SINCE 1979 • VOLUME 38, NO. 11 SECTION A DECEMBER 16, 2016 $1.00 A B It’s beginning to look a lot like C Christmas D 7-Eleven franchisees retire PAGE A2 E KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald and Parker Kehret Christmas cheer was everywhere you looked in Keizer last week. A: A Keizer Holiday Lights parade entrant waves from the Willamette Valley Bank fl oat on Satur- day, Dec. 10. B: Kate Martorano checks in at the Keizer Fire District Santa Breakfast Sunday, Dec. 11. C: Car- los Miriam and Damian Pineda wrap presents for the KNOW Giving Basket project Thursday, Dec. 8. D: Myah Husted bundled up to watch the parade. E: Santa waves to the crowd during the parade. Santa Breakfast PAGE A5 Forest sale vote brings protest to Keizer Parks survey may arrive this month By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes A hearing by the Oregon State Land Board regarding the potential sale of a state for- est in southwest Oregon drew protests outside Keizer Civic Center Tuesday, Dec. 13. The board, consisting of Gov. Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler were expected to make a decision whether to proceed with the sale of Elliott State Forest to a private company, but delayed a vote after hearing from more than 80 people during public testimony. Prior to the 10 a.m. meet- ing, Oregon residents rep- resenting cities and regions up and down the Interstate 5 corridor gathered outside Keizer Civic Center to sing, chant and voice opposition to the sale. The land board is consider- ing the sale of the forest be- cause it has become a drag on Oregon’s Common School KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald Aiyana and Oliver Gonzales, of Walton, Ore., deliver speeches to protesters before a meeting to discuss selling the Elliott State Forest Tuesday, Dec. 13. The pair also testifi ed against the sale during a public hearing on the matter. Fund. Elliott State Forest was consolidated in the early 1900s to generate long-term funding through managed timber harvests. However, in recent years, due to renewed focus on endangered species that call the forest home – in- cluding the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and Coho salmon – maintenance Please see FOREST, Page A11 Chimney smolders at funeral home By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes A chimney fi re in the cre- matorium at Keizer Funeral Chapel on River Road North, kept crews from throughout the region busy Monday, Dec. 12. The Keizer Fire District, Marion County Fire District No. 1 and Salem Fire Depart- ment all responded to the call that came in shortly after 5:30 p.m. and remained on the scene for several hours mak- ing sure it was doused. Firefi ghters arrived on the scene to smoke coming out from eaves all around the building, but no visible fl ames. The source of the smoke was determined to be the chimney of the business’ crematorium. “It was glowing red hot and there was wood frame around it and that was beginning to smolder. The ceiling is 10 foot high, but there is an attic space Please see CHIMNEY, Page A11 Firefi ghters cut into an exteri- or wall to reach the crematori- um chimney at Keizer Funeral Chapel Monday, Dec. 12. KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes The Keizer Parks and Rec- reation Advisory Board kicked plans to survey Keizer residents on support for parks into high gear at its meeting Tuesday, December 13. Half of the city can expect to see the surveys show up with their December utility bill. The other half will receive them with their January bill. The survey will also be posted online in the coming weeks. Respondents will have until March 6 to return the survey or fi ll it out online. The survey, which has been a topic of discussion at the parks board and city council level for more than six months, questions residents about their priorities for maintaining and improving Keizer parks and what level of fee they would be willing to support, options range from no fee to $8 per month. Each fee comes with its own consequences or benefi ts. No fee could result in the clos- ing and/or removal of some parks amenities. The $2 and $4 options would allow for bet- ter, but not necessarily ideal maintenance. The $6 or $8 fees would generate a health- ier dedicated parks fund that would allow for full mainte- nance and additional amenities. If the results come back in support of the fee, the city council could enact it without a ballot measure. Please see PARKS, Page A11 Girls lose at W. Albany PAGE A12 Jingle Dash results PAGE A14