Urgent: Get behind YES on Cherriots

This is from Lloyd Chapman, recent mayoral candidate, who continues to selflessly work for the betterment of Salem:

Friends,

Though I think I am only now recovering from the May election, the party conventions are underway and the focus is now on November.

In addition to the presidential, senate, congressional and other elections on the ballot, Salem-Keizer Transit has a $30 million dollar five-year levy on the ballot. I have served on the Cherriots board for nearly nine years and I urge you to support the measure and especially to contribute to the campaign.

Unlike Portland and Eugene, which rely on a payroll tax, Cherriots is supported locally by property taxes. Our tax base was established in 1996 at an interim level, only to have subsequent ballot measures "lock it in".

I believe the district spends our money wisely and effectively. For five years now we have exceeded 5 mllion rides a year and have provided more than 127,000 Cherrylift rides to the disabled community in the last fiscal year. But in these difficult times we need to provide better and more frequent service.

This measure would be an important step in that direction. At a cost of 49 cents per thousand or $98 a year on a $200,000 house, the district will be able to maintain existing services, add frequency on well used routes and begin to build a small contingency fund (to deal with issues like rising fuel prices and increasing costs of our Cherrylift service for the disabled community).

We need funding for our campaign to be successful. We also need endorsements. A volunteer response is attached. As you know, there will be several other money measures on the ballot in November, so your help now is critical.

Send checks to Yes for Cherriots, PO Box 2774, Salem, OR 97308-2774. (Remember to include your occupation and employer on the check - we are required by state law to provide that information.)

The campaign email is yesforcherriots@gmail.com.

Thanks for your help.

Lloyd Chapman

The info requested on the campaign volunteer form is below (note, also the contribution form!):

Yes For Cherriots Volunteer and Contribution Information

Please indicate how you can help keep Cherriots a vital part of our community.

___ Phone bank
___ Canvass
___ Contribution (check enclosed)
___ Letter to the editor
___ House Party
___ Lawn sign
___ Locate Lawn sign placements
___ Help or plan event
___ Raise money
___ Use my name in an endorsement
___ Pledge $_____ and send by October 1, 2008

Name:_____________________________________________(please print)

Address:___________________________________________

City: _______________ State___________ Zip: ____________

Phone: Day:______________ Evening: ____________________

Email:______________________________________________________
Check which e-mails you want:
___ updates ___events ___ campaign work alert

Information required by law [for contributors]:

Occupation ___________________________________________________
Employer’s Name and Address: ____________________________________________________________

Thank you for this vital community help.
Yes for Cherriots

You can email us at
yesforcherriots@gmail.com

Print form and send with your contribution to

Yes for Cherriots, PO Box 2774, Salem OR 97308-2774