KATU TV-2's Melica Johnson Covers Salem - Salem Business Journal

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page 8 Salem Business Journal april 2008 SOlaR TRaining...Continued from page 1 fundamental part of this mission.” The solar installation class involves a fourhour hands-on demonstration on how to deconstruct and reconstruct a solar array. The training center is equipped with a 2.1kW solar array used primarily as an instruction tool. “The NECA/IBEW Local 280 training center has been training electricians on solar panel installations since 2000,” said Tim Nicol, IBEW Local 280 Business Manager. “Since 2007 solar installation curriculum is taught to every apprentice who goes through our program. Renewable energy has been a top priority for NECA/IBEW Local 280 for almost a decade.” Classes will be offered eight more times this year and more will be added pending market demand. Currently there are 350 IBEW Local 280 journeymen qualified to make Oregon Energy Trust installations. For more information visit www.cjatc.org. Journeymen Carlos rivera, Miguel rivera and Todd hanson deconstruct the 2.1 kW solar array, used primarily as an instruction tool, as part of a hands-on training class at the NECA/ IBEW Local 280 training center. REMEMBER THE OLDIES Music from the 50s, 60s and 70s Salem’s First Choice KBZY 14 NINETY No Fear here If it’s happening in the SALEM AREA, you’ll hear it on KBZY �Roy Dittman �Bob Buck �Terry Sol �Rick Allen �Bill Isabell �Rich Baily �Terry Long �Doc Nelson �Mike Mason �Ron Norwood Marion County Commissioner: With Filing Day behind us, we now know who our political candidates are for state and local offices. It is not too early to begin following their campaigns. Learn what their positions are on taxes, balancing budgets, providing public safety and infrastructure. Understand how they will prioritize programs and services. Know the candidates well because when we cast our ballots in both May and November, we will be entrusting some of these people with major decision making on our behalf. Unfortunately, as these candidates are hitting the campaign trail, all the hype over a potential looming recession is overshadowing most of them, and could be an unnecessary distraction. No matter who expresses an opinion among the various professors, economists and newspaper editors, it is not clear whether we are or are not in a true recession when you compare their comments with facts. Yet the fear of a recession could be the driving issue in the months to come. And, fear could sway how voters cast their ballots. Words like “the gathering dark economic clouds,” penned by Shiram Khe in a Statesman Journal guest opinion on March 12, 2008, are good examples of how fear can be spread. He acknowledges that the HOME OF THE OREGON STATE BEAVERS Be sure to check out www.KBZY.com Patti Milne projections in his comments may not pan out; however, he goes on to quote Nouriel Rubini, a New York University economics professor, who “warns and argues that this is more than a recession – it is a financial pandemic that will infect the world.” Just prior to that guest opinion, the March 10, 2008, Statesman Journal editorial headline was “Oregonians should prepare for recession.” That set people up nicely to read just two days later that we should brace ourselves for a world-wide financial pandemic! Let’s come back to reality and consider the facts. SEDCOR’s January, 2008, report of fiscal year 2007-2008 second quarter (October through December, 2007) is much more optimistic. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate is at 5.7 percent, but this is only .01 percent higher than it was a year ago at the end of December, 2006. Overall, however, there were more people working at the end of December, 2007, than at the end of December, 2006, according to the report. Furthermore, a Manpower survey reported that 50 percent of local employers, including construction, durable goods manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, education and services companies, expect to hire workers from April to June. None expects to lay people off. Additional encouraging words were �� recently shared by a local Realtor in his latest newsletter. He says that a recent national study shows the Willamette Valley as one of the top ten markets in the entire country. He points out that while new home sales are down, existing homes sales are “brisk.” He, like many others, points out that there are always adjustments in the market. And, in spite of adjustments, the current market is on pace to equal one of the best real estate years in recent history. And, least I forget, Oregon had another record year in agricultural sales in 2007. Marion County is again at the top with $614 million in sales. Statewide, annual sales almost hit $5 billion, exceeding record-setting sales in 2006, by nearly $500 million. So, when these professors and newspaper editors make exaggerated pronouncements intended to spread fear and confusion, check the facts with local and reliable sources like SEDCOR, Chambers of Commerce, and industry-based data before making personal and business decisions. And, oh yes, don’t let the chatter over whether there is or isn’t a recession distract you from following the candidates! Marion County Commissioner Patti Milne can be reached at 503.551.5590. � ��
april 2008 Salem Business Journal page history of the Iris Festival By EMILy WErST Keizer is best known for its annual Iris Festival that takes place in the month of May, where all kinds of people from Oregon visit Keizer to see the iris on display and to celebrate the community. Joanne Beilke, who was the President of the Keizer Chamber at the time, started the Iris Festival in 1987. The Keizer Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to use the iris flower as a basis for Keizer Days in 1988, in a successful attempt to create a unique identity for the city and to set Keizer apart. The iris was also adopted as the foundation for the annual Keizer Days floral parade, which is now the Iris Festival Parade. What used to be called Keizer Days in the late 80’s is currently known as the Keizer Iris Festival. The largest growers of iris are located in Keizer, and since they were all in bloom during the annual Keizer Days celebration, the theme placed emphasis on the irises. Iris were declared the official flower of the city, and on December 7th, 1987, Keizer was declared the iris capital of the world. Schriener’s and Cooley’s Iris Gardens were both founded in the 1920’s, and they produce the iris that are seen during the festival. The gardens produce and ship a major portion of the world’s iris rhizomes, both nationally and internationally. Schreiner’s is the Business Check Card If you are a business owner who wants convenient purchasing power without the hassle of checks, Frontier Bank’s Business Check Card may be the solution. Our Business Check Card provides flexibility in managing your company’s money, and comes with many benefits, including the ability to earn points redeemable for travel and merchandise through FrontierRewards. Stop by any of our offices for more information. Where People Really Make The Difference nation’s largest retail grower of iris, with 200 acres in nearby fields and 10 viewing acres. Cooley’s is the largest producer of bearded iris in the world, with blooms in almost every color imaginable. Watch this column next month for more information on upcoming events for the Iris Festival. The Iris Festival Parade takes place on the morning of Saturday May 17th, so mark your calendar. For the Frontier Bank office nearest you call: 888-779-4801 or visit us online at: www.frontierbank.com • Member FDIC
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KATU TV-2's Melica Johnson Covers Salem - Salem Business Journal

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