Introducing Your Local Candidates:

Informed Decisions Enrich Our Communities

By Kelly Schreiber

At the November 8, 2016 General Election, the positions of mayor and three city councilors should appear on the ballot for Stayton residents. Stayton candidates for the 2017 city council and mayor positions will be attending a question and answer forum, Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 7pm at the Stayton Public Library, in the Siegmund Room. 

Sublimity residents will be voting for the position of mayor and two city councilors. Sublimity candidates will be attending a question and answer forum on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7pm at the Sublimity City Hall.

Both forums are organized and presented by your Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. The public is invited to submit questions prior to the event by emailing them to the Chamber or by mailing them to PO BOX 212 Stayton, OR 97383. Deadline for submissions is 3PM, October 3rd (Stayton) and 3PM, October 10 (Sublimity) respectively. 

The public is invited to attend to hear how the candidates respond to these inquires. For more info, contact the Chamber.

People are Coming:

What is your business doing to prepare?  

"My husband and I are coming for the 2017 eclipse and would like to stay for more than just the eclipse. We already plan on hiking the falls trail but are wondering what else is there in the area? Vineyards, breweries, outdoor recreation, restaurant, really anything of historical interest. We'd like to make a whole trip of it. Can you help? Email or snail mail if you have brochures and things. Thanks so much for your help. We look forward to staying in Sublimity."  

In September, the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a second 2017 Solar Eclipse Community Forum, in collaboration with Travel Salem & Grow EDC, in an effort to raise local awareness, evaluate community preparedness, and discuss how local businesses and organizations could capitalize on the natural phenomenon and the resulting influx of visitors to our area.

There were over 40 in attendance, including County Commissioner  Sam Brentano , Fritz Graham on behalf of Senator Ron Wyden, local city managers, officials, and city council members, along with local citizens, all who will help assist in successful planning for our communities. 

Marcella with Travel Salem, having been working closely with OMSI regarding the Eclipse, presented. A panel including astronomers, our local commissioner, & waste management provider  Republic Services were all available for Q & A. 

Allison McKenzie of Grow EDC also shared from the Rural Tourism Event Action Team who is working on a first annual regional event, River Fusion 22, which will launch the weekend prior to the Eclipse to serve as a connector between communities along Hwy 22 from Aumsville to Idhana. In its first year, the event hopes to capitalize on those traveling to our area for the Eclipse, in an effort to increase the long term economic vitality of our area by showcasing our natural resources, and giving tourists a reason to return. 

Special thanks to Travel Salem, Grow EDC, Night Sky Astronomy Club, Santiam Hospital, and our sponsor Republic Services for helping us make this a successful event. For more info...

The Future of Transportation:

CARTS purposes changes for Stayton & Canyon

Cherriots is working to evaluate the CARTS system of public transportation to the Stayton Sublimity area & the Santiam Canyon, which is currently funded through grants. In a presentation to the Canyon Collaborative in September, Cherriots suggested that they came up with the current proposal after evaluating the current program's  ridership, cost per ride, and the lack of reliability due to their current "dial a ride" program that takes buses off course to pick up residents who cannot make it to the bus stop. 

Their statistics indicate that these "deviations" detour other riders who need reliable pick up times to make it to work or appointments. During the conversation, it was noted that patients with Medicaid qualify for Trip Link, another dial-a-ride service separate from CARTS, and the new proposals therefore will not eliminate options for these riders.

What is purposed to be eliminated is all transportation east of Stayton, up the canyon, and all deviations. Originally, the new proposal also eliminated the stop at the Sublimity Rd DHS office, however, concerns regarding its necessity has resulted in reconsideration.  

There were also concerns that lack of marketing has resulted in lower ridership, and that if residents knew the option was available, ridership would likely increase. Cherriots confirmed that they are aware of the need for additional marketing and that is building built into the new program. 

