Published: Sunday, May 6, 2007
Primary puts focus on city council
Salem's primary is a blast from the past.
SALEM — A big yellow sign on South Lincoln Avenue says, "Finish the sweep. Vote out incumbents."
The sign that's been up since last week doesn't mention any names, any parties or any other facts.
For many in the city, no more information is needed.
Tuesday's primary will be another round in the controversy over the city's effort to eliminate its fire department and create the Quaker Community Fire District with Perry Township.
The final count will show if the voters are still angry or have moved on.
The question is, will three veteran Democrat ward council members be swept from office? Mary Lou Popa from the 1st Ward, Steven Andres from the 2nd and Walter Bezeredi in the 4th all face challenges from Democrats — but no opposition in the fall.
Republican Greg Oesch, 3rd ward, faces a Democrat in November.
Initiatives
Council in recent months has been looking at economic development initiatives, and said it formed the fire district to save money.
But the State Employment Relations Board ruled the city could not create the new district while the city still had a contract with its firefighters.
Council is now trying to find a way to eliminate the district — without violating portions of the agreement that affect annexation and water service.
In the November 2005 election, voters picked Democrats to replace three Republican at-large council members and the president of council.
Justin Palmer, a graduate student, helped gather enough signatures from Salem voters to enact city ordinances requiring a vote on abolishing the district.
Council repealed the measures and created the district.
Palmer, one of the city's at-large council members elected in 2005, said he's staying out of the fray in part because he must work with the remaining council members. He's also running for mayor.
"I'm focusing on my campaign," he said.
He said he isn't sure if voters will remember the battle.
Michael Burns, the head of the Salem firefighters union, is working to remind them.
"I love that sign," said Burns, who made it.
He said he and others have been going door to door to talk to voters.
Pre-election push
There's been little visible campaigning over the fire district so far, but Burns said there will be a pre-election push this weekend with mailings.
"You would think people would remember," Burns said. "But you know how the American voter is. Three weeks after the election they're trying to remember who they voted for. We're trying to remind them."
Dennis Johnson, the chairman of the county Democratic Party and a member of the board of elections, said of the in-party fight, "I'm staying out of it."
Democrat Larry Bowersock, chairman of the elections board, said there is a good chance that the Democrat incumbents will be defeated. He also said the council primary is unusual because the winners don't have any opposition in November.
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