Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 25, 2015 4A EDITORIALS How to Contact Officials Separate fact from fiction in levy letters It’s still nearly three months before May’s election day and one thing has quickly become apparent: The debate regarding the Polk County public safety levy is going to be the most talked about local election in recent memory. We have already received a number of Letters to the Edi- tor dealing with the subject. We’re confident many more are going to arrive in the days and weeks ahead. We don’t care what side of the issue you are on. It doesn’t matter if you are strongly opposed to the ballot measure or strongly in favor of it. But one thing we are closely watch- ing before publishing any letter is separating fact from fic- tion. There is a great deal of confusion and, to be frank, misin- formation being spread by some people regarding the pub- lic safety issue. Numbers are being thrown around and used out of context. For example, we have recently received letters and other correspondence suggesting that Polk County as a govern- ment taxing body has one of the highest tax rates in the state. This isn’t fact — and far from it (see today’s story on Page 1A). Polk County government has a $1.72 per $1,000 of assessed value permanent tax rate, plus a current 54 cents per $1,000 of assessed value road bond that expires after the 2015-16 tax year for a total of $2.26. Yes, it’s among one of the lowest rates among Oregon’s 36 counties. That’s a fact. We don’t want to be a part of the misinformation cam- paign by publishing letters that are not accurate. Bottom line is this: If you aren’t quoting recent data from the 2013-14 or 2014-15 tax years, you are using outdated numbers that are no longer accurate. If you’re going to use figures to state a point, be sure they are accurate, be sure you are using the proper wording, clearly state what those numbers are and cite your source for those numbers within the 100 words you are allowed for an election-related letter. And, no, this isn’t censorship. The Itemizer-Observer has one of the most generous Letters to the Editor policies and devotes more space for letters during an election season than just about any newspaper around. But being sure numbers are accurate and put into correct context is a way to stop the spread of misinformation that is adding to an already confusing and heated issue. 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, FEB. 25 • MINET Board of Directors — 7:30 a.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-837-0700. • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Polk Soil and Water Conservation District — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas. Annual work plan meeting for 2015-16. 503-623-9680, ext. 5. MONDAY, MARCH 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, MARCH 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, MARCH 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 Consolidation idea does make sense It sounds like the May 2015 Polk County public safety levy is needed. In a letter on Feb. 11 (“Levy is worthy, but eye consolidation”), the writer supports the levy but won- ders about savings if the city police departments and the sheriff’s department were to merge. In this context, when moving here in August 2011, I was certainly surprised that the small towns of Monmouth and Independ- ence each have their own police department and pub- lic library. Having lived near big cities such as Rotterdam, Los Angeles, Yokohama, etc., it seems to me that this du- plication is a waste of money. How about money saving consolidation? Huibert Paul Monmouth Increased timber harvests needed This is in response to “Legal marijuana isn’t the problem” (Feb. 18 Itemizer- Observer) … The reason why Josephine and Polk counties are without sheriff protec- tion is because of the short- age of timber dollars. If the state government would open up our forests and start harvesting trees for lumber, then these two counties would once again have their money that they lost. I think that Dallas is doing a great thing by not having “pot shops” within its city limits. These busi- ness tend to be run down and an eye sore. Do you want these businesses in your residential neighbor- hoods influencing your chil- dren such as the one in In- dependence? Think about the clientele that will visit these shops, and do you want them roaming your neighborhood? As for the tea party, you’re right, they don’t agree with taxation and believe in their Second Amendment rights. They believe that before asking people to raise their property taxes for police protection that they do an internal audit and see what is necessary and what isn’t. David Christensen Independence ple with people. Propaganda is the execu- tive arm of the invisible gov- ernment. It is difficult for people who are unaware of this propaganda mechanism to realize that they are being “herded” to give up their freedom whether to be vac- cinated or not. I chose not to be herded into giving up my freedom. Where is the America that I have lived in for the last 69 years? I oppose SB442. Rose Dorn Monmouth ‘Herd immunity’ is propaganda A “herd,” according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is “a number of animals of one kind under human con- trol.” The World Book Dic- tionary: “multitude of peo- ple, the common people, and rabble.” This seems a play on words — the common peo- ple versus the “so called” elite who make our laws. Edward Bermays is the fa- ther of propaganda. He says the best defense against propaganda is more propa- ganda. Conscious and intelligent manipulation of the habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in a democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society con- tribute an invisible govern- ment which is the true rul- ing power of our country. We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested largely by men we have never heard of. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind. Three main elements of public relations are practi- cally as old as society: in- forming people, persuading people and integrating peo- Restore services, cut other programs Dear Polk County Com- missioners: Another in- crease in my property taxes? No. Essential services (sheriff, fire, emergency) have al- ready been gutted, leaving us dangling in the wind un- protected. Trying to pres- sure us again? If we don’t pass the tax increase, it’s our safety, our necks on the line. Start a new trend — make the addicts and welfare abusers pay their own way. I can no longer afford to sup- port these gratuitous pro- grams. Restore the critical sheriff, fire and emergency re- sources that all of us use. 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 Pat Beach West Salem Central High play was spectacular On Feb. 14, I attended the play “Oklahoma!” at Central High School. What a specta- cle performance. The students worked very hard. They should be very proud of themselves. I would go again. Donna Ainsworth Monmouth 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. 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 Monday at 10 a.m. 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. 8 (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 ...........................................................................nadams@polkio.com Kurt Holland..................Managing Editor...........................................................kholland@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 BOOKKEEPING Pat Letsch ......................................................................................................................pletsch@polkio.com Web: www.polkio.com Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395