A Box of Soap By DON VOWELL You may be wondering how to tell if you are a corporation or a person.  Mitt Romney’s early campaign statement that “Corporations are people, my friend” blurred the dividing lines a little.  The Supreme Court decision that money spent on elections is free speech whether it comes from [...]

By SUSAN ESTRICH Some years ago, I was invited to speak at the graduation ceremonies of a liberal arts college. Later, many in the audience told me they expected a very political speech. Some of them were relieved; others were disappointed. I don’t do politics at graduation. Graduation is about life. My high school graduation [...]

By GENE H. McINTYRE Is it not a matter of whose time has come?  It’s argued that the time has come to elect a woman to be president of the United States of America. We must wait upon the completion of Barack Obama’s second term, ending January 20, 2017. So if the prospect of a woman [...]

There are services and amenities a city offers that many of us don’t think about until we want or need them. If our neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks, we probably don’t think about them. But, how do we feel about them if we suddenly find ourselves needing to use wheelchair? It is much easier to get [...]

To the Editor: This needs to be stopped before it gets started.  Since when does the Parks Board have the authority to propose new taxes?  Because let’s be honest-—that’s exactly what this is. The city charter provides that water revenue shall be used only for water services.  If more money is required for parks, the [...]

By ROLAND MARTIN When you win the White House, you get to pick the team you want. Sure, that sounds simple and doesn’t need any clarification, but it’s clear that simplicity and clarity is lacking in Washington, D.C. A Republican wins the White House and Democrats do all they can to muck up the waters [...]

By GENE H. McINTYRE How much does a salaried person need to be paid to live comfortably in Corvallis, Eugene or Portland?  Well, of course, it’s relative and depends on one’s requirements for “the good life.”  But, really now, when you think about it, do you think in terms of an annual gross salary of [...]

The tenure of Ken LeDuc on the Keizer City Council has come to a sudden end. He submitted his resignation late last week citing health issues. He was elected in November, opposed only by a write-in candidacy. While it is unfortunate that Mr. LeDuc resigned after only four months in office, the vacancy offers the [...]

By DON VOWELL I replaced the slingshot that broke when I was trying to scare cats away from the birdbath. The new slingshot has a sturdy metal handle and surgical tubing for propulsion of the sling.  There is no intent to actually hit or damage any cat.  I just want these cats to spread the [...]

With only a 20 percent chance of rain on Saturday, we will celebrate our city as a great place to live and work as Keizer Iris Festival events kick into high gear. Each year the third weekend in May is time for fun, family and flowers. The Iris Parade, one of the largest in Oregon, [...]