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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 1, 2015 4A How to Contact Officials LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Family appreciates use of school gym I-O letter offered chance to reflect On behalf of the Hofen- bredl Family, thank you very much to Dallas High School for the use of the gym and the setup for the services that were held March 7 for Larry Hofenbredl, “Grandpa Hof.” We appreciate all the love and support very much, and it will always be remem- bered. Public safety in Polk County is more than fund- ing the sheriff’s depart- ment. We all, city or rural, have an equal interest in the county jail, parole and pro- bation officers, the prosecu- tion of crimes by the district attorney’s office and the county circuit court. We all, whether rural or city residences, rely upon the county for juvenile crim- inal supervision and civil and criminal warrant or court order processing. Supporting the county public safety levy ensures vi- ability of all of these services for every resident of Polk County. I enjoyed reading Michael Cairn’s letter advo- cating the keeping of church and state separate (“Let’s keep church and state separate,” March 25 Itemizer-Observer). Our Constitution’s First Amend- ment certainly does exclude the federal government from establishing a national religion. It also guarantees the “free exercise” of reli- gion in this great country. Religions, along with irre- ligious philosophies, are worldviews. Each of us has a worldview that is our indi- vidual concept of what comprises reality. Ideally, as each of us works out our worldview, we should be seeking truth over false- hood. As Michael’s quote of Benjamin Franklin declares, reason should trump blind faith in this endeavor. My own search for truth began early on with the dis- covery of a simple defini- tion. That is, that truth is an accurate understanding of reality. As a pragmatic busi- ness person, this simple and practical definition has been a helpful first step in what has been my own worldview journey. As a truth seeker, I’ve es- tablished several personal benchmarks that have guid- ed me in life. My founda- tional benchmark is that there is a great evidence for design in our universe. Our universe had a beginning. For me, the finely tuned constants in nature includ- ing gravitational constants, the strong and weak nuclear forces and the precise na- ture of electromagnetism and many more extremely precise constants give me great confidence in a de- signed universe than in the purely naturalistic alterna- tives. Without proof, but with lots of personal inquiry, I have acquired confidence in a universal first cause that is a pre-existing intelligent de- signer. Therefore, my foun- dational worldview position is that I am a rational theist. Religious and non-reli- gious people should bring their truth-claims to the marketplace of ideas. Those worldviews should be freely presented and challenged with an improving compre- hension of truth as our goal. The heavy hand of govern- ment should not define or limit that debate. Jayne Weis Dallas Monte Wiens Monmouth Marta Hofenbredl Willamina Levy language is missing key point When the Polk County commissioners approved the public safety tax levy for a vote, the county adminis- trator stated that if federal O & C funds became available during the five-year tax as- sessment period, the county would use those funds to “offset the levy amount.” However, the levy lan- guage filed with the Polk County clerk contains no language about such an off- set. There is therefore no legal obligation to reduce the levy tax increase if unexpect- ed federal funds come in. Polk County voters should vote “no.” Steve Mannenbach Dallas Safety levy would benefit all in county Polk County voters living in cities may ask, “Why should I care about putting deputies on patrol 24/7?” Assisting city residents is a big part of the levy. It does that by: • Adding staff to the dis- trict attorney’s office. When a city police arrest is made, the person arrested is more likely to be prosecuted — even fined or jailed. • Adding to the reduced jail staff. Enabling cities and the county to incarcerate those who are arrested and possibly sentenced. • Providing adequate cor- rections staff. Overseeing hundreds on parole or pro- bation in Polk County. The public safety levy works for everyone. Dave Weston Dallas Cuts are affecting safety of county Presently, due to budget constraints, the sheriff’s of- fice is only able to provide Want to Write? Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words. Longer letters will be ed- ited. Election-related let- ters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one election-related letter per election season. Elec- tion letters from writers outside of Polk County are not accepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. The deadline for letters to the editor is Monday at 10 a.m. — Reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338. patrol for 10 hours a day. In addition, as was point- ed out in a recent article in the I-O, Polk County pays the bill for the services of the jail, district attorney’s of- fice and community correc- tions office for the cities in Polk County. It has been suggested that in lean times, that the coun- ty “tighten its belt.” Well, the belt is as tight as it can get and the safety of our citi- zens is being effected. Please vote “yes” on the public safety levy measure. Brian McGlynn Independence Chamber supports public safety levy The Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce endorses the Polk County public safety levy. The area’s economic growth and vitality is based upon a safe and secure community. Measure 27-117 will improve sheriff patrols, the district attorney’s office ability to prosecute crimes and reinstitute the county- wide drug enforcement team. The chamber strongly urges Polk County citizens to support this critical measure to improve under- funded public safety servic- es in Polk County. Vote “yes” on Measure 27-117. Bob Brannigan, president Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce Public safety funds are now insufficient Funding for Polk County government comes from several sources: federal/state designated funds that the county ad- ministers, property taxes, grants, bonds, etc. The piece of this funding stream that supports public safety, our permanent prop- erty tax rate, is now insuffi- cient to fund county public safety departments. Please join me in sup- porting the upcoming pub- lic safety operating levy to restore needed personnel to the district attorney, jail, probation and deputy patrol staffs. Our community needs 24/7 emergency re- sponse times, prosecution of all levels of crimes, timely trial dates, adequate proba- tion and juvenile staff, plus support and backup for our city police departments. Jean Sherbeck Dallas Peace of mind will come by OKing levy In the past year 1,600 callers to 9-1-1 were told, “We are sorry, there is no one available to help you now.” The calls about suspi- cious activities, trespassers, peeping toms, help for do- mestic violence victims, vandalism and other issues did get responded to — the next day or after. Public safety means peace of mind that we are safe in our homes, commu- nity and property without taking actions for which we are not trained. Let’s help each other by supporting the public safety levy. Marianne Novotny Monmouth Levy is about more than sheriff patrols 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 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 PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for governmental 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, APRIL 1 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503- 623-8173. • Polk County Budget Committee — 10 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623- 8173. • Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838- 0722. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. THURSDAY, APRIL 2 • Polk County Budget Committee — 10 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623- 8173. mittee — 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. MONDAY, APRIL 6 • Central School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independence. 503-838-0030. • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1212. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 • Monmouth Library Advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth Public Library meeting room, 168 S. Ecols St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503- 623-8173. • Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Board — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas. Regular monthly meeting of board. 503-623-9680. • Monmouth Park and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. TUESDAY, APRIL 7 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503- 623-8173. • Dallas Urban Renewal District Advisory Com- 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. 13 (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
