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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 2019)
Opinion $30/month too much for Keizer kids? By LAUREN MURPHY Keizer is a picturesque little town: there is a creek that runs through the golf course, the high school is getting renovated, and at fi rst glance, it seems that our worst problem is the 15 minutes of traffi c on River Road during rush hour. But not everything is as it seems in our mov- ie-ready town. There are some ugly problems lurking beneath the sur- face. One of these prob- lems is youth homeless- ness. Over the past sever- al months, the Keizertimes has run stories on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. We have found there are a variety of different reasons as to how and why young adults ended up where they’re at: in- cluding cultural infl uences, inability of parents to provide for their kids and persecution for sexual orienta- tion. Through it all, regardless of whether or not they have a roof over their head, students experienc- ing homelessness are expected to go to school and be good students– but it’s hard to stay on top of homework when there’s no home to do it in. We tell ourselves is it’s not that big of an issue; not here in our city. The truth of the matter is that of all the students who are experiencing homelessness in the Salem-Keizer School District, 21 percent of them come from Keizer schools. To put that in perspective, Keizer schools only make up 15 percent of the district with 10 of the 65 schools. Students experiencing homeless- ness typically miss more school than their peers. This is particularly true for female students without access to femi- nine hygiene products. They will miss three to fi ve days of school a month because of their menstrual cycle. If a student misses two days a month, every month, by the time the school year is over they’ve missed an entire month of school. Additionally, when a student is registered as homeless in the district, they can either go to their commu- nity school or their school of origin, meaning McNary students have to stay enrolled in McNary and seek shelter in the downtown Salem area. Having a house in the Keizer area will help minimize the problems students face with transportation and getting to school on time. Here in the city of Keizer, we pride ourselves on volunteerism and community– now we need to put our money where our mouth is. Taylor’s House is the fi rst shelter dedicated to youth, ages 11-18, in over a decade in the Salem area. The other voices cost of that project: $320,000 to buy and renovate and $400,000 a year to operate it. If 1,000 businesses decided to get involved and gave $26.67 a month it would only take a year to raise the money to purchase and renovate a house like Taylor’s House. After the house was purchased and renovated it would take and ad- ditional $33.34 a month, per busi- ness to keep the program running if the community funded the house. These funds would pay for utilities, supplies and approximately nine staff members. There are still many questions: Who will run the shelter? Will it be handed over to a community agen- cy or will it be funded and ran by the community? Will it be run by Keizer residents for Keizer kids, or by anyone with the time and money to support it? These questions and many more I haven’t even begun to think of will be answered in time; assuming as a city we decide to start talking about it. But fi rst we need one person to step forward and say they’ll do it, one person to say they’ll support our youth, one person to start the conversation. (Lauren Muprhy is a communi- ty reporter at the Keizertimes. She can be reached at; reporter@keiz- ertimes.com.) Casual is getting too casual At one time employee uniforms could be found at just about any business in America. When a cus- tomer walked into a store they were faced with the staff well-groomed and in identifying uniform. The casualization of America has gone too far. Peo- ple can dress anyway they choose at home, but businesses owners and managers should expect the employees who represent their companies to the pub- lic put their best foot forward. Some large businesses seem to have let their employees decide for themselves what to wear. That’s not a problem for an employee who works behind the scenes, but what message does it send to cus- tomers when a business’ frontline staff appearance is less than profes- sional? At minimum employers should require that frontline employees are well-groomed and their clothes are clean and pressed? Except in certain situations dress codes and standards these days are lax at best and non-existent at worse. Why does it matter? It mat- ters because an employee’s appear- ance is part of the overall marketing and branding statement. Plus, it embues the em- ployee with confi dence and professionalism. Grooming takes on added importance when it is someone handling food at a restaurant or a fresh food departments at grocery stores. Per- ception is reality for some people and if a foodworker’s grooming is suspect, a customer can lose con- fi dence quickly in the quality of their food. Generally, employers have the legal right to establish dress and grooming codes for employees. Some companies require formal business attire, some companies al- low employees to dress down on “casual Fridays,” and others adopt zaitz writes a more relaxed dress code through- out the week. Some employers, par- ticularly in the retail sector, require employees to wear uniforms bear- ing the company logo or to dress in particular types and colors of clothing associated with the store. For example, many restaurants re- quire wait staff to wear black slacks and a white, button-down shirt. All of these options—and many more—are perfectly legal, as long as they do not discriminate. There are many businesses whose employees proudly wear uniforms to perform their duties. A local tire store’s staff all wear a standard uniform—white shirts— that identifi es them immediately