OUR IS ON

September 2009Salem Business Journal Page Celebrate Constitution Day This YearSummer’s quickly disappearing, yet Ihear people say they just haven’t enjoyedsummer yet. They haven’t had the reprievefrom our busy world that the lazy daysof summer usually provide.Maybe it’sthe crazy political winds that are blowingaround, stirring up everyone’s frustrationand anxiety.Yes, the state legislature went home beforeJuly 1; however, the affects of the “work”they did have left many quite uneasy. In themidst of an unstable economy and recordhigh unemployment rates, they increasedthe new fiscal year budget substantially overthe previous budget and walked out the dooron the passage of huge increases in personalincome taxes, corporate taxes and countlessfee increases to fund their growth in stategovernment.On the federal level we have witnessed themass government takeover of two majorprivate industries and the uncontrollableoutrageous spending that will throw futuregenerations into unimaginable debt.Now we are engaged in a highlycontentious national debate over healthcare. The president and others advocatefor a nationalized health care system whiletrying to convince us that it does not mean agovernment run health care system. Othersargue the goal of the administration is tototally eliminate private health insurance.Said differently, this is yet anothergovernment takeover of a private industry.Withsomanychallengingandcontroversial issues in front of Americatoday, the real question left out of currentdebate is: What role should governmentplay in private industry? What role shouldgovernment play in our personal life andmore specifically in our health care?Even for those who do not want to getinvolved in politics, the massive overhaulof both state and national government inrecent times, and the radical proposals someare pushing on us now, should compel us tostudy, discuss and understand the role ofgovernment in society and in our individuallife. It is our civic duty.Do a little research on the role ofgovernment in a free society. It is easy tofind commentaries, theories and words ofwisdom from the many people who havespoken to this question throughout history.Thomas Jefferson, our third presidentand principal author of the Declaration ofChemeketa.Continued from page Sperry Van Ness.Continued from page “Especially when there are so many newthings happening at Chemeketa.”DuPlessis joins Chemeketa as the collegecelebrates their 40th year and prepares forthe 2009-2010 academic year which beginsSeptember 28, 2009.“Emily comes at just the right time tohelp strengthen Chemeketa’s connectionto the communities we serve,” states GregHarris, associate dean, public information,marketing and student recruitment.Chemeketa Community College is apublicly-funded Oregon higher educationinstitution serving Oregon’s Mid-WillametteValley. Chemeketa is dedicated to improvingthe lives of its students and strengtheningthe local workforce.For More information about ChemeketaCommunity College visit www.chemeketainternational advisory board.About Sperry Van Ness: Founded in 1987,Sperry Van Ness is one of the largest and fastestgrowing commercial real estate brokerage firmsin the industry, with more than 1000 advisorsin over 150 locations. Sperry Van Ness deliversresults for clients through a proven businessmodel that immediately markets every one ofits clients’ properties to the entire brokeragecommunity as well as its own investor database. Based in Irvine, Calif., the firm operatesinternationally and provides brokerage,consultation, asset management, propertymanagement, leasing, accelerated marketing,and auction services. Sperry Van Nessrepresents clients in billions of dollars annuallyin office, multifamily, retail, industrial, selfstorage, hospitality and land transactions. Formore information, please visit www.svn.com.Bill SeverinSr. Vice PresidentCommercial Loan OfficerMarion County Commissioner: Patti MilneTerri EllibeeVice PresidentCommercial Loan OfficerDerik MunnsCommercial Loan Officer503.485.2222101 High Street NE Salem OR 97301w w w. w i l l a m e t t e v a l l e y b a n k . c o mIndependence, warned that “The greatestcalamity which could befall us would besubmission to a government of unlimitedpowers.”More contemporary and rightfrom our local area are the words of WesternOregon University Assistant Professor ofEconomics, Zenon X. Zygmont, Ph.D., whosaid in a January, 2001 Cascade PolicyInstitute