Okay, so I know its not exactly Salem, but Keizer has been on my mind lately. I grew up there and my parents still live there, so I sort of get the scoop on Keizer periodically. Plus, I have great Twitter friends like @jugbo and @cljungling who keep me updated on life in the little city to our north.
So, here's my concern. Apparently, Keizer city council has approved a site near the I-5 exchange to be a "big box" store. Basically, a Wal-mart, although they won't admit to it. Residents have apparently checked with all the other big box stores who give an emphatic "No." Only Wal-mart gives a non-commital, "No comment."
The citizens apparently came out in force against this at the city council meeting and yet this proposal still passed the council. Not good.
I think the good citizens of Keizer need to rise up and make a loud noise about this. Egyptian style. Get mad. Write letters. Protest at city hall. Walk the streets with signs. Do whatever it takes.
You think this is a Keizer problem? Well, it is. But what happens in Keizer doesn't stay in Keizer. It spills over into Salem. And vice versa, of course. Which is why we need to look out for each other.
So, go Keizerites! Take back your city!
Felt Stop Motion Breakfast by Andrea Love
4 days ago
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3 comments:
Here's a map and some additional information!
I loathe Wal-Mart and many other citizens also here in Keizer feel the same. The upcoming election to limit the placement of a "discount grocery" is proof enough that enough people hate the idea of this happening. The mayor suggest that the citizen's actions against the "large discount grocery" is a job killer. No, bringing in a Wal-Mart will kill jobs, especially along River Road. Albertson's, Safeway, Roth's and even Fred Meyer North (technically a Salem business) will suffer when the Sheeple stop shopping at these businesses and flock to the "discount grocery" for a cheaper total on their receipts. These business along River Rd will lose business, there's only so much dollars to be spent in Keizer. When this happens, especially in this economy, River Rd businesses will have to lay off employees. If they are lucky, they will find just as good of jobs, if they're unlucky they'll have to find work at this "discount grocery" store, starting from the bottom again. At that point River Rd will be a ghost town and all businesses will suffer without these anchor stores.
The Mayor and city council said they are open to "listen" but they aren't obligated to act on citizen demands. I suspect they are only listening to the developers and not the people of Keizer.
They will fall or stand by their decisions. Gambling on Keizer Station hasn't always proved to be a wise decision. Hope they're right. But I doubt it.
It's hard to vote these people out also, many including the Mayor run unopposed every election. They've been their too long, it's really starting to smell fishy with corruption.
AND you are right, if they can do it here, the same mind-set can take root in Salem's City Hall. It's a virus.
I'd like to retract my comment about "it's really starting to smell fishy with corruption." ... I can not assume corruption without proof. And since I don't know of any proof I cannot say there is any shady business going on. My intention was to convey a feeling of powerlessness at the hands of small town politics. Since I've posted this, Keizer City Hall has moved forward with some very nice transparency and communication policies that will serve to quell my snarky perceptions. I have no doubt a better path is being forged between Keizer and it's citizenry.
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