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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2015)
6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 29, 2015 Polk County News MINET: Finance committee disbanded after controversy Continued from Page 1A Clyne’s second request to Butsch was to have the finance committee consider a new meeting location, one that would allow it to meet be- yond 5 p.m. in case discussions carried longer than anticipated. Meyer said sometimes discus- sion did take longer because mem- bers of the finance committee had trouble staying on task. “We’re trying to (look at pricing); we’re trying to bring you a recast budget,” Meyer said on March 26. “When topics come up in left field, like selling MINET, I’m happy to have those discussions, but things like that are distractions. … I’m not going to let the meetings get hijacked on topics and not get to the financials when that is why we’re there.” At the end of the March 26 meeting, the board agreed to can- cel the finance committee until a new charter could be crafted, which was done on April 14. Both Clyne and McClure said the finance committee should be ready to go with its new charter, which removed the committee’s ability to make decisions or spend money, and made it clearer that it is an advisory committee. However, the true intentions of the committee remain muddled. MINET finance committee June 26, 2014: MINET’s board of directors decide to form three committees to help MINET, Marketing, Technology and Finance com- mittees. July 24, 2014: MINET’s advisory committees are formed. Aug. 28, 2014: Ben Meyer, Doris Johnston, Gary Van Horn, Mark Dunmire and Gloria Butsch are appointed to the finance committee with a unanimous vote by the MINET board of directors. October 2014: Finance committee begins meetings. February 2015: Finance committee chairman Meyer asks the MINET board of directors for more variety in members on the finance commit- tee, noting he would like “less political debate.” March 26, 2015: MINET board of directors disbands the finance committee. April 14, 2015: MINET board of directors revises the charter for the finance committee, removing words which granted the committee any authority, making it clearly stated as an advisory committee. “The point of this group is to help MINET,” McClure said on Thursday. “Frankly, we have enough politics at the board level, you don’t have to bring the finance committee into this.” On Thursday, Clyne said he emailed Butsch regarding the fi- nance committee agenda in efforts to remain transparent — emails between public employees are public record. “I could have very privately had that conversation, but didn’t,” Clyne said, noting that his requests to her were made because Butsch works for him in a city manager-fi- nance director relationship. The fact that he also is the MINET board chairman commu- nicating with a member of an al- legedly independent finance advi- sory committee was just part of the nature of MINET, Clyne said. The position of MINET’s board chair rotates between the city managers of Monmouth and Inde- pendence, according to MINET’s charter. Each city manager must wear “Everybody is accountable for MINET. You should be doing everything in your power to make it better.” — Scott McClure, MINET board vice chairman and Monmouth city manager two hats when it comes to MINET. McClure, now the vice chairman of MINET, said he didn’t think it was appropriate for a quorum of the finance committee to have email correspondence. Clyne said joining a committee does not remove the right to com- municate with each other. “People email about business all the time,” Clyne said. “Whether email violates the public meetings law, I don’t know.” Clyne said that Gary Van Horn, Doris Johnston and Butsch, the three committee members in- volved in the email chain, were working toward clarification about choosing the committee chair. “The idea of public meetings law is matters of public impor- tance,” he said. “You always have preparation for a meeting. You don’t do that publicly or the meet- ings would last forever. That’s fair discussion.” McClure said more direction will need to be given to the next fi- nance committee regarding com- munication with each other and how to operate. The emails between a quorum was “not effective at all,” McClure noted. “It should have been ad- dressed at a meeting, or to him (Meyer) directly. It’s just bad form.” The political divide on the MINET board is nothing new, both McClure and Clyne agree. McClure said it’s unfortunate. “Everybody is accountable for MINET,” he said. “You should be doing everything in your power to make it better.” Clyne said “good fences make good neighbors,” but when it comes to MINET, “We’re joined at the hip,” and have to try and work together. The MINET board of directors will meet at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St. OBITUARIES JoAnn Luthe March 28, 1931 – April 17, 2015 JoAnn Luthe, 84, of Salem died April 17 after a long ill- ness. She grew up in Dallas and lived in many communities throughout Oregon before settling in Salem in the mid- 1960s. Jo worked many years as a waitress, a job she loved, until her and Ed, her hus- band of 57 years, opened Salem's first wicker store “The House of Twigs.” A savvy business woman with a strong work ethic, Jo even- tually opened a clothing store that was dedicated to offering fashionable choices 2015 Relay for Life of Polk County Sponsors Step Up For Survivor Dinner The 2nd annual Survivor Dinner is taking place at Eola Hills Wine Cellars the evening of Saturday, May 2. For those of you Polk County residents who have survived cancer or are currently in treatment, Relay