In this issue:
On Wednesday, March 17, the Board of Commissioners held their annual State of the County address. The virtual event was once again hosted by SEDCOR as part of their regular business forum series.
The commissioners highlighted the county's COVID-19 response, wildfire recovery, and recent ice storm. The recording is available for viewing and we welcome your feedback. Please email any questions for the board to commissioners@co.marion.or.us.
Links
State of the County - 2021
Year in Pictures - 2020
Commissioner Cameron discusses State of the County on KMUZ Radio
Click image to view State of the County video.
The Board of Commissioners joined community partners in proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Marion County. In 2019 there were 13,674 reported victims of child abuse and neglect in Oregon, of which 1,238 were in Marion County.
We appreciate the commitment of organizations such as Family Building Blocks, CASA of Marion County Oregon, Liberty House and many more who work year round to support children and families in our communities. We encourage all community members to become aware of the issues involved in the prevention of child abuse and neglect and we aim to strengthen families by supporting safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children.
We all have role to play in preventing child abuse and neglect. For information about how you can help, please visit parentforthefuture.org.
Commissioners Cameron, Bethell, and Willis plant pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Just in time for Mother's Day, the Fresh Start Market will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale April 29 - May 2. Look for hanging baskets, flowers, bedding plants including veggies, and handmade wood and metal art. We'll also have various lumber such as cedar and redwood for raised beds.
Hours:
April 29 - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 30 - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May 1 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 2 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The market, located at 3020 Center St. NE in Salem, is a program of the Marion County Juvenile Department. The program provides an opportunity for youth to earn and pay restitution to crime victims while learning job skills. Youth learn skills related to customer service, handling cash, barista, merchandising, stocking and other duties.
Visit our website for more information about the Fresh Start Market.
Access limited in North Fork corridor
Marion County is temporarily restricting access and closing parks along the Little North Fork Santiam River corridor. Public access to North Fork, Gates Hill, and Pioneer Roads will be limited to property owners and their guests, contractors, and agents.
The county is additionally closing North Fork Park, Salmon Falls Park, and Bear Creek Park and Campground and the corridor will be closed to bicyclists and non-resident pedestrians.
Public and private lands around the Little North Fork Santiam River basin were heavily damaged during the September 2020 Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfires. The closures are meant to support rebuilding and reconstruction of wildfire damaged properties.
Commissioner Danielle Bethell said, "These restrictions are meant to protect people from hazards in the North Fork corridor. We understand there will be frustration from the public; however, we have to do what is right and safe for everyone. We hope people will have understanding and grace through the rebuilding process." She continued, "For the time being we're encouraging people to explore Oregon's other amazing parks and recreational opportunities."
Public Works anticipates it will take approximately 18 months to restore wildfire damaged roads and two to three years to fully rebuild county parks. Marion County parks sustained considerable damage with the near total destruction of vegetation and park amenities and it remains unsafe to enter the parks due to the large number of dead and standing trees that can fall with little or no warning.
A large volume of woody debris, both floating and submerged, is moving down the watershed on a daily basis making it unsafe for the public to enter the Little North Fork Santiam River at this time.
Additional restrictions include:
- No parking and no bicyclists within the North Fork, Gates Hill and Pioneer Road rights-of-way.
- No recreational access to the Little North Fork Santiam River from North Fork Road, Gates Hill Road, Pioneer Road, North Fork Park, Salmon Falls Park or Bear Creek Park and Campground.
We appreciate the public's partnership as we begin the process of making our beautiful North Fork corridor safe for residents and visitors.
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Detroit breaks ground on new community center and city hall
On Saturday, March 20, 2021, Marion County joined representatives from SEDOR, the Santiam Rebuild Coalition, and City of Detroit in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Detroit Community Building.
The previous city hall was destroyed in the Beachie Creek and Lionshead Fires. The Santiam Rebuild Coalition quickly mobilized to bring together more than 90 licensed local construction professionals who have pledged to provide labor and materials for the project.
The project was given a kick-start from United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley with a donation of $250,000 toward the project. The community building will serve as a community center and city hall for the Detroit community.
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Every week the availability of COVID-19 vaccine is increasing in Marion County and throughout Oregon. As of March 22, 2021, more than 117,500 doses of vaccine have been administered in the county.
We're pleased to report that in Marion County more than 66% of those 65 years and older have received at least their first dose of vaccine.
As of April 5, people in Phase 1B Group 7 will be eligible to receive a vaccine throughout the state. Group 7 includes frontline workers, individuals living in multigenerational homes, and adults 16-44 with one or more underlying health conditions. Beginning April 19 anyone over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Vaccine clinics are open throughout the county. Salem Health continues to operate a regional clinic at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and Santiam Hospital is accepting pre-registration for appointments for eligible community members. Through the federal pharmacy program, many local pharmacies are beginning to receive vaccines. For a list of participating pharmacies, please visit our COVID-19 website.
For assistance finding or creating a vaccination appointment, please call 2-1-1. If you know an individual who does not have internet access and would like assistance finding a vaccination appointment, they may call Marion County Health & Human Services at (503) 576-2828.
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