article “The role of government in afree society is that of a referee, not a player;it must not politically favor one industry, orone business, over another.”A review of our constitution is a good wayto help us understand what our foundersintended as they struggled to create ourform of government; still the best in theworld. The Federalist Papers provide goodreading and of course there are numerousbooks on each of our early founders. Or,search the internet.Incidentally, September 17, is ConstitutionDay and Citizenship Day. This federalholiday commemorates the signing of theConstitution in 1787, and recognizes allwho, by coming of age or by naturalization,have become U.S. citizens. Although thelaw establishing the day as a federal holidaywas signed in 2004, recognition of ourconstitution and citizenship goes back to1940. Through the 1950’s celebrations tookroot and grew. In fact, Constitution Day andCitizenship Day falls within ConstitutionWeek.It was encouraging to learn that this 2004law requires federal agencies to provideall federal employees educational andtraining materials on the Constitution onSeptember 17. And, all new employees mustbe provided with educational and trainingmaterials on the U.S. Constitution as part ofnew employee orientation materials.More encouraging is the requirement thatall publicly funded educational institutions(kindergarten through university) mustprovide educational opportunities on thehistory of our constitution on the dayConstitution Day and Citizenship Dayis celebrated. I hope our schools are infact celebrating this important day andproviding this opportunity for our childrento learn more about our government.The week of September 17 would be anexcellent time for all of us to bone up on ourconstitution in preparation for the debatesthat will most certainly continue throughthe fall.Marion County Commissioner Patti Milne canbe reached at 503.551.5590.The All New 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-300

Page Salem Business JournalSeptember 2009Is a Buck a Violation of the Oregon Constitution?Musings of the Oregon PioneerIs a 50 expenditure“Free Speech” buta 51 expenditure aviolation of the OregonConstitution?I Stand Proud and watch from “Atop” theGreat Dome of the Oregon State Capitol. Itis my job to watch and remember. I have, onoccasion, considered turning my back, whenthere is misuse of power and money; rare inour state compared to others. However, ithas been our reverence for the Constitutionthat has made us one of the greatest statesin the Union. It was interesting to watchthe Supreme Court, a couple of weeks ago,participate in oral arguments over a lawsuitchallenging the constitutionality of a limiton lobbyist expenditures on public officialstravel, meals and gifts.In the final hours of the 2007 legislativesession, a Portland legislator used hisleadership position to push a bill throughthe both chambers. This legislation wouldmake broad changes to the disclosurespublic officials must make, and in thethings of value they receive from peopleinterested in policy issues. The bill alsoThe Oregon Pioneergenerated a law suit challenging the factthat some lobbyists are not covered by thelaw and that the limitations in the law hadthe effect of preventing citizens in far flungareas of Oregon from effectively educatinglegislators on their issues.Only lobbyists with an economic interestdifferent from the general public or alobbyist working for a non-profit which getsmoney from “for profit” sources are covered.Other lobbyists are not covered by the law.A person lobbying to remove dams in theColumbia or Snake River, if they were nota commercial fisherman or fishing guide,would not be limited by the law. A farmerwho used water stored by the dam for his/her livelihood would be limited to 50, notenough money to even pay travel expensesto the dam’s location.Some argue if the law is to discourage“bribes” (which are illegal now); all lobbyistsshould be treated equally. The Constitutionalissue before the Oregon Supreme Courtis that this unequal treatment is, in fact, aviolation of the free speech provisions of theOregon Constitution.The other constitutional issue in the caseis more interesting and more complicated.The Oregon Supreme Court has heldthat “MONEY IS SPEECH.” The courtdisapproved stringent limits on politicalcampaign contributions to public officialsapproved by the voters in 1994. There areno limits on contributions to Oregonianspolitical