Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current, May 29, 2020, Image 4

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Keizertimes., May 29, 2020, Page 4, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPAGE A4, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 29, 2020 Opinion Keizer women on the fall ballot By LYNDON ZAITZ Regardless of one’s political label, Keizerites should be excited that three local women will be on the general election ballot in November for key positions. All Republicans, one is running for federal ofﬁ ce, one is running for a state-wide ofﬁ ce and one is running for county com- missioner. That is a slate of nominees never seen from Keizer before. Local businesswoman and former Keizer City Councilor Amy Ryan Courser will face incumbent Con- gressman Kurt Schrader in the 5th District. Kim Thatcher, also a busi- nesswoman, who has served in the state House and cur- rently serves as a state Sen- ator, won the GOP nomi- nation for secretary of state. She will face her Senate col- league Shemia Fagan, who narrowly and unexpectedly won the Demo- cratic nomination. Danielle Bethell, executive director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Salem-Keiz- er School Board, will face Demo- zaitz writes crat Ashley Carson Cottinghman for county commissionerin November. On the morning of November 4, the day after the general election, Keizer may well ﬁ nd itself in the cen- ter of Oregon politics. Keizer was once home a U.S. Congressman: Mike Kopetski, who served two terms. The possibility of Keizer being home to a Congresswoman, a secretary of state and a county commissioner is excit- ing. If they all win their respective eletions, Keizer, too, would win. (Lyndon Zaitz is editor and publisher of the Keizertimes.) COVID-19 rules should be equal Now that the May primary elec- No farmer doesn’t want to take care tion is over, we can look forward to a of their valued workers. These rules robust General election in November. need to be scaled back extensively or In this column, I’d like to write about rescinded completely. Here is an example: There are in- something COVID-19 related, as all news seems to be lately, but in this consistencies between the restaurant reopening guidance by case, something that isn’t OHA/Gov. Brown and gaining a lot of attention ag temporary rules. Win- outside of the agriculture customers are allowed world. from the ery to drive together in vehi- We all know about the capitol cles, eat and taste wine in Gov. Kate Brown’s guide- groups, but agricultural lines for how we are han- By BILL POST employees are not, even dling this outbreak as well on the same property? The as the Oregon Health Au- vineyard and its work- thority’s guidelines, but have you heard of OSHA’s “rules” for ers are on OSHA rules; the tasting room on OHA/Governor reopening farms? This week in the House Agricul- guidance. Another example: Agricul- ture and Land Use Committee, we tural toilets (Port-a-Potties) and hand will be hearing from multiple persons washing units must be cleaned and involved with the rules, their imple- sanitized three times per day, but the mentation and enforcement. Farmers public restrooms are not under the are a very large part of House District same requirements. A portable toilet at 25 and these rules could greatly jeopar- a construction site or a public toilet at a dize their ability to harvest in the next restaurant. The rules on housing could 2-4 weeks and for the rest of this sum- potentially cause a “pay equity” dispar- mer. These rules are centered on farm ity. The rules require all beds to be six workers. There are rules for housing, feet a part. That means a farmer who transportation and sanitation facilities. houses workers, may have to pay for housing in a motel which means some workers would be “paid” better than others. I will be urging the governor’s ofﬁ ce to rescind or greatly scale back these rules by OSHA in a bipartisan, bicameral letter from Oregon legisla- tors. From the committee meeting this week, we found out that the gover- nor’s ofﬁ ce has created the “Coronavi- rus Relief Fund” from the Emergen- cy Board, is designating $30 million for farmers to pay for: housing access (hotel/motel vouchers and alternative on site housing), ﬁ eld sanitation (hand washing stations, Port-a-Potties) and mitigation of COVID-19 (masks and gloves, isolation and quarantine access and communications and outreach). We absolutely need to keep farm workers safe but must be consistent with the OHA and governor’s guide- lines across the board in order to not hurt our farmers who have suffered much already. MCFD#1 after failed levy the salt sea air, pleas from Oregon coast residents to respect their basic