DJ Vincent, Pastor, Church at The Park (C@P) will speak about Micro-Shelter Villages in Salem. C@P explains their Micro-Shelter Village concept simply: “bring people out of the woods, vehicles and sidewalks into relationship and connection with resources. The associated workforce development brings confidence, honor and healing.” Given two years of experience operating villages, DJ will provide insight into micro-shelters as a critical part of the solution for the entire community, with particular attention to siting, operation, people served, public response and the future.

Edit: SENATOR DEB PATTERSON and REP. PAUL EVANS (D)

The Salem City Club program committee is very grateful to Senator Deb Patterson, D-Senate District 10, for her willingness to step in at the last minute for her colleague Senator Kim Thatcher, who had a scheduling problem and is unable to appear on April 7.  Senator Thatcher recommended Senator Patterson as a possible replacement to talk about what is going on in the Senate. Patterson will be joined by Representative Paul Evans, D-House District 20, who will discuss activities in the House.

Halfway through the session, big issues remain to be debated and solutions found. Two local legislators from different parties and chambers will share their thoughts and insights on what is possible before time runs out on Oregon’s 82nd legislative session.

There is a nationwide shortage of public defenders. The shortage is

especially acute in Oregon. There are several reasons for this, the

main one appearing to be a lack of funding. This has led to the

abrogation of the constitutional right to have an attorney for at

least 500 defendants and to unconstitutionally long detentions of

some of them. At least 300 cases in Multnomah County alone have

been dismissed; there simply was no one to represent the

defendants, preventing the criminal cases from legally

proceeding.

According to Mike Schmidt, the Multnomah County District Attorney, “This is a public defender crisis.“ Carl Macpherson, Executive Director of Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland, commented on OPB’s Think Out Loud, “This is a total public safety system

failure.”

Please join us to hear a panel of experts discuss this important issue.

Nationally-known Oregon journalists Dick Hughes and Les Zaitz will explore their profession's faults and challenges - and how citizens can have a say in seeing the First Amendment still serves them.

According to the veteran newsmen, “The evolution of social media and the pressure on journalists to keep up has left many citizens wondering if they can trust the information they get from the press.”

Dr. Ed Dover, Professor Emeritus of Politics, Policy and Administration at Western Oregon University, returns to Salem City Club to analyze and interpret 2022 election results from around the nation, Oregon and the mid-Willamette Valley.  Dr. Dover has lectured and written extensively on American political campaign communication.  Don’t miss his informative, thought-provoking presentation.

Candidates Tom Andersen(D) and T.J. Sullivan(R) will tell us why they are running and their stand on important issues of the day. After answering a few selected questions, time will be available for audience members to ask questions of the candidates. We expect this to be a cordial, informative and lively debate for the hour.

No matter what happens on November 8, the literal face of SD11 will change when the 82nd Oregon legislature convenes next February. Peter Courtney’s retirement after 25 years of service to the district, coupled with redistricting, made this a race for an open seat. Candidates Kim Thatcher (R) and Richard Walsh(D) will be with us to answer questions and speak to the issues. We expect this to be a cordial, informative and lively debate for the hour.

Long-time Salem City Club members, Senator Deb Patterson (D) and Representative Raquel Moore-Green (R) will appear in-person at the Willamette Heritage Center on September 9 for the club’s fall opening program.

Both well-respected members of the Salem community, the politicians will debate what qualifications are needed to represent voters in Senate District 10, which includes South and West Salem, Monmouth, Independence, Turner and Aumsville, and parts of Four Corners and unincorporated East Salem.

Four South Salem High staff – the principal, a teacher/coach, a student counselor, and the school nurse -- discuss challenges they and their students faced during the pandemic, and the coming new “normal” for their school community.