campaigns.Now the legislature has made it unlawful forsome citizens to invite a legislator to travelto Ontario to view the effect of proposedlegislation on their property unless thelegislator is wealthy enough to pay their ownway. It is not a problem to get legislatorsto travel to Portland or visit projects nearSalem but the limitations greatly affectgetting their attention and presence in ruralOregon. Legislators cannot attend, withoutsignificant restriction, educational offeringsif held at a University that might have somelegislative interest sometime in the future.The 50 dollar a year limitation alsolimits the citizens access to legislatorsat association meetings. Such meetingsgenerally are held throughout the state,but legislators, asked to be a part of theassociation program, must pay for their ownmeals and lodging, even if they speak. Theyare reluctant to travel to such meetings attheir personal expense.The Court having held that “moneyis speech,” if given to a public official’scampaign, now must deal with thequestion .is money speech, if given tothe same official for travel expenses in anamount of more than 50?As I watch from “Atop” the Great Domeof the Oregon State Capitol, it will beinteresting to see the court tussle with thequestion: is a 50 dollar travel expense, ormeal an exercise of free speech, but a 51dollar travel expense or meal paid by selectedlobbyists a violation of the free speechprovisions of the Oregon Constitution?Editors Note: Readers wishing to comment shoulde-mail publisher@salembusinessjournal.comGrand Opening for Superwoman’s Secret 9/23Jessica Moore of Stayton, Oregon, hasofficially launched a new online dinnerplanning service called Superwoman’sSecret. This business is a convenient,electronic service targeted to the busyprofessional who needs help planninga healthy, varied dinner menu. A grandopening ribbon-cutting ceremony isplanned for 9 a.m. on September 23, 2009at the Stayton Library, 515 N. First Ave.in Stayton. The ceremony is just afterStayton/Sublimity Chamber Greeters’,which will be hosted by Superwoman’sSecret, as well.Superwoman’sSecretisanentrepreneurial venture that is a positivebyproduct of the current recession. WhenJessica found herself out of work in 2008,she decided to focus her energies on creatinghealthy meals. Soon thereafter, Jessicarecognized a demand for preplannedmeals and started her business, whichprovides meal plans and grocery lists fortime-strapped individuals.In the process, Jessica met with thelocal GROW North Santiam programthat provides confidential, one-on-onebusiness coaching to any entrepreneur inthe North Santiam Canyon area.“Starting a business on my own was anerve racking process until I got connectedwith GROW,” says Jessica. From myfirst meeting with Allison I knew thatthis program was going to be a big help.Allison was consistent in her message ofthe three areas I should focus on in myso many issues as a business gets upand running. She was also remarkablyorganized and intuitive about who shewanted on her team, choosing just theright people to help her as she took eachstep,” says Allison McKenzie, GROWNorth Santiam Enterprise Facilitator.Superwoman’s Secret offers four options,ranging from a monthly subscriptionfor 9.95 to a one-year subscription for 69.95. Visit www.superwomanssecret.com or call 503.767.MENU for moreinformation.About Superwoman’s SecretSuperwoman’s Secret is an onlinedinner planning service. We take thetime to prepare your menus and grocerylists for you. For more informationJessica Mooreventure. She always has great suggestionsand would pose questions that many timesI hadn’t thought to ask myself. Even now,after my business is up and running I feelthankful to know that I can turn to GROWfor guidance.”“The first time I met Jessica I was struckby how grounded she was, which is nevereasy for a new entrepreneur jugglingabout Superwoman’s Secret, visit www.superwomanssecret.com or call 503.767.MENU.About GROW North SantiamGROW North Santiam is an t process offering free,confidential business coaching to anyentrepreneur in the North Santiam Canyonarea, from Aumsville to Idanha, who wantsto open, expand or improve a business. It isa community-driven project based on theEnterprise Facilitation model createdby the Sirolli Institute and designedspecifically for rural business development.For more information on GROW, contactAllison McKenzie at 503.871.5188 or visitwww.growsantiam.org.