needs, ﬁ rst, to survive and, also, to retain lo- cal provisions sufﬁ cient to satisfy food and drink requirements, was observed. What’s become of a situation—that could have gone real bad—can best be described as peace and order along the shores of the Paciﬁ c Ocean where Or- egon’s small cities, scenic villages, pris- tine parks and resplendent views invite visitors to enjoy the attractions. As things stood as of late Monday, Oregon counted 3,449 conﬁ rmed COVID-19 cases, with 148 deaths. Meanwhile, accompanying good news on this day reported that not a single person had passed away. By way of any comparison with other states and other nations, Oregon stands tall and proud with its population of persons, representing all races, cultures and re- ligions, as good, and even outstanding by any look elsewhere, at how others have fared. We continue to be remind- ed by our best American scientists with expertise in viruses that we are some distance from declaring victory over COVID-19. Nevertheless, every in- dication is that we Oregonians care enough about each other by willing to practice stay-at-home, mask-wearing and distance-respecting to keep this “wolf ” at bay. Gene H. McIntyre Keizer letters To the Editor: I want to thank our community for partici- pating in the recent election to renew and increase the local option levy for Marion County Fire District #1. The results were not as we’d hoped, and we recognize this is a difﬁ cult time for many in our community. The failure to increase the levy also means that the entire local option levy failed. This levy accounts for $2.4 mil- lion, or almost 30 percent of our prop- erty tax revenue to provide emergency services. We will continue to provide the best level of service within a balanced budget. We also need to be transparent in letting the communities we serve know that service levels will be re- duced. Our Board of Directors will be meeting to discuss what those cuts will be. It’s going to be a difﬁ cult conversa- tion to have with our communities, but we will keep you informed every step of the way. Please participate in these discussions. We need your help and support now more than ever. Kyle McMann, Fire Chief Marion County Fire District #1 Kudos to Oregonians during pandemic To the Editor: I have traveled around the world as a civilian, living in and holding down jobs in Canada, Germany and Saudi Arabia, enjoying travels for short stopovers along the way. Nevertheless, as a native son (born in Astoria), no matter how far away or for how long, my return to native soil was a guarantee because my original family settled on the banks of the Co- lumbia River, weaned me on Chinook salmon and made me a permanent lov- er of this place where, although seeing so much elsewhere, recognized noth- ing more pretty or more blessed that this state of Oregon. I want to make my pride in Ore- gonians known to the world. Orego- nians, who’ve done so well at staying well. That status has been realized by the vast majority of us, mainly going along with Gov. Kate Brown’s order to stay-in-place. Personal experience has disclosed it not altogether an easy assignment; yet, has resulted in few of us having to break ranks to violate the admonition. Further, with the im- provement in weather that calls us each spring, like the Siren’s Song, to seek FLOCK: ‘It’s very strange to have Sundays off for a pastor’ (Continued from Page A1) messaging, Zoom meetings and social media. Aside from a lack of personal inter- actions, the church has been struggling to garner ﬁ nancial support during the crisis. Rev. Gary Zerr is pastoring St. Edward Catholic Church, one of the more sizable congregations in the area. A typical weekday mass had upwards of 80 people, on the weekends it was around 1,800 attendees for each of their three services. Currently they are offering mass- es in English and Spanish, which can be viewed live, with 25 people or less who are able to attend the service in person. “What we're hoping to do when we’re allowed to is to have 50 [people] present is to offer one Mass in three different detached buildings at one time.... not [two services] in the main church with live streaming and video and communion,” Zerr said. To keep their parishioners safe, they are mandating masks, removing the books from the pews, adhering to so- cial distancing guidelines, and cleaning after every service. “It’s very strange to have Sundays off for a pastor,” Zerr said. He said it’s been 30 years since he held a job that didn’t work on the weekends. Like Dominguez, Zerr is struggling with the inability to see his congrega- tion. “A pastor without his people phys- ically present is hard for him and it’s hard for the congregation,” Zerr said. They have been