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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 18, 2015 4A EDITORIALS How to Contact Officials Transparency helps public trust officials Transparency in our elections, our government, and our democracy doesn’t just happen. It’s hard work. It takes funding. It needs staff. Perhaps most of all, it takes an un- derstanding that the value of transparency can’t be meas- ured as an immediate return on investment. Transparency can nurture a culture of trust in our elected representatives, further an understanding that government serves important functions for citizens, and provide a meas- ure of accountability. When the flow of information about our elections, our government, and our democracy is cur- tailed, we’re nurturing a culture of mistrust and cynicism. Sadly, a budget subcommittee in Montana did just that recently when it took aim at the state political practices commissioner’s office — the office that educates candi- dates about how to lawfully campaign, and helps them un- derstand the laws governing campaign finances and ethi- cal expectations. The office that compiles campaign dis- closure reports from hundreds of candidates each election cycle, and asks candidates to fill out forms properly and in a timely manner. The office that informs the press and public about who is funding the campaigns of the candi- dates who, if elected, will spend taxpayer money. The office where citizen accountability interests are nurtured. For doing this important job, for creating “some tremen- dous efficiencies,” as one committee member noted, the subcommittee voted to cut the in-house attorney who helped eliminate a case backlog, and reduce the salary of the commissioner by 23 percent. The vote was along party lines. Nurturing the public’s interest in transparency and ac- countability was trumped by party politics. Sadly, what happened in Montana isn’t an anomaly. In state after state, lawmakers are targeting disclosure agencies. In the face of tight budgets, it’s easy for lawmakers to argue for cutting ethics and disclosure commissions. But the citizenry should be alarmed when politics trumps the public’s right to meaningful information about its elected representatives and who supports their campaigns. The public should be outraged when lawmakers directly attack transparency, for with no transparency there can be no ac- countability. By Edwin Bender, Executive Director National Institute on Money in State Politics PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for gov- ernmental and nongovernmental agencies in Polk County. To submit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via fax (503- 623-2395) or email (kholland@polkio.com). — WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. THURSDAY, MARCH 19 • Polk County Fair Board — 8 a.m., Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Main Building, Meeting Room No. 2, 520 S. Pa- cific Highway (99W), Rickreall. 503-623-3048. • Dallas Economic Development Committee — Noon, City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Independence Parks and Recreation Board — 6 p.m., In- dependence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503- 838-1212. • Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. MONDAY, MARCH 23 • Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1811. • Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of- fice board room, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-9664, ext. 2334. TUESDAY, MARCH 24 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Independence City Council — 7:30 a.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • MINET Financial Advisory Committee — 3:30 p.m., Ore- gon State Credit Union, 464 Pacific Ave. S., Monmouth. 503-837- 0700. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. GOVERNOR Gov. Kate Brown (Dem.) 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-378-4582 Email: via website, http://governor.oregon.gov/ — STATE LEGISLATORS Sen. Arnie Roblan (District 5, Democrat) S-417 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 sen.arnieroblan@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/roblan LETTERS TO THE EDITOR American Legion celebrates 96 years This past week, the Amer- ican Legion celebrated its 96th birthday. It was formed in Paris on March 15, 1919, by an American Expedi- tionary Force group. Among the service members there was Sgt. Carl B. Fenton of Dallas. Although the American Legion was started in March 1919, Congress granted the American Legion its nation- al charter in September 1919. The American Legion is a war time veteran organ- ization for both veterans who have served overseas during a time of war, as well as veterans who have served in aiding them here at home. The American Legion was charted by the U.S. Congress on Sept. 16, 1919. From then on, the Ameri- can Legion has grown and thrived with many pro- grams. The American Le- gion baseball program was created on July 17, 1925, the first of the American Legion Boys State convenes was held on June 23, 1935, in Springfield, Ill. On June 1, 1938, the American Legion held its first National High School Oratorical Champi- onship in Norman, Okla. In August 1919, Post 20 in Dallas was formed, although the charter was not issued until January 1920. It was named after Carl B. Fenton, who passed away before the post was formed. Beth A. Lillibridge Dallas Too many taxes burden taxpayers Property taxes increased this year over last year. Given the increasing rate of poverty in Oregon, many folks are just barely getting by without the added bur- den of another tax increase. Food prices are increasing and gas prices are going up along with a possible new carbon fuel tax being pro- posed by the Oregon Legis- lature. I wonder how many people are being forced out of their homes due to fore- closures because they can’t make ends meet. The taxing and spending increases need to stop. Vote no on the public safety tax. Shirley Mannenbach Dallas Vote ‘no’ on county public safety levy Why should we vote yes on the public safety levy when the county commis- sioners control the budget for the sheriff’s office, and they can adjust the funding until it is the same as it is now? The commissioner’s