By Anne Scheck

ELECTION HEATS UP FOR COUNCIL SEATS
When local developer Bodie Bemrose asserted in a paid ad that Mayor John McArdle didn’t build Independence – that it was a corps of entrepreneurs instead – the result was a news release by the group IndyForward, which cited Mr. Bemrose for “baseless accusations,” among other alleged misinformation.  

The recent clash of rhetoric is the latest in an election campaign that appears to have two distinctly opposing groups: IndyForward and Truth & Freedom United, both political action committees (PACS). Current councilor Shannon Corr, who is not up for reelection, is listed by the state as the contact for IndyForward; Mr. Bemrose, who isn’t seeking public office either, is listed the same way for Truth & Freedom United. IndyForward is supporting incumbents, as well as Kelie McWilliams, who is vying for a vacated seat on the Independence City Council. Truth & Freedom United has been advocating for the challengers, including Ms. McWilliams’ competitor, Sarah Jobe. 

The purpose of IndyForward is to support progressive candidates, according to the group’s state filing. The aim of Truth & Freedom United is to show appreciation for law enforcement, as well to “preserve freedom and safety,” Mr. Bemrose said. In his ad, which was published in the Polk County Itemizer-Observer, Mr. Bemrose called IndyForward “hand-picked candidates with little history in our community.”

In a follow-up news release responding to “allegations of impropriety,” IndyForward countered that the PAC “was established to support Independence Council candidates who support inclusion and want to work to keep Independence moving forward.”  
 
In some cases, the emotion-charged divisiveness has given way to impulsive behavior – there have been reports of a shoving match and of several acts involving minor vandalism, Mr. Bemrose affirmed. However, these aren't likely to be core individuals from either group, he suggested. 
 
The rift that’s resulted is regrettable, said Mr. Bemrose, who acknowledged that he helps lead Truth & Freedom United. However, this new organization doesn't advocate any dogma apart from "some flag-waving," he said. 
 
IS CITY COUNCIL a PARTISAN RACE?
Introduction to guest editorial, by Anne Scheck, Trammart News 
Several weeks ago, I received an email from a long-time resident, Ingrid Cooper. She was dismayed, during this election, to receive in the mail a letter from a new group called “Indy-Forward," a political action committee that supports city council incumbents, along with a challenger for an open seat. Ms. Cooper asked me what I thought was a very astute question: If we as a city begin to have people who band together to solicit votes for one group, calling themselves progressives as IndyForward does, will this mean city council elections are remaining non-partisan? I had the same thought myself – a group that one member said represented the conservative side had also sprung up, "Truth & Freedom United," which also seemed to be supporting a candidate group. As Ms. Cooper so presciently observed, non-partisan positions on the council are designed to represent all citizenry. We both had the same concern. Neither one of us wanted to see a non-partisan system politicized, and both of us expressed the desire for a competitive mix and an exchange of ideas, in a contest for the council seats. So, I asked Ms. Cooper to write an editorial, and she did so –  succinctly and skillfully, and far better than I could. It is below. 

------Guest Editorial-----
This November, I am very glad to see a full slate of citizens willing step up and run for mayor and for council positions in our local town of Independence, where my husband and I have lived for over 40 years, as well as in Monmouth, and Independence.  Why?

A competitive race is healthy.  It brings in fresh perspectives.  It challenges the status quo.  It gives us a choice to vote for who can best serve our community:

To strengthen who we are,

To make sure we have a solid foundation for our essential services,

To make sure each and every person is respected, heard, welcomed, and treated equally at city halls and with all city services.

To broaden outreach to all citizens and community members and all neighborhoods, 

To use our funds wisely and responsibly,

To encourage and support our local businesses,

To move forward responsibly.

Local city elections are non-partisan and non-paid.  Too often, over the years, the same people are elected year after year, simply because no one else is willing to run.  In this climate, those serving for a long time, often end up with tunnel vision, thinking they know what’s best for the town.  

I celebrate the interest of many talented, qualitied people who are willing to step up and serve and ask questions and listen and dig into the issues and bring fresh ideas.  This makes our towns stronger to welcome competition and to bring in new voices to serve our community.  

And, most importantly, vote during this election and every election. Remember to vote for mayor and council members.   You can make a difference with your vote.  It is an important right.

                                                                                                                         Sincerely, Ingrid S. Cooper, Independence, Oregon

FINAL NOTE:  CITY COUNCIL MEETING, 6:30 pm, Civic Center, Tuesday night, October 27.  A financial report is scheduled to be given; The 2040 plan is slated to be adopted. 

