Sunday, April 10, 2011
"Food for Fines" is a fine idea
Do "penne"ance for your overdue-book sins by bringing pasta and other sturdy, long-keeping comestibles to the Salem Public Library between April 10 and 17, and help respond to hunger in Salem!It’s a once-in-every-52-weeks opportunity to clear your library card and help a worthy cause, all in one stroke. During the week of April 10-17 only, both Salem Public Library locations will forgive fines for customers who bring in donations of non-perishable food items and other household necessities for donati on to Marion-Polk Food Share.
This does not apply to lost book charges, rental fees, video/DVD fees, collection fees, or fee cards.
A $1 credit will be applied for canned items 12 ounces or larger. Donors are particularly encouraged to consider these high-need items:
- Soup (canned or dry)
- Canned fruit
- Chili
- Canned vegetables
- Cereal
- Pasta sauce
- Tuna
- Pasta products (20+ ounces)
- Beans (canned or dry) • Rice (20+ ounces)
- Juice (canned or bottled)
A greater credit of $3-5 will be given for these larger high-need items:
• Laundry detergent; • Laundry softener; • Cooking oil; Peanut butter (8+ ounces)
To be used, items must be factory-sealed, commercially processed, dent and rust free, and bear a future expiration date. Top Ramen products cannot be accepted. More information is available from Circulation at 503-588-6090
Thin gruel indeed . . .
The corporate litterers have apparently terrified Salem's City Hall with the empty threat of a suit against a strong ordinance to allow you to opt-out of having them dump junk flyers and other trash on you.The threat is hollow because a content-neutral time, place, and manner restriction on leaving such trash is completely constitutional and would be upheld -- and would pave the way for helping Salem regain control of its politics by showing that we the people do have the right not to be forced to clean up trash that some advertiser decides to dump on us without our consent.
So, this Monday night, head for City Hall and ask for a real junk ad litter ordinance that works just like the "Do Not Call" list (that the telemarketing criminals also threatened to sue over).
Recommended Action: Staff recommends the Unsolicited Written Materials ordinance be considered at a public hearing on April 25, 2011.
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