office is in full control of the sheriff’s budget, and if they wanted his budget bigger they would have given it to him. I am certain they will repeat this history and cut his funds again. Across the nation other sheriffs have encouraged communities to watch out for their neigh- bors and stand together. We encourage everyone to vote no. Ron and Annette Coxson Dallas Sen. Jackie Winters (District 10, Republican) S-301 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1710 sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/winters Sen. Brian Boquist (District 12, Republican) S-305 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1712 sen.brianboquist@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/boquist Rep. David Gomberg (District 10, Democrat) H-471 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1410 rep.davidgomberg@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/gomberg Rep. Paul Evans (District 20, Democrat) H-281 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1420 rep.paulevans@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/evans Rep. Mike Nearman (District 23, Republican) H-378 State Capitol 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1423 rep.mikenearman@state.or.us www.oregonlegislature.gov/nearman — U.S. CONGRESS Sen. Ron Wyden (Dem.) 221 Dirksen SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-5244 Fax: 202-228-2717 Salem office: 707 13th St. SE, Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-589-4555 Email: via website, www.wyden.senate.gov Body cams: public records? Cameras of all sorts are everywhere. Some- times what they record is routine and in- nocuous, but often the events that are cap- tured raise questions. When video recordings are prepared by or for a government agency in New York, they are “records” subject to rights conferred by FOIL (Freedom of Information Law). As in all in- stances, their content and the effects of disclo- sure are the key factors in determining which portions are public or may be withheld. If a surveillance camera is mounted on a police vehicle in plain sight in the park and captures what anyone in a public place can see, the video would be available under FOIL to anyone. Its presence, in fact, deterred bad behavior. But if a camera is hidden and placed in a high crime area to record what may be criminal activity, the recording might justifiably be withheld. Those are easy examples, but what about police officers’ use of bodycams? If a video in- volves the commission of a crime, disclosure might interfere with an investigation or de- prive a person of a right to a fair trial. If it in- volves the person on the street who’s a wit- ness, disclosure could jeopardize that per- son’s safety. If it’s the victim of a crime ..., dis- closure might result in an invasion of privacy. By Robert J. Freeman, executive director New York State Department of State WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Election-related letters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one elec- tion-related letter per election season. Election letters from writers outside of Polk County are not accepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, ob- scene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or individuals will not be printed. Letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a busi- ness, products or services will not be printed. The Itemizer-Observer does not guarantee the accuracy of facts presented by letter writers; dissenters are welcome to re- spond. Letter writers who dis- agree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters, like all editorial mate- rial submitted to the newspaper, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the au- thor’s name, address and tele- phone number. This includes letters submitted via the I-O’s website. Names and cities of res- idence are published; street ad- dresses and telephone numbers are used for verification pur- poses only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- tions, and must be original sub- missions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to busi- nesses, individuals and organi- zations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Let- ters submitted may not be re- tractable after this deadline. — Reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338. Fax: 503-623-2395. Email: ionews@polkio.com. Office: 147 SE Court St., Dallas. Sen. Jeff Merkley (Dem.) 313 Hart SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Salem office: 495 State St. SE, Suite 330, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-362-8102 Email: via website, www.merkley.senate.gov Rep. Kurt Schrader (Dem.) 108 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-5711 Fax: 202-225-5699 Salem office: 544 Ferry St. SE, Suite 2, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-588-9100 Fax: 503-588-5517 Email: via website, www.schrader.house.gov — POLK COUNTY Board of Commissioners 850 Main St. Dallas, OR 97338 Phone: 503-623-8173 www.co.polk.or.us — CITIES Dallas 187 SE Court St. Dallas, OR 97338 503-623-2338 www.ci.dallas.or.us Falls City 299 Mill St. Falls City, OR 97344 503-787-3631 www.fallscityoregon.gov Independence 555 S. Main St. Independence, OR 97351 503-838-1212 www.ci.independence.or.us Monmouth 151 W. Main St. Monmouth, OR 97361 503-838-0722 www.ci.monmouth.or.us HOW TO REACH US Vol. 140, No. 11 (USPS) - 437-380) The official newspaper of Polk County • Serving Polk County families since 1875 Winner of 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 General Excellence Awards from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, OR, Independence, OR and Monmouth, OR. Published weekly at 147 SE Court Street Dallas, Oregon 97338 Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Polk County — One Year $27 Other Oregon Counties — One Year $33 Outside of Oregon — One Year $38 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338 The Polk County Itemizer-Observer assumes no financial responsibility for errors in adver- tisements. It will, however, reprint without charge for the portion of an advertisement which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault. 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