mrsdragoness
11-18-2003, 06:02 PM
News Tuesday, November 18, 2003
The halfway house director hopes to avoid conflict with neighbors.
JODY LAWRENCE-TURNER
Statesman Journal
November 16, 2003
KEIZER — A transitional home for male ex-felons and sex offenders will open its doors next month in Keizer.
This time, the executive director of Stepping Out Ministries plans to take a different approach before operations begin.
Steve Stuckey spoke with neighbors, Keizer city staff and city councilors to let them know who is moving in on Dec. 1, but he has not revealed the home’s exact location. He said only that it is off Chemawa Road NE near Interstate 5.
That is in contrast to the tack Stuckey took last summer before he opened a similar home in September in West Salem. He moved forward without the blessing of nearby residents, neighborhood association members or the Polk County Board of Commissioners — causing an uproar.
Stuckey faced opposition each time he spoke with officials about the West Salem facility but was upset by Polk County’s deficiency in providing transitional housing for ex-felons, so he opened it anyway.
In Keizer, neighbors and officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“So far, we haven’t had any really negative responses,” Stuckey said. “We told them if they see anyone acting weird they shouldn’t hesitate to call police.”
Chris Eppley, Keizer’s city manager, said Stuckey notified officials about the home at the Nov. 3 city council meeting.
“Primarily, the questions that were asked were related to the type of regulations for these type of facilities, track records and how likely the people are to reoffend,” Eppley said.
In West Salem, neighbors’ prime concern was that the transitional home is only four blocks from Walker Middle School, although no law prohibits that.
Since it opened, vandalism has plagued the house at 411 McNary Ave. NW. Stuckey said that is why he has not revealed the Keizer home’s address.
“We’ve had nothing but problems at the home in West Salem,” Stuckey said.
Early on Nov. 11, somebody ripped out the electrical box, cutting power to the home. In another incident, someone threw a rock through a window.
Scott Erickson, president of the West Salem Neighborhood Association, said that since the window-breaking incident, he has not heard of any problems.
“The neighborhood people are watching their kids as they go to and from school, but I haven’t heard any complaints for some time,” Erickson said. “That doesn’t mean they aren’t watching the house like a hawk, but they aren’t calling me about it.”
Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher said she does not know if the Stepping Out Ministries’ home is a good or bad thing for the city.
“We didn’t have enough time or information to know,” she said. “It was nice of him to give us a heads up, even though he didn’t need to.”
Christopher said Stuckey described the home as somewhat remote with only two neighbors and at least a half-mile from the nearest school.
“There are already ex-felons living in Keizer,” Christopher said. “I think it’s nice knowing where they are rather than not knowing.”
The group has a good reputation for running a program that helps felons return to society, said Pat Schriener, Marion County probation and parole commander.
Stepping Out Ministries runs two other transitional homes in southeast Salem. When the Keizer home opens, however, Stuckey might close one of the southeast locations.
“This location is more accessible to major roads and the interstate,” he said. “Also, it’ll be easier to monitor the residents there because the new home has fewer entrances.”
The Keizer home is 3,500 square feet and has five bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Five people will live there. Residents face eviction if they do not follow their treatment program, obey all rules of their parole and attend regular prayer sessions.
The Keizer house is much nicer than the home “we are moving the residents out of in South Salem,” Stuckey said. “It has been well-maintained.”
Stepping Out Ministries will take possession of the Keizer home Saturday.
“Our goal with this house is to work with Keizer City Council,” Stuckey said. “And help keep these guys out of trouble.”
The mayor’s feeling is similar.
“I think his coming forward shows a real spirit of cooperation,” Lore said. “I look forward to a good working relationship.”
Jody Lawrence-Turner can be reached at (503) 399-6721.
Copyright 2003 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon
The halfway house director hopes to avoid conflict with neighbors.
JODY LAWRENCE-TURNER
Statesman Journal
November 16, 2003
KEIZER — A transitional home for male ex-felons and sex offenders will open its doors next month in Keizer.
This time, the executive director of Stepping Out Ministries plans to take a different approach before operations begin.
Steve Stuckey spoke with neighbors, Keizer city staff and city councilors to let them know who is moving in on Dec. 1, but he has not revealed the home’s exact location. He said only that it is off Chemawa Road NE near Interstate 5.
That is in contrast to the tack Stuckey took last summer before he opened a similar home in September in West Salem. He moved forward without the blessing of nearby residents, neighborhood association members or the Polk County Board of Commissioners — causing an uproar.
Stuckey faced opposition each time he spoke with officials about the West Salem facility but was upset by Polk County’s deficiency in providing transitional housing for ex-felons, so he opened it anyway.
In Keizer, neighbors and officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“So far, we haven’t had any really negative responses,” Stuckey said. “We told them if they see anyone acting weird they shouldn’t hesitate to call police.”
Chris Eppley, Keizer’s city manager, said Stuckey notified officials about the home at the Nov. 3 city council meeting.
“Primarily, the questions that were asked were related to the type of regulations for these type of facilities, track records and how likely the people are to reoffend,” Eppley said.
In West Salem, neighbors’ prime concern was that the transitional home is only four blocks from Walker Middle School, although no law prohibits that.
Since it opened, vandalism has plagued the house at 411 McNary Ave. NW. Stuckey said that is why he has not revealed the Keizer home’s address.
“We’ve had nothing but problems at the home in West Salem,” Stuckey said.
Early on Nov. 11, somebody ripped out the electrical box, cutting power to the home. In another incident, someone threw a rock through a window.
Scott Erickson, president of the West Salem Neighborhood Association, said that since the window-breaking incident, he has not heard of any problems.
“The neighborhood people are watching their kids as they go to and from school, but I haven’t heard any complaints for some time,” Erickson said. “That doesn’t mean they aren’t watching the house like a hawk, but they aren’t calling me about it.”
Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher said she does not know if the Stepping Out Ministries’ home is a good or bad thing for the city.
“We didn’t have enough time or information to know,” she said. “It was nice of him to give us a heads up, even though he didn’t need to.”
Christopher said Stuckey described the home as somewhat remote with only two neighbors and at least a half-mile from the nearest school.
“There are already ex-felons living in Keizer,” Christopher said. “I think it’s nice knowing where they are rather than not knowing.”
The group has a good reputation for running a program that helps felons return to society, said Pat Schriener, Marion County probation and parole commander.
Stepping Out Ministries runs two other transitional homes in southeast Salem. When the Keizer home opens, however, Stuckey might close one of the southeast locations.
“This location is more accessible to major roads and the interstate,” he said. “Also, it’ll be easier to monitor the residents there because the new home has fewer entrances.”
The Keizer home is 3,500 square feet and has five bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Five people will live there. Residents face eviction if they do not follow their treatment program, obey all rules of their parole and attend regular prayer sessions.
The Keizer house is much nicer than the home “we are moving the residents out of in South Salem,” Stuckey said. “It has been well-maintained.”
Stepping Out Ministries will take possession of the Keizer home Saturday.
“Our goal with this house is to work with Keizer City Council,” Stuckey said. “And help keep these guys out of trouble.”
The mayor’s feeling is similar.
“I think his coming forward shows a real spirit of cooperation,” Lore said. “I look forward to a good working relationship.”
Jody Lawrence-Turner can be reached at (503) 399-6721.
Copyright 2003 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon