Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 28, 2015 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Volunteer numbers at an all-time low West Valley Hospital’s staff of volunteers is at critically low numbers. Just 24 people give of their time each week to the hospital, down from 70 a few years ago. Volunteer Services Coordinator Jennifer Best would like to grow those numbers to at least 50. Part of the problem for the hospital — and for other or- ganizations who rely on volunteer hours — is people wait until they retire to donate their time. On one hand, it is wonderful to see people redefining their time once they no longer have to punch a clock. On the other hand, they seem to have a time limit for their vol- unteerism. As people get older, their health may decline to the point where they can no longer commit to donating their time to an organization. Volunteering isn’t just for the retired. But when you work a full week, are trying to finish school and get good grades, or raising a family, when do you have time to volunteer? It is more difficult to block out time for something that isn’t necessary for paying bills or raising a family or com- pleting school. Everyone has the same 24 hours each day. It is not easy, but it is possible — and rewarding — to give back to the community, and not to delay volunteering until your twi- light years. The hospital asks for one three-hour block of time each week and can use you during the day or evening. Other programs seriously needing volunteers ask even less. The Start Making A Reader Today program asks for one hour a week. Both Polk Fire No. 1 and Dallas Fire & EMS need volun- teers for a variety of tasks, not just fighting fires. Even our city governments, boards and commissions are volunteer driven. Aside from the county commissioners, local government leaders — school board members, city councilors, mayors — aren’t paid positions. The list of organizations needing manpower in Polk County goes on. As the holiday season quickly approaches, it is easy to turn our minds to those needing help with food and gifts and other material goods. But this year, take a hard look at your busy schedule and see if you can find time to donate in addition to cans of food or unwrapped gifts. The Itemizer-Observer prints a list of volunteer opportu- nities on a semi-regular basis. To find it, go to polkio.com and search for “volunteer calendar.” 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, OCT. 28 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Western Oregon University Board of Trustees — 2 to 6 p.m., Western Oregon University, Werner University Center, Co- lumbia Room, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Monmouth. 503-838- 8888. MONDAY, NOV. 2 • Central School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independ- ence. 503-838-0030. • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dal- las. 503-831-3502. • Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Independ- ence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. TUESDAY, NOV. 3 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Dallas Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee — 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. 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 Battle Buddies has good turnout On Oct. 19, Polk County Battle Buddies had our first support group meeting. We had close to 20 veterans show up for a good hot meal and good conversa- tion. Members of the com- mittee as well as special guest Beth Jones brought food; nobody went home hungry. The veterans that attend were made up of veterans of Vietnam all the way to the Global War on Terror. Progress was made in both the caring and openness of those attending. Thanks to all those who have served and are supporting this pro- gram. The next meeting will be the third Monday, Nov. 16. If you have any questions, or would like to donate or be involved, or for more in- formation, you can contact Wayne Crowder at 503-510- 1015, Beth Lillibridge at 503- 480-6254, or Mary Smith at 503-580-8001. Beth Lillibridge Dallas Time to restructure county government My September letter in- vited readers to question why our Polk County Com- missioners pay themselves salaries and retirement ben- efits with our property tax dollars that could be used elsewhere. Readers ex- pressed agreement with my questions but wanted to know what voters could do to change this practice. For starters, we need to collect about 1,250 signa- tures from registered voters to start a review process. That is certainly doable if citizens are willing to be- come involved. Polk County citizens have done it in the past. Four years ago Polk County signature gathers put a referendum on the ballot changing the election of county commissioners from partisan to a nonparti- san election. We did it last spring when a small group of dedicated Polk County voters success- fully worked to secure ap- proval of the public safety levy. The citizen restructuring of Polk County government by establishing a county charter committee offers an opportunity for voters to in- crease representation and to better utilize Polk County’s limited resources. What’s on your mind? Send a letter Letters to the editor are due at 10 a.m. on Monday and are limited to 300 words. To see the entire let- ters polic y, go to polkio.com. We can do it with your participation. Join in the re- vitalization of Polk County by supporting the Polk County charter initiative. Need more information; want to become involved? Contact me at emeasterly@comcast.net. E.M. Easterly West Salem Wage increases have consequences Minimum wage wars. Why does everyone think raising minimum wage will help the economy? Don’t they realize someone has to pay those wages? Prices for most things will go up, tak- ing up that extra income people will be getting. Any- one who has employees will raise costs to compensate for the inflation. So, our everyday purchas- es are going to rise: grocery stores, gas stations, fast food, etc. Businesses will be strained and may have to let people go to afford to pay the ones who are lucky to keep their jobs. This will not solve any problems; it will create more. Sherry Garcia Rickreall Thankful for story, in spite of error A belated thank you to Emily Mentzer's coverage of the Western Compass (cam- pus ministry club) vigil held at Western Oregon Universi- ty on Oct. 3. Her sensitive presence and lovely photo- graphs captured the quiet concern of those attending. One correction — I was list- ed as “a pastor at WOU”; ac- tually, Jill Mayer is the Pro- gram Director of Western Compass. I am a pastor in Mon- mouth and Falls City, and a member of the ecumenical Advisory Board of the Unit- ed Methodist, Presbyterian (USA), and Episcopal-spon- sored ministry at WOU. We will continue to en- deavor to be a “safe place” for college students in the area. Thank you again for your responsive coverage of our local news! Rebecca Strader Pastor, Christ’s Church Methodist and Presbyterian United Falls City United Methodist Church Valuation soars at 86 percent increase My mother, a resident of Meadow Creek Village, just received her property tax bill. She anticipated an in- crease in her real market valuation of approximately 56 percent due to the infor- mation recently received from the assessor. Instead, her real market valuation went up 86 percent. She was told the increase was due to the sale of seven properties in Meadow Creek in a 15-month window of time where the sale prices far exceeded what the asses- sor had identified as their real market value. Because of the increase in sale prices, the assessor sep- arated out Meadow Creek from all the other manufac- tured home parks in Polk County. The higher sale prices are largely the result of the appearance of the park as a whole and the curb appeal of the manufac- tured homes being sold, not the value of the manufac- tured home itself. Those living in Meadow Creek do not own the lot their manufactured home sits on, but residents are re- quired to maintain the lot per the CC&R’s. I can’t help but wonder what the staff in the asses- sor’s office has been doing that all of a sudden they dis- covered this issue. The assessor indicated that no other property in Polk County experienced this increase in real market value. Good thing, because folks would be screaming at the top of their lungs and Meadow Creek residents shouldn’t sit quietly either. Residents of Meadow Creek are predominately senior citizens living on fixed incomes trying to jug- gle how to pay for their medication, food and heat- ing bills. Now they also get to worry about this substantial increase in their property values and how it impacts their taxes. I encourage all the residents of Meadow Creek to demand a review of their taxes. Taxes go up, but not 56 to 86 percent in one year? 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 oice: 707 13th St. SE, Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-589-4555 Email: via website, www.wyden.senate.gov Theresa VanDusen Dallas Sen. Jef Merkley (Dem.) 313 Hart SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Salem oice: 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 oice: 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. 43 (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 inancial 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 DISPLAY ADVERTISING Heidi Leppin .................Display Advertising Manager ....................................hleppin@polkio.com Rachel Best ....................Display Advertising.............................................................rbest@polkio.com Karen Sanks...................Client Services ...................................................................ksanks@polkio.com CLASSIFIED LINE ADVERTISING Dawn Ohren .....................................................................................................................ioads@polkio.com PRODUCTION Kathy Huggins ..............................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Karyn Pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Web: www.polkio.com Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395