Browsing Category
Opinion
2349 posts
City needs better communication
Editor: The South Hills Trail is a place in Sweet Home that many people value and enjoy regularly.…
From Our Files – The New Era 25/50 Years Ago – August 14, 2019
Aug. 14, 1969 A thousand balloons, each with a certificate inside good for free merchandise from area merchants,…
Well-intentioned though it might be, new paid family leave law is going to cost all of us
Staff Like many pieces of legislation, Oregon’s new paid leave law provides some benefits. But it’s going to…
Have a good time, but keep it responsible
Scott Swanson Sometimes it’s not hard to write an editorial. This might be one of those times. We’ve…
Politicians of every stripe find splashy emails their communiqué of choice
Scott Swanson “Hey,” yells the email on my computer inbox list. Wow, it’s from U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris.…
Community contributes to Sportsman’s Holiday
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree send-off last November was a true community celebration, which left a lot of…
Newspaper economics – 2019 style
Scott Swanson Observant readers may have noticed the new cover price on the front page of today’s issue:…
Issues in Salem bigger than just laws
It’s been a wild end of the week in Salem. Of course, from the perspective of much of…
Proposed tower unnecessarily tall
Editor: I want to thank the city, its workers, and all the volunteers that put in the time…
Closing of one of few remaining video stores marks end of era in SH, society
Editor’s note: This is not a typical opinion piece, but this story reflects changing values and practices in…
Wolf depredation issues likely to get more real
Some hot news out of Salem in the last week has been the Wolf Plan adopted Friday, June…
To folks who know local kids
Editor: We have met young people who can’t begin to imagine their potential. They lack practical experience and…
Commentary: Community will miss cat rescue worker following her passing
Sarah Brown On May 17, the community of Sweet Home, as well as all of Linn County, lost…
Agencies should respect our vets
Editor: I was brought up to be a proud American and to have respect for all of our…
Citizens need to check city spending
Editor: Well, the City Council voted to steal the Police and Library levy overage. Three voted no and…
Sweet Home is a place of peace and plenty
Every so often we hear or see comments about how terrible our town has become – often in…
Budget issue isn’t council character
Editor: Most citizens (this writer included) admire those who volunteer for city government, and appreciate all the hard…
Republican walkout an effort to get Legislature supermajority to listen
Guest Commentary: Sherrie Sprenger I have received a few messages and questions about the Senate Republicans walking out…
How to negotiate city government
Editor: Sweet Home’s city government has five departments. Each department head runs their respective department and reports to…
City leaders not guilty of ‘crimes’
Editor: From many of the comments that I heard at the Public Hearing on the proposed City budget…
Communication fails in controversy
Editor: Having attended the May 14, 2019 City Council meeting because I had felt confusion regarding the huge…
City budget plan doesn’t add up
Editor: I personally know most of the City Budget Committee and City Council. Many I consider friends and…
Betraying voter trust bad policy
Editor: I strongly recommend the City Council not siphon from Police Levy money by sending it to the…
Parade committee decides to dissolve
Editor: The organization known as the Sweet Home Parade Committee has decided to dissolve its membership and responsibilities.…
Budget plan putting chips on citizen trust
Suppose you need some cash to do some necessary home repairs. You talk your benevolent Aunt Sue, who…