as an employee and someone who takes themselves seriously and pro- fessionally. Does a uniform ensure a transac- tion with a customer is fl awless? Of course not, but it sends the right message. Leave the uniform if you must, but give me good grooming. (Lyndon Zaitz is publisher and editor of the Keizertimes.) Response to governor’s vaping ban Via social media, we asked our readers their thoughts on Gov. Kate Brown directing state agencies to enact a temporary ban on the sale of fl avored vaping products. These are a selected variety of responses: • Where does it stop? A abuse of power. People die from alchohol, tobacco all the time. She just cre- ated a underground mar- ket. I do know she boosted people wanting to sign the recall petitions. —Carrie Fletcher French • My thoughts are ev- eryone has a “thing,” something that motivates them to move into some form of action. Whether you are with her or against her, she’s the governor and we are not. The best thing we can do is try to fi nd the silver lining in all situations so we don’t completely lose it over com- plicated divisive issues. There are not black and white answers. Re- member, humanity exists behind laws and bans and humans are not perfect. So be kind. Period. —Valacity Miller • If only she cared about those that have been killed by illegals...... or fi xing DHS, or school test scores, or everyone outside of Portland. —Drake Groeneveld • It shouldn’t be up to her. —Jill Spackman • Look to see who is buying her off; all candidates must show the people and businesses who are giv- ing her money. —Shirley Hudnall • What Governor Brown did is absolutely overreaching and should be reversed. Cigarettes kill 435,000 people per year, yet we have never suspended the sale of cigarettes. There is no logical cause for this ban. —David Paul Mc- Quaw • When’s too far? Drugs and drunk driving kill more peo- ple in a day than vaping has..... heart attacks caused by cholesterol and fried foods but people can still eat McDonald’s. —Lisa Herring • She is really overreaching here. A few people bought specif- ic, cheaply made cartridges and she decides she needs to ban everything? How many hundreds of thousands of people die or are hospitalized ev- ery year because of cigarettes; we’ve never once banned them. There are so many bigger problems that our state is facing and this is what she decides to waste her time on! She is absolutely the worst thing to have what’s your view? Keizertimes Wheatland Publishing Corp. • 142 Chemawa Road N. • Keizer, Oregon 97303 phone: 503.390.1051 • web: www.keizertimes.com • email: kt@keizertimes.com EDITOR & PUBLISHER Lyndon Zaitz publisher@keizertimes.com 2019-2020 President Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Keizertimes Circulation 142 Chemawa Road N. Keizer, OR 97303 Periodical postage paid at Salem, Oregon SUBSCRIPTIONS One year: $35 in Marion County, $43 outside Marion County, $55 outside Oregon PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY Publication No: USPS 679-430 happened to this state ever! —Deanna Gregory • If you ban the legal ones, peo- ple will just use the bad ones off the internet (you know, the ones that are actually hurting people). —Gillan Hoss • I think it’s overreach. Adults can make informed decisions. They want to destroy their lungs, that is on them. —Megan Hurley • There’s a reason there are two recall petitions circulating to re- move her from offi ce. —Chris Propeck • Why not ban cigarettes then? —Dan Melzer • If CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends a ban then okay. Until then, wait and see would have been the more pru- dent, cautious thing to do. —Shilo Robinson • But tobacco products will still be sold? It’s stripping away more of our freedom. —Angela Kay Ashley • I’m 33 years old; I used vape to quit smoking cigarettes! Haven’t kids always got a hold of cigarettes or alcohol or whatever they want- ed? Really? Come on! I’m not gonna lie, bought up as much as I could before the ban takes place. Along with my mother who is obviously older then me. Govern- ment overreach much? —Lacey Gust Aerni • Nanny State. Drugs, alco- hol, cigarettes and now vaping. Stupid people are smart enough to know that each one of these “habits” will kill them. So what’s the problem? You’re worried that these reprobates will kill themselves yet abortion is en- couraged. Double standard fake concerns. —Rick Chambers OCTOBER 11, 2019, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5 BUST, continued from Page A1 organizations” such as the Keizer Elks and Keizer Lions. Olson said he was willing to defer to the council as to what limits should be accepted in any expansion. “There is an opportunity to confi gure this any way you want. You can say you don't want it around any alcohol,” Olson said. Still, no councilors anted a motion to expand the ordinance. “I’m not seeing anyone who wants to make a gaming change at this time,” said Mayor Cathy Clark. Contact the reporter at editor@ keizertimes.com. KHT, continued from Page A1 a lot of fun to do something different and try to evoke a different reaction out of our audience.” Minden said. The Hitchhiker stars Dakota Saunders playing the role of Ronald Adams, a 36-year old man that embarks on a cross country road trip. Along the way, he sees a hitchhiker on multiple different occasions. If it's the same man, Adams wonders how he always able to stay one step ahead of him without the use of a car. He believes that he is losing his mind, but comes to fi nd out something far more sinister may be at play. “I was absolutely in love with the script. It was something that really spoke to me as an actor,” said Saunders, who is in his fi rst ever role as a lead actor. “It's a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of responsibility. Keeping the pace and setting the tone for the show is very key.” Sorry, Wrong Number features Julia Sargent portraying Mrs. Stevenson, a neurotic, invalid woman who's only companion while her husband is away on business