In 2010, Oregon voters approved a Constitutional amendment allowing annual legislative sessions. Until 2012 the state legislature met in odd-numbered years. The 2010 measure was touted as tool for the legislature to address budget issues (this was during the height…
It was an evening of cheers. It was an evening of tears. It was last Saturday evening as the Keizer Chamber Chamber of Commerce bestowed its annual First Citizen Award and other honors at a banquet at the Keizer Civic…
At a work session this week, the Keizer city councilors received grim news from City Manager Chris Eppley and Tim Wood, the city’s finance director: there is no money now or in the forseeable future to add desired positions. Revenues…
Is our current homeless crisis a political problem? A spiritual issue? No, it is a humanity issue. There are many different reasons someone becomes homeless. There is homeless and there is shelterless. Homeless may mean that someone does not live…
Fasten you seatbelts, 2020 could prove to be a bumpy time on all fronts. No one should expect a wave of civility to wash over the country anytime in the next 12 months. Not one vote has been taken in…
Whew! We made it through 2019. We all have about a week of respite to sit back, relax, reflect and rest until we’re hit in the face with all that 2020 will offer: the impeachment trial of President Trump in…
During the holidays organizations in the area kick into high gear with their food basket delivery programs to households in need. That includes the Keizer Chamber of Commerce’s Keizer Network of Women (KNOW), the Keizer Elks Club and Marion County…
Keizer is a rent burdened city. Well, what city isn’t? According to the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services, Keizer is a rent burdened city. Fifty-four percent of renters in Keizer spend more than a third of their monthly income on…
Runners take off from the starting line. The Keizer Chamber of Commerce annual Turkey Dash drew a throng of runners out for a 5K on a brisk Thanksgiving Day morning, Nov. 28. Amy Ryan Courser and Bob Shackelford with the…
The day after Black Friday is Small Business Saturday. Some may consider it a frivolous event, but that is not true for the many small brick and mortar retailers, not just in Keizer but across the nation. Small Business Saturday…