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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2015)
Said It JANUARY 2, 2015, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE 9 She They Said It “I was just a mom tryng to get a swing in a park,” “Her leadership, consensus team building, enthusiasm and passion for the people of Keizer that has led to her success in creating many of Keizer’s greatest assets such as Keizer Station, the Civic Center, River Road beautifi cation and bringing art to Keizer.” Regarding an appointment to the city council in 1998. “It’s very problematic when you have the job. I’m not just the mayor, I’m a candidate.” Mayor’s response to police union’s criticism of public car use on National Night Out. September 20, 2002 “Keizer Station only works as long as it complements, and doesn’t compete, with River Road.” Regarding plans for River Road revitalization. January 14, 2005 “Until now, there wasn’t any place in Keizer to buy underwear and socks. Now we have a Target going in.” November 2005 “We’re a destination, they just don’t know it yet.” Regarding talks about bringing more tourists to Keizer. July 29, 2011 “They felt like that took away from the position, and so when we were talking about serious issues it’s really hard to be serious when you remember that fat mayor in that wet T-shirt.” Regarding dunk tank controversy, June 18, 2012 — Richard Walsh, Keizer City Councilor, 2000-11 “I would speak in front of the city council, all men, all older,” she added. “They didn’t know where the parks were. They didn’t understand how critical those parks were to families. I thought there needs to be the perspective of young families on the city council. It was really hard to get funding (for parks).” Christopher visited every park last summer with 3-year-old grandson Eliot, in order to note the changes to parks over the years. She acknowledged it is a “dicey kettle of fi sh” to serve on council while having young children at home. “When you’re in the midst of raising young children, it’s very diffi cult,” she said. “When you have middle school or high school kids, it’s manageable.” After a decade on the Parks Board, Christopher was appointed to the Keizer City Council in August 1998 by a random drawing. She took over as mayor in January 2001. In 2000, Christopher fi gured she would stay on as a councilor. She credits then-Mayor Bob Newton with pushing her to become Keizer’s fi rst female mayor. “I had already fi led to run for city council,” Christopher said. “I’m sincere when I say I wouldn’t have voted for me, because I only had two years of experience. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I have never worked with another councilor who loved Keizer the way (Newton) did. He truly loved Keizer. He took joy in small things like the Keizer Community Band and in big things like the skate park.” Christopher said Newton informed her no one one on council at the time was running for mayor. “There was no one, so even my two years of experience was better than no experience,” she said. “He did wear me down. I was not prepared to be mayor. I didn’t want to embarrass myself. More, I felt he had done such a great job as mayor. I didn’t want someone following him that would mess things up.” Along those lines, Christopher feels the city is in good hands with Clark taking over. “I’m not formal,” Christopher said of how she runs meetings. “Cathy is much better than I am. She will have a more structured meeting. We’ve never had a more prepared new mayor than Cathy. She’s been at it for eight years on council. She has done some heavy lifting. She’s got a lot of accomplishments. She knows the job. I feel fabulous about it. It should make the people of Keizer confi dent moving forward. This is someone who has been there for eight years. We’re not going to hell in a handbasket.” Christopher will still be active in the city, particularly in regards to art. She is currently on the Keizer Arts Commission (expected to be renamed soon), but don’t expect her to be hanging out at council mee tings on Mondays after Clark takes over. “You won’t see a lot of me the fi rst year,” Christopher said. “People are used to me. It would not be fair to Cathy Clark that I show up. People will have a tendency to talk to me. I don’t want that for her. I want her to make her own mark. I did put in my volunteer application for the art association. Anything Cathy asks me to do, I will support her.” Having said that, Christopher noted if there is an issue she feels compelled to speak about, don’t rule out the thought of her testifying during public comment. And as one might expect, Christopher sees some big issues coming up, mainly centered about the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion. “My vision was always to support the medical businesses we have,” Christopher said. “We have Silverton Health and Kaiser Permanente. That’s phase one. We have room for 20,000 more feet. If we could bring that 200 acres in, that will all support businesses. It will be a home run. The UGB is the (biggest future issue). We have to do so much work down the road. With the Kaiser Permanente opening, if we’re able to get that into the UGB, it will take years to develop. We’re looking at six to 10 years. Look at how long Keizer Station took to develop. The sooner we can bring it in, the better.” In a recent Keizertimes poll, 50 percent of respondents gave Christopher an ‘A’ grade for her performance as mayor, though the high marks may have been aided by son Evan’s social networking campaign for such marks. How would Christopher grade herself? “I’ve been really fortunate,” she said. “A lot of good things have happened the last 14 years, but not because of me. I’ve been holding onto the coattails. I’m a solid B. There are some things I could have done better.” “By all measures Lore Christopher has done us proud. The dreams, hopes and aspirations of the Incorporation Committee were not only met but signifi cantly enhanced during Lore’s time as mayor. I give her a grade of A+ for a job well done.” — Chet Patterson, Keizer City Councilor, 1983-86 “Lore was a good mayor, not always a good listener, juggled a lot of balls, dropped a few, kicked them aside and kept on juggling. I would say she was an effective mayor.” — Marc H. Adams, “Lore’s legacy seems to focus on Keizer Station, but she also was an effective regional player advocating for Keizer’s interests.” — John Morgan, former community development director 1990-98 former Keizer Police Chief (1997-2013) “Lore Christopher has stood out among the giants (of Keizer’s mayors). Christopher’s era will be marked by the major development of our city parks system and by the near completion of Keizer Station. Her legacy will most likely be her stimulation and support of the arts.” — Dr. Jerry McGee, Keizer City Councilor, 1991-2003 “Her vision for creating economic opportunity in Keizer — the biggest venture being Keizer Station.” “The Christopher Era could be summed up as managed tenaciousness for keeping Keizer livable and lovable.” — Janet Carlson, — Christine Dieker, Marion County Commissioner Executive Director, Keizer Chamber of Commercer “Lore Christopher was mayor during a very active time in the city’s history. We had the development of Keizer Station, the building of the Civic Center, the development of Keizer Rapids Park, and the great recession. She led the city with great character and strength and was consistent in her love of the community. I would describe her era as ‘the time of many great things’.” — Chris Eppley, Keizer City Manager “(Lore Christopher’s) legacy centers on economic development —River Road Renaissance and Keizer Station, increase in number and acreage of parks, and the establishment of public arts.” — Cathy Clark, Keizer Mayor-Elect Below: Lore Christopher joins other city councilors and dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for Keizer’s new civic center in 2008. Above: The mayor rides in a convertible during the 2011 Keizer Iris Festival Parade. Right: Mayor Lore Christopher with Mariah McGranahan and Mayvra, best Look-a-Like winner at the Creekside Veterinary Clinic Pet Parade, as part of the 2012 Iris Festival. Above: Mayor Christopher presents an award at the Mayor’s Invitational Art Gala in February 2011.