The Salem City Club's Podcast

City Elections Feature Council Candidates in Wards 2, 4, 6, & 8; Plus Municipal Judge

Join us for an evening program featuring candidates for Salem City Council seats, Wards 2,4,6 & 8 and the office of the Salem Municipal Judg

Marion County District Attorney Debate

Join us for our second program on the upcoming primary elections. The two candidates for Marion County District Attorney will participate in this debate. The candidates are: Paige Clarkson, incumbent Marion County District Attorney and Spencer Todd, challenger

Salem Mayoral Candidate Debate: Addressing Issues Important to Salem

The Salem City Club is pleased to announce the first program in our series focusing on the political season. In any election 2-year cycle, Salem city government always has four of the eight council positions up as well as the mayor, who of course serves 2-year terms. For the first time in many years, much change could be in the works, since none of the five races has an incumbent. Our first program on Friday, April 1 focuses on the mayoral position, and will feature a debate between Chane Griggs and Chris Hoy. Join us as we give the two announced candidates an opportunity to share their views on the future of our city.

Powering the Northwest: Can Green Power Keep the Lights On?

Changing technology and energy resources are impacting how energy is generated, transmitted, and used in Salem and the broader Northwest.   One of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s responsibilities is to develop plans for our regional electrical needs.  At the same time, under Oregon law private electric utilities are required to phase out fossil fuel sources of power as climate change puts more pressure on the electrical system. Speakers from Portland General Electric and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council will tell us what they’re doing to meet the challenges of green power and how consumers can help.

Oregon’s Broken Primary System

Well-known political analyst and former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling dissects Oregon’s primary system of voting to reveal how it excludes the votes of over one million Oregonians.

Local Services in the Pandemic Mode: When Can We Eat Out Again, Harold?

This second program in a two-part series explores the effects of the pandemic on the hospitality and restaurant sectors of our economy. Our speakers are Jason Brandt, President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Cecilia Ritter-James of the Wild Pear restaurant in downtown Salem.

Understanding ShakeAlert® -- An Earthquake Early Warning System for the West Coast of the United States

Join us to hear two Oregon experts on ShakeAlert explain why and how ShakeAlert technology was developed, how it will warn us that an earthquake has begun and that shaking is imminent, and how that warning can save lives, property, and critical infrastructure. Althea Rizzo is the Geological Hazards Program Coordinator in the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. Lucy Walsh is the Oregon Regional ShakeAlert Coordinator with the Oregon Hazards Lab in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon.

Lessons Learned from Local Manufacturers: It Pays to Be Nimble When a Pandemic Strikes

Learn what's happened to manufacturing in and around Salem during the pandemic. You will hear from industry experts and a local business owner. This is a two-part series. The second program will air in February.

Powering the Northwest: Balancing Our Energy Needs with Resources Now and in the Future

The energy industry is changing at lightning speed. The shift away from fossil fuels is dramatically impacting the industry and our daily lives. In the face of climate change, how can we ensure there is enough clean(er) energy to fuel our daily use? This program will focus on the work being done to make sure our energy systems are balanced, resilient, affordable, and clean.

Celebrating the ”New” Salem Public Library

On October 1, 2021, the “new” Salem Public Library welcomed patrons after two years of seismic, safety, accessibility, and system  improvements.  This program will reveal what those improvements mean to users of library services and the greater Salem community.  Join us to celebrate this milestone “mission accomplished.”