September 2009Salem Business Journal Page All Aboard the Willamette QueenMark Twain. I’m sure you all recognizehim as the author of the classic novels“The Adventures of Tom Sayer” and “TheAdventures of Huckleberry Finn” amongmany others. Born on November 30, 1835in the small town of Florida, Missouri, hespent most of his boyhood in Hannibal,MO., a port town on the Mississippi River.Later he would use that town (and the river)as the setting for a number of his books.Mark Twain, as I’m sure most of you alsoknow, was actually a pseudonym or “penname” for the real man, Samuel LanghorneClemens (he used other pseudonyms like“Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass”, but is mostfamous.duh.for Mark Twain). What youmay not know is that “mark twain” is alsoa river term that came from his years ofworking on Mississippi riverboats. The termrefers to the depth of the river upon whichthe riverboat is floating. It indicates a depthof two (twain) fathoms or 12 feet (a fathomis a maritime unit of measurement equal tosix feet) giving the boat safe passage on theriver.So.what do Salem and the WillametteRiver have to do with the riverboats of themid 1800s and Mark Twain’s Mississippi?Plenty! All you have to do is take a strollalong the west side of Riverfront Park ora drive over the Center Street Bridge andlook to the river. There, on the banks of theWillamette, is an icon of the City of Salem.the sternwheeler Willamette Queen. And abeautiful sight she is too.Reminiscent of the steamboats that used tocruise the Mississippi during Mark Twain’stime, the Willamette Queen is an 87 foot,86 ton twin paddlewheeler step back intohistory. And it’s not just the history of theMississippi either. Oregon, and specificallythe Willamette river, has a rich historyof riverboat usage as they played a majorrole in the development of the WillametteValley.From 1850 to 1916 there were 55riverboats cruising on the upper Willamettefrom Oregon City to Eugene (nine ofwhich were built right here in Salem.) Allpaddlewheelers.all steamboats. SteamboatsDave Sweeney’s Reasons to Smilewhich burned an incredible amount of woodto keep their boilers running. The Beaver, thefirst steamboat to come to the Willamettein 1836, burned 4 cords of wood.perhour! Interestingly enough, until 1854all of the boats weresidewheelers.Afterthat, the switch wasmade to sternwheelers.As it turns out, thesternwheelers (unliketheirsidewheelercousins)couldsuccessfully navigatethe sharp turns oftheWillamette’stributaries like theSantiam, the Yamhilland the Luckiamute.The only caveat wasthesternwheelershad to cruise up thenarrowtributaries.backwards! And thesetributaries were ofmajorimportanceto the areas farmers. At the time theWillamette Valley was known as the “breadbasket” of the West Coast and producedlarge quantities of wheat (the major cargoon a riverboat). With poor roads at best,that were barely passable during the Oregonrains, the less distance the farmers had tomove their crops to the riverboats the better.And, along with a variety of farm products,passengers traveled by riverboat as well.and so did the mail. Passenger fare fromAlbany (the second largest city in Oregonat the time) to Portland was 1.whichincluded a berth and all meals.Actually, the City of Salem developed,in large part, because it was a riverboatlanding and a very popular one at that. Halfway between Portland and Eugene (more orless), Salem was a key stop along the riverroute. The boats would stop and spend thenight in the protected waters behind MintoBrown island and out of the strong currentof the river. The same waters that today theWillamette Queen calls home. I mentionthe “protected waters” because navigatingthe river was nowalk in the park. Theaverage life-span ofa riverboat was only36 months largelybecause the river was(and is) so difficultto navigate.High,swift water during therainy season, floatinglogs and debris, theever present dangerof ramming a “deadhead”, and, oh yea, theriver was constantlychangingcourse.So much so that alookout was needed,especially at night, asmost of the riverboatsoperated24/7.without electricity! What’s a “dead head”?It’s a largely unseen (submerged) hunk oftimber lodged in the river bottom that couldpunch a crippling (and often fatal) hole in ariverboat’s hull sending her to the bottom.Sadly, all 55 of the Willamette’s riverboatssank at one time or another. Some burned(remember