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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2018)
NOVEMBER 23, 2018, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 Opinion What is growth? Government offi cials speak of growth a lot. But what does that mean to the residents of Keizer? How are we to defi ne growth? Some say that growth means more jobs within our city borders. Some say growth means expanding our city limits and adding more housing and commercial hubs. It is important that city leaders explain what they mean by growth specifi cally and assure that their con- stituents understand exactly what the push for growth is all about. If the push for growth is mostly about attaining jobs for Keizer resi- dents, what kind of jobs and where will they be? In an robust econom- ic climate there are people working more than one job. Part-time work and service jobs, important to the overall economy, don’t support a fam- ily of three or more. In those cases, the spouse is forced to fi nd employment to sustain the household which adds childcare costs to already overtaxed budgets. It is nice to recruit eater- ies with their part-time shifts but if asked we suspect most Keizer ites would rather see full-time jobs with good wages that can be reached by foot, bus or a short car trip. What are some fi elds that can be recruited? Topping the list is anything in the medical fi eld—clin- ics, labortories, medical transcription offi ce, to name a few. Those industries may not be as sexy as a popular restau- rant or a gaming arcade, but they are the businesses whose future is assured. Many will say there is no room in Keizer for such developments which is why the Urban Growth Boundary needs to be expanded as soon as pos- sible. There are plots of land that can be obtained. Much of Cherry Avenue is zoned commercial/industrial; us- ing incentives such as low- ering system development charges, the city can work with a de- veloper and medical busi- ness to purchase land on Cherry, raze what’s there and build a sparkling new building. The caveat for any of that is dictating the types of jobs and wages offered. There is land in Keizer Station and on land where a power plant was once considered. Though the city of Keizer doesn’t want to be in real estate busi- ness, it should consider the long-term benefi ts of buying land and then sell- ing it to the types of industries that will bring the jobs we want. Aside from jobs some may consid- er tangible growth, such as new sub- sdivisons and commercial buildings. Growth to them may mean gleam- ing new buildings including mixed used, multi-sto- ry develop- ments along River Road. W h e n others think of growth they may be envisioning an expanded Urban Growth Boudary, annexed by Keizer followed by the construction of hundreds of new rooftops stretching from the Coun- try Glen neighborhood to Perkins or Quinaby Road. Before the discussion of Keiz- er’s growth gets along too far the city leaders need to fi gure out what growth means to the people who al- ready live here. It would be a shame to get far down the development road only to realize people were talking about different types of growth. —LAZ our opinion Shop local and small Where will you shop this holiday season? Will all of your purchases be made at a major retailer or online? Or, will you endeavor to do some of your holiday shopping at Keizer’s small businesses? What is a small business? Accord- ing the Small Business Administra- tion, a small business is defi ned as having a maximum of 250 employees and are privately owned. More than 90 percent of all U.S. fi rms are small businesses. With that defi nition, most of Keizer’s independently owned retail businesses are tiny. Many employ less than 20 people, but most employ 10 or less. The owners of very small busi- nesses are the superstars of America. Family businesses carry on the mis- sion of an ancestor who set the com- pany in motion; businesses that were started with a dream, blood, sweat and tears work to provide their cus- tomers with selection and customer service. Saturday, Nov. 24, is Small Busi- ness Day in America. Though it was instigated by large credit card compa- ny, the motive behind it is pure small town: spend some of your money with a small business in your town: it helps the business, it helps the busi- nesses’ employees, it puts money into the community. During the holidays many choose to go the route of convenience and ease and shop at gigantic stores or buy gifts online from the comfort of their home. For those most driven by comfort and convenience those shopping choices make sense. For those who want to give gifts to loved ones with meaning and heart, choos- ing to shop at a local small business is a good choice. Small businesses make any com- munity more vibrant and alive. They may not have billion-dollar market research to rely on, they do some- thing just as good: they listen to the needs of their customers. Small re- tailers will do what it takes to satisfy a customer including ordering an item not regularly carried. A small business can make deci- sions on the spot that would take a large businesses days or weeks to sort out. Generally, when you talk to an employee of a small business you are talking to the boss. We hope that every small busi- ness in our community is putting their best face on and preparing their stores and inventories for what cus- tomers desire. Customer service is a warm, sincere greeting to a customer and an offer to assist in fi nding just the right thing. Small businesses can not compete on price against gigantic stores or cyberretailers, but they can compete where it really matters: human to hu- man contact. Small businesses put the humanity into shopping. We think it is important for hol- iday shoppers to give serious con- sideration to purchasing some of the items on their gift list locally and small. That would be good for the sustainability of our small business community Small Business Day is Saturday, Nov. 24, but everyday should be Small Business Day, shouldn’t it? —LAZ Keizertimes Whoatland Publishing Corp. 142 Chomawa Road N. • Koizor, Orogon 97303 Phono: 503.390.1051 • www.koizortimos.com MANAGING EDITOR Eric A. Howald oditor@koizortimos.