Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current, December 31, 2021, Page 3, Image 3

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    DECEMBER 31, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3
MCNARY
PRINCIPAL
ERIK
JESPERSEN
My hope for McNary is to have a
special place for every student to con-
nect with one of our clubs, sports or
McNary/Keizer community activities.
This isn’t a new wish for our students
as we’ve been preaching this initiative
for several years now, but for 2022, it
is a major point of re-emphasis. This
coming year we all need to work hard
at coming together, seeking common
ground and focusing our energies on
building positive connections that are
fun and constructive. It’s both amaz-
ing and inspiring what McNary and the
city of Keizer can accomplish when we
put our minds and spirit together.
community as a whole.
Professionally, my goal is to lead
our CASA organization through a suc-
cessful re-accreditation process early
in 2022 and grow our volunteer base
for both CASA and Safe Families for
Children, as well as grow the number
of our Foster Parent Night Out sites.
All of these together will help us serve
more children and families in a holistic
manner. Personally, I need to eat more
veggies and walk more.
KEIZER
CITY
COUNCILOR
SHANEY STARR
I am hopeful that as a commu-
nity we can set aside the divisive dia-
logue. I am hopeful that we can begin
to engage again in civil discussion
and not hide behind the veil of social
media. It is great to have our individual
opinions, but when we don’t agree with
someone we need to set aside the name
calling and insults. What happened to
seeking to understand by asking ques-
tions? What happened to asking how
we get to yes? What happened to com-
promise? We still don’t have to agree,
but at least we will have made an ear-
nest attempt at understanding each
other and fi nding a win-win for the
KEIZER CITY COUNCILOR DAN
KOHLER
At this time of year, it is customary
to look ahead and consider what we
would like to accomplish this next year.
I have been asked to do so as a mem-
ber of the Keizer City Council, so, here
goes.
Of course, there are the well-known
items that could use attention: parks,
public safety for all, homelessness and
our water system will always rank high
on the list of matters that need our vig-
ilance and attention. If I were to look
out a number of years and identify the
one thing I would wish for, it would
be an orderly expansion of our Urban
Growth Boundary. Why? Well, people
will continue to move here for all the
reasons we like being here, we don’t
need to elaborate on them, let’s just
say there is a character and feeling and
attitude in our community that says
we are proud and happy to live here.
We know that people will come and as
of now we have very little land left to
accommodate them. Land for homes
and stores and perhaps even manufac-
turing-like businesses so we can have
jobs for us all.
If we fail to accommodate them,
there will be repercussions. Home
Start the
New Year
With a
Home-fi eld
advantage.
Cat of the Week
Name: MAGNOLIA
Age: 1.5
HISTORY: Black female domestic
shorthair, stray.
PREFERRED HOME: Talkative,
aff ectionate, likes to be held, good
with anyone, not sure how she will be
with other animals.
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3791 River Road N
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prices will rise (not a good thing if we
want our kids to be able to stay here)
and eventually state land use regula-
tors will insist we do something; and
that something could change the very
character of the city we love by trying
to jam more people into the present
boundary.
We can’t ignore the issue and pre-
tend it won’t create bad choices later.
I’m reminded of the answer to a ques-
tion I asked one of Keizer’s fi rst city
councilors, Phil Bay. I asked what he
regretted not doing? He said he regret-
ted not getting the third bridge built.
I don’t want to look back and know I
could have done something to help
insure a better future of Keizer.
So, my wish for 2022 is that we apply
our full attention and put into action
a plan to expand our Urban Growth
Boundary to get ready for the popula-
tion growth we know will come.
My biggest goal is for everyone to
know and feel someone loves you.
I understand you work
really hard for your home
and car, and I’m here to
help protect them. Stop
in or call me today.