Yesterday I went to my first-ever house party for someone running for the Salem (Oregon) City Council. Tom Andersen is a Ward 2 candidate (see here and here).
I don't live in the Salem city limits, though my wife and I have a Salem address. So until recently I didn't pay much attention to City Council goings-on.
But now I'm following what City of Salem officials have been up to. Not a pretty picture.
Beautiful street trees cut down for no good reason. Trying to build an unneeded, unwanted, and unpaid-for $400 million Third Bridge. Attempting to impose parking meters on downtown without ever talking with small business owners there. Pushing a wasteful $80 million police facility/Civic Center project that should cost only about $40 million. Wanting to have cell phone towers put right next to people's homes.
To name but a few "can you believe this?" outrages.
I enjoyed hearing Andersen talk about his vision for a Salem city government that works for all citizens, not just a favored few. His web site lists some of his positions:
Citizen Involvement is Vital
No 3rd Bridge – Improve What We Have
New Police Station – but not on Mirror Pond
Improve the existing Civic Center – Don’t Tear it Down
Support Downtown Development and Free Parking
No Cell Towers 30 Feet From Residential Property
Sounds good to me.
Two other candidates also will be on the Ward 2 May primary ballot, Bradd Swank and Sheronne Blasi. From what I hear, Andersen and Swank are by far the best candidates. Blasi appears to be the Chamber of Commerce pick -- not a good sign, since Salem needs independent-minded city councillors.
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