PAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, NOVEMBER 27, 2020
CHANGES: Comm. center activities GAZEBO,
cratered just as outlook was rosy
continued from Page A1
(Continued from Page A1)
with St. Vincent DePaul and
the Salvation Army to provide
direct assistance to Keizer
residents struggling as a result
of the pandemic, job losses
and other strains of the past
nine months. He’s already
disbursed about $200,000, but
has roughly $300,000 more
budgeted for the effort.
“We partnered with them
because they have the systems
to provide assistance already
in place. It’s been amazing
because
someone
might
come in at 2 p.m. and have
paid up their water bills by 4
p.m. It’s been one of the most
rewarding things I’ve ever
been part of,” Wood said.
The pandemic has changed
practices throughout city hall,
fi nances are one aspect. Shane
Witham, Keizer’s interim
development director, said his
department was no exception.
“It’s been a reminder
to be fl exible, something
government isn’t always great
at doing, and that we’re all in
this together,” Witham said.
Early on, and with the new
state-ordered freeze, using
online permit application
systems has become more
frequent. It wasn’t necessarily
new, but it was already the
preferred method for many
developers.
“That being said, there is
still a large set of folks that
prefer to come down to the
offi ce and talk with staff or
have a meeting in person. I
defi nitely anticipate that we
will continue to utilize online
meeting tools (like Zoom)
post-COVID,” Witham said.
In the early going, there
was a slowdown in requests
for permits, but permits for
smaller projects began ramping
up and larger ones followed
suit. Witham said it was close
to the normal volume again said.
Amid the chaos created by
by October.
One of the bigger tasks the pandemic, the city was
that required input from also hacked and its data held
both Witham and Wood was for ransom. Wood oversees
administering business loan- the tech department as part
grants made available by of his duties and the hack
the city and, later, Business meant changing policies
and procedures throughout
Oregon.
Witham said the initial the city network. Recently,
wave of grants offered by the the city has been trying to
stockpile laptops for those
city was relatively simple.
working from
“The grant
home,
ones
money
we
that will come
administered
preloaded with
to
local
extra layers of
businesses that
cybersecurity.
came through
“We’ve seen
Business
the prices go
Oregon
did
— Shane Witham up in recent
pose
some
Keizer Dev. Director months
and
challenges.
the inventory
There
were
drop
from
some strings
time to time,”
attached and
requirements for qualifi cations Wood said. “It’s also been
that prevented some businesses eye-opening to see just how
from being able to receive frequently someone tries to
funding, and the timeframe hack city computers.”
for getting the word out and
New protections, give Wood
accepting and awarding grants and others access to the number
was short,” he said.
of attempts that are made at
Of the roughly $90,000 hacking the city’s network.
Keizer had access to through There was a steep increase a
Business Oregon, only about mere month ago as ne’er-do-
$62,000
was
distributed wells sought access points to
because of the short- election systems.
windowed, highly-targeted
“It all makes me more
nature of the program.
surprised that other agencies
Grant programs, which haven’t been hit already. We’re
required staff oversight even still recovering a bit fi ve months
when the process was fairly later,” Wood said.
straightforward, are typically
something the city outsources
to the Willamette Valley
Council of Governments, but
the rapid turnaround required
meant the city had to reinvent
the wheel to some degree.
“[Keizer] was designed to
have a small government and
we don’t have the resources
available to us for those kinds
of programs. It was defi nitely
a learning experience,” Wood
“It’s been a
reminder to
be fl exible.”
The biggest hit to the city
budget will be the community
center itself. Lockdowns and
warnings against gathering
in large groups cratered the
business side of the center
beginning in March. Pre-
pandemic, the community
center was on track to have its
best year ever.
“We were even going to
expand the number of staff in
that department, but the lack
of revenue led to a layoff last
month instead,” Wood said.
Wood
continues
to
monitor trends and their
possible impact on city
fi nances, but things are only
looking up in a few spaces.
Revenue from marijuana,
cigarette and liquor taxes are
mostly trending upward. In
January, the city will also get
a portion of new taxes on
vaping products.
Off all the lessons learned
during the long months of
2020, Wood said the most
essential is how to keep the
city running amid personal
differences.
“We have a wide range of
opinions and thoughts and
backgrounds, but we have to
fi gure out how to work with
everyone and keep our eye on
the mission at hand,” Wood
said. “That's one of the lessons
I would defi nitely like us as
a city to continue forward
with.”
as well as Rodda Paint in
Salem. He also received free
supplies from Herc Rentals in
Keizer.
After Elder and his crew
began sanding and pressure-
washing the gazebo, they were
forced to take a two-week
hiatus due to the wildfi res
damaging the air-quality
across the state. When Elder
was able to return to work, he
applied a rust-killing chemical
FEMA extends deadline
for canyon wildfi re aid
The deadline for survivors of Oregon wildfi res to apply for
FEMA individual disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans
from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been ex-
tended to Monday, Nov. 30.
Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can in-
clude money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal
property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered
by insurance.
Apply for disaster assistance with FEMA online at www.disas-
terassistance.gov/ by using the FEMA app or calling the FEMA
Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m.
and 10 p.m. daily. Those who use a relay service such as a video-
phone, InnoCaption, or CapTel should update FEMA with their
assigned number for that service. Phone calls from FEMA may
come from an unidentifi ed number.
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to the facility, then began
priming and masking the
gazebo before painting.
Manuel Jauregui, a local
painter, offered guidance and
assistance to Elder free of
charge.
After approximately 415
man hours, the project was
completed in late-October.
“I'm so thankful for
everyone who helped me
out,” Elder said.“It was a huge
relief once we were fi nished.
I learned that a project of this
capacity takes a lot of planning
and organization.”
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DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
On River Road,
one-half mile
north of McNary
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on McGee Ct,
take second
driveway on left.
UNIT TYPES:
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DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
On River Road,
one-half mile
north of McNary
Estates.
Senior Living Community
UNIT TYPES:
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walk-in closet
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ACTIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING: yes
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• Beauty Salon • Optional Meal Plans • Staffed 24/7
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Keizer’s Best Kept Secret
DIRECTIONS
FROM KEIZER:
Drive north
on River Rd.
Turn left on
Wheatland Rd.
Go 1.5 miles. On
left side of road.
UNIT TYPES:
• independent
living includ.
studio and
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MONTHLY RENT: starting at $1,768
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AMENITIES:
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