I love picking up the Salem Monthly when I frequent downtown businesses. Coverage is great when it comes to announcing  new businesses in the area and future events.  The range is also great because you highlight new local music band and also announce professional events like Christopher Gardner's fundraiser.  When I turned that page and saw the clipart of a "Mexican" and Mr. Arellano's responses, I felt sick to my stomach.  In my opinion, that picture  is of a racist stereotype.  I am very surprised that Salem Monthly chose to use it. 

I have lived in the Willamette Valley my whole life.  My parents are from Mexico City and I was born in Portland. My family has  lived in Silverton, Mt. Angel, Woodburn, Hubbard, Aurora and Salem. I started working and moved to Salem in 1996.   You will not find many others committed to raising the social well being of our  community like me.  

If you want to  "Ask a Mexican,"  you will find many educated people in the area that can better answer your  reader's questions.  Mr. Arellano's answers do not impress me at all, and he  really cannot  represent Mexicans, because he himself is not one. I have no issues against what he is doing but that is not the person I want to represent my culture in Salem. 

Myself, along with a selected few are in the works of addressing the media's use of the immigration issue. They  scare the public for the sole purpose  of raising  their ratings, essentially  by getting  groups of people against each other.  

I have  been working  with the  school district and we are trying to address the  issue of  Latinos' high drop out rate.  This is the perfect example of what makes our youngsters feel that they are less than others. I plan to take this with me to our next meeting. 

I ask you to be part of the solution. 

Thank you for your time.

    - Jose Gonzalez

Editor's Note: The "clipart" to which you refer is, indeed, offensive. However, it is actually the official logo of the Ask A Mexican column and is intended by the author to be ironic. We apologize for any confusion.

CHAPMAN WOULD MAKE CITY MORE PROGRESSIVE

Finally, we have an opportunity in the upcoming election to help make Salem the progressive city it should be. Lloyd Chapman is a candidate for mayor who understands the need for a united effort to maintain all areas of our city.

Having been active in neighborhood associations
for many years, he knows the power of involved citizens can improve our community. First-hand experience has shown him the need for more bike lanes that don't just disappear into traffic. Lloyd believes in planning for the future so that new development is sustainable. He knows we need to reduce congestion on our roads and that there are many ways to do that, including intelligently designed upgrades to current roads and offering alternatives to driving.

Lloyd is dedicated to improving quality of life in Salem and working for the good of all our citizens. He has no personal agenda other than wanting to make Salem a great place for those of us who live and work here. A vibrant community depends on the strength of locally owned small businesses and well-maintained older neighborhoods. Lloyd will make sure they are given proper consideration in city plans. With Lloyd Chapman as mayor everyone will be welcome and respected at city council meetings.

Lloyd has the skills and experience to work with differing views and facilitate a fair and progressive city government we can all participate in. It's time for positive change in Salem. Let's elect Lloyd Chapman for mayor.

- Helen Back