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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2015)
PAGE 8, KEIZERTIMES, JANUARY 2, 2015 S he was a mother of two and frustrated about the state of her city’s parks for her children to play in. Lore Christopher looked around and saw no one doing what she thought should be done for Keizer and its families. She was involved with Keizer Little League and spent almost 10 years on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board — parks began her political career but it ends with much more. She’ll be the one fi rst one to say she didn’t do anything—she was one of seven ‘folks’ helping out. She may have been one of seven votes, but her style and her determination aided her in forming coalitions, if not downright unanimous votes. Lore Christopher always had Keizer and its residents’ best interest at heart. Her votes over the years refl ect that philosophy. She sought consensus when she could and barreled ahead when she could not. A dynamo, Christopher put her energy and passion into all things Keizer which meant fostering close relations with offi cials from Salem and Marion County among others in the region. If one of those other governments wanted to do something not in Keizer’s favor she was the fi rst to put her ‘stop’ hand up. Though she called herself just a neighbor and a ‘folk,’ Lore Christopher grew into one of the most astute politicians in the Willamette Valley. She easily dispatched with ease two opponents who fi gured she was an easy electoral target. She had been approached many times to seek higher offi ce. She never had aspirations for any other offi ce. As the Lore Christopher Era ends she can sit back and say “It’s good.” Christopher The Era Article By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes Lore Christopher had a bit of a philosophical shift during her 14 years as Keizer’s mayor. When Christopher took over in 2001 after two years on the Keizer City Council, she was bound and determined to shake things up and speed the wheels of way and it ended this way (instead). I thought I was government along. “I had a real shift,” going to be a change agent.” Part of that was the Christopher said recently as realization the mayor is she prepares to hand over Regarding the installation her title to veteran councilor simply one voice in a group. of new city councilors. “You sit in a chair. You’re Cathy Clark at the Jan. 5 January 7, 2005 not accomplishing that stuff,” council meeting. “I was Christopher said. “Everyone going to kick butt and take names. But I came to respect else is doing the heavy lifting. the founding fathers and You are not acting alone. It their approach. There is so takes six other councilors, it much public process. You put takes a myriad of volunteers. been exceedingly money in the pot together I’ve and decide how to spend the blessed to be surrounded by such talented people. Our money.” For example, at the start little city has been able to Regarding efforts to of her reign – Christopher accomplish more than larger expand urban growth was Keizer’s fi rst female cities due to the community boundaries and bring spirit.” mayor and served the longest more industry to Keizer. The outgoing mayor tenure to date – a drawn-out June 10, 2011 process like the one resulting pointed to the Big Toy in Keizer Station would have project as an example. “We are absolutely been unfathomable. going to build the Big Toy,” “It was painful to go through the Keizer Station Christopher said. “When has process for eight years,” Keizer not built something we said we would? We always Christopher said. “But look at how highly successful that has been. When the Remarks at Chamber economy took a awards banquet. down turn and January 25, 2003 folded up, we didn’t. Two stores left, but they left all their locations. It comes down to the time it took to tions. plan that all out.” “I have no idea,” L o r e she said. “I don’t Chr istopher, mean to sound fl ip change agent? Not when I say this, so much. but that’s not really “When I fi rst important to me. I At city council meeting responding got involved, don’t need to have to testimony about building fl ush I thought bathrooms at some city parks. the Christopher everything takes so March 5, 2012 something. long,” she recalled. When I drive “I thought that down Chemawa wouldn’t happen Road and see the with me. I’ve really come community center, I know to understand it. The longer we built it. When I go to you take, the more debate, Keizer Station, I can buy the more painful, the better socks and underwear. Every the decision it is. There’s less summer when I’m down (at animosity or naysayers that Keizer Rapids Park), I’m so come to the table because proud of that. That’s all mine they’ve had the chance to and that’s all yours. We all did be heard. It takes a long it together.” time to get things through Christopher said the team government. That was the execute.” concept she sees at the city Another example came way it was designed. You level has seeped into all when Christopher was asked answer every question, then move forward. I can’t believe what – if anything – in Keiz- aspects of her life. “I guess what I’ve learned how many times I thought er should bear her name as is politics is a team sport,” she a reminder of her contribu- (something) would start this Introduction By LYNDON A. ZAITZ Of the Keizertimes “You don’t have politicians up here. What you have are neighbors helping neighbors.” Salem “either joins us as partners…or we divorce them.” “I’m feeling decadent tonight. I’ve got bad hair and no underwear.” “ We’re kind of a Honey Pot kind of community” — Lore Christopher Lore Christopher | Keizer Mayor 2001–2015 said. “You don’t do anything individually. For example, when we built our cabin in Bend, I had my seven others. I’m just so used to making a decision in committee. I value the opinion of those people I trust. It can even be your opponent.” Speaking of opponent, only twice in her seven campaigns for mayor did Christopher face an opponent. That included her last campaign in 2012 when she faced councilor David McKane, with whom Christopher had memorably clashed in 2011. While not mentioning McKane by name, Christopher did seem to reference him when asked if she had any regrets from her time as mayor. “I sometimes speak out too quickly,” Christopher said. “I’ve heard from time to time I was brusque with someone, or hurt someone’s feelings. I felt terrible. I don’t want to do that. In interpersonal relationships with the city council, there were times when things got more heated than they should have. I didn’t need to be the person to add fuel to the fi re.” Along those lines, Christopher’s advice for Clark and other councilors is to get along with others, even in the midst of disagreements. “Be accessible and be kind,” Christopher said. “We can disagree and not be disagreeable. I don’t have to punch you or be mean to you. We’ve had folks be angry, who said you don’t listen. Well, maybe we didn’t agree, but we did listen. Because these are issues that hit close to home, folks are very emotionally invested. Our job is not to get into that but to keep looking into the future. Don’t alienate those folks. I can have a conversation with any of those people who have spoken.” Christopher herself was one of those folks not long after moving to Keizer in 1988, driven to speak up about the needs for improved parks in Keizer. “It truly was I was a young family with young kids,” said Christopher, who has worked in human resources for years and is currently a human resources director for the state. “My daughter was 6 or 7 and I had a son who was 2. Keizer did not have a lot of amenities for parks. I lived in those parks and I knew others were as well. I got involved in the Parks Board. I wanted swing sets and big toys in our parks. They were expensive. Right: Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher helps youth try out one of the new swings at Willamette Manor Park after dedicating the new playground equipment on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Left: Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher, shown unveiling the Walsh’s Landing sign during RIVERfair festivities at Keizer Rapids Park in August 2013. Right: Lore modeled her Hawaiian gear for the Parrothead Party at the 2007 Iris Festival. Above: Keizer City Councilor Marlene Quinn (left) and Mayor Lore Christopher (right) accepted their ALS ice bucket challenge in August 2014, having ice water dumped on them at the end of the McNary Blue Day.