live streaming their usual services like Bible studies, but it’s not exactly the same. “Preaching to an empty church on Easter Sunday was unreal. [It was] very tough, because we would normally be jammed full at each of our services,” Zerr said. St. Edward, like La Luz Del Valle, has been able to utilize social media to connect with its members. They are offering Zoom classes for religious ed- ucation and still answering the phone lines. “We call the shut-ins regularly since we can’t visit most of them right now,” Zerr said. The pandemic isn’t all bad for St. Edward though. “Many who are watching our Sun- day services and who wouldn’t nor- mally come to Mass on Sundays are discovering what we do and hopefully increasing their faith,” Zerr said. Zerr sees God’s plan through all of this. Though he admits he’s not sure what, he does think some good will come of this. “I feel God has a plan in this for us, for all believers and for the world,” he said. “I think every pastor in Salem is probably struggling with the same is- sue to want to be together again, safe- ly,” Zerr said. (Bill Post represents House Dis- trict25. He can be reached at 503- 986- 1425 or via email at rep.bill- post@oregonlegislature.gov.) OnPoint CU slates Keizer opening OnPoint Community Cred- it Union will open its new Keizer branch, located at 5120 River Road North, on Monday, June 1. “OnPoint is committed to serv- ing our members and building strong communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive ofﬁ cer. “Over the last couple years, we’ve received more and more mem- ber requests to provide a presence in this region. We couldn’t be more thrilled to fulﬁ ll that request and open our doors to this growing communi- ty.” The branch will offer ﬁ nancial services including membership en- rollment, consumer and commercial lending, mortgages, ﬁ nancial planning, ATM, coin machine and notarization. The Keizer location will feature a two-car drive-up teller window and a drive-up ATM. Branch Manager Michael Savory, who has worked at OnPoint since 2008, will run daily operations. “We are thrilled to join the vibrant, historical and beautiful community of Keizer,” said Savory. “OnPoint’s Keiz- er team looks forward to helping the members of our new community achieve their ﬁ nancial goals, while de- veloping deep partnerships to support Keizer’s most critical needs.” Hours will be 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Social distancing is being encouraged while Oregon remains under a state of emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally founded by teachers, OnPoint will make a $2,500 dona- tion to the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation (SKEF) to support local students. SKEF provides students with during the two-hour allotted nap time. • Adequate food supplies will be procured to serve meals designated on menus provided to parents. The centers had been accused of not providing menu items displayed for parents and not recording substitutions. • Proper amounts of paper towels and disposable cups will be available. This is a response to charges that Enchanted facilities ran out of paper towels frequently and forced children to reuse disposable cups that were supposed to be disposed of during the pandemic crisis to stop the spread of COVID-19. • Reports of serious injuries must be made to Ofﬁ ce of Child Care at the Oregon Department of Education and parents must be informed of injuries sustained while in care. The agreement does not address the other accusations of harsh discipline and ridicule – deemed valid by state ofﬁ cials – during an investigation by state authorities that led to Long losing her license to provide child care during the pandemic. That investigation concluded Long had “demonstrated behavior that has a detrimental effect on children, and should not have access to child care children.” before and after school extra-curric- ular activities, athletics, camps, events, school supply drives and more. On- Point will also make a $2,500 dona- tion to the Career Technical Educa- tion Center (CTEC). CTEC is an innovative public-private partnership which works to prepare high school students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers. “CTEC is a dynamic workplace environment where students acquire the professional skills, technical skills, and academics they need to graduate with a competitive advantage,” said CTEC Principal Rhonda Rhodes. “Without strong industry partner- ships and generous donations from incredible companies like OnPoint, CTEC would not be able to provide the most current and relevant industry training to our Salem-Keizer students. We greatly appreciate this generous donation, especially during this in- credibly