Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2016)
SINCE 1979 • VOLUME 38, NO. 18 SECTION A APRIL 15, 2016 $1.00 More changes at Schoolhouse Square new state regulations regard- By CRAIG MURPHY ing raised minimum wage as Of the Keizertimes It has already been quite a key reason for the decision. Starbucks is moving slight- the busy year at Schoolhouse ly south along River Road to Square. Since Darren Bloch and the small strip mall recently his Bloch Properties com- vacated by fi ve businesses next to Nancy's pany closed Burgers and on a deal Fries. That to purchase “ We’re making move has left the shop- good progress. the future of ping center We would love Mr. Video/ in December, LimeBerry in change has to have limbo. been happen- everything fi lled.” GISI Mar- ing at a rapid keting Group pace. The — Darren Bloch, closed its new B Fit Principal, Bloch Properties location in gym opened Schoolhouse in the former Offi ce Depot space in late Square at the end of March, March, but that move meant with signs in the offi ce win- the Anytime Fitness next door dow confi rming the news. A new tenant for that space closed at the end of January. As B Fit was opening, Big is expected to be announced Town Hero Keizer closed, soon, perhaps within the next with owner Scott White citing week. Wall pads at Wall Field KEIZERTIMES/Craig Murphy PAGE A2 ABOVE: Work is being done on the roof at the former Roth's. LEFT: The sign on display in the window of the former GISI Marketing Group offi ce in Schoolhouse Square. For the last couple of weeks, a crew from Pfeifer Roofi ng has been on the roof of the former Roth's Fresh Market building. That has prompted more wondering if a new tenant is coming to the space, which has been vacant for nearly four years. “There's nothing to announce,” Bloch told the Keizertimes on Tuesday. “When we bought the property in December, the roof was in dire need of replacement. That has been on my calendar, just waiting for the right weather to do the work. It's not being done for a specifi c client.” Bloch said a new tenant is expected to soon move into the space vacated by GISI, plus two adjoining vacant spaces. As he has mentioned previously, Bloch is moving forward with plans to have a new pad building at the corner of River and Chemawa Roads, which would mean the demolition of the current building housing Starbucks Please see CHANGES, Page A9 Gate not being closed at MHS Holdover budget year predicted By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes For Charles Anderson, the solution is simple: close the gate between McNary High School and the adjoining neighborhood to the west. MHS principal Erik Jespersen isn't closing the gate students can walk through, either after walking to school from home or after parking in the neighborhood. The two men – along with Sgt. Trevor Wenning from the Keizer Police Department – met for more than an hour April 6. After the meeting, Anderson announced he plans to fi le a formal complaint. For Anderson, his concerns are the increased number of students parking along MacArthur Street, Newberg Drive and Max Court, sometimes doing illegal acts such as blocking driveways or fi re hydrants. He brought up his concerns at the KEIZERTIMES/Andrew Jackson Please see GATE, Page A11 A number of McNary High School students park their vehicles all along MacArthur Street, which has drawn the ire of some neighbors. Cab insurance issue dropped PAGE A8 By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes John Teague wouldn't mind having another police offi cer on board. But Keiz- er's police chief told the Keizer Long Range Plan- ning Task Force on J. Teague Monday he'll take what he is given. Adding back offi cer positions to the Keizer Police Department has been discussed the last several Please see BUDGET, Page A9 Housing ‘dark days’ are over, realtor says By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes Have you been looking to sell your home but been waiting for the perfect time? Local realtor Amy McLeod with Keller Williams Capital City Realty has some advice for you, which she shared with members of the Rotary Amy McLeod gave an update on the housing market on April 7. KEIZERTIMES/Craig Murphy Club of Keizer April 7. “What the heck are you people waiting for?” McLeod asked audience members. Translation: this is the prime time to sell your current home. McLeod said there is a shortage of homes to sell, which is good news for someone looking to either downsize or move into a new home. “The next 24 months look doggone good for the market,” Bethell named Chamber director By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes The way Danielle Bethell sees it, her new job isn't new. Bethell was named executive director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. She starts her D. Bethell new position on April 18, taking the place of Christine Dieker, who an- nounced her retirement back in December. Dieker will help her replacement through the end of April. Please see CHAMBER, Page A7 she said. “It appears there is a sustained upward trajectory. The millennials are buying their fi rst homes and the baby boomers are downsizing or retiring to a new home, or maybe purchasing a second home.” McLeod, who noted she was “so glad the dark days” of the recent housing bust are over, said the 25- to 34-year- old millennials are dominating the home purchases currently. Please see McLEOD, Page A7 Feast or famine at the plate PAGE A10 golden night KEIZERTIMES/Lyndon Zaitz Adam Krein and Angela Schaffers joined several hundred others at the annual Rotary Club of Keizer Go for the Gold dinner. The Rotary Club of Keizer celebnrated its 50th annivesary in style with its annual Go for the Gold Raffl e Party on Saturday, April 9. More than 250 attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner, a silent auction and a video presentation of the club's past 50 years of service in Keizer. The grand prize of $10,000 in gold and silver was won by Cindy Cowley of Salem. She plans to hold onto her prize. "I've never had gold," said Cowley. The second prize, a $1,200 travel voucher, was won by Nanette Forster. The evening's 50/50 raffl e netted Nathan McEachern more than $1,150 in cash. The event raised more than $66,000 for the club's community projects. For more photos see Page A5 MHS Baseball starts 1-2 PAGE A10