Disappointed in The Man
I was appalled after reading the “Man About Town” article in Dec. 15 Our Town. The story he listed as his “favorite” Christmas story is both inappropriate and untrue. The inaccuracies include not only the actual name of the perpetrator but also the extent of the injuries and what occurred in the event. I would be interested to know what Mr. Kinghorn finds so “heartwarming” about the story. There is no justification for brutalizing another human being. There is no honor in besmirching the reputation of a group of Marines by portraying them as a vengeful mob intent upon harm. There is no positive reason to repeat this urban legend unless you are a champion of intolerance and ignorance. To scatter “hearsay and rumors” because it is entertaining is both irresponsible and reprehensible. Shame on you, Mr. Kinghorn. Your article is not even worthy of lining a parakeet’s cage.
Candi Williams
Silverton
An honor to serve
After 12 years of consecutive service as your Silverton City Councilor, I will officially end my tenure at the Jan. 5 council meeting. It has been a privilege to serve as your city councilor. As I bid farewell, I want to take this opportunity to thank my family who sacrificed the most; be it during my time away at meetings performing city business, during a nasty recall effort or when interrupted with citizens’ questions while out for dinner or shopping in town.Although a great deal has been said of late about a dysfunctional council, I am proud of the work that has been accomplished these past 12 years. From traffic improvements with installation of signalization at our key intersections to addition of a right turn lane from Main onto McClaine; pavement of six gravel streets; construction of a senior center, East Bank trail, skate-park, dog-park, Pioneer-park; improvements at Coolige McClaine Park with new play equipment; voter annexation; creation of an Urban Renewal Agency (URA); URA funding for business improvements including Seven Brides, Compex2, etc.; sidewalk infill; pool upgrades; year-around pool operations; city newsletter; council chamber video upgrades for SCAN-TV; city website upgrades; sustaining The Oregon Garden; addition of an Oregon Garden Resort; sewer and water capitol improvements including upgrades of both plants; creation of a city budget reserve account; refinancing bond debt from 40 years to 20 years with lower interest; creating a long-term financial plan; realization of a vibrant downtown, and much more! Please know, every decision I made was truly for the betterment of our community. I’ve made some difficult decisions that were not always popular, but they were truly what I thought was best for Silverton. Although I will no longer volunteer as a city councilor, I will remain active in serving our community as a volunteer through Kiwanis, Pet Parade, church, Oregon Garden Foundation and as a youth sports coach. I encourage every community member to find an avenue to volunteer and serve our community. Silverton is a desirable place to live because of our many community events, traditions, and charity to others. It takes volunteers to make our community such an enjoyable and livable place! Please consider giving some of your time through community service. I bid you all a fond adieu,
Randal Thomas
Silverton
Grateful for the support
The Silverton Health Auxiliary would like to acknowledge and thank the following people, businesses and organizations that all helped in some way to make the Holiday Tour of Homes, a fundraising event, for the Silverton Health Auxiliary so fun and successful!
Huge THANKS to: Roth’s, Safeway, First Christian Church, The Inn on Pine & Ginny Merriman, The Adams House B & B, Elle Spa & Cory Gafkin & Elle Brown, Becky & Al Ludden, Susie & Russ Newell, Bill Clubb & Clubb Massage, Cindy Martin-Waters & Cindy’s Salon & Boutique, Tracy Roberts, Kirk & Rhonda Merrifield, Silverton Senior Center, Silverton Health, Madeline Osborn, Tom Maurer, Daryle Chandler, Cindy Jones, Kate Robertson, Alice Wiesenfels, Glenda Nixon, Vida Shafer, Linda Daue, Francine Lynch, Janet Donahoe, Barb Niswender, Verlene Beard, Sally Eich & Vitis Ridge, Edna Caldwell, Joanne Smith, Joyce Sloan, Wayne Brosig, Linda Thomas, Kay Seiler, Kay Strobel, Tootie Riggs, Dale Mathews, Ruth & Brian Mattox, Cordie & Larry Brown, Bev & Larry Ferguson, VI Wade, Sylvia Long, Cindy Linder, Jean Hadley, Sheryl & Horst Raustein, Silverton Chamber of Commerce, Silverton Health Gift Shop, Ryan Shetler, Ben Norris, Claudia Freeson. Lurlyn Long, Diane Hill and Luanna Foster. Happy Holidays to all.
