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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2017)
FEBRUARY 3, 2017, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 Utility bills a shock? There are places to turn How a parks fee might affect your utility bill By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes As Keizer city offi cials discuss the options for instituting a dedicated parks fee – and adding the fee to utility bills – Keizertimes asked City Finance Director Tim Wood how such a fee would affect Keizer residents if the fee is instituted. “Unfortunately, there is not a lot of defi nitive answers as we are still in the preliminary stages of identifying what our community desires for the park system,” Wood said. The results of a survey available on keizer.org will likely have a major impact on whether the city proceeds, Wood said attaching the fee to the water and sewer bills would save money on printing, postage and processing costs. “However, the city council could decide to make it a separate bill with a different billing frequency such as annually or quarterly; or a different funding mechanism altogether,” Wood said. If a fee is implemented, the city council can also establish the order in which payments are applied to outstanding balances. The council could also establish an opt-out process for specifi c groups of residents. “Our current utility payment priority is to apply a customer’s payment to the oldest outstanding bill fi rst and proportionately to each of the three utilities (water, sewer and stormwater),” Wood said. By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes After weeks of frigid temperatures – and more winter weather potentially on the way – it's likely that some Keizer residents are in for a surprise when their utility bills arrive. “For our existing utility customers we provide discounted sewer rates for qualifying senior citizens or disabled heads of households,” said Tim Wood, Keizer fi nance director. Sewer rates typically account for more than 50 percent of the standard Keizer utility bill. Roughly three dozen households take advantage of discounted rates. To apply for a discounted rate, city offi cials require proof of income such as an income tax return or annual social security statement. While the city can provide discounts for some customers, those needing short term assistance are referred to The Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul for help. To fi nd out more about Salvation Army options, call 503 585-6688 or visit www.salem.kroccenter. or. Information on St. Vincent de Paul programs is available at svdpsalem.org or by calling 503 364-5672. Wood said only a handful of Keizer residents seek such help in a given month. For homeowners with natural gas bills, Northwest Natural offers several options for alleviating the strain caused by sharp bill increases. Customers can enroll in programs that spread out the cost of the average year's worth of bills or work out payment plans that will keep them from having their gas shut off. Very low or fi xed income customers can apply for assistance through the federally-funded Low Income Energy Assistance program. Visit www. nwnatural.com for more information. Portland General Electric offers several assistance programs that can help cover By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes Whiteaker Middle was one of over eight thousand schools worldwide to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge last year. This year, Feb. 6-10, White- aker counselor Pat Curran would like to see that kindness spread throughout Keizer as Mayor Cathy Clark will declare it Great Kindness Challenge Week at the Monday, Feb. 6 city council meeting. “We’re trying to get the businesses on River Road that have a reader board to put something up about the Great Kindness Challenge, just to get more people involved because what we’d eventually like this to be is a city-wide thing dur- ing that week,” Curran said. During the week, students will get a checklist of 50 differ- ent acts of kindness, like “Smile at 25 people” and “Offer to help your custodian.” At the end of the week, prizes will be given to the kindest classes. Whiteaker is also raising money for Assistance League of Salem, which provides school supplies and clothes to students in need. During lunch each day, students will participate in a different kindness activity, like signing a poster for the feeder elementary schools and making thank you cards for staff mem- bers. Each day will also have a theme where students are in- vited to dress up. Monday is su- per hero day. Thursday is crazy hair day. Whiteaker started doing the Great Kindness Challenge three years ago. “There’s a lot of anti-bul- lying campaigns that are out there. We do anti-bullying curriculum in our classrooms, which is great, but this is kind of fl ipping it on its head,” Cur- ran said. “We’re trying to get kids to do positive things as opposed to just don’t do nega- tive things. We’re basically just trying to encourage kids to do kind things here at school but also in the community. It’s a pretty simple idea but it’s a neat thing we’d like to catch on.” Photo illustration the cost of unexpected bills as well as payment plan and due date options. Some families can also qualify for free weatherization assistance. For more information, visit www.portlandgeneral.com. Salem Electric customers may qualify for a one-time Town hall on Wolverines take on Kindness Challenge state budget February 10 PERMIT CLASS 1PM AT KEIZER CIVIC CENTER L O CATED AT: 930 CHEMAWA RD NE, KEIZER OR 97303 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 2 PERMIT OPTIONS: OREGON ONLY ( $ 45) INCLUDED or MULTI-STATE ( $ 80) OREGON Cash or check payment will be made at the class. A driver license is all you need to bring. HONORED 3 WAYS TO SIGN UP! PURCHASE 1 ENTREE + 2 DRINKS CONCEALED CARRY The Oregon Legislative Assembly’s budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee will hold a series of public hearings in seven cities across the state beginning February 10. The town hall events will create opportunities for Oregonians to provide input into the 2017-19 biennial state budget, according to Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene) and Sen. Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), the co- chairs of the committee. A Salem-based meeting will take place Friday, Feb. 10, at the Oregon State Capitol beginning at 5 p.m. On January 19, the co- chairs released an “Existing Resources Framework,” recognizing that existing revenues fall $1.8 billion short of the funding necessary to continue state services at current levels. To view the budget framework and accompanying narrative, visit bit.ly/2kLXL6v. CALL: 360 -921-2071 WEB: FirearmTrainingNW.com EMAIL: FirearmTrainingNW@gmail.com Walk-Ins are Welcome Multi-state permit honored in Alaska but not Hawaii We are Everything Except Overpriced Simple Cremation $795 Inexpensive Burial and Funeral Options Pre-Planning Available On-Site Crematory 4365 RIVER RD N, KEIZER 503.393.7037 Se habla español RECEIVE THE SECOND MEAL AT… 50% OFF DO NOT HONOR UT RES. ONLY payment assistance of $150 to $225 per heating season (January to April). Priority is given to seniors and those with disabilities. For more information or to schedule an appointment to talk about option, call 503-362-3601. The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency can also offer assistance ranging from bill assistance to weatherization services. Visit www.mwvcaa. org for details. EXP 02-28-17 NORTH SALEM 2505 Liberty St NE 503.689.1082 Valid only at Liberty Street location. Dine-in only, Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Not valid February 14, 2017. Thanks for voting us Best Barbecue – 8 years running WorshipDirectory These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit. Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: (503) 390-1051 John Knox Presbyterian Church JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP 452 Cummings Lane North • 393-0404 8:30 am • 10 am • 11:30 am • 6 pm PEOPLESCHURCH 4500 LANCASTER DR NE | SALEM 503.304.4000 • www.peopleschurch.com Celebration Services Saturday Evening 6:00 pm Children’s Programs, Student and Adult Ministries 1755 Lockhaven Dr. NE Keizer 503-390-3900 www.dayspringfellowship.com Sunday Morning 9:00 am and 10:45 am Father Gary L. Zerr, Pastor Saturday Vigil Liturgy: 5:30 p.m. Sundays: 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. La Misa en Español: 12:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. John Neal, Pastor Worship - 10:30 a.m. Education Hour - 9:15 a.m. Nursery Care Available www.keizerjkpres.org