By Anne Scheck

MORE ‘CARES ACT’ MONEY TO LOCALS 
About $100,000 in CARES Act money – the federal funds provided for pandemic relief – will be awarded by the city to local businesses in grants of $2,500 and $5,000, according to Shawn Irvine, economic development director for the city. The smaller grants will go to qualifying businesses with five employees or fewer; The larger ones to businesses with six or more employees, he announced at the Independence City Council meeting Tuesday night.  
 
Unlike previous financial aid, there are no restrictions that preclude businesses from getting the money if they’ve already received federal funding, he said. In addition, more than a dozen city-backed business loans – which were made near the beginning of the pandemic – are now slated to be forgiven, Mr. Irvine said. 

SCHOOL INTERNET
About 30 local families have benefited from a grant for MINET to help cover the costs of internet connections for children and youth who need it for school distance-learning programs, Independence City Manager Tom Pessemier announced at the Independence City Council meeting. Even so, the need for internet hasn’t been fully met: Other families still require it and those currently enrolled will need financial assistance after the grant runs out, Mr. Pessemier said. Efforts are being made to ensure the program continues till the school year ends, he said. 

UTILITY ASSISTANCE
A city program to help Independence residents struggling to pay utility bills is about to be launched – with funding from CARES Act money, according to Mr. Pessemier.  The program is being offered through Mano a Mano, a community outreach organization in Salem with a satellite office in Independence. The city has received about $280,000 in CARES Act money to date, Mr. Pessemier noted. 

CITY’S VISION 2040 UNVEILED
Over the next 20 years, Independence priorities include building another street to directly connect Independence with Highway 99; Constructing a community recreation center; Finding ways to offer affordable housing and setting up a downtown parking-management plan, according to Libby Bakke, president of Barney & Worth, the consulting firm hired by Independence to conduct the 2040 Vision Plan with residents. The top of the list of community’s goals: keep the small-town feel. 
 
EDITORIAL by Ramon Martinez
The news this week that the census can end Thursday night, Oct. 15 – the result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that granted an emergency request by the Justice Department – now allows the national collection of information to shut down, even in a pandemic that has complicated the process. Ramon Martinez, the city’s community outreach liaison, has headed up the census here. He wrote the editorial below to encourage all to do their part before the deadline is reached.  
 
The Census is immensely important, as it helps bring in adequate funding for schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and so much more for the next 10 years. It is estimated that each response brings in approximately $3,200 to the community each year. So each response will bring in $32,000 in a 10-year span. A household size of 4: $128,000. It is a big deal.

But growing up I did not understand this, nor did I know about such figures. I did not see the impact Census made to our community; I thought entities in our community such as schools, our fire department, community clinic, stop lights, etc. were “just there”. I did not understand the idea of a massive funding source at the federal level making these entities possible in our community. Maybe it was due to the fact that I grew up in a small town, in addition to growing up speaking Spanish, the outreach was not quite strong enough. But now I know. And I would like to encourage others to know how important the Census is.
 
It is important that everyone in each household gets counted. It does not matter if 1-day old or 100 years old. It is intended to count every living person in the country, regardless of age, immigration status, criminal convictions, or housing situation. The Census is also confidential. Under law and according to the Census Bureau website, “Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies.”
 
The Census is very important for our community to prosper for the next 10 years, and it only takes 5-10 minute to complete. It can be easily completed online and even with a smartphone. I kindly encourage you to complete the Census today if you have not done so. And if you already have, find a family member or friend who hasn’t, and help them fill it out. There is not much time, as we are faced with needing to complete it by October 15th until 11:59 p.m. Hawaii time.
 
Here is the website, where the Census can be completed in 13 languages: www.my2020census.gov
 

By Anne Scheck

TONIGHT'S PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING PREVIEW:
At tonight's Independence Planning Commission, commissioners are expected to approve revisions to the industrial code, which have been identified as simply a re-organization of the existing one. Also, the commissioners will be examining new floodplain standards -- changes have been recommended by the state. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Independence Civic Center.
 
A wrap-up of last month's meeting:
REFUSED. An hour-long explanation by a Corvallis engineer failed to convince planning commissioners at their mid-September meeting to make changes to a small subdivision on 7th Street that would have included re-routing the city’s street design and altering a water-treatment system approved by the Independence planning department.
 