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Ono yoar: $25 in Marion County, $33 outsido Marion County, $45 outsido Orogon ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dorok Wiloy nows@koizortimos.com ADVERTISING Paula Mosoloy advortising@koizortimos.com PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PRODUCTION MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER POSTMASTER Publication No: USPS 679-430 Sond addross changos to: Androw Jackson graphics@koizortimos.com LEGAL NOTICES logals@koizortimos.com BUSINESS MANAGER Loah Stovons billing@koizortimos.com EDITOR & PUBLISHER Lyndon Zaitz publisher@keizertimes.com Koizortimos Circulation 142 Chomawa Road N. Koizor, OR 97303 Poriodical postago paid at Salom, Orogon RECEPTION Lori Boyolor INTERN Lauron Murphy facobook.com/koizortimos twittor.com/koizortimos After election, time to regroup I’m going to venture a guess that Senate Republicans, the same for whomever is reading this now is the upper chamber. The biggest issue right now is very thankful that the election is over, mostly because we can safe- who will lead those groups? The ly watch television again. Wow— House Democrats have already elected their leadership there were a lot of ads on with only a couple of mi- TV. I join you in giving nor changes to the team. thanks for the barrage be- The House Republicans ing over. have not chosen their Now that the election leadership team nor have is over here in Oregon the Senate Republicans. we also have much to Meanwhile the Senate give thanks for. Our vote Democrats will be meet- by mail system is fantas- ing the weekend before tic and though the voter this column comes out. turnout was not as great Will the Senate Demo- as I would have liked, it from tho crats remain in the sort of was very good. Here in they’ve maintained Keizer, I welcome back capitol mode for many years? More of our mayor: Cathy Clark a moderate, bipartisan ap- and congratulate two By BILL POST proach, keeping Senate new city councilors: Eliz- President Peter Court- abeth Reddick Smith and ney in place? Or will the Dan Kohler. I look for- ward to working with all of them more left-leaning newer members sway the “old guard” that a move to over the next two years. In the Oregon Legislature, we the “left” is what Oregon wants? With the House and Senate Re- have a fairly historic situation. There are 38 House Democrats and publicans, a similar question is be- 22 House Republicans. That means ing asked. “Do we have anything to a “supermajority” in the House and lose by going more to the right?” with 18 Senate Democrats and 12 Though this is the time of the year when not much is being done in the legislature as far as policy, you can see that it is humming with activity based on these internal elections. On a lighter note, each member is now in the process of choosing their offi ce, parking spot and fl oor desk location. For those of us in the House, it is done on a seniority and alphabetical basis. It’s quite alarming that the turnover in seats, via retirement or elections, has made me a senior representative.Of course where my offi ce is or where I park or sit on the House fl oor is not the most pressing issue of the day but it is part of the job. Last- ly, I want to thank everyone who got out and voted November 6. I am humbled and grateful that you chose once again, to allow me to serve you in Salem. I promise as al- ways, though you might not always agree with me politically, I will al- ways tell you the truth and try to give you an “inside” view of life in the Capitol as well as represent you to the best of my ability. Happy hol- idays! (Bill Post roprosonts Houso Dis- trict 25. Ho can bo roachod at 503- 986-1425 or via omail at rop. bil- post@ orogonlogislaturo.gov.) Where does autocracy start? There’s talk these days about the many nations, some sliding rather quickly, into right-wing, authori- tarian, totalitarian regimes where controls in all matters reside with a “strong man.” So, what does the strong man do to act on his intents and how does that look, what are its hallmarks that disclose all individ- ual rights and freedoms are on their way out or gone? He announces that, he “alone can fi x every- thing.” His fi rst year re- veals that he has brought, further and faster, the erosion of his nation’s democratic standards. The nation’s core institu- tions, governed formerly by ethical norms, are attacked and rejected. He’s driven by self-aggrandize- ment, self-enrichment and revenge against anyone he perceives to be a political enemy or otherwise. Re- venges are characterized by punches 10 times harder or screwed 15 times tighter than his “enemies” punched or screwed. He uses the despot’s platform to taunt and threaten, re- lentlessly and destructively going after non-compliant judges, mem- bers of the legislative body, law en- forcement leaders, celebrities, pro- fessional athletes, and members of the media, charged as enemies of the peo- ple with violence en- couraged. His supporters unquestioningly ac- cept his promises to reform his ways and be a man of the peo- ple, he guaranteeing better lives and liv- ing conditions for everyone. Yet, the authoritarian behav- ior from his past tri- umphs over hope for good leader behavior while his demagogu- ery, lying and distain for the rule of law dominate his regime. Changes include politicizing the na- tion’s independent institutions, spread- ing misinformation, amassing ex- ecutive power, quashing dissent, delegitimizing ethical communities upon which the nation was found- ed, and corrupting elections. Each and all of these “adjustments” are attacked simultaneously so that the citizens will become fatigued and confused by any effort to fi ght back and prevent eradica- tions. He launches ongo- ing efforts to trash the reputations of institu- tions like those in law enforcement and de- clare that he has every right to do so. He has his base of supporters and appointed staff in league with him who spread gos- sip about “deep state” conspiracies against him, including his repeated charges in reference to the “very bad and evil people” in the capital city trying to sabotage his right to absolute power. How does a despot get to au- thoritarian rule? The gullible and ignorant believe the promises made during the campaign are never im- plemented, save for those to the wealthy. There are those who vote for the despot-in-waiting and stick by him for religious reasons. Then there are those who vote for him gono h. mcintyro because their prejudices are identi- cal to his and wait for him to act, believing rewards, advantage over others and privileges will come to them. The guy we’ve got now has shown his true colors for two years through his throwaways of our sys- tem of checks and balances, rule by law and norm foundations from the U.S. Constitution and Bills of Rights; he seeks a path to totali- tarian rule with he as monocratic head. Those who could have stood in his way have declined to do so, while recent mid-terms election may erect barriers to a full despot- ic takeover. The American people can stand up for their way of life or permit a want-to-be despot to make America over into the darkest days of Germany and Italy circa the 1930s. (Gono H. McIntyro sharos his opin- ion froquontly in tho Koizortimos.) Share your opinion Submit a letter to the editor (up to 300 words), or a guest column (up to 550 words) by noon Tuesday. Email to: publisher@keizertimes.com
