New board members ascend
to leadership roles at SKPS
The Salem-Keizer Public Schools
(SKPS) Board of Directors unanimously
elected new board leadership during
their regularly scheduled meeting on
Tuesday, July 13. Osvaldo F. Avila was
elected as the new board chairperson
and Ashley Carson Cottingham was
elected as the new board vice chairper-
son effective immediately. Both of these
positions can be held for up to two years.
This is Avila’s and Carson
Cottingham’s first month serving on the
board.
“As school board directors, we have
a responsibility to serve our communi-
ties, our school district, our students,
staff and educators,” Avila said. “We
must do so with integrity and through
diverse perspectives to elevate educa-
tional outcomes that prepares them with
the tools and resources to make their
best decision in pursuing, high-skilled
career training, college or university
opportunities.”
Former
Chairperson
Satya
Chandragiri will remain on the school
board as a director, as will former Vice
Chairperson Danielle Bethell.
Willamette ferries
close temporarily
Both Willamette River ferries in
Marion County are closed or closing for
several weeks this summer for required
maintenance.
Wheatland Ferry
The ferry is scheduled to close on
Friday, July 19, through the end of Aug.
2021. The closure may be postponed
due to weather or supply constraints.
The Wheatland Ferry is located north of
Keizer off Wheatland Road and connects
Marion and Yamhill counties.
The county has received federal funds
for work at the Wheatland Ferry site: (1)
to install tie-off structures, (2) to install a
backup generator, and (3) to repair and
resurface the ramps.
The county has awarded the contract
JULY 16, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A7
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Buena Vista Ferry
The Buena Vista Ferry was closed
Tuesday, July 13, to conduct U.S. Coast
Guard required dry dock inspections
and routine maintenance. The closure
is expected to last approximately four
weeks. The ferry crosses the Willamette
River south of Independence and con-
nects Marion and Polk counties.
To receive updates about ferry operat-
ing status, email mcpwdispatch@co.mar-
ion.or.us to subscribe to ferry notification
lists. Include your email address in the
body of your message and indicate if you
would like to be added to the Buena Vista
or Wheatland Ferry list.
Plant sale supports
parks conservancy
The
Mission
Street
Parks
Conservancy's annual plant sale returns
to Bush's Pasture Park in Salem this
weekend.
The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. both days on Friday, July 16, and
Saturday, July 17.
In addition to plants of all varieties
grown at area nurseries, local gardening
experts will be in attendance answering
questions.
Plants will be on sale near the Bush
House Museum.
On Saturday, the sale will feature fam-
ily activities, including art and planting
projects for kids, and 20-minute talks
about flower drying and herb gardening.
All proceeds benefit the conservancy.
More information is available on the
group's Facebook page.
crossword
answers pg A17