What a nice surprise, to be walking down the driveway after retrieving the Statesman-Journal newspaper this morning, idly glancing at a story on the front page about how the Salem’s new mayor is doing in her first year, and out pops a familiar name: Laurel Hines. I read, “Mayor Taylor seems to be too limited in her vision and too afraid of upsetting a few powerful business interests to lead Salem to a truly healthy future,” southeast Salem resident Laurel Hines said.” This was after the story began with a few positive comments, so Laurel got to lead off the criticism of Mayor Taylor, which, believe me, is well-deserved. Laurel spoke the truth.
And not only on the front page, but on a page two related piece as well. Aptly titled, “Residents not shy in opinions of Taylor,” here Laurel gets to speak more of her mind: “‘When Mayor Taylor took over, the tide turned and seemed to flow in the direction of pleasing the short-term interests of business profits and interests at the expense of careful planning and sacrifice for a more livable Salem for all citizens,’ Laurel Hines said, a sentiment echoed in other e-mails.” (The newspaper had asked readers to email comments about Taylor, which Laurel was only too happy to do). This exposure will serve to solidify Laurel’s growing reputation as a Green activist/rabble-rouser, which is not at all a bad reputation to have. And more deserved, now that we have a Toyota Prius, and no SUV.
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