Proposed amendments to the “SPIES” subdivision -- five lots on a site near the Henry Hill Building (directly to the east) and Mount Fir Park (directly to the west) – were unveiled by Peter Seaders of MSS Inc. He kicked off his presentation with a description of why some of the city recommendations should be modified. One of the commissioners, seemingly taken aback by the significance of the requests, asked why the city had a code – apparently suggesting that it should not be so easily overturned; Another inquired about maintaining “best practices” when changes for water treatment are sought. The commissioners voted to uphold the original proposal, concurring with staff about the conditions for the subdivision.
 
GRANTED. The Independence Planning Commission decided at its last meeting to approve a distinction that would make hangars at the airport a separate category from carports. Under the current code, use of metal construction and framing requires the addition of siding. Under the new provision, hangars wouldn’t be subject to complete coverage with other materials when metal walls are deemed suitable. The change was made after a couple who purchased a lot on Stearman Street in the Independence Airpark said parts of their soon-to-built hangar are obscured from street view. 

By Anne Scheck 

CITY COUNCIL DIVIDED, MAYOR DECIDES VOTE
A divided city council approved the sale of a city-owned lot at the Independence Landing project – but the deciding vote was cast by the mayor after two councilors turned thumbs down on the proposal and a third one abstained. 
 
The lot was sold for $185,000 to the Young Development Group LLC, 235 S. Main Street. The purchase price is set to be fully refunded once certain milestones are met, such as deeding back a planned parking lot there for public use and laying underground utilities at the site, according to City Manager Tom Pessemier. 
 
The buyer, Aaron Young, already owns a similarly-conveyed lot now known as Osprey Point, which has had construction delays. That fact apparently prompted City Councilor Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith to vote no. “I am concerned the Youngs have entirely too much on their plate right now,” she said. 
 
Ms. Ranstrom-Smith was joined in her “no” vote by Councilor Shannon Corr, who voiced worry over the proposal itself, which initially was considered “light on detail” when first submitted, she observed. Though it was revised, “I find this proposal light in detail,” Ms. Corr said, adding that it looked like it used boilerplate language “and I have some real concerns about that.” 
 
Councilor Marilyn Morton, who co-owns the commercial office space where Mr. Young’s business is located, spoke in favor of the sale. Asked a few days later if she was under obligation to disclose the fact that she co-owns a commercial building near the lot purchased by Mr. Young, and that she has what might be perceived as a business relationship with him because he is her tenant, Ms. Morton answered “no.” 
 
The tie vote over Mr. Young’s proposal occurred because City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis cited a conflict-of-interest on her part – she’s a trustee of the Elks Club, which occupies a building on Main Street adjacent to the lot being sold, slated to be the site of a new meeting hall for the Elks.  As a result, Ms. Martin-Willis abstained. Mayor John McArdle cast a yes vote to break the tie. 
  
A state “government ethics” law identifies a conflict of interest as occurring when a public official takes an action in an official capacity that could financially impact that public official or any business with which the public official is associated. The law distinguishes between an actual conflict of interest and a potential one: an actual conflict of interest occurs when a public official participates in an official action that would have a direct financial impact on that official. A potential conflict of interest occurs when a public official’s action, decision or recommendation could have a financial impact on that office-holder. Public officials must publicly state the “conflict” when either situation arises, according to Oregon law. 
 
The Elks Club building, a few doors down from Mr. Young’s office, will be re-purposed in this process, Mr. Young affirmed, but he declined to provide any further description, citing “proprietary” reasons. Mike Lodge, who co-owns the commercial space with Ms. Morton, said he believes the sale will be of great benefit to the Elks Club. 
 
During the meeting, City Manager Tom Pessemier said the plans include a smaller building for the Elks, where they would relocate and “then sell their other building to the same developer, is my understanding, to be modified and put back into constructive use.”   
 
Mr. Young also confirmed that he plans to stay at his current location, where his firm now offers real estate sales and services. 
 
The lot, called  parcel 7, was purchased along with other land along the Willamette River a few years ago as part of an ambitious urban renewal project by the city – property that now includes the Independence Hotel, a 75-room lodging facility that opened for business last fall, and an apartment-townhome complex, which is nearing completion.

HANDS-ON HELP FOR INDEPENDENCE BUSINESSES
Free technical assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19 – financed with CARES Act money – is being made available through a city-backed plan that connects applicants with local experts who can give them knowledgeable help, according to Kate Schwarzler, who owns Indy Commons. Ms. Schwarzler, who will serve as paid administrator of the program, said the expertise largely will come from skilled and experienced individuals in Independence. They haven’t been identified yet – their hiring depends on what’s requested, she explained. However, “clearly-defined support services” range from the means to move to digitalization to ways to broaden marketing opportunities. The application forms are available at this link: https://forms.gle/JHcTfmfXDXp7WxGd8. 

