Goodbye Bailey and Summer Update

Master Recyclers Only Event

Mix and Mingle at Pringle

Tuesday, July 30
Pringle Creek Community
3911 Village Center Dr SE, Salem, OR 97302 

A Final Message from Bailey

It’s always easy for me to remember when I began working for Marion County because it was on my 29th birthday, over 17 years ago. I’d just been married and we were weeks away from buying our first house. Since then, we’ve had two kids, had family members pass away and others born, and picked up a few grey hairs along the way. Life continues to evolve, as has my career.

The newest chapter in my life is that I’m going to be working for the Corvallis School District as a Sustainability Specialist. It’s a wonderful opportunity for my family and me because my wife also works for the school district and my kids are starting 3rd and 6th grades. I haven’t worked in the same town that I’ve lived for 20 years so I’m looking forward to being able to ride my bike to work! My role will be to implement the district’s new sustainability plan. It will involve helping to integrate green building designs into the numerous schools that are getting rebuilt or remodeled, working to connect the very active environmental community in town with service-learning opportunities, connecting natural resource agencies with teachers and getting all of the schools certified in the Oregon Green Schools program. I’m going to be busy!

One of the things that I’ve most appreciated about working here is how much it changes. When I first started, my time was largely spent on coordinating our advertising, managing the Composters at Cost program and coordinating some of our recycling programs like fluorescent lights, paint, batteries and electronics. In more recent years, I worked with Alan on the EarthWISE program which was one of my favorite programs and one that I believe continues to be key.

Throughout all these years, I’ve always been able to work with the Master Recycler program and schools. The work with schools will obviously continue for me but I will greatly miss the community of Master Recyclers that I’ve gotten to know over the years. Since I started with Marion County, there have been 570 people take the Master Recycler class and it was truly an honor to be able to work with so many inspiring people. The network of Master Recyclers and EarthWISE businesses are the backbone of our programs and what has made the work so successful and fun.

Marion County has been such a wonderful place to work and I am really proud of what we’ve accomplished. By “we” I mean not only my colleagues but you, the larger community with whom I’ve been able to work. As Robert Plant sang, “I’m goin’ to Corvallis with an achin’ in my heart.” Well, maybe that’s not quite the exact lyric but it is with very mixed emotions that I’m leaving Marion County. I will miss you and I imagine that I’ll still get to work with many of you since my new position will be very much related to the work that will continue to happen here. Thank you!

We have been honored to work with Bailey who has served the public with his passion, knowlege, and amazing work ethic for over 17 years. If you want to hear more about Bailey's tremendous work and history with Marion County, check out his exit interview on Waste Matters on the Air which is available to stream online or download the podcast. 

REPAIR FAIR

Wednesday, September 18

4-7pm
Pringle Creek Park | Pringle Hall Community Center
606 Church St SE, Salem

Got something broken? Bring it (along with any needed parts) to the Repair Fair, and we'll hook you up with a fixer!

Small appliances (no microwaves or cd-players please)
2 Tools or knives to sharpen
Textiles
Computers
Jewelry Repair
Stringed Instruments
Bikes

The Repair Fair & Share is a collective of volunteers who join together to fix broken items, teach valuable repair skills, and learn from listening and doing. The community benefits by making connections, learning skills, reducing waste, and saving money. We welcome fixers, tinkerers, and supporters.​

Currently we are looking for another textile repair person, and a bike person or two. If you can help, please contact Jessica Ramey (503.365.3180), jsramey@co.marion.or.us.

CLOTHING SWAP

Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 1 PM – 5 PM
Bush Pasture Park
High and Leffelle St (SW side of the Park) 

Please bring clean, useable items. Please sort by size. As you arrive, place your unwanted items into the appropriate places, and then feel free to "shop" for anything you want or need. All left overs will be donated. It will be first come takes it, but please use kindness with others. Please refold items and keep them sorted by size etc.

MASTER RECYCLER CLASS

Now Announcing open enrollement for the 2019 Fall Master Recycler Program! Join the team of over 750 Master Recyclers to learn more about sustainability, waste reduction, and save resources. 

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