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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 2020)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, DECEMBER 4, 2020 WINDOWS, CABINETS, APPL I ANCES, LUMBER, PLYWOOD, YES WE DELIVER! DOORS, FENCING, SIDING, FLOORING, INSULATION, & MUCH, MUCH MORE! B M B C BUILDING MATERIALS BARGAIN CENTER, INC. 775 FRONT STREET NE - SALEM - CALL US AT 503-363-9070 ‘There’s a big domino effect’ Marion County Fire District layoffs, station closures begin Keizer’s Christmas tree aglow The Keizer Chamber of Com- merce hosted the annual lighting of the Keizer Christmas Tree Tuesday, Dec. 1. While the event typically draws a large crowd, spectators were en- couraged to view the lighting on- line this year. For the fi rst time, the trunk of the tree is now protected by a wrought iron fence provided by Mike Gatch- et of G & S Machine. ABOVE: Santa lights the tree with the assistance of Ricky Fallardeau and Raegan Bethell. By MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes After voters declined to renew the Marion County Fire District #1 (MCFD1) levy proposal at the Nov. 3 general election, Fire Chief Kyle McMann was forced to lay off 12 fi refi ghters/ paramedics from his staff. It’s the fi rst time McMann has had to make staffi ng cuts since becoming the fi re chief nearly two years ago. “It was very diffi cult to do, mostly because I know all the staff members personally, but it also was hard because I knew what the impact on the public would be,” McMann said. The levy would have been at a rate of $0.71 per $1,000 of assessed property value for a fi ve-year period, which is the same rate as it was from 2016 to 2020 — the levy accounted for 30% of the district’s operating budget. It was the second time this year that the district’s levy renewal failed. At the May primary election, MCFD1 asked voters to increase the levy by $0.28. The ballot measure, however, was not approved, which meant the entire levy failed for the July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021 fi scal year. After the fi rst levy failed in May, MCFD1 reduced staffi ng, station hours and things that we just aren’t able apparatus to try and balance to do.” MCFD1’s seven other the district budget. Employees and emergency personnel facilities in the district will be also accepted cuts to wages greatly affected as well. Fire stations in Macleay and and health care benefi ts. But when the levy proposal Labish Center will be formally failed for the second time closed, and apparatus will be in November, staffi ng cuts transferred to other facilities. The Four Corners, and became unavoidable. Grove “We’ve hung on as long Chemeketa/Middle as we could,” McMann said. Stations will have staffi ng “There are no more reserve reduced from fi ve personnel funds to fall back on and to two. The battalion chief staffing, service level which is reductions are responsible for inevitable.” command of The layoffs fi res and daily will bring operations and minimum supervision, staffi ng levels will be cut from 14 from 24 to 12 down to eight hours a day. emergency — Chief Kyle McMann “There’s a personnel MCFD1 big domino per day at e f f e c t ,” M C F D 1 ’s McMann said. main facility. McMann said that the Since national standards require 14 fi refi ghters to safely district will likely ask voters fi ght a structure fi re, MCFD1 to consider a different levy in will require mutual aid for any 2022. “There were two levies fi re that they respond to. As a result of staff reduction, that failed for the fi rst time response times will increase in the history of the district. to up to 15 minutes to some We need to do a better job of understanding what the parts of the district. “We will still respond to voters want and why they said every call that we can, but the no,” McMann said. “But at the cuts decrease the amount of end of the day, we’re going to calls we can handle,” McMann do the best we can with the said. “There will be some resources that we have.” “There are no more reserve funds to fall back on.” We Didn’t Set The Bar WE ARE THE BAR! “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI r ached t h e age of si i x t y -two. t ose who ha v e re v i n g f o r th Qual l i t y senior lil vi Come See the Finest in Senior Living! CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com