Keizertimes., June 25, 2021, Page 5, Image 5

JUNE 25, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A5
FLAG,
Continued from page A1
conversation should have gone. I take
responsibility for that,” Clark said.
Still, testimony turned emotional at
several points in the evening as resi-
dents offered responses to the conversa-
tion during the previous meeting.
Mathew Poteet said that the city
already takes sides in some matters,
especially during the holiday season
when a Christmas tree goes up in the
Keizer Civic Center and when council-
ors take oaths to support and defend the
state and nation’s constitutions.
“Maybe we don’t call them flags, we
call them banners and line River Road
with them next year as we do during the
holidays,” Poteet said.
Resident Cortney Clendening, after
reading a letter from another resident,
was still at the mic when Councilor Ross
Day unleashed a torrent of criticism on
those speaking during public testimony.
Day called those with disabilities “the
most discriminated class in the history
of humankind. My point is that I haven’t
heard anyone talk about the disabled.”
That brought Clendening to tears as
she recalled assisting disabled veterans
at a kayaking event two days prior.
“I didn’t come here to judge you,” said
Clendening after Day directed his fury
at her. “Just because we aren’t talking
about it doesn’t mean the advocacy isn’t
happening. I do not believe that prob-
lems get solved when conversations fall
apart in disrespect.”
Resident Claire Snyder, who orga-
nized a Pride Fair in Keizer two weeks
prior, recommended that the council add
a position that acts as a point of contact
for and give voice to “members of the
community who do not seem to have a
place in the conversation right now.”
Snyder has suffered through a raft of
criticism and threats as a result of orga-
nizing the Pride Fair, particularly from
a group that showed up to demonstrate
against the event the day it happened.
Snyder began her statement noting that
the council had taken to “brushing off”
the lived experiences of some residents
as merely “feelings,” which has occurred
on several occasions in the recent
months.
Clark signed a proclamation recog-
nizing June 19 as Juneteenth, the day
when the last victims of American slav-
ery were notified that they were free, at
the start of the meeting. It took more
than two-and-a-half years after the sign-
ing of the Emancipation Proclamation
for them to learn of what happened.
Cat of the Week
Name: COLLETTE
Age: 3
HISTORY: She is a grey
and white domestic short hair.
PREFERRED HOME:
Collette enjoys chin scratches
and is very affectionate.
DEI,
Continued from page A1
Councilors agreed to do more research
into the other cities’ efforts and sub-
mit them before the group’s next meet-
ing. Smith planned to delve deeper into
Beaverton, Reid will be looking into
Monmouth and Dallas, Herrera will exam-
ine efforts in Oregon City.
“Make sure to ask about what efforts
have been most successful and what the
pitfalls were,” Smith said.
Smith also suggested scheduling
“listening sessions” either as part of
neighborhood association meetings or
independently.
“I want to make sure that we are going
out instead of just inviting people in,”
Smith said.
Herrera, who has championed youth
inclusion in civic matters alongside mar-
ginalized groups, said he would like to ask
the Keizer Chamber of Commerce to add
a youth award to its annual First Citizen
awards. Additionally, he suggested that
city councilors become more involved with
McNary High School’s large Latino Club.
After developing plans headed into the
group’s next meeting, scheduled July 21 at
4 p.m., Reid asked if there was anything the
city might do to recognize LGBTQ+ Pride
Month before it ends June 30.
“I was thinking particularly about the
reader board out front and what our poli-
cies are with that,” Read said.
Deputy City Recorder Debbie Lockhart,
who is in charge of the messaging on the
board, said the policy thus far has been
limiting topics to city meetings and events.
A policy change would rest in the council’s
hands.
On two occasions, Herrera and Reid
briefly sparred over how the city should
approach the conversation going forward
with Herrera wanting some acknowledg-
ment of the history behind the need to
do DEI work. Reid wanted to approach it
through a lens of positivity.
“I think the approach that we are stuck
[in the past] isn't helpful. I think we have to
acknowledge the work that has been done
and build on that,” Reid said.
Questions or concerns? Contact the
reporter via email: editor@keizertimes.com
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