The Truth: An Endangered American Species?

MICRO-SHELTERS, MACRO IMPACT: A Transitional Step from Houselessness to Housing

DJ Vincent, Pastor, Church at The Park (C@P) will speak about Micro-Shelter Villages in Salem. C@P explains their Micro-Shelter Village concept simply: “bring people out of the woods, vehicles and sidewalks into relationship and connection with resources. The associated workforce development brings confidence, honor and healing.� Given two years of experience operating villages, DJ will provide insight into micro-shelters as a critical part of the solution for the entire community, with particular attention to siting, operation, people served, public response and the future.

OREGON’S 82ND LEGISLATIVE SESSION: HALFWAY TO THE FINISH LINE

Edit: SENATOR DEB PATTERSON and REP. PAUL EVANS (D) The Salem City Club program committee is very grateful to Senator Deb Patterson, D-Senate District 10, for her willingness to step in at the last minute for her colleague Senator Kim Thatcher, who had a scheduling problem and is unable to appear on April 7.  Senator Thatcher recommended Senator Patterson as a possible replacement to talk about what is going on in the Senate. Patterson will be joined by Representative Paul Evans, D-House District 20, who will discuss activities in the House. Halfway through the session, big issues remain to be debated and solutions found. Two local legislators from different parties and chambers will share their thoughts and insights on what is possible before time runs out on Oregon’s 82nd legislative session.

Oregon Public Defender Crisis

There is a nationwide shortage of public defenders. The shortage is especially acute in Oregon. There are several reasons for this, the main one appearing to be a lack of funding. This has led to the abrogation of the constitutional right to have an attorney for at least 500 defendants and to unconstitutionally long detentions of some of them. At least 300 cases in Multnomah County alone have been dismissed; there simply was no one to represent the defendants, preventing the criminal cases from legally proceeding. According to Mike Schmidt, the Multnomah County District Attorney, “This is a public defender crisis.“ Carl Macpherson, Executive Director of Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland, commented on OPB’s Think Out Loud, “This is a total public safety system failure.� Please join us to hear a panel of experts discuss this important issue.

The Truth: An Endangered American Species?

Nationally-known Oregon journalists Dick Hughes and Les Zaitz will explore their profession's faults and challenges - and how citizens can have a say in seeing the First Amendment still serves them. According to the veteran newsmen, “The evolution of social media and the pressure on journalists to keep up has left many citizens wondering if they can trust the information they get from the press.�

Winners and Losers: Making Sense of the 2022 Midterm Election Results

Dr. Ed Dover, Professor Emeritus of Politics, Policy and Administration at Western Oregon University, returns to Salem City Club to analyze and interpret 2022 election results from around the nation, Oregon and the mid-Willamette Valley.  Dr. Dover has lectured and written extensively on American political campaign communication.  Don’t miss his informative, thought-provoking presentation.