is the telephone. One night, because of a crossed wire, she hears a plan for a murder. Frantically, she tries to get help for what she just heard, and soon realizes that the murder plot may be intended for her. “It has been really interesting to delve into a character that is sick, but also has a lot of entitlement. So I want to portray someone that is not only entitled, but also vulnerable and someone that you want to feel sorry for,” Sargent said. Traditional scripted readings often times just feature characters that stand up and read their lines when it's their turn. However, Minden promises that this production will be much more than that. “We have been referring to them as enhanced stage readings. Actors still have scripts, but there are costumes and a full set with lighting, music and sound effects,” Minden said. “It's a way for us as we try to grow as a theater to put KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings Julia Sargent rehearses for her part in Sorry, Wrong Number. together more shows in a season more quickly and easily. We're just trying to add more layers to it to keep people on their toes.” Even though he's been a part of many shows as an actor, this production will be Minden's fi rst as an director. “It's been a learning experience for me, but its been a lot of fun. It's all about looking at the big picture, not just what one person is doing, but how all the pieces come together,” Minden said. “Everyone has been fantastic to work with. They all bring a lot of energy to their characters and a lot of passion. I feel like everyone just got the vision right away.” Both performances will look a little bit different as Saunders will often be narrating the story of his character, while Sargent's role will mainly focus on dialogue. But each production still has the ability to give the audience goosebumps according to Minden and Saunders. “I would tell the average theater lover to buckle up, because it's like nothing you have ever seen before,” Saunders said. “Jeff has a vision that is unlike anything that I have ever had the opportunity to work with. If you are a lover of theater, you will defi nitely want to see this.” Minden also added: “I'm really hoping at the end of each act that the audience will be holding their breath to see what happens next. We're really trying to add some nice twists to it, so if you're a fan of suspense or thrillers or anything October- or Halloween-related, come on out and have some fun and enjoy the show.” police scanner MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 12:07 p.m. - Internet scam in the 1000 block of Manzanita Street NE. 4:48 p.m. - Arrest for assault in the 4000 block of 13th Avenue NE. 9:30 p.m. - Motor vehicle theft in the 200 block of Apple Blossom Avenue N. 11:17 p.m. - Arrest for physical harass- ment in the 1000 block of Trent Ave- nue N. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 12:21 a.m. - Arrest for warrant served at the intersection of Hyacinth Street NE. and Portland Road NE. 1:49 a.m. - Arrest for vandalism, disor- derly conduct and parole violation in the 100 block of Homewood Court N. 10:34 a.m. - Theft in the 3000 block of River Road N. 11:58 a.m. - Criminal trespassing and violation of release agreement in the 7000 block of Wheatland Road N. 2:35 p.m. - Suspicious activity and theft from building in the 5000 block of Robindale Drive N. 5:49 p.m. - Internet scam in the 600 block of Manbrin Drive NE. 9:40 p.m. - Arrest for vandalism, assault of a police offi cer and resisting arrest in the 3000 block of River Road N. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 5:20 a.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 100 block of Chemawa Road N. 9:42 a.m. - Arrest for public indecency in the 4000 block of River Road N. 11:32 a.m. - Vandalism in the 900 block of Plymouth Drive NE. 3:24 p.m. - Shoplifting in the 4000 block of River Road N. 3:40 p.m. - Traffi c accident in the 1000 block of Lockhaven Drive NE. 3:44 p.m. - Arrest for shoplifting and bench warrant in the 6000 block of Ulali Drive NE. 10:20 p.m. - Arrest for warrant served at the intersection of River Road N. and Sam Orcutt Way NE. 1:30 a.m. - Vandalism in the 4000 block of Brandon Court NE. 6:47 a.m. - Traffi c accident at the inter- section of River Road N. and Country Glen Avenue NE. 11:58 a.m. - Arrest for warrant served and unlawful possession of metham- phetamine in the 5000 block of Wit- tenberg Lane NE. 12:01 p.m. - Traffi c accident at the in- tersection of Sunset Avenue N. and Rivercrest Drive N. 4:26 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 5000 block of Wittenberg Lane NE. 6:02 p.m. - Arrest for violating re- lease agreement in the 4000 block of Northside Drive NE. 7:40 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 5000 block of River Road N. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 9 a.m. - Arrest for resisting arrest, pro- bation violation and restraining order violation in the 5000 block of River Road N. 9:30 a.m. - Bicycle theft in the 3000 block of River Road N. 10:58 p.m. - Arrest for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants in the 1000 block of Orchard Court N. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 12:06 a.m. - Assault in the 4000 block of Crater Avenue N. 8:50 a.m. - Traffi c accident at the inter- section of Shady Lane NE. and Shady Place NE. 9:03 a.m. - Shoplifting in the 5000 block of River Road N. 12:30 p.m. - Failure to perform duties of driver when property was damaged in the 900 block of Cummings Lane N. 1:56 p.m. - Vandalism in the 300 block of Hollyhock Place N. 7:34 p.m. - Arrest for restraining order violation in the 4000 block of 13th Av- enue NE. 8:27 p.m. - Arrest for driving under the infl uence of intoxicants. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 SUBSCRIBE GET A YEAR’S WORTH OF KEIZER NEWS – THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY – IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR ONLY $35 CALL 503-390-1051
