By Melissa Wagoner What would a celebration of the famous political cartoonist, Homer Davenport, be without a celebration of cartoons? “To that end, the International Cartoon Contest has returned,” organizer, Gus Frederick, wrote in a recent press release. “As in past years, the competition is for ‘political’ or ‘editorial’ cartoons on any topic as long as they are not libelous, […]
By James Day The Silverton City Council is in the home stretch in its effort to hire a new city manager. The council is seeking to replace Ron Chandler, who retired and moved to Utah in May. Councilors, who started with a batch of 27 applicants, have reduced that list to three, with the finalists introduced to the public on […]
By James Day Silverton installed a new mayor and four new councilors on Monday, Jan. 9, signaling the beginning of a new political era in town. Jason Freilinger, who had served as council president, was sworn in as mayor, replacing Kyle Palmer, whose elected office experience dates to 2004. In addition, outgoing councilors Jim Sears, Dana Smith and Crystal Neideigh […]
By James Day Ten-year Silverton City Council member Jason Freilinger appears to be on his way to being elected the town’s mayor. Freilinger, a financial services officer and this term’s council president, was leading corporate executive Morry Jones by nearly 450 votes, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night by Marion County. Freilinger had 1,896 votes (56.66%), with Jones at […]
By James Day Former Silverton Police Chief and Mayor Rick Lewis was re-elected in House District 18, according to early unofficial returns from the Secretary of State’s Office. Lewis was appointed to the position in 2017 when Rep. Vic Gilliam resigned because of ill health. He has previously been elected in 2018 and 2020 to full 2-year terms. Lewis, a […]
By James Day Kyle Palmer, who has been a fixture in Silverton community affairs for most of this century, is retiring from the political arena. Palmer, who is midway through his second full term as mayor, announced Jan. 30 via social media that he is retiring from elected office at the end of this term. Palmer also answered questions from […]
By Kristine Thomas While Rick Lewis’ title has changed from Silverton mayor to Oregon House District 18 state representative, his commitment to serve others remains steadfast. “Throughout my public service career, I have always strived to maintain a healthy respect for all viewpoints, collaborate and compromise when possible, and put the interests of the public above all else,” Lewis said. […]
Our Town asked candidates five questions focused on the challenges the Silverton City Council will face over the next four years. The questions, below, are each identified by a key word. 1. FUNDING: How will we fund needed construction, reconstruction and major repairs to our infrastructure? Most of the city’s facilities are aging and in urgent need of replacement or […]
By Brenna Wiegand Former Silverton Police Chief Rick Lewis was shocked to hear he’d was chosen to receive Silverton’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. He never expected to receive such an award. He said to his wife Pat: “Wow – they remember me?” “He’s just an amazing man, when you look at what he did for our police department and how […]
Capt. Jeff Fossholm of the Silverton Police Department will be sworn in as police chief Aug. 3. He replaces Rick Lewis, who retires Aug. 2. Fossholm, a 25-year Silverton Police Department veteran, has deep roots in Silverton. His great-grandparents got the ball rolling when they migrated from Norway to North Dakota.
Rick Lewis puts the same care and attention to detail into whatever he does, whether tying an intricate fishing fly or ensuring Silverton’s transition to a new police chief is as seamless as possible.
Our Town reporters Don Murtha and Brenna Wiegand interviewed several people about their memories of Sept. 11, 2001 when commercial jets commandered by terrorists took down the twin towers in New York City, smashed into the Pentagon, and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
With the departure of City Manager Bryan Cosgrove, the clock began ticking for Silverton City Council, which has six months in which to fill the position. Cosgrove took over as manager of the City of Wilsonville June 20.
One of the most troubling forms of theft Silverton Police Chief Rick Lewis says he has to contend with is from his department’s ranks. Officers, after about a year’s worth of paid training time, are stolen away by the big city departments and the lure of more excitement.
By Dixon Bledsoe “There are no situations more compelling or difficult than when law enforcement engages in the use of deadly physical force in the course of their duties,” said Walt Beglau, Marion County district attorney. Senate Bill 111, enacted into law in 2007, requires each county to have a planning authority and yearly training on the use of deadly […]
