The Fix is In? SKATS to hear Salem Alternative Day After Council Meeting - Updated

Salem City Council meets Monday the 24th.  The Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study, our local Metropolitan Planning Organization, meets at noon on the 25th and will hear about the "Salem Alternative."

Since the item is so clear that "Salem City Council will close the public hearing and deliberate" on the 24th, and N3B has reported on the extraordinary number of Councilors blanketing the West Salem Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday, and lobbying in support of a lite version, the"Salem Alternative," it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the votes are in hand.  It certainly looks like those in favor of a giant bridge and highway are ready to wrap and put a bow on it.

"With our 20 Year Plan we will March into the Future"
International Institute of Social History Collection

Although the hearing is on the 24th, the record will close at 5pm on Friday the 21st - that's tomorrow.  So if you haven't submitted comment, now's the time.  Email Council here.

As an example, N3B posted one good summary comment just recently.

Update, mid-morning:

Another approach might be to cite the the Comprehensive Plan, which at the highest level of Salem planning provides grounds for critique and opposition:

12. The implementation of transportation system and demand management measures, enhanced transit service, and provision for bicycle and pedestrian facilities shall be pursued as a first choice for accommodating travel demand and relieving congestion in a travel corridor, before widening projects are constructed.
13. The Salem Transportation System Plan shall identify methods that citizens can use to commute to work and decrease overall traffic demand on the transportation system. Such methods include transit ridership, telecommuting, carpooling, vanpooling, flexible work schedules, walking, and bicycling.
18. The Salem Transportation System Plan shall identify methods that employers can use to better facilitate the commute of their employees, encourage employees to use alternative travel modes other than the SOV, and decrease their needs for off-street parking.

And the City stonewalls a request for information on the amount the City is spending on bridge planning, as it is "not in the public interest"!

Talk to the Hand!

See a ward map and individual councilors after the jump.

Councilors

	Ward 1  Councilor: Chuck Bennett Email: crbennett@cityofsalem.net Phone: 503-399-7801 Term Expires: December 31, 2016 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 2 Councilor: Laura Tesler Email: ltesler@cityofsalem.net Phone: 503-399-7802 Term Expires: December 31, 2014 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 3  Councilor: Brad Nanke Email: bnanke@cityofsalem.net Phone: 503-399-7803 Term Expires: December 31, 2016 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 4  Councilor: Rich Clausen  Email: rclausen@cityofsalem.net Phone: 503-399-7804 Term Expires: December 31, 2014 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 5 Councilor: Diana Dickey Email: ddickey@cityofsalem.net  Phone: 503-399-7905 Term Expires: December 31, 2016 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 6  Councilor: Sheryl A Thomas Email: sthomas@cityofsalem.net Phone: 503-399-7806 Term Expires: December 31, 2014 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 7 Councilor: Warren Bednarz  Email: wbednarz@cityofsalem.net  Phone: 503-399-7907 Term Expires: December 31, 2016 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301
	Ward 8 Councilor: Dan Clem Email: dclem@cityofsalem.net  Phone: 503-399-7808 Term Expires: December 31, 2014 Address: 555 Liberty St SE, Room 220, Salem OR 97301

Click on this link to email the entire City Council:
Citycouncil@cityofsalem.net
Citywide Ward Map


For more on the River Crossing / Third Bridge see a summary critique and all breakfast blog notes tagged River Crossing. The No Third Bridge advocates also have lots of useful information.