Salem: We're dead broke, so, hey, let's pour money into the airport and get a huge new bridge to go with the roads we can't afford to maintain!

You can't make this stuff up. The City of Salem, fresh from ponying up $25k to cause $5M to be dumped into an airport that is likely to never again have scheduled air service, and deep into the fantasy of pouring $600+ millions more into a third bridge over the Willamette because, heaven knows, we can't expect people to actually think about the consequences of their residency decisions beforehand, is dead broke.

Salem's got plenty of money to shovel at consultants to pay for a phony environmental impact statement (one that isn't even going to bother looking at the climate change impact of another bridge), but no money to provide the kinds of amenities that people need -- a library so that kids become readers rather than reprobates, for example.

We are getting a regular bludgeoning with reminders of America's collapsing infrastructure (Katrina, Gustav, the Minneapolis Bridge, the 520 Bridges in Washington, the "emergency repair" to the Capital Street Bridge here in Salem, and so on).

At some point, people will stop agreeing to pretend that money taken from taxpayers elsewhere simply materializes from outer space. When the money really runs out and really important stuff can't be done, and hunger increases with heating bills this winter, people are going to be outraged that places like Salem would allow $5M to be dumped into a black hole at the airport rather than redirected to some place where it would do some good.

So, hey, don't forget to go to the Anderson Room at the Salem Public Library at 5:30 p.m. so that you can watch the "Oversight Team" do some more of that "Oversight" thing --- making oversights left and right, nodding when the engineering firm consultants say to nod, and happily continuing to fund the $666M fraud that is the "Salem River Crossing."

Salem warns of looming service cuts

. . .

City of Salem officials have cut expenses to balance the budget this year, but a looming $5 million shortfall next year could lead to serious cuts to city services, city manager Linda Norris said. . . .

Parks and recreation, the library, urban development, police and fire are among the city services backed by general-fund dollars. It's too early to determine what specific programs are at risk, Norris said.

Early estimates show the city is likely to have a $5 million shortfall in its 2009-10 general fund.

City leaders previously had projected a $3 million shortfall.

. . .

For example, soaring fuel costs make it expensive to keep police cars and fire trucks rolling. Unleaded gasoline is costing the city 52 percent more than a year ago. The cost of diesel has increased 62 percent.

[Ask two of the "Oversight Team" members (Salem Council member Dan Clem and Marion County Commissioner Sam Brentano) about a warning SKATS, the local government "transportation planning organization" heard about a year and a half ago, when a citizen warned SKATS that oil at $100/barrel would soon be a fond memory and that the first priority for municipalities and counties should be figuring out how to protect vital services from the sure-to-skyrocket costs for diesel, asphalt, and all materials either made from or moved by oil ... which is everything that local governments buy, actually. Except for Lloyd Chapman, not a single member of the SKATS board appears to have understood the warning, much less even stirred enough to ask a staffer to look into the issue.]

. . .

On the revenue side, softening real estate prices and less construction has had a ripple effect.

[Which is exactly what you would predict if you understand that being at Peak Oil means that energy is and forever will be much more expensive than we have experienced in the past, and that its price will continue to rise FASTER than inflation -- so all that sprawl that the third bridge is supposed to service will not be built, and the pricey downtown condos may not get finished at all or will be converted to apartments.]

. . .

Salem also faced a $5 million shortfall in the fiscal 2008-09 budgets. This year's budget troubles resulted in the city ending the library bookmobile service.

What will become of the city-supported aquatics program — another item targeted for cuts but given a reprieve — remains in limbo. The city has an agreement with Salem-Keizer School District, which owns the Walker and Olinger pools, to operate the facilities and share maintenance costs. . . .

YesForCherriots!

The campaign has a website here.

It's kind of fitting that the Cherriots bond is number 24-247 ... that's about how many buses we need rolling at any one time to serve the Salem area (24) and what the operating schedule should be: 24/7 (twenty four hours a day, seven days a week).

This bond doesn't get us there, but it's a tiny step in the right direction --- and if it fails we'll take a huge step back in the wrong one, so we need to get this one passed and then devise the system that we need.

Last Chance to Tour The J Building

Questioning Auto Domination

Curbing our love of autos to reclaim city streets

For close to a century, the automobile has so boldly seized Americans' imagination — sparking the economy, paving the continent, designing...

By Neal Peirce

. . .

High gasoline prices are prompting millions of us to think again about how often, and how far, we drive our cars. Recent months have seen total vehicle miles driven nationally fall off sharply — a radical reversal of decades of increase.

