PAGE 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In this column, I’d like to write about rescinded completely.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.