For Life invites you and one guest to an evening of a complimentary dinner and en- tertainment. For more information, contact Vicki Bailey at 503-623- 5241 or vickibaile@aol.com How is it possible to treat survivors to this special evening? It’s because of the generosity of our sponsors who appreciate the courage and strength these survivors have shown in their fight against cancer. Without the support of sponsors such as Eola Hills, White’s Collision, the Itemizer, and Van Well’s, this night of food, music, and gifts could never happen. A thank-you goes out also to our sponsor, Dallas Aquatic Center, for hosting the most recent Sur- vivor/Caregiver Swim on April 19. Please join us in thanking our most recent sponsor, along with the following businesses, health care professionals, families, and organi- zations for their commitment to Relay For Life and its mission to find a cure: Western Days ~ Rabbit’s • 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 • Eola Hills Wine Cellars • The Majestic • Les Schwab Tire Centers of Dallas, West Salem, & Independence • White’s Collision Service • Dallas Aquatic Center • Limeberry Frozen Yogurt • American Outdoors • Polk County Itemizer-Observer • South View Medical Arts • First Community Credit Union • Dallas Retirement Village • Matthew Woolsey, DMD • NW Natural • Monmouth-Independence Rotary • Dallas Glass & Window • Mitch Ratzlaff State Farm • Polk County Association of Realtors • Siletz Trucking Company • Republic Services • Partnerships In Community Living, Inc. • Royal Flush • H & R Block of Dallas & Monmouth • Michelle Hasbrook, DDS • Dallas School District Relay For Life 2015 • Dallas Rotary Club will take place • Salem Sand Club May 30-31, • Dallas Family Medicine 10am to 10am • James W. Fowler Co. at LaCreole • Central Lions Club Middle School • Bollman Funeral Home in Dallas • Hancock Forest Management • Dutch Bros. Coffee • Washington Street Steakhouse & Pub • OREPAC Building Products • Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center • Elkay Manufacturing • R & J Mobility Services • Van Well Building Supply • Bookey Strong to women with fuller figures, “Tops and More.” The store expanded to in- clude imported and house- hold items and the name was changed to “Tops & More Gifts Galore.” With her genuine s m i l e , sense of fashion, and signa- ture “big glasses,” Jo was a woman who made a lasting impres- sion. She had an uncanny ability to lighten any room she entered. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed- ward. Survivors include her sis- ter, Patricia Swenson of Dal- las; sons, Randy of Kent, Wash., and Rick and Russ, both of Salem; and one granddaughter. At her request no service will be held. Her wish was that friends would to take an afternoon and visit a shut-in. Keizer Funeral Chapel handled arrangements. Patricia Ann Autry June 9, 1949 – April 13, 2015 Patricia Ann Autry, 65, of Dallas died April 13 in Dallas. Patricia was born in Taco- ma, Wash., to Billie and Betty Staggs. S h e married Thomas L. Autr y in Vancouver, Wash., and had worked as a homemak- er. Patricia had lived in Dal- las for 32 years. Survivors include her par- ents, Billie and Betty Staggs; daughters, Bobbi, Melody, April, and Summer; son, Kevin; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service was Sat- urday at Salt Creek Baptist Church. Arrangements in care of Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence. To send an online condo- lence: www.FarnstromMortu- ary.com. Franklin Leroy Miller Feb. 24, 1944 – April 22, 2015 Franklin Leroy Miller, 71, of Monmouth died April 22. He was born to Theron and Virginia Miller in Port- land. Franklin graduated from Central High School in 1962, and worked as a mechanic and service station attendant. He married Joanne Kauff- 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 LUCKIAMUTE DOMESTIC WATER COOPERATIVE (503) 581-6265 BOARD MEETING Low Cost Monday 7:00 p.m. May 11th Salem Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $550 Traditional Funeral $1,975 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com Introducing BrainHearing ™ technology. Give your brain exactly what it needs to hear. Call now for your Free Trial. Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street 503-623-0290 I N D A L L A S 503-838-2075 Location: Business Office 8585 Suver Rd. • Monmouth man on July 26, 1975, at First Presbyterian in Independ- ence. Franklin loved his wife and family and family get- togethers. He loved to talk and tell stories from younger years, playing horseshoes and pool. He enjoyed travel- ing to Hawaii, Alaska, Ari- zona, and to the Oregon Coast. He had a giving spirit, helping out many people. Franklin was a member of First Baptist Church of Inde- pendence. He enjoyed his church and loved the Lord. Celebration of life is May 9 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1505 Monmouth St., Independence. Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence handled arrangements. To send an on- line condolence: www.Farn- stromMortuary.com. Karen L. VanCamp Feb. 21, 1952 – April 10, 2015 Karen L. VanCamp, 63, died April 10. She was born to Albert and Eva VanCamp and was sister of M i k e , Richard, Larry and Patrick, and sister and triplet to Danny and Kath- leen. She was mother to Phillip Reed and Aimy Wil- son and grandmother to two grandchildren. Karen enjoyed music, flowers and dancing. She also loved to play bingo. Service is Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at The Majes- tic on Main Street in Dallas. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center of Dallas handled arrangements. To send an online message: www.dal- lastribute.com.