challenging time.” OnPoint’s will open a west Salem branch, located at 645 Ninth St. NW, Suite 185, on Monday, June 22. On- Point operates 35 branches across Or- egon and Southwest Washington with the addition of Keizer and west Salem. ID theft ‘operation’ found in 13th Avenue home A Keizer man was arrested by po- ganized identity theft operation.” The lice after being pulled over hauling a investigation is continuing. Rauch was taken to the Mari- trailer and ATV that were allegedly on County Jail. He is charged purchased through fraud. with theft and ﬁ ve counts of On Tuesday, May 19, identity theft. His bail was set Keizer police ofﬁ cers at $42,500, he was later released stopped a vehicle being op- under high levels of supervi- erated by Matthew Rauch, sion. Rauch’s next court date is 35. Rauch was a subject in July 13. an ongoing investigation by M. Rauch Rauch has prior convictions the Keizer Police Depart- for promoting prostitution, ment detectives, according possession of forged instruments, to police ofﬁ cials. Detectives later searched a resi- identity theft and attempting to com- dence in the 4900 block of 13th Ave- mit a Class B felony. nue Northeast and discovered “an or- police scanner MONDAY, MAY 18 • 12:13 a.m. - Reckless burning in the 2000 block of Keizer Road NE. • 12:13 a.m. - Possession of heroin in the 5000 block of River Road N. • 7:05 a.m. - Stolen vehicle theft in the 2000 block of Kennedy Circle NE. • 9:47 a.m. - Stolen vehicle in the 2000 block of Kennedy Circle NE. • 10:29 a.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 6000 block of Ulali Drive NE. • 8 p.m. - Stolen vehicle theft in the 4000 block of 5th place NE. • 9:21 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 5000 block of River Road N. TUESDAY, MAY 19 CARE, continued from Page A1 Submitted OnPoint Credit Union, at 5120 River Road N., is scheduled to open June 1. • 8:48 a.m. - Shoplifting in the 4000 block of River Road N. • 9:52 a.m. - Theft from motor vehicle in the 5000 block of River Road N. • 12:20 p.m. - Arrest on warrant in the 4000 block of 13th Avenue N. • 2:54 p.m. - Identity theft in the 4000 block of 12th Avenue NE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 • 2:58 p.m. - Arrest for possession of stolen vehicle in the 3000 block of Cherry Avenue NE. • 3:50 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 100 block of Chemawa Road N. 4:01 p.m. - Unlawful possession of methamphetamine in the 3000 block of Cherry Avenue NE. • 4:23 p.m. - Disorderly conduct and interfering with a police ofﬁ cer in the 2000 block of Manzanita Street NE. THURSDAY, MAY 21 block of Gary Street NE. • 6:54 p.m. - Shoplifting in the 5000 block of River Road N. • 9:51 p.m. - Arrest in criminal tres- passing in the 5000 block of River Road N. FRIDAY, MAY 22 • 3:14 p.m. - Computer crime in the 3000 block of Brooks Avenue NE. • 5:30 p.m. - Criminal trespassing in the 1000 block of Dearborn Avenue NE. • 9:30 p.m. - Theft form a motor ve- hicle in the 900 block of Weeks Drive NE. SATURDAY, MAY 23 • 6:30 a.m. - Unlawful entry into a ve- hicle with the intent to commit theft in the 4000 block of Chemawa Road N. • 9:36 a.m. - Physical harassment in the 1000 block of Chemawa Road N. • 12:16 p.m. - Stolen vehicle theft in the 3000 block of Partridge Lane NE. • 1:35 p.m. - Crash at the intersec- tion of Chemawa Road NE and Ulali Drive NE. SUNDAY, MAY 24 • 2:37 a.m. - Physical harassment in the 4000 block of Elizabeth Street N. • 3:29 p.m. - Probation violation in the 2000 block of Kennedy Circle NE. MONDAY, MAY 25 • 1:59 p.m. - Menacing use or display of weapons in the 7000 block of Kayla Shae Street NE. • 7:30 a.m. - Forgery in the 4000 20-year-old arrested in I-5 elude A 20-year-old from Vancouver, Wash., was arrested in Keizer after she was spotted driving a vehicle stolen in Salem. At approximately 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, the owner of a sto- len car called 9-1-1 to report they had located the vehicle and were following it in Salem. Law enforcement was notiﬁ ed, but the caller eventually lost sight of the car, a 2007 Prius. A few minutes lat- er, a Keizer Police Department ofﬁ cer located the Prius near the intersection of Mainline Drive Northeast and Sa- lem Parkway Northeast and attempt- ed to stop it. The driver tried to elude the ofﬁ cer, eventually entering north- bound Interstate 5, driving at around 80 mph. Other ofﬁ cers assisted and were able to block the vehicle’s movement, and ended the pursuit near the Brooks exit on I-5. Minor damage occurred to both the Prius and one police vehicle. Haraja Apa was arrested at the scene. Apa is charged with unlawful use of a vehicle, attempt to elude, and criminal mischief. Her bail was set at $30,000.