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PAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, DECEMBER 27, 2019 Opinion Kindness? Priceless... By LYNDON ZAITZ Whew! We made it through 2019. We all have about a week of respite to sit back, relax, refl ect and rest until we’re hit in the face with all that 2020 will offer: the impeach- ment trial of President Trump in the Senate, primaries to determine the Democratic presidential nominee, and….and… Between now and Monday, Janu- ary 6, we will have time to take a collective sigh of relief that this year is ending. This is an im- portant time to think about what we want to accomplish, personally, in the new year, and take stock of the year ending. Just as world peace begins with each of us, civility in society begins with each of us, too. It is almost a certainty that ev- eryone wishes for world peace—it’s a common holiday wish. While we cannot do anything about strife and unrest in other parts of the globe, we all can do our part in working towards peace in our own backyard. A oft-posted Facebook message states that kindness, politeness and courtesy don’t cost a thing. That is true; everyone can be kind to their fellow man. We are all the center of our own universe, but life takes on a positive glow when we endeavor to think outside of ourselves and re- alize that our equals are our fellow citizens—of Keizer and the world. No one’s desires take precedence over anybody else. Consideration of others is taught in grade school and gradually fades as we reach adult- hood. Why does what we learn in fi rst or second grade become less important? Selfi shness is not an in- herent trait; it is a learned behavior. One of my favorite books is Robert Fulghum’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, from 1986. The bestseller, comprised of 50 short essays, explains how the world would be improved if adults adhered to the same basic rules as children, such as sharing, being kind to each other and more. It may seem simplis- tic, but much basic te- nets are. There is noth- ing complicated here; what once served us well as children can still serve us as adults. Society’s mouth- piece, i.e., social media, allows many people to anonymously opine without the messiness of face-to-face communi- cation. We have become polarized, not just in regards to politics but also culture, history and community. We tend to disagree over things that don’t matter. I’d rather we disagree and argue over the biggest issues we all face. Merriam Webster’s Word of the Year for 2019 is “they” as it relates to one’s choice of their personal pronoun. The word of the year for 2020 should be consider. Let’s consider the point of view of others. Let’s consider how our actions affect the world and those around us. Let’s consider how life can be when we treat strangers like friends or family. Over the next week, you can bet I’ll be considering all of that plus the challenges that’ll come with the new year. zaitz writes (Lyndon Zaitz is publisher and editor of the Keizertimes.) What does Matt Shea want? Media reports that a Washing- ton state lawmaker who has trav- eled throughout the west in recent years to meet with far right-wing extremist groups to organize an- ti-government (as in against the U.S. government) activities. He also participated in that infamous act of domestic terrorism at the Malheur Nation- al Wildlife Refuge in support of its armed occupation by the sons of rancher Cliven Bun- dy who has used federal (our) land without pay- ing any fees for its use. This guy, Matt Shea, a Republican from Spokane Valley, an elected Wash- ington state representative, has also trained young people to fi ght a “holy war” against the citizens of the U.S. He’s intimidated his opponents and promoted militia training by the Patriot Movement (a right-wing militia movement that commits and supports acts of violence) for armed confl ict with law enforcement. Investigators, headed by a for- mer FBI agent and law enforce- ment offi cer, have obtained ev- idence that Rep. Shea “planned, promoted and engaged in three armed confl icts of political vio- lence against the United States in three states outside the state of Washington during 2014, 2015, and 2016.” Disclosures from the investiga- tions report that Shea helped plan and prepare for the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns in Harney County. Shea’s activities, ongoing since 2015, have involved asking for patriot and militia groups (Or- egon has its own group versions and advocates) to rally against the U.S. government. Then there’s Shea’s involvement in the stand- off with FBI agents in a dispute over grazing rights. Also, in 2015, he physically resisted authorities when they planned to remove fi re- arms from the home of resident in his area who was forbidden by law to possess them. Members of the state of Wash- ington legislative body want Shea to resign as he has been determined unfi t to hold public offi ce. He refuses to resign and has ded- icated himself to more activities to overthrow the U.S. government, the U.S Constitution and Bill of Rights and all U.S. laws. They want possession of all public lands, in- cluding wildlife refuges, national parks, and national forests. Besides wanting this guy locked up so he does not hurt any other American and destroy public lands so he and his pals can subvert them to their personal use and profi t, a couple of considerations cause me great pause. First and foremost, what form of government does Shea and his fellow right-wing ac- tivists want? Or, do they want no government whatsoever where ev- ery American citizen and his fam- ily are left to fend for themselves against a lawless collection of mal- contents, thugs and thieves? These people demand to have all matters of public consideration go the way they want them to. When anyone tries to stop them they will, like the agents of dem- agogues throughout world history, rule with ethical abandon and ar- bitrary decisions that by their law provide them with absolute pow- er while all others are under their control. By their recipe for rule, we obey or perish. gene h. mcintyre (Gene H. McIntyre lives in Keizer and shares his opinion frequently in the Keizertimes.) Keizertimes Wheatland Publishing Corp. 142 Chemawa Road N. • Keizer, Oregon 97303 Phone: 503.390.1051 • www.keizertimes.com MANAGING EDITOR Eric A. Howald editor@keizertimes.com SUBSCRIPTIONS One year: $35 in Marion County, $43 outside Marion County, $55 outside Oregon ASSOCIATE EDITOR Matt Rawlings news@keizertimes.com COMMUNITY REPORTER PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY Lauren Murphy reporter@keizertimes.com Publication No: USPS 679-430 ADVERTISING POSTMASTER Paula Moseley advertising@keizertimes.com