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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 25, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 25, 2015 5A Polk County News Admission prices going up at fair By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer RICKREALL — You can start planning now for the 2015 Polk County Fair and its costume and decoration- friendly theme — “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.” The theme will come with something else new — the latest change for the annual fair — an increase in ticket prices. Adult single-day tickets will be $8, up from $7. Adult season passes will now be $20, up from $15. Youth (ages 11-15) and senior (62 and older) single-day tickets are now $5, up from $3. Sea- son passes for youth and seniors are unchanged at $8. Children 10 and younger still get in free. Camping rates will remain the same as well. Polk County Fair Board Chairwoman Anna Scharf said the increases were well overdue, with some ticket prices dating back to 1994. “We aren’t keeping up with inflation, we aren’t keeping up with the cost of doing business,” Scharf said. She did acknowledge the adult season pass increase is happening the same year the board shortened the Falls City likely will reduce hours for administrator due to budget By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer file Carnival rides will be a big part of the 2015 Polk County Fair, which has the theme “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.” The fair is scheduled for three days, Aug. 6-8, instead of four. event by one day, from four days to three, but said the fair board is seeking to bal- ance the raise by bringing in higher-quality entertain- ment. Scharf said the 2015 theme fits with the improve- ments the board is trying to make with the annual event. The theme creator, Evelyn Hubbard of Independence, was the winner of the con- test the board sponsored to come up with the 2015 slo- gan. The contest was suc- cessful, drawing several sub- missions for the board to se- lect from. Scharf said “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams” lends itself well to decorat- ing, including in the live- stock barns, where 4-H and FFA members incorporate the theme into their stall décor. “It speaks to the progress we are trying to make,” Scharf said. “We are dream- ing about what the fair can be.” The 2015 Polk County Fair is scheduled Aug. 6-8. WIMPEG board agrees to upgrades By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Instead of purchasing a new high- definition server, the WIM- PEG board of directors de- cided to invest the bulk of $50,000 in infrastructure and equipment upgrades. WIMPEG, Western Oregon University, Independence and Monmouth’s public-ed- ucation-government access television, has had problems with its server since Decem- ber, when it gave out and the channels went dark. Since then, broadcasting has been limited because the old server has not been fixed. Part of the problem is that WIMPEG does not have a service contract on the old server, said Deborah Rezell, board member, at the WIM- PEG board’s Thursday meet- ing. Board member Marshall March 28 10am - 4pm Guthrie said it didn’t make sense now to invest $50,000 in a new HD server on a five- year contract when he didn’t think WIMPEG had five years of viewers. Because the way people watch television is changing so rapidly, Guthrie said more and more people are “cutting the cord” and streaming video rather than subscrib- ing to traditional cable, which is where WIMPEG channels are found. “I would rather spend this money to increase infra- structure and equipment,” Guthrie said, noting that many people watch the pub- lic access channel on YouTube rather than on cable TV. Rod Killen, a newly elect- ed board member, said the HD server would allow cities to announce events and re- cruit volunteers on their re- spective channels. “It only works if somebody sees it,” Guthrie said. Rezell, who works as WOU’s digital media produc- er, said something needs to change with WIMPEG’s serv- er because filming things in standard definition — espe- cially broadcasting live events such as sporting events and commencement — has become a hindrance. But with technology — and how people use that technology — changing so rapidly, the board agreed to find another way to solve the problem besides spending $50,000 on a new HD server for WIMPEG. For now, the old server will be repaired for about $1,000. Meanwhile, other options, including less expensive HD server options, will be con- sidered by the board at fu- ture meetings. In other business, board chairwoman Marilyn Mor- ton stepped down and Pat Henderson was elected in- terim board chairman. FALLS CITY — The city of Falls City will soon begin searching for a permanent city manager, but that person may be working part time. Falls City Interim City Manager Jon Hanken was asked Thursday to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) on the job that would con- sist of a 20- to 24-hour work week and pay an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 annually. The Falls City City Coun- cil will approve a final RFP at a future meeting. “To me this seems the only way we can go,” said Councilor Tony Meier. “We can’t afford a full-time