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Salem City Council Meeting Recap: Contentious Debate Over Homeless Services Funding
October 27, 2025
Salem's City Council convened for a marathon five-hour meeting Monday night, tackling issues ranging from federal SNAP benefit disruptions to a heated debate over private funding for police services.
Major Developments:
$180,000 Donation Sparks Debate In the evening's most contentious item, Council narrowly approved (5-3) accepting a $180,000 donation from downtown business interests to fund two additional Homeless Service Team (HST) officers for six months. The donation, primarily from Mountain West Investments' Larry Tokarski and other anonymous donors, drew sharp criticism from residents concerned about private influence on public safety decisions. City Manager Krishna Namburi emphasized the funding would support the city's broader Safety and Livability Strategic Plan, which Council had already approved, and that officers would serve citywide, not just downtown.
SNAP Benefits Crisis Looms Housing Authority Director Nicole Cuellar warned that upcoming federal funding disruptions could leave thousands of Salem residents without food assistance starting November 1st. The agency is coordinating with local food banks and preparing contingency plans, though officials acknowledge the strain on community resources.
Heroes Recognized Council honored 16-year-old Liam Bell for calling 911 and evacuating neighbors during a house fire on September 14, and recognized Salem firefighters who rescued victims from the same blaze, saving one life despite one tragic loss.
Other Actions:
Approved nine sidewalk infill projects from the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond
Advanced Police Chief Trevor Womack's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan focusing on violent crime reduction, traffic safety, and community trust
Launched pilot program prioritizing Salem businesses for city contracts
Approved lien forgiveness program to incentivize property code compliance
The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions around homelessness policy, with numerous residents criticizing Mayor Julie Hoy's recent petition to repeal state protections for unsheltered residents, a move she says restores "local control" but critics call criminalization.
What do you think about Mayor Julie Hoy’s recent petition?
Just respond to this email and let me know. Would love to know how people are feeling.
Jacob
🎃 Keep Halloween Safe: Tips for Drivers, Parents & Partygoers
Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians — especially children — with pedestrian deaths rising 43% compared to other nights. Salem, let’s plan ahead, stay alert, and make safety part of the fun.
For Drivers:
🚗 Never drive impaired — plan for a sober ride or use rideshare.
🚦 Drive slowly, keep headlights on early, and watch for kids between 5:30–9:30PM.
For Trick-or-Treaters:
👻 Use reflective tape, glow sticks, or light-colored costumes.
🚶♀️ Walk on sidewalks, cross at corners, and make eye contact with drivers.
🧛 Kids under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult.
For Party Hosts:
🎉 Don’t serve alcohol to minors, keep candles attended, and ensure guests have safe rides home.
For Pet Owners:
🐾 Keep pets indoors, away from candy and decorations, and only costume them if they enjoy it.
Together, we can make sure Salem’s streets stay safe for all ghosts, ghouls, and goblins this Halloween!
Here’s what’s happening this weekend in beautiful Salem, Oregon
🌮Have an event you want us to feature? Submit your events HERE on our Form🌮
📅 Thursday, October 30
🎉 Isaac’s Room Birthday Benefit @Salem Convention Center • 5:00PM
👨👩👧 Family Night in the Corn Maze @Fordyce Farm • 6:00PM–9:00PM
😱 Scare at the Fair @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 5:30PM–10:00PM
💀 Nightmare Factory @999 Locust St NE • 7:00PM–10:00PM
👻 Ghosts of The Grand @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM–9:30PM
🫣 Mill Creek Haunted Prison @5465 Turner Rd SE • 7:00PM–10:00PM
🎬 The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary @Elsinore Theatre • 8:00PM
📅 Friday, October 31
🎥 Movie at the Pumpkin Patch: Halloween @Yesteryear Farms • At Dusk