Send address changes to: PRODUCTION MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Jackson graphics@keizertimes.com LEGAL NOTICES legals@keizertimes.com BUSINESS MANAGER EDITOR & PUBLISHER Lyndon Zaitz publisher@keizertimes.com 2019-2020 President Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Keizertimes Circulation 142 Chemawa Road N. Keizer, OR 97303 Periodical postage paid at Salem, Oregon Leah Stevens billing@keizertimes.com RECEPTION Lori Beyeler INTERN Brooklyn Flint facebook.com/keizertimes twitter.com/keizertimes APPLE, continued from Page A1 they're stuck in buildings and behind desks a lot or look- ing at screens,” Erickson said. While on the surface Erickson seems like a pretty lighthearted guy, he takes his job very seriously and puts a lot of pressure on himself to give kids the best music but the nomination is a bigger deal to me mostly be- experience possible. cause it comes from my peers, so they actually know “I've had a lot of people that say they have had bad what I do,” Erickson said. experiences with music in elementary school and that Shelley Percey, a third grade teacher at Clear Lake has turned them off to music for the rest of their lives. Elementary, wrote one of letters nominating Erickson That's horrible, so I feel a big responsibility in this posi- on behalf of the school. tion to give kids the best start I can. I'm just hoping to “Jason’s dedication to music education, community set them up for future success,” Erickson said. involvement and connections with students goes above Erickson was born with an innate ability to make and beyond the realm of his job description,” Percey said music. By the time he was fi ve years old, Erickson could in the letter. “Mr. Erickson’s commitment to music edu- play music by ear just by hearing it on the television or cation goes way beyond his contracted school day.” radio. Clear Lake principal Artonya Gemmill echoed Per- Eventually, Erickson, who is originally from Arizona, cey's sentiments. graduated from Northern Arizona University, where he “Jason Erickson is someone that truly thinks about majored in music. how to reach students through music. He works to in- After graduation, however, Erickson wound up clude all students in class. He is kind, caring and he keeps working at a hardware store for 18 months. But after students engaged in learning,” Gemmill said. “He is one looking online for a teaching job, he found an inquiry that will support students and staff at any time. He makes for a temporary, part-time position at Clear Lake. learning fun for kids. He’s a very talent- Even though it was more than 1,000 ed musician and song writer and really miles away, Erickson didn't care. And loves what he does.” when he fi rst walked through the doors Erickson's dedication to his students, at Clear Lake, Erickson knew that this and the Keizer community, manifests is where he wanted to be. itself in many different ways. He has “I realized once I got to the school made it a tradition to take his fourth for my interview that it was a special and fi fth grade students to see the Ore- place,” Erickson said. “I didn't really gon Symphony every year. look at it as a huge leap of faith. I just Erickson will also take his students really wanted to get started on my ca- to the Willamette Lutheran Retirement reer.” Home during the holiday season before Erickson started working at Clear they go off to sing at the state Capitol. Lake in January of 2001. When the pre- — Jason Erickson “I want kids to be civic minded. vious teacher, who was on maternity Crystal Apple winner leave, elected not to return to her job, Those retirement homes can be lonely places, so bringing a busload of chil- Erickson was brought onto the full- dren to sing is pretty rewarding to see,” time staff. Erickson said. “We want to make well-rounded people “I stumbled into this job because I needed a job, but who are nice to each other.” as it turns out, elementary music is probably where I fi t Erickson has also made it a habit to use himself as a the best,” Erickson said. prop, giving kids motivation to reach specifi c goals — Erickson's classes focus a lot on singing and learning like a certain number of jog-a-thon pledges. Over the how to listen to a beat. Eventually, he will have his stu- years, Erickson has died his hair pink and even had caf- dents playing percussion, keyboards, guitars and several eteria leftovers dumped on is head if his kids meet their other instruments, along with teaching how to read mu- intended goal. sic, harmonize and perform — with the goal of trying to “It's all temporary, but if it gets the kids fi red up, it's help his kids perform beyond their grade level. worth it. We want kids to be glad to be here. If you take “I enjoy taking students farther than adults probably away all the fun stuff and make it all about tests and think they should go. My choirs tend to sing music that sitting at a desk, they don't have anything to buy into,” is designed for middle school,” Erickson said. Erickson said. While it's been almost 20 years, Erickson passion for But Erickson's commitment to the kids of Clear Lake his job is still undeniable. doesn't end there. He routinely uses his prep time to “Like any job, I have really good days, and then there help students out in some of their other subjects. And are days that are really hard. But I'm having fun with it, currently, Erickson is attempting to have the school in- and if I'm having fun, chances are (the kids) are going to stall an outdoor learning space. be having fun, too,” Erickson said. “This music room is a “I want to get kids outside more, because it feels like big part of who I am.” “If it gets the kids fi red up, it’s worth it. We want kids to be glad to be here.” Willamette Valley Hospice offers free volunteer training Willamette Valley Hospice invites you to attend a free training session to explore the volunteer opportu- nities available with the non-profi t agency. The free, one-day training will be held at their offi ce, 1015 3rd St. NW, Salem, on Friday, Jan.17, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Respite volunteers are especially needed to provide a break to family caregivers, so that they can run an er- rand or have a minute to rest. Veter- an volunteers are also needed to visit other veterans. Other opportunities include help- ing in the offi ce, pet therapy, be- reavement support, helping hospice patients with their pets, and helping with outreach at community activ- ities and special events. Schedules are fl exible and volunteers can serve close to their home. Contact volunteer coordinators Brittney or Shelley for more infor- mation at 503.588.3600 or e-mail brittneyb@wvh.org or shelley.wage- ner@wvh.org. Learn more at wvh. org.
