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