📚 Halloween Family Storytime @Salem Public Library • 11:00AM–12:00PM
🧛♀️ Halloween Fest @Keizer Funeral Chapel • 2:00PM–10:00PM
🎃 Boone Ridge Retirement’s Spooktacular @2990 Boone Rd SE • 2:00PM–4:00PM
🍬 Trick or Treating @Deepwood Museum & Gardens • 3:00PM–6:00PM
🍻 Halloween Bar Crawl @Downtown Salem • 4:00PM–12:00AM
🏴☠️ Pirate Halloween Party @Archive Coffee & Bar • 4:00PM–12:00AM
⛪ Trunk-or-Treat @Redeemer Lutheran Church • 4:30PM–6:30PM
🛐 Hallelujah Night - An Alternative to Trick-or-Treating @Tabernaculo de Salem, 5010 Acts Way NE • 5:00PM • Submitted by a reader on our WHS EVENT SUBMISSION FORM
🎭 Halloween Contest & Giveaway @Claw Factory • 5:00PM–9:00PM
🚒 Trick or Treat with Firefighters • 5:00PM–7:00PM
• Four Corners Station 1 @300 Cordon Rd NE
• Pratum Station 3 @8885 Sunnyview Rd NE
• Clearlake Elementary @7425 Meadowglen St NE, Keizer
🐶 Pup-O-Treat @Ratchet Brewery • 6:00PM–9:00PM
🎃 iWingz Trunk-or-Treat & Pokémon card event @2445 25th St SE • 6:30PM–9:00PM
🕸️ The Web of Terror @Southside Speakeasy • 7:00PM–11:00PM
💀 Nightmare Factory @999 Locust St NE • 7:00PM–11:00PM
😱 Scare at the Fair @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM–10:00PM
🫣 Mill Creek Haunted Prison @5465 Turner Rd SE • 7:00PM–10:00PM
👻 Ghosts of The Grand @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM–9:30PM
🎯 The Lost Forest Zombie Shoot presented by Extreme Velocity @5201 State St • 7:30PM–10:30PM
🎸 The Black Jacket Symphony Presents AC/DC's ‘Back in Black’ @Elsinore Theatre • 7:30PM
🕺 Social Dance – Holy Ghost on Fire @317 Court St NE • 7:30PM–9:30PM
🎶 Oregon Symphony in Salem: Seven Deadly Sins @Smith Auditorium, Willamette University • 7:30PM–9:30PM
🍔 Halloween Party @The Yard Food Park • 8:00PM–11:00PM • FREE • All Ages
🦇 Pink Elephant Halloween Bash @The Pink Elephant Tavern • 8:00PM–12:00AM
🐯 Nightmare in the Ballroom feat. Showtigers @Grand Theatre Ballroom • 8:00PM
👻 SHACKOWEEN @The Shack Bar & Grill • 9:00PM–2:00AM
🪿 Halloween Party @The Best Goose Bar • 9:00PM
🎃 Pumpkin King’s Ball @The BAD Space • 9:00PM–2:00AM · Doors 8:00PM
🎤 Return of the Nightmare ft. Devour @Side Hustle Bar • 10:00PM–2:00AM
🔮 Mykie's Witch Trials @Mykie's Bar & Lounge • 10:00PM–2:00AM
📅 Saturday, November 1
🛍️ Salem Holiday Market @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–5:00PM
🎃 Formal First Halloween Edition @Archive Coffee & Bar • 4:00PM–12:00AM
🛼 Roller Derby: Monster Mash Halloween Mashups @Cherry City Roller Derby • 4:30PM–9:00PM
🎭 Masquerade Ball @The BAD Space • 6:45PM–10:00PM
👻 Mill Creek Haunted Prison @5465 Turner Rd SE • 6:00PM–10:00PM
🙀 Nightmare Factory PITCH BLACK @999 Locust St NE • 7:00PM–11:00PM
💀 Scare at the Fair – Día de Los Muertos @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM–11:00PM
👻 Ghosts of The Grand @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM–9:30PM
⚽ Drop-in Women's Soccer @Salem Indoor, 4701 Portland Rd NE • 8:00PM
🎤 Stand Up Comedy with Sam Miller @Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM
🎉 Día de Los Muertos Party @Precious Pizza • 9:00PM
💀 Día de Los Muertos @Side Hustle Bar • 10:00PM–2:00AM
👻 Nightmare in the Alley @Mykie's Bar & Lounge • 10:00PM–2:00AM
📅 Sunday, November 2
🍳 Cocktails and Queens Drag Brunch @The Vault Bar & Grill • 10:00AM
🛍️ Salem Holiday Market @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 11:00AM–4:00PM
🎭 Scare at the Fair – Día de Los Muertos @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM–11:00PM
📅 Monday, November 3
🕺 Line Dance Lessons @The BAD Space, Santiam Brewing • 5:30PM–8:30PM
🎳 Monday Madness Bowling Happy Hour @The REC: Lanes • 6:00PM-10:00PM
🛼 Roller Derby Recruitment Info Night @Cherry City Roller Derby • 6:30PM–8:30PM
📅 Tuesday, November 4
⚽ Drop-in Co-Ed Soccer @Capital Futbol Club • 8:00PM
📅 Wednesday, November 5
🎙️ Bricked Up Comedy Open Mic @Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM
📅 Thursday, November 6
🧟 Evil Dead: The Musical! Opening Night @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🌮Have an event you want us to feature? Submit your events HERE on our Form🌮
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Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!
Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.
See you next Thursday,
Ernie