Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 20, 2015 4A
EDITORIALS
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Take a closer look
around Polk County
Welcome to “Polk Wonderland,” nestled in the heart of
the Willamette Valley, a county filled with more wonders
than imagined and plenty of choices and opportunities to
explore for a lifetime.
In this edition of the Itemizer-Observer, you will discover
a special section filled with stories about many of Polk
County’s gems — some hidden, some in plain sight.
Take a drive and view the vistas and panoramic views,
forests and farmland along byways and back roads of the
area. Hike the many trails at Baskett Slough National
Wildlife Refuge and the walking trails in our communities.
From short, tree-lined strolls with family to longer treks
through pristine forests, you will find something for all
ages. Biking is another popular mode of transportation in
the county including an internationally known mountain
biking area just outside of Falls City. Looking for a more
quiet, slower pace? Visit the Luckiamute State Natural Area
and hike or canoe.
Wines and vineyards abound in the Willamette Valley,
and Polk County sits right in the center of many award-
winning producers of many of Oregon’s fine wines. There
are plenty of wine varieties and selections to please many
a palate. The wines produced in our county have found
their way to restaurants throughout the world. This is an
exciting time in Polk County for growers, wineries and the
wine lover because of the high quality of wine being made
here.
Craft beers have found a welcoming environment in
Polk County. Independence, historically known as the hop
capital of world, is the location of Rogue Hop Farm. Their
presence has elevated the craft beer industry to new
heights, and the community has seen a surge in local es-
tablishments featuring a large variety of choice beers and
spirits.
Don’t wait for out-of-town visitors to get out and explore
our county. Take a look through the special section inside,
and put it in your guest room. Pick an outing and head out
for an adventure. Send us a letter or post on Facebook and
let us know what you think.
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 (ionews@polkio.com).
—
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
• 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.
• Chemeketa Community College Board — 7 p.m.,
Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE,
Salem. A work session will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by an ex-
ecutive session (ORS 192.660 (2)). Executive sessions are not
open to the public.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
• 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.
• Rickreall Watershed Council — 1 p.m., Delbert Hunter Ar-
boretum House, Dallas City Park. 503-623-9680.
MONDAY, MAY 25
• Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence
Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1811.
• Dallas School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m., Dal-
las School District office board room, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-
623-9664, ext. 2334
TUESDAY, MAY 26
• 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.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
• 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
Sale of public
lands not answer
On March 26, the U.S.
Senate passed Senate
Amendment 838, a budget
amendment enabling the
sale and transfer of federal
public lands, in a 51-49
vote.
The reasoning behind
this effort is that the land is
mismanaged by the Feds,
that some land is “excess,”
and that the sale could be
used to pay off the national
debt.
With an outdoor industry
that generates $6 billion an-
nually and supports 6.1 mil-
lion jobs, this is an absurd
way to reduce the debt, as
any business owner can tell
you that you don’t sell off
the tools of your trade in
order to pay your rent. Not
if you want to stay in busi-
ness.
As an outdoorsman, I’d
hope that the unique Amer-
ican legacy of protecting
wild places for the enjoy-
ment and education of its
citizens would continue in
perpetuity, and I am simply
horrified at this narrow and
short-sighted proposal.
In a society where very
little is available for free,
access to public land re-
mains a birthright and
refuge that anyone can
enjoy, regardless of income
level. It isn’t difficult to
imagine who would benefit
the most from such sales
and transfers (sponsors in-
clude folks with close ties
to oil and mining interests),
but it is clear to me that
once enacted, we will never
get those lands back.
The problems that are
mentioned in the proposals
have a basis in reality, but
the principle of land being
held for the benefit of all is
not the problem, and sell-
ing it out from under the
public is clearly not the so-
lution.
Please let your represen-
tative know that you oppose
such irreversible measures
to alleviate temporary prob-
lems.
Matthew Grady
Dallas
Honor veterans at
Avenue of Flags
The Avenue of Flags was
started in 1991 by our Dallas
veteran organizations.
It turned out to be a
tremendous project and one
with great emotional im-
pact.
We started with about 70
flags, each with the name of
a deceased veteran on a
small plaque. It kept grow-
ing until last year, 2014,
when we put up well over
600 flags.
On Memorial Day, they
flew proudly in the breeze
on the hill of our Dallas
Cemetery.
Veterans and their fami-
lies volunteer their time to
work at setting up the dis-
play.
It took some physical
doing and planning by a
group of men and women
who gave the community a
gift that expresses the feel-
ings of the whole communi-
ty toward those who have
given so much.
So if you know any of the
men and women who work
hard to put up the flags, tell
them how much you appre-
ciate their efforts.
They include members of
the American Legion Post
20, American Legion Auxil-
iary unit 20, and the Veter-
ans of Foreign Wars Post
3203, as well as some citi-
zens who have stepped for-
ward and volunteered.
Please come out and join
us in remembering the Dal-
las veterans who are no
longer with us on Monday
at 11 a.m. at the Dallas
Cemetery.
Beth A. Lillibridge
Dallas
A walk down
memory lane
I worked at the Blue Gar-
den for Keith and Laverne
Sanders for many years dur-
ing its heyday. I have so
many memories of it.
I remember the big table
out front with all of the
Main Street businessmen
drinking coffee and solving
the world’s problems every
morning.
One night the electricity
went out — it was darker
than a cave in the bar.
We got a lot of candles,
pushed the piano out on the
dance floor, and Jerry
Mason played and sang for
hours. We served cold sand-
wiches, free poured drinks,
and everyone had a great
time.
The band Cascade Sweet-
hearts, with Joe and Judy
Keener, and brother Dean
on the drums, played every
weekend, and the place was
packed.
How about James Garden-
er’s movie, “The Promise,”
which had several scenes, in
front of and in the bar.
I first met my husband
there (he was one of the
customers), and several
years later I met him for
coffee in front of the Blue
Garden and the rest is histo-
ry. Could I come in and
serve coffee during the
grand opening?
I know where everything
is.
Billie Labonte
Willamina
Support for troops
appreciated
I am writing this letter to
thank the people of Polk
County, specifically Upsilon
Master, for their great sup-
port to Special Operations
Joint Task Force-Afghanistan
during the last year of de-
ployment.
The ladies of Upsilon
Master provided wonderful
reminders of home during
Thanksgiving and Christ-
mas, including nearly a
hundred stockings that were
stuffed with donations from
individuals and businesses
in Polk County.
There were also several
individuals, Karen Humel-
baugh, Jen Vonderahe,
Jacque Ford and Karen
Horner, who sent packages
and mail to the team here.
This support is yet anoth-
er reason that I am proud to
be from Monmouth, as the
support for personnel de-
ployed was amazing.
Many of the soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and marines
were the beneficiaries of do-
nations from people who
they don’t know and likely
will never meet.
However, I am truly
blessed to know these peo-
ple, and the communities
they represent, and wanted
to thank them and the en-
tire Polk County community
for its support.
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
Greg Ford
Kapolei, Hawaii
Want to write a
letter?
Letters to the editor are lim-
ited to 300 words. Longer letters
will be edited.
Each writer is restricted to
one letter per 30-day period.
Letters that are libelous, ob-
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Attacks by name on busi-
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printed.
Letters to the editor that are
obvious promotions for a busi-
ness, products or services will
not be printed.
For more information: io-
news@polkio.com, or 503-623-
2373.
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. 20
(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.
NEWSROOM
Nancy Adams ...............Publisher/Editor .............................................................nadams@polkio.com
Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
Emily Mentzer ..............Monmouth/Independence Reporter ..................ementzer@polkio.com
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