ad- ministrator.” Hanken stressed that whoever fills the position likely will have to work more than the listed hours to get the job done. “I have no doubt that this person will work more,” Hanken said. “This com- munity has so many things going on.” Another concern is cov- ering city hall hours with someone just working 20 to 24 hours, especially when people are sick or on vaca- tion, Hanken said. Given the part-time hours — and pay — a few councilors were concerned about how many qualified candidates would apply for the post. “We are really, really low- balling things. That’s the truth of the matter,” Coun- cilor Dennis Sickles said. “We are asking somebody to come in here and work for what is below what the CITY COUNCIL industry standard is.” Hanken said the city can reassess its job description and re-advertise the posi- tion if it doesn’t attract qual- ified applicants. “You are looking for somebody who is going to work for you and with you,” Hanken said. “If you don’t find that the first time, go out again.” That has been done be- fore, with the city’s code en- forcement officer post, and so far the city has had no success finding someone to fill the job. Mayor Terry Ungricht suggested the city take a different approach: have councilors fill the role. He said the Oregon Code Enforcement Association provides training classes that would enable coun- cilors to work in pairs to write citations and help present cases in court. The other option is to share a code enforcement officer with another city. Ungricht said he would ex- plore that possibility and bring a proposal to the council. “I think it’s worth giving it a shot,” Councilor Lori Jean Sickles said of the coun- cilors filling the role. “We have to have some kind of code enforcement.” Hop on in for SUNDAY APRIL 5 to 9 2 AM PM Adults $16.95 Children under 12 $8.50 • Under 3 Free ~Reservations Required~ Please call OAK TREE INN at Oak Knoll Golf Course 503-378-7550 or 503-378-0344 Pre-Sale $6 9am - 10am Admission: Adults $4 Kids 10 yrs & under Free 2015 Relay for Life of Polk County Food Available Polk County Fairgrounds on site 520 Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall Dolls, Bears, Books, Toys, Miniatures & Related Items, Doll Stringing Relay Sponsors Come In All Sizes Arleta Day 503-581-1206 Sally Bradford 503-399-7679 Hwy 22 Rickreall Salem ★ Polk Co Fairgrounds I-5 Sales Table Reservation $32 per table 99W No Appraisals RV Space Available You’ll love your new Lennox HOME COMFORT system! Receive up to $1,700* in savings when you purchase & install a qualifying Lennox home comfort system between March 23, 2015 and June 12, 2015! • Furnaces • Heat Pumps Ductless • Gas Water Heaters • Gas Fireplaces • Air Purifiers • Air Conditioners *Special financing available. City manager job may be part time See dealer for details. * Some restrictions apply. Ben & Joe Flande Proud Owners & Local Citizens Recently, a sole individual made the decision to sponsor Relay For Life of Polk County in memory of someone very dear to their family who lost his fight with cancer. Most of us may think of an event’s sponsor as a big corporation who donates for the tax write-off or to draw attention to their com- pany. This one individual has chosen to sponsor Relay, however, for a totally different reason ~ find a cure and finish the fight! Whether they’re a company with many employees or a small family, all of our Relay sponsors know how important it is to fund cancer research so the survivor rate can continue to rise and more Polk County families can celebrate birthdays of those dear to them. Our sponsors come in all sizes but come to- gether with one purpose ~ find a cure and finish the fight! Please join us in thanking our five most recent *sponsors, along with the following 28 businesses, organizations, and health care professionals for their commitment to Relay For Life and its mission to win the fight against cancer: • Bollman Funeral Home • Bookey Strong • Rotary Club of Dallas • White’s Collision Service • NW Natural • Partnerships In Community Living, Inc. • West Valley Hospital • West Valley Physicians & Surgeons Clinic/Dr. John Hadley • West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic/Dr. Alison Smith • Monmouth Medical Center/Dr. Charles Essex • First Community Credit Union • OREPAC Building Products • James W. Fowler Co. • Mitch Ratzlaff State Farm • Polk County Association of Realtors • Washington Street Steakhouse & Pub • Limeberry • Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center • Elkay Manufacturing The deadline for • Van Well Building Supply submitting a sponsor- • Michelle Hasbrook, DDS ship is April 15. • Dallas Aquatic Center Make this the year • Monmouth-Independence Rotary your company or or- • The Majestic ganization signs on to • Republic Services finish the fight! • Les Schwab Tire Centers of Dallas, If you or someone you West Salem, & Independence know is interested in • Central Lions Club sponsorship, contact • Royal Flush Lyla Bruce at 503-508-9277 or visit • Dallas School District our website at • Hancock Forest Management www.relayforlife.org/ • Eola Hills Wine Cellars polkcountyor • Polk County Itemizer-Observer Relay For Life 2015 will take place May 30-31, at LaCreole Middle School in Dallas