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Keizer volunteer committee forwards James Merrill to city council for Arts Commission seat
Summary
The Keizer Volunteer Coordinating Committee voted to forward James Merrill’s name to city council for Arts Commission position 5 (term starting Jan. 1, 2026, expiring June 2026). Merrill, a retired English teacher and volunteer with Mid Valley Literacy, said he is willing to start with the shorter term to 'get his feet wet.'
The Keizer Volunteer Coordinating Committee on Sept. 11 voted to forward James Merrill’s name to Keizer City Council for consideration to fill an Arts Commission opening.
Merrill, who spoke during the meeting’s public testimony period, described a background in education and community volunteering. “I have been retired for 10 years … I volunteer over at a place called Mid Valley Literacy. I teach ESL to immigrants,” Merrill said during his remarks, adding that he attends poetry readings and has long been involved with the arts.
Committee members discussed which remaining term to recommend: one vacancy runs through June 2026 (a roughly six-month remainder term) and the other extends to June 2028. Merrill told the committee he would be comfortable starting with the shorter term. During debate, members said a six-month appointment can let a new volunteer “get your feet wet” before committing to a full multi‑year term.
Larry Jackson moved to forward Merrill for position 5, with a start date of Jan. 1, 2026 and an expiration in June 2026; the motion was seconded and approved. The roll-call result as read into the record was: Larry Jackson — yes; Tina Richmond — yes; Lenore Blake — yes; Shane Herb — yes; Kim Freeman — yes. The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to Keizer City Council for formal appointment.
The committee thanked Merrill for applying and noted he could leave early for a scheduled poetry event and still be considered. The next step is the council’s consideration of the committee’s recommendation; the committee’s chair said the council will be notified and the applicant will hear from city staff about the nomination.
Meeting documents provided to the committee list Merrill’s stated community involvement (including Mid Valley Literacy) and indicate the committee has two open Arts Commission seats to fill. The committee also discussed outreach and how term lengths are presented in future recruitment materials to help applicants indicate a term preference.
