Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2016)
MARCH 18, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5 Mayor gives State of City address EZ Freezy keeps Because this is a good place to do business. We have the low- est tax rate in the state, which is the gift that keeps giving. Busi- nesses have learned that if they do good by us, we’ll do good by them.” The mayor also refer- enced Scott White, who’s clos- ing Keizer Big Town Hero in Schoolhouse Square and fo- cusing on the family’s catering business, K’s Catering. “Scott had to make a choice,” Clark said. “I look forward to (K’s Catering) being more vi- brant. Scott, you have done so much for the community. Your whole family has. Isn’t that how Keizer is? Stay tuned, there will be more changes. We hope to fi ll more spaces.” Clark pointed out differenc- es in Keizer shopping centers. “Some shopping centers are full, some are not,” she said. “They can be full if they are done right. Keizer Village has been full almost from the start. That tells me it can be done, if the property owner takes the time to do it right. I encourage the owners of Creekside (Shop- ping Center) to get it done.” Clark talked about projects from the past year, including two supported by Rotary: the Big Toy play structure at Keizer Rapids Park and the turf fi eld By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes Mayor Cathy Clark likes what she sees happening with businesses – for the most part. For the third time in as many months, Clark gave a State of the City address. This one took place during the March 3 Ro- tary Club of Keizer luncheon. One of Clark’s main empha- ses was talking up businesses and shopping centers doing well. “At Dearborn (Avenue) and River Road, four businesses have fl ipped,” Clark said. “Dear- born Square has really turned things around. Keizer Tire Fac- tory was too small. Keizer busi- nesses are growing and we try to accommodate them. Point S is now open, by Keizer Village.” Clark also pointed to Creek- side Veterinary Clinic moving from Creekside Shopping Cen- ter to a larger space in McNary Estates and Oregon State Credit Union moving from inside Safeway to a separate building at 4952 River Road “These all were private in- vestment,” Clark said. “Why? project at McNary High School. “You probably have heard about the Big Toy,” the mayor said. “Yep, we got it done.” Clark also extolled the turf. “That meant a lot to all stu- dent athletes,” she said. “It can be used 365 days a year. It keeps them involved with school. That will make a big difference for years to come.” Clark mentioned another project done last year at KRP, the three sand volleyball courts done by Hans Schneider. “My fi rst reaction was, ‘Re- ally?’ Yes, really,” Clark said. Clark also referenced how the city hired Ben Crosby as the new code enforcement offi cer. “He embodies what we do: we educate and inform before we take action,” Clark said. “We want collaboration. We work together to make Keizer the way it is. He has already closed hundreds of cases.” In addition, Clark pointed to the school district’s new Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC). “We need a trained work- force that has graduated from high school with skills,” she said. “There are better paying jobs today in manufacturing and construction. We want our students to be ready for that. That’s what we’re doing here, The Perfect Setting preparing our young people for the future so we can build the backbone of our economy in the future. We are really rocking it, folks.” The mayor gave numbers as- sociated with this year: 20 years of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, fi ve years for Keizer Home- grown Theater, 40 years for the Monster Cookie bike ride, Mc- Nary High School is graduat- ing its 50th class and the Keizer Schoolhouse is 100 years old. It’s already been a busy year, with Clark referencing three events from February: Brandon Smith resigning from the Keiz- er City Council and moving to Salem, the health issues facing council president Dennis Koho and former councilor Al Miller passing away. “I’m happy to see February in the rear view mirror,” Clark said. Clark ended on a high note, referring to a recent survey list- ing Keizer as one of the happi- est cities in Oregon to live in. “To me, it is the happiest,” the mayor said. “For people who move here, it feels like home right away. I’m so proud to be a part of this community and to be around people who make a difference. Pride, spirit and volunteerism is not just on a wall, it’s how we live.” it in the family Issam Khoury at his EZ Freezy location in Keizer Station. KEIZERTIMES/ Craig Murphy By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes Timing, as they say, is ev- erything. Issam Khoury hoped to have his EZ Freezy self service frozen yogurt open last sum- mer in the midst of the heat wave. “People were knocking on the door during the summer, wanting to know, ‘When are you going to open?’ Khoury said. “I kept telling them, ‘Soon, soon.’” The location fi nally did open at 6495 Keizer Station Boulevard NE in Keizer Sta- tion last September, between the OSU Beaver Store and Fa- mous Footwear. Khoury, who owns the store Looks can be deceiving, You may have a… for Your Wedding & Reception • Four Acres of Landscaped Gardens • Ample Parking • Private Dressing Rooms The moisture in your basement or crawlspace can cause more than just a nightmare. These issues can create real problems like mold, mildew, rot,structural damage, & a variety of health problems. If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms below, you may have a moisture issue: Musty odors, condensation, pooling or standing water, leaking or damp walls, warping fl oors, wet or damp fl oors in basement or crawlspace. I Quit! I’m calling John’s! 5655 W INDSOR I SLAND R OAD N - K EIZER 503-393 - 0732 | WWW . LOGHOUSEGARDEN . COM r u o e try Com E E R F k r Po itas n r C e a d, March 23 Oregon ’s Best! W ss Acro an’s D from nshop Paw m p 7 o t 10am PLAZA MORELIA TAQUERIA, TORTILLERIA, PANADERIA Y TIENDA 3391 RIVER RD. N - KEIZER - 503.304.4356 Authorized Dealer WE CAN HELP! Call 503.873.5650 John's Waterproofing Company 201 Airport Way, Silverton www.johnswaterproofi ng.com as well as three other locations, worked for others for 25 years in the frozen yogurt business before retiring in December 2012 from YoCream. Retire- ment didn’t sit well with him. “I got bored by February (2013),” he said with a chuckle. That May, he bought a fro- zen yogurt store in Washing- ton Square Mall in Tigard and renamed it EZ Freezy. He then took over another frozen yo- gurt shop on Division Street that August. “I always liked this area,” Khoury said of why he opened a location further south. “I was going to open in Lancaster Mall, but there was a yogurt store across the street so I came here.” After opening the Keiz- er Station location, Khoury opened a fourth EZ Freezy in Happy Valley in December. “For now, four stores is enough,” he said. Khoury is at the Keizer lo- cation on Tuesdays and Friday, while his son runs the store two other days. The family- owned and operated business has a total of 20 employees. There are 12 fl avors available, plus a variety of toppings and a fl avor burst machine. The Keizer location opens at 11 a.m. each day of the week, staying open until 9 p.m. dur- ing the week and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store is open an hour later during the week in the summer. In addition to the frozen yogurt, there are also gelato, smoothies and milkshakes available. Italian ice is available during the summer.