Across the country, there's pressure to reclaim city streets for the city's own people. Fueling this pressure is the alarm raised over high accident and death tolls from pedestrians struck by autos and trucks.

The "complete streets" movement — urging that city and neighborhood streets be made as welcoming and safe for pedestrians and cyclists as they are for autos — is gaining attention, now backed up by legislation pending in Congress.

Public-transit use is enjoying a banner year across the country.

A vanguard of cities is banning cars from public parks.

There's increased effort — lead cities range from Seattle to Buffalo to New Haven — to tear down ugly motorways that divide neighborhoods and occupy valuable space near city centers. (Demolition of a Milwaukee freeway in 2003 helped unify the city's downtown and sparked hundreds of millions of dollars of new development.)

Bike stations — quick ways to rent a bike, cruise around a downtown — are being proposed across the country.

A new "Walk Score" Web site (www.walkscore.com) lets users type in their home address and discover its "walkability" score — from 0 ("must have car") to 100 ("walkers' paradise").

A few cities are starting to charge true market costs for parking on public streets. Example: fees of up to $40 for four hours near the new baseball stadium in Washington, D.C.

. . .

So are today's auto-curbing efforts simply wisps in the wind? Possible — but not likely. Our once world-dominating automakers are teetering economically. "Peak oil," mounting energy scarcity and climate change are realities.

Of course, autos and trucks won't disappear; they're a key to modern nations' economies. But one senses a new genie out of the bottle — a demand for streets, urban and town roadways that enhance peoples' lives, restraining motor vehicles, not eliminating them. Every agenda from health (better air, less obesity) to aesthetics, energy-saving transit to quality of life, demands it.

And just think that our population will grow by 100 million by 2040 or so. Do we have the stunning amounts of steel, asphalt and public space to accommodate them as we've been living? We're dangerously behind maintaining the vast but overtaxed roadways we have. Realism says this century simply can't be a repeat of the heavily motorized 20th.

===========

And a radio story on rising train usage in the Northwest is here

Your chance to comment on the Boise Site rezone

South Waterfront Mixed-Use Zone Project Public Open House

When: September 11, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: City Council Chambers (555 Liberty Street SE - Salem Civic Center Room 240)

A public open house will be held by the City of Salem Planning Division on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of seeking comments on proposed amendments to the City’s zoning code creating a new zone district, the South Waterfront Mixed-Use Zone, for the former downtown Boise Cascade property.

The proposed amendments:
Proposed South Waterfront Mixed-Use Zone

1) Create a new mixed-use zone that is consistent with the core concepts and vision of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) study published in 2006; and

2) Establish development standards and design review standards and guidelines for redevelopment of the property.

A public hearing on the proposed amendments is scheduled before the Planning Commission on September 23, 2008.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Bryce Bishop, Interim Senior Planner, at (503) 588-6173 x7599 or bbishop@cityofsalem.net

Visit the City of Salem Planning Division website

We Look Forward to Seeing You There!

(Is there anyone in the city who calls City Hall the "Salem Civic Center" who isn't a city employee or contractor? Odd what happens when you move City Hall out of the heart of the city -- you have to assert that it's the "center." I suppose it could stick eventually ...)

More on the Cherriots Bond

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cherriots Proposed Tax Levy
Ballot Measure Number 24-247
November 2008

Why is Cherriots proposing this tax levy?

Rising fuel costs, increases in CherryLift use (a service required by federal law), and overall inflation have brought Cherriots to a point where next year Cherriots expenses will exceed revenues by over $3 million, if Cherriots provides the same level of service.

What new services would be funded?

In addition to maintaining the current number of service hours, current routes may be changed to increase efficiency. More buses will be added to overcrowded routes so that they can run more often. This change will give people more travel options while helping with overcrowding. Passage of the levy will allow Cherriots to provide citizens with approximately the same level of service that they had before the 2006 service cuts.

What will happen if the measure does not pass?

If the levy does not pass, Saturday service will be eliminated. In addition, 3 – 4 weekday routes may also be eliminated. The result of the elimination of service and program reductions will be the loss of 15 – 20 jobs.

What about Sunday Service?

Sunday service is not planned as a part of this levy. The cost to add Sunday service is very high. In addition to operating the buses, adding a day of service requires additional maintenance staff, supervisors, CherryLift expenses, and utility costs when the buildings are occupied. This makes Sunday service less productive than adding more buses to routes that are overcrowded during the week.

What’s a tax levy?

A tax levy is a temporary property tax providing revenue needed to operate services provided by local governments. A levy is different than a bond. Bonds are used to fund capital projects such as streets, or the construction of a new building. The maximum time allowed for a tax levy to be in place is five years. Cherriots is seeking a five year levy which will be used for operating costs.

