Keizer voters will decide on Position 6 of the City Council on November 3. The seat is unpaid and nonpartisan, one of seven equal votes that shape the city’s budget and policies. Colleen Busch, a 68‑year‑old caregiver, former co‑director of Camp Yamhill Outdoor School, and current member of the Keizer Fire District board, is among the candidates seeking the role.
Community roots and service record
Busch grew up between Montana and Oregon, graduating from Junction City High School in 1976. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Humanities Education (Music) from Oregon State University, where she met her husband, Bob. After moving to Keizer in 1989, the Busches became active volunteers with the Keizer Fire District and home‑school educators for their seven daughters.
Her public‑service résumé includes service on the fire district’s budget committee, a term on the Salem Area Mass Transit Board of Directors (known as Cherriots), and a recent stint as President of the Southeast Keizer Neighborhood Association. Highlights from her transit work include restoring Saturday service and adding late‑night routes made possible by HB 2017. As a fire‑district board member, she helped complete a district‑wide culture survey, oversaw the hiring of a new fire chief, updated mutual‑aid agreements, and supported a successful local‑option tax levy that funded new ambulances.
Top issues for Keizer
Emergency preparedness and public safety – Busch argues that government’s role is to bring order out of chaos. She calls for expanded Community Emergency Response Teams, Neighborhood Watches, and events such as National Night Out and safety fairs. Better coordination between the Keizer Fire District, Police Department and regional agencies, she says, will build public trust.
Transportation and infrastructure – With rising costs to maintain roads and transit, Busch wants to finish Keizer’s sidewalk network, support the “Safe Walks to School” program and seek state or federal grants for safer streets. She notes resident complaints about speeding and advocates for calm‑device research.
Neighborhood engagement – Busch stresses the importance of grassroots associations that bring local concerns—schools, graffiti, housing costs—to council attention. She proposes clear, uncomplicated communication channels to encourage volunteerism and ideas that make neighborhoods safer.
Proposed actions
To address emergency preparedness, Busch would promote neighborhood‑level training and expand the Mid‑Willamette Joint Public Safety and Resilience Center. For transportation, she would revisit the River Cherry Overlay zoning plan to explore similar development elsewhere in Keizer and expand multilingual outreach to local businesses about economic policies.
Endorsements and support
Mayor Cathy Clark, who is running for reelection, signed Busch’s petition, as did Councilor Marlene Parsons and fellow council candidates Chelsea Alionar and Tammy Kunz. Their signatures helped place Busch on the ballot.
Personal life
Busch and her husband Bob have seven grown children and six grandchildren. She remains active in the Keizer Community Band, SKITTheatre pit band, and teaches English online with the World English Institute. Her lifelong commitment to volunteerism and faith‑based community service informs her vision for a safer, more connected Keizer.
Voters can learn more about Busch’s platform by reviewing her written responses to Salem Reporter questions, which were lightly edited for style.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