Silverton Health Auxiliary
Slow down Silverton
Hello and welcome to Silverton International Speedway, locally called Pine Street. As a long term resident, it has become evident the current speeds on Pine Street are acceptable to residents and law enforcement. NOT!
In the recent past, I have asked the Marion County Sheriff to add patrols (I live about 100 yards outside the city limits of Silverton) to curtail the excessive speeds that are epidemic on Pine Street west of the high school entrance. My house is located west of that entrance and literally feet from the school “crossing” area. Besides ignoring the posted 35 MPH many drivers are also oblivious to the 20 MPH school zone, even when the flashing yellow lights are on.
The only times that posted speeds are obeyed are when there is a “police” presence, and then only for a fleeting period. Pine Street is a residential area of lots only slightly wider than those in most of Silverton and are within the city of Silverton growth boundary. There are no sidewalks on either side of the street and the “fog line” allows for mere inches of area to walk. Most walkers are sane enough to walk facing traffic. Some, especially groups of younger walkers, are walking with their back to approaching traffic that far exceeds the posted 35 MPH. Some traffic surely exceeds 50 MPH and higher. There are driveways approximately every 80 feet on both sides of Pine Street. This is a residential area and should be protected as such. 25 MPH is a much more appropriate speed for the residential area of Pine Street that stretches to the west to the Wooden Nickel where the posted speed then changes to 45 MPH.
Do we need to have someone injured, or worse, killed because of excessive speed in a residential area? I have witnessed the increased amount of bicycle, pedestrians and dog walkers along this stretch of a Silverton access. An example of a speed zone within the county that creates a safer zone would be the area just east of Monitor, where the extension of the 25 MPH area protects residents of that community. Closer to home, the northern area of James Street past the campus extends the 25 MPH zone to Hobart. Not sure the reduced, or at least rigorously patrolled, area of Pine Street is necessary? Try turning across traffic to enter or exit Pine street from any driveway west of the high school campus.
Law enforcement….you are hereby requested to at the very least, patrol the above mentioned area of Pine Street. You may use my driveway to monitor traffic and pursue violators.
Mike McKee
Silverton
ASAP vital to community
Many people have asked what ASAP is and what it does. ASAP is an after school enrichment program that provides support, encouragement and nurture to middle-school youth to assist them toward a positive transition into adolescence. The program runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Realizing how important the middle school years are, ASAP volunteers and staff greet each student, provide them with a snack and then direct them to tables where mentors/tutors provide assistance with unfinished homework. Afterwards, the students are given a healthy meal and there is a discussion on Word of the Week – such as responsibility, self control or leadership. Then the students choose from several different activities for the remainder of their day. ASAP boasts a large volunteer cadre of retired educators, interested community members and students from local colleges. These amazing people volunteer their time to make the program run smoothly under the direction of Josh Burgeson and his competent staff, Tim Sharp and Jill Taylor. Keith Amano, the youth director at ILC, is also part of this strong and youth-focused team. We have built partnerships with the Marion Polk Food Share, SACA and the First Christian Church for food donations.
In order for the program to continue and serve more students, we rely on donations.
In the past, donations have provided healthy food, materias for activity time and school supplies as well as salaries for three part-time employees. The program has also grown from eight to 40 students per session.
Our program is in its second full year of operation and has continued because of the amazing support from the Silverton Community, businesses and service clubs. We want to continue to expand our board, research grant opportunities and become self sustaining. We also dream of adding another day to our ASAP week but cannot do this without your continued financial support and belief in what we are doing.
We are a non profit organization and we are not faith based. All donations are tax deductible and checks can be made to ASAP and mailed to 310 Church Street, Silverton, OR 97381. All gifts make a difference!
Sue Roessler
Silverton