THE MILLION-PLANT PLANTING 
The amazing milestone of a million plantings has been reached by the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC). How will they commemorate it? With another planting, this time with an Oregon White Oak Tree. Previous efforts have involved soil-enriching, watershed-enhancing plants. “The oak tree is our symbolic millionth plant, and although most of our plantings are riparian species, the tree silhouette in our logo is an oak,” explained Suzanne Teller, outreach coordinator for the LWC. The festivities have been scaled down due to pandemic precautions, but not the event itself. And also from the LWC, comes this announcement: 
Virtual Sips 'n Science: What Birds Reveal About Floodplain Function
6:30 - 8pm, Oct 13, via Zoom (registration required)
Grab your favorite beverage and tune into this evening presentation by USGS forest ecologist, Joan Hagar, from the comfort of your own home! Joan will introduce her research into bird diversity at Luckiamute State Natural Area, and how different species use the floodplain forest habitat that is a focus of one of our long-term restoration projects. More details and registration link at https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/sips-and-science-lsna-birds.html

EDITORIAL---------------------------
As election time nears, the national ballot is generating more local buzz than the pollinator garden at Mount Fir Park. But here at Trammart News & Publishing, which is a person-plus-laptop, it’s the local contest that’s on my mind. It’s caused me to start re-thinking some of my thinking (with regard to my own policies, such as never connecting people because my standard answers in newsrooms of the past was to say: “Sorry, that would be participating in the process itself”). 
 
However, I have done just the opposite when I’ve been asked by candidates – over the course of the past few weeks – to provide everything from emails for certain people being sought (including but not limited to our City Recorder Karin Johnson). I’ve had copies of my paper delivered, when they are requested by those vying for a council seat (which I now can provide by PDFs instead of printed paper). I’ve been told by community members that all this competition over unpaid positions on our city council – the mayoral spot and open seats on the city council – seems surprising (I've confirmed that, but shared my view that it’s  good to see democracy in action). 
 
So, since I am trying to be a good citizen as well as a suitable publisher, I thought I’d write a letter to our future elected city councilors, whoever they may be, long before the ballots are counted. –Anne Scheck
 
Dear Councilor,
 
I have been attending city council meetings for four years now and, with a few notable exceptions, I rarely hear the residents themselves mentioned. I usually hear how great this-or-that would be “for the city” or “for the community.” Can you reference actual people, occasionally? Instead of an amorphous municipality? Maybe even give an example of how your friends and neighbors might be affected by an action?
 
Also, councilor, I’d like to hear some straight talk on the money pinch we’ll likely be facing as life in COVID-19 inflicts its ugly toll. The city manager, Tom Pessemier, takes a whack at it once in a while. But I look across the river to Salem’s financial director, Robert Barron, and he's been fearless about describing the financial shape of things. For example, when I asked him at a Salem City Club meeting how to know when city debt gets too high, he had a formulaic way I couldn’t quite understand. So, he simplified it: an amount that pencils out to less than or at $3,500 per person is a pretty good measure – exceeding that population-based debt can be an indicator for careful re-examination. 
 
And by the way, councilor, if you’d like a good example of one of your former occupants on the dais, I’d recommend former City Councilor Ken Day. He lives elsewhere now. He was a guy who always seemed to point out the elephants and gorillas in the room. Once I heard him ask our city’s economic development director just-exactly-what was being accomplished by trying to turn our town into an Agricultural Technology Hub center, which has been an ongoing project. When Mr. Day failed to get what he thought was a concrete response, he followed it up with something like: Are you sure this is the best allocation of your time? On another occasion, Mr. Day asked how much it cost to refinance a bond – something I’d wondered about, too. He got his answer eventually, and now I routinely request the same re-financing information, calling it the “Ken Day” rule. 
 
Finally, councilor, please stay in touch with those who lack your visibility here in Independence, will you? The people here generally are kind and generous, and it’s okay to make a big deal over how this pandemic may be affecting them, and especially their children. This happens all the time at the Polk County Board of Commissioners. In fact, there was so much hand-wringing the other day over the plight of families that Commissioner Craig Pope confessed: “I realize I am showboating here.” True, but it was nice to hear. It reminded me of one of my favorite maxims, by the great magazine editor Michael Kinsley, who said that insincere flattery is more flattering than sincere flattery because it’s a testament to the power of the people being flattered. So, go ahead, councilor-to-be, lay it on thick for the voting public once in a while. Michael Kinsley is right. -- AS (end)