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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2015)
PAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, AUGUST 7, 2015 ORCHARD, continued from Page A1 “Mechanical means would entail mowing, trimming, lev- eling, etc. with tractors and implements. This would create dust, and noise, but there is no chemicals involved,” he wrote. Schurter wrote that Round- Up would be used “very spar- ingly” and signs would be post- ed near the Big Toy (located within the orchard and the rea- son for the pesticide concern), the KRP entrance and other places as needed. “Work on the trees and grounds would be attempted when a limited amount of visi- tors were at the park and cur- tailed when special events are going on,” he wrote. As have others, Schurter noted the poor health of the trees. City offi cials and others have estimated blight means the trees will only last a few more years before having to be cut down. “Because of the poor health of the trees, Schurter Enter- prises LLC will not be liable for the death of the trees,” Schurter wrote. “The non-use of chemi- cals will speed up the death of the trees, but it is hard to say exactly how long they will last. Hazelnut trees of that variety and age suffer from Eastern Filbert Blight, and spraying and pruning is the only effec- tive way to combat it. Pruning will hold it at bay, but they will eventually succumb.” In the past, Weathers was paying the city $9,000 a year in rent and keeping all proceeds. Schurter’s proposal calls for 15 percent of net profi ts from the farming of the hazelnuts to be given to the city as rent. City Attorney Shannon Johnson emphasized during Monday’s meeting Schurter’s proposal was not solicited. “Staff is concerned no one is maintaining the trees,” Johnson said. “It can be a big expense to keep the weeds down and snagged trees. Council would have to act tonight to get main- tenance done and crops for this season.” Figuring out what to do with the trees has been a ques- tion brought up recently, in- cluding at last month’s Keizer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting (see related sto- ry, page A9). While there is the poten- tial fi nancial windfall for all involved, mayor Cathy Clark noted after Monday’s meeting that’s not the main benefi t. “It appears this is a chance to be responsible for a city asset,” Clark said, noting a desire to have Schurter – and any future farmer – take down dead trees during the lease. “This is more sustainable without having to do the spraying.” Clark and Lawyer both ex- pressed surprise at someone stepping forward to resume ha- zelnut farming. “It did seem like it was done,” Clark said. Lawyer said the internation- al demand for hazelnuts makes the orchard attractive. “That’s more of a factor for the farmer,” Lawyer said. “If the price (of the crop) was on the way down, I’m not sure he’d be talking to us.” Clark feels all will benefi t. “It’s a win-win for every- one,” the mayor said. “It helps us care for our resources. He believes he can do this in a sus- tainable way without spraying the orchard.” Schurter told the Keizertimes on Tuesday he doesn’t know how much longer the trees will survive. “The idea is to farm it not using pesticides,” he said. “I’m not saying they are bad, but this is a way to alleviate the con- cern. As far as the trees, this will affect them in a bad way. They will end up dying a lot quicker than if we could control the blight. It’s something you have to work around. “They’re already dying,” Schurter added. “They will continue to die. I expect them to die at a quicker rate than if we could spray. At orchards with newer trees, you don’t have to spray those. But with an old variety like that, they are going to die eventually. I can understand the concerns people have.” Schurter, who noted the harvesting would be done in the fall – his proposal calls for the contract to run through Nov. 30 – learned about the is- sue by reading the story in this paper about Weathers getting out of his contract. “I thought it would be a shame that the crop would fall and rot on the ground,” he said. “I fi gured it’s not a bad idea to at least harvest it and farm it. Even if (the trees) are going to die, at least you can get some- thing out of it. The city ben- efi ts with a percentage of the sales and, even more, it will look good. The orchards will be mowed and dead trees will be cut out.” No timeline was given for when a contract would be signed. Wine tasting at KHC Aug. 13 The Keizer Heritage Cen- ter will hold a public wine tasting on Thursday, Aug. 13, as part of its on-going Heri- tage Thursday series of events. Wines from local wineries will be available for tasting; there will be light appetizers to taste with the wines. The Keizer Art Association will be stage artist demonstra- tions during the event. Live music will be provid- ed. The cost is $5 per glass, $2 for refi lls. The fee includes a free glass. For information contact the Keizer Heritage Center at 503-393-9660. Spirit of ‘45 concert Sunday Oregon Spirit of ‘45, a group that honors the men and wom- en of the World War II generation, is hosting Oregon’s 234th Army Band for a concert at Salem’s Historic Elsinore Theatre Sunday, Aug. 9. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free. Tickets are available at the Elsinore box offi ce 170 High Street S.E. Artists: get your work on the Keizer holiday card A call has been made to area artists to enter submis- sions for the 2015 City of Keizer holiday greeting card. The Keizer Public Arts Commission, which works to bring art into the community, invites residents of all ages to submit art work that expresses the holiday season in Keizer. The deadline is Friday, Sept. 18. All submitted entries become the property of the city. The artist of the selected artwork will receive a $100 gift card to Michael’s Art and Crafts. Contest rules and an appli- cation can be downloaded at keizer.org; they are also avail- able at city hall. Business&Services APPLIANCES ATTORNEY Come See Our New Showroom Walsh & Associates Estate Planning Elder Law Probate Social Security Attorneys at Law 503-304-4886 Nigel Guisinger • Personal Injuries Owner • Wrongful Death 3800 River Rd N in Keizer 503-390-0161 503-371-9636 • Auto Accidents Wills & Trusts Asset Protection Medical Directives Guardian & Conservatorships Free Consultation No fee until we win Richard Walsh APPLIANCE CR ATTORNEY 5845 Shoreview Ln. N. Suite 100, Keizer CR ANSWERS Protecting You & the Ones You Love Kathy Belcher Attorney at Law Law Offi ces of McGinty & Belcher 694 High Street NE, Salem www.mcginty-belcher.com CR NC ATTORNEY BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Koho & Beatty Attorneys at Law, PC DENNIS KOHO • General Practice • Family Law • Business Law • Government Law College Works Painting 503-390-3501 5305B River Road N, Keizer, OR 97303 SHELBY STROUT 971- 600-6126 ELEANOR BEATTY www.koholaw.com CR AUTO REPAIR www.keizerautomotive.com 6558 Wheatland Rd N - Keizer If the exterior of your house is fading, peeling, cracking or in need of a color change you are most likely considering having it painted. If so, you’ll fi nd quality work with Shelby Strout and College Works Painting. College Works Painting provide business experience for college students and provide high quality painting services to homeowners. Strout, a McNary High School graduate, is now a public relations major at the University of Oregon. 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