Voters Say NO Salem-Keizer Transit District Levy

(SALEM) - Voters in Marion and Polk counties narrowly defeated the Salem-Keizer Transit Districts $6.8 million levy. The majority of the levy would have been used to maintain the current level of transit services in Salem and Keizer and restore some of the services reduced this September.

The levy proposal would have provided the following new services over the next five years: Sunday service - operating on a limited schedule from approximately 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 15-minute frequencies on two more routes that are experiencing overcrowding Development of two neighborhood transit centers, served by smaller, more frequent buses Continued new bus shelters Sunday service for riders with disabilities, on CherryLift Increased maintenance on bus stops and shelters, district-wide. If passed the levy would have costs property owners -- using the property tax levy rate of 60 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation -- the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $120 in the 2007-08 tax year.

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Henry Ruark November 11, 2006 4:50 pm (Pacific time)

Troy's idea --will see about a proposal to several leaders; others wishing to add strength feel free to contact Editor with ID, at newsroom@salem-news.com, for my emailer.

Anonymous November 11, 2006 2:06 pm (Pacific time)

Henry has a great idea, now all we need are people who are willing to take it to the Legislature.

Henry Ruark November 11, 2006 8:32 am (Pacific time)

Troy et al: Surely clustered State activities in Salem require the transit system function...so why should not State pay proportionate share, via Legislative grant OR other means ?

Troy November 10, 2006 2:04 pm (Pacific time)

The basic problem is that Cherriots does not do what the other transit districts in the state do-end reliance on a property tax and instead inmpose a payroll tax to cover the cost of the agency. Trimet up in Portland Metro does, LTD in Eugene does as well. I have heard--there are not enough employers. So, have the state act like other employers and pay for their use of transit as well. Plus, the city itself benefits-so have it pony up as well. Basically don't tax property owners only for a service that everyone should pay for.

Anonymous November 9, 2006 9:35 am (Pacific time)

Yeah blame the voters when: 1. The executive director of the company that provides LIFT service is let go months before the election -- raising questions. 2. The lawyers for Cherriot's file a lawsuit about the transit center falling apart -- right before the election. (Nice move there) 3. It failed last time and yet I didn't see a lot of grass-roots support for it. Did any of you find out how to help the campaign? Did you go door-to-door with your plight and ask for support? Did you write a letter to the editor or an opinion piece? With the miscues, this levy was bound for failure.

take a hike November 8, 2006 2:15 pm (Pacific time)

What elitist mentality makes people forget what it's like to need a ride? It's bizarre that those that can afford a car, and insurance, don't have any notion of what it's like to struggle. Wait till YOU need the bus, and yes, you surely may. Then let's hope it's not a Sunday, because you'll be hoofing it just like the rest of us. Thanks for NOTHING Salem!

LCpl Joshua Peterson, USMC November 8, 2006 1:41 pm (Pacific time)

I can't believe that my fellow salemites are to cheap to pony up an extra hundred or so dollars a year to help a very good buss service in need. I can't believe the people that live in a state that enjoys the privege of being able to pay the marked price on an item, and not an extra 8% in sales tax like I currently pay for goods, will soon find yourselves faced with no other choice than to approve a sales tax to fund such program, or risk loing them. I don't know about you, but I like being able to go to a place like McDonald's and actually pay for a 99 cent double cheeseburger with a dollar. Maybe its that you home owners forgot what it was like to get around with out a vehicle, or to have an unreliable mode of transportation. The public transit down here where I'm living now covers an area similar to Salem to Wilsonville, and Dallas to Lyons, and it costs me $2.00 to travel this. For what the Charriots charge, and what they cdover, I believe with the rising oil prices that its quite the deal and I look forward to using the service when I return, if its still available.

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Voters Say NO Salem-Keizer Transit District Levy

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