounding emergency services. The Keizer Fire District will need to turn inward and devise a plan to grapple with its own financial situation. Keizer Fire needed the tax revenues of the Clear Lake area to maintain and expand its services. That path now is blocked, and the district’s...
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