Why didn’t it pass last time?

In May of 2006 the voters approved the levy. However, less than half of the registered voters in Marion and Polk counties voted causing the levy to fail under Oregon’s double majority law. In November of 2006 the levy was narrowly defeated by 1,197 votes out of 70,343 ballots turned in.

Why can’t Cherriots just raise fares to pay for extra costs?

In order to replace the revenue shortage of $3.2 million Cherriots would need to raise the fares by 143%. This would increase the price of the regular adult monthly pass from $35 to $85. When prices rise by this much people stop riding the bus and less revenue is received. This defeats the purpose of gaining more revenue by raising fares. Cherriots cannot maintain the current level of service without $3.2 million in new revenue.

Why are you building a station in Keizer if you need more money for basic routes?

Construction projects and bus purchases are made with funds that are not allowed to be used for operations. These are funded through federal and state grants specifically set aside for these types of projects. The transit center will also help improve service to residents and businesses while not needing to increase the number of buses and drivers. The center will allow Cherriots to provide more services to Keizer residents.

Will you raise the fares again if the tax doesn’t pass?

Fares will probably increase again sometime in the future. Current Board policy requires Cherriots to evaluate fares every two years. Under this policy a fare increase was approved in July of 2008 to address inflation.

Is Cherriots asking for the same amount as in 2006?

No, in both May and November of 2006 the amount requested was 60 cents per one thousand dollars of assessed property value. In this election Cherriots is proposing a rate of 49 cents per one thousand dollars of assessed property value.

What is meant by assessed value?

Oregon’s property tax limitation laws create a value that is lower than what a house would sell for that is used to determine how much property tax is collected from property owners. This is known as the assessed value. In the Salem-Keizer area the average assessed value is approximately 47% of the current amount a home would sell for in today’s market. What this means is a home selling for $275,000 would pay taxes based on approximately $130,000 assessed value. Under the proposed levy a home of this value would pay $5.31 per month.

How can I get involved in the election to get it passed, i.e. a yard sign, going door to door, contribute financially, etc.?

To be involved in the campaign please contact the campaign at
yesforcherriots@gmail.com or (503) 581-8384.

How can I get a ballot?

If you are a registered voter and have not moved since the last time you voted, a ballot will be mailed to your home.

Information on voter registration is available at:

Marion County Elections Office or call (503) 588-5041; and

Polk County Elections Office or call (503) 623-9217.

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

Best step you can take to cut your energy costs

Go to Solar Now! and see how simple and inexpensive it can be to add a solar hot water heater. If you are worried about rising prices, getting hot water for free is a nice way to relax about it.

Dire Predictions

Mike Mann and Lee Kump weigh in with "Dire Predictions"
11 Aug 08

. . .

With its eye-grabbing graphics and reader-friendly prose, Dire Predictions walks us through the findings of the world's leading climate scientists - and places the ultimately responsibility for the human future directly at our feet. -- Ross Gelbspan

Here's a powerful, straight-forward guide to how scientists, economists, and engineers really understand the problem of global warming. It makes 20 years of research and consensus-building completely accessible to anyone who cares to know the truth--and to do something about it. -- Bill McKibben

Dire Predictions is a must read for anyone who wants the straight facts on global warming. It cuts to the heart of the massive 2007 IPCC report, presenting major scientific findings in easy to understand language and graphics. Written by two of the scientific community's most thoughtful researchers, Dire Predictions' unbiased message about global warming arrives at a time when people need it most! -- Dr. Heidi Cullen, Climate Expert at The Weather Channel

For our friends in Corvallis area

Many folks in Oregon would profit from a solar hot-water system, preferably one installed before the end of 2008 to take advantage of generous federal tax credits slated to expire this year. (Far more so than the solar electric systems that get a lot more attention but are MUCH more expensive to install and are much more picky about shading from nearby trees and such.)

Corvallis area folks have a chance to attend a workshop put on by Solar Oregon that explains the ins and outs of this smart way to reduce your carbon footprint while also reducing your utility bills:

The use of solar energy is back in the spotlight again and our free workshops are quickly filling to capacity. That's why I wanted to take a moment to invite you to register early for the FREE Hot Water Solar Systems workshop being held at the Corvallis Public Library on September 6th from 9:00AM to 11:30AM.

Seating capacity is limited - so register ASAP.

Here is a link for more information and registration to this free workshop.

Solar Oregon is a local nonprofit organization of Oregon.

Please feel free to pass this on to your friends and neighbors too.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Best,

Hadley Price