The new CARTS proposal offers: 1) more direct, reliable service, 2) increased number of trips to Stayton/Sublimity per day, and 3) better integration with Cherriots. There's still time to weigh in on the conversation before the final plan rolls out next April. To learn more about the project timeline, upcoming events, or to share concerns.

Local Member Broadcasts

The Regis Auction Tradition:

37 Years of Funding Catholic Education

Regis High School is hosting their 37th Annual Green & Gold Auction, Saturday October 15th at 5PM.  Power Chevrolet has again generously donated a vehicle to be raffled at the event. Tickets for the raffle are $50 each or Buy 2, Get 1 FREE. For more info, to make a donation, or to purchase auction or raffle tickets, contact Auction Chair  Janell Dickey. 

Family Building Blocks:

Creating a Legacy of Positive Change

By Julie Hilty

Have you ever wondered where their families are after they've graduated services?  Elaine was 18 months old when she was enrolled in Family Building Blocks services 12 years ago when her mom went to prison and her grandmother began raising her. It's typical for children with this background to face emotional and psychological problems. E laine has avoided these negative outcomes because of the social and emotional support she received from Family Building Blocks.  

Elaine is now 14 years old, and is a freshman at McKay High School in Salem. Please join us Thursday, October 13, in Salem for the Family Building Blocks Luncheon to hear more about Elaine's story.  Contact Julie , for information about how you can attend this worthwhile event. 

Oregon Author Spotlight:

Stayton Public Library to Host Wayne Harrision

By Stephanie Rubel

The Stayton Public Library is excited to announce a visit featuring Oregon author Wayne Harrison on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the E. G. Siegmund Meeting Room. There will be a wine and cheese reception accompanying the event.

Wayne Harrison was an auto mechanic for six years before starting college. His short stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories, The Atlantic, Narrative Magazine, McSweeney's, Ploughshares, Crazyhorse, Salon.com, The Sun and on NPR's All Things Considered.  His debut novel, The Spark and the Drive, was published by St. Martin's Press in 2014, and his short story collection Wrench, which was a finalist for the Iowa Book Award and runner-up for the Flannery O'Connor Award, won the 2016 New American Prize and will be published in 2017. He teaches writing at Oregon State University.

 

The Stayton Public Library's speaking events for 2016 are funded by the Stayton Friends of the Library. The Stayton Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds in support of Stayton Public Library programs.

Sharing the Feeling of Christmas:

Community Generosity Fuels Annual Program

It's never to early to start thinking about Christmas, especially when you are the organization behind making others Christmas wishes come true. Our local Stayton & Sublimity Fire Departments, and Marion County Resource Center are gearing up to provide gifts & meals to those within our community that would otherwise do without. I recently spoke with Laura Houston of the Stayton Fire District regarding this important annual event. ( Informational Flyer)

Carmélle: How many youth does our local TOYS for JOY serve annually?

Laura:  Last year we helped provide gifts for 442 children in the Stayton and Sublimity Fire District's service areas. (Wow!)

Carmélle:  How many families benefited from last year's Gift of Christmas Dinner program?  

Laura: 180 (local) families signed up last year.

Carmélle:  How does this program benefit our entire community?  

Laura: The Toys for Joy and Gift of Christmas Dinner programs helps our communities by providing an opportunity for each of us to make a small difference in the life of a needy child or family residing in our community. It also benefits our local businesses as many items are purchased locally. Carmélle:  Why do you choose to be involved?   

Laura: We feel it is a great way to bring joy into the life of a child and to help out the parents to make the Holidays less stressful.  Just imagine the smile on their face when they first see that wonderful gift that was given to them because of the generosity of our community .  We hope it brings families together and helps them to celebrate and make wonderful memories. In fact, many of our current donors benefited from the program at some time during their lives and find it important to give back. Being part of that circle of generosity is very rewarding.

Our Family Continues to Grow:

Welcoming New Members to Our Chamber

Your local Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce extends a warm welcome to a number of recent new members. We encourage you to embrace and support these local businesses: Fairy Good Design,  Stayton Safeway, Tours by André, and John's Waterproofing.