the boats themselves werewooden), some fell prey to “dead heads”and six of the boats actually blew up (theboilers on a steamboat were not always thesafest piece of technology.) Occasionallya boat would sink while involved in a racewith another riverboat. The “rules of theroad” at the time were such that the firstboat to arrive at a landing got the best cargo.So if two boats found themselves in closeproximity to one another, there was oftena “race” to the landing. During one of these“races” one of the captains allegedly ordereda ship’s mate to pour kerosine on the logs forthe boilers (thinking they would burn hotterand produce more energy).this (oh duh)ended badly. It is believed that a numberof those wrecks are still on the river bottom(some even in the Salem area), coveredtoday by many yards of gravel and silt.All of this rich historical tapestry andmore is celebrated on the cruises of theWillamette Queen by it’s captain and owner,Richard Chesbrough. Captain Richard (orjust Captain) is an engaging man with aquick smile and a rich navigational historyof his own. A long-time man of the sea andlicensed USCG 100 ton Captain (as are bothhis sons), he grew up in Massachusetts, nearCape Cod, and has always had a keen interestin boats. Sailboats mostly, he enjoyed theirthe slower, less-hurried pace. He was amember of his sailing team in college atNortheastern University in Boston. Later,as a young husband and father of three,he/they decided to embark on a 25,000mile round the world cruise aboard thefamily’s 45’ sailing yacht the “Moon Mist.”THAT story is one of the most compellingadventures I have ever heard but I’ll leavethat telling for another time. Back to theWillamette Queen.After a series of location moves and evenmore adventures (business and otherwise.the man’s life is fascinating), the Captainand now wife, Barbara, moved to Corvallisand he went to work for Caldwell Banker.He missed running a boat, however,and she had a desire to run a restaurant.Some of those past “adventures” of theCaptain’s included paddleboats in bothFlorida and Wisconsin so he and Barbaradecided to look into getting a boat of theirown and combining their interests. Whileinvestigating having a boat built (you don’texactly go down to your neighborhoodpaddleboat dealer and buy one off the showroom floor,) the Captain found out about aboat in Cascade Locks called the CascadeQueen. The original owner had the boatbuilt in 1990 in Newport, christened her TheBelle of Newport and ran her out of YaquinaBay.until the bank repoed her that is. Theboat then sat idle for a number of years untilthe bank auctioned her off to the Port ofCascade Locks (they were the only bidders.)She was re-christened The Cascade Queenand for a number of years operated out ofCascade Locks.When Captain Richard discovered theriverboat, he fell in love with her. Here wasa dream answered for both he and Barbara.She could run a restaurant onboard theboat and he would be back on the wateragain. So in February of 1998 they securedfinancing, bought the boat, re-christenedher for a third time (that’s the charm youknow) as The Willamette Queen and broughther to Salem. Now comes the crazy part.Initially, the Captain was told that the citydidn’t want the boat.at least not on theeast side of the river. You know.the easyaccess side. Frustrated by lack of support (atleast from one city individual), the Captainapproached Albany, who welcomed himwith open arms. But, after only six monthsof operation in Albany, a building gravel baron the river literally caused the WillametteQueen’s new home to run out of water. Hehad to move. Deciding to give Salem onemore shot, the Captain this time went tothen-mayor Mike Swaim who loved theidea. And, after a unanimous approval bythe city council, the Willamette Queen had anew home. She’s been running out of Salemever since.Continued on page

Page Salem Business JournalSeptember 2009Business Cliches: Speaking Outside The BoxOK team, this quarter we’re behind the eightball, and we need to ride the circuit to get ourmessage out. We’ve got to move our inventory.Take no prisoners, leave no stone unturned work together, there is no “I” in team. So getout there a

relations experience from the private . Brian Bemis 503-559-9410 Jake Buckendorf 503-409-9847 Sylvia Perry 503-580-0556 Judy Quillin 503-559-8643 Dawn Allen 503-559-7096 . community as well as its own investor