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In the News:

Change will let more people participate, SJ May 15

Commissioners are overpaid for their jobs, SJ May 15

It’s time to update type of governance, SJ May 14

Don’t believe scare tactics of opponents, SJ May 14

Change would improve county, SJ May 14

Home rule charter should get yes vote, Keizer wins with home rule charter, Vote yes on Measure 24-292; Three letters to Keizertimes, > Opinions > Letters, May 14

Change offers more representation, SJ May 12

Home rule charter will benefit residents, SJ May 12

Opponents using false scare tactics, SJ May 12

Charter would improve Marion County government, SJ May 10

Home rule charter can improve representation, SJ Guest Opinion, May 9

Home rule charter will produce fair elections, SJ May 9

Home rule charter is sensible solution, SJ May 9

Charter would give Keizer representation, SJ May 8

District Attorney Beglau skates on thin ethical ice, HinesSight, May 2

Representation plan would benefit citizens, SJ May 4

GOP flack Chuck Adams sleazes up Marion County charter change campaign, Blue Oregon, May 4

Representation would improve - League of Women Voters, SJ May 1

Minority can rule in current system, SJ May 1

Onward Oregon

Growing region needs a modern government, SJ, April 29

‘Yes’ vote is good for rural farming areas, SJ, April 29

Opponents simply want to keep power, SJ, April 29

It’s time for a change in Marion County, Woodburn Ind., April 29

SJ article, April 28

Silverton Appeal-Tribune/Stayton Mail article, April 28

Measure would reform county’s broken system, SJ April 26

Forty percent more government is better/Home Rule Charter gives people more representation; Woodburn Ind., April 26

Marion County's structure is outdated, SJ April 25

Home rule? Yes! Keizertimes, April 23

County charter change makes good sense, SJ April 24

Current population needs representation, SJ April 24

Home rule support appreciated, Keizertimes, April 23

Plan would improve county government, SJ April 23

Support idea to make county more efficient, SJ April 23

Ms 24-292 Will Be Beneficial To Area, SJ-Stayton April 21

Pro Ms 24-292: It makes Marion County better, Woodburn Ind., April 20

Plan would bring better representation, SJ April 18

Voters have the chance to take back the government, SJ April 18

Home rule charter would be beneficial, SJ April 17

New article by Brian Hines, HinesSight April 15

3 positive letters to the Woodburn Ind. April 13

Passing measure would be beneficial to county, SJ, April 13

Measure would improve access to commissioners, SJ, April 12

Charter change offers more accountability, SJ, April 9

Willamette Live article, April 1

Vote Yes to protect employment, SJ, March 30

Home Rule Charter would benefit county, letter to SJ, March 18.

HinesSight: Facts and fictions about Marion County charter change

Reader doesn't think Milne is correct in some of her comments / Districts were drawn up for the better of the county, Woodburn Ind. March 2

Remarks by Bob Cannon, LWV forum, February 18

Longtime Woodburn resident supports charter / Reader appreciates story on Marion County expansion, Woodburn Ind. February 12

Presentation at the Demo Forum, January 27 video:

How many Commissioners does it take to protect the environment? OLCV December 21 2009

Filing of the Charter,
June 1 2009 video:

Expand County Board, group urges, SJ July 9 2009

...was a great success! Thank you everyone who showed up!

There are still walking lists and fliers available for anyone who wants to help.

Please contact Aileen at
503-743-4567

for info and to sign up.

Measure 24-292 will be on the May 18 ballot!

On December 21, 2009 the Marion County Elections office stated that “Have A Voice Everyone” (H.A.V.E.) submitted sufficient signatures to place the Home Rule Charter on the Marion County May 18 ballot. 

The charter would change the Marion County Commission to 5, non-partisan commissioners elected by District.

Chief Petitioners are Rick Stucky, Silverton resident and former Salem City Council President; and Rick Kimball, Salem-Keizer School board member. According to Stucky, “Constituents of Marion County should have the same type of district representation as do constituents of City Councils.” Rick Kimball added, “A district-specific nonpartisan County Commission will result in more direct representation and increased accountability and transparency.”

The five proposed non-partisan districts reflect the northern part of the county, including Woodburn, Silverton, and Mt. Angel; an eastern district including Stayton, Mill City, Detroit, and parts of east Salem. The southern part of the county would be represented by a district that includes Jefferson, Aumsville, and parts of South Salem. Salem and Keizer are in the two remaining districts. “Because of the concentration of population in the Salem-Keizer urban area, all five districts include portions of Salem within the Urban Growth Boundary” said Richard van Pelt, who helped draw up the proposed districts.

Marion County is the only county of its size to have only 3 commissioner positions. Even Hood River and Clatsop counties have 5. The group explains that two people having the deciding vote for a county with over 300,000 people and a $300 million budget is no longer adequate. With only 3 commissioners, 2 constitute a quorum. Thus, only 2 commissioners are required to make any decision.

The proposed Marion County Charter improves representation, accountability, and transparency.