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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2015)
6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 6, 2015 Polk County News PERS: A lot can happen before effects are known Continued from A1 Tami Montague, Dallas school’s business manager, cautioned that figure is just an estimate and likely high be- cause not all reforms where overturned. Other factors, including stock market performance, additional legislative changes, and actions of the PERS board, could change the scenario. “All of this depends on what happens between now and July 2017,” Montague said. Falls City School District was prepared for the decision, taking a pessimistic view on the reforms passing court muster ,and set aside the esti- mated savings, about $30,000, just in case. “I would have loved to spend that money, because we needed it,” Falls City Superin- tendent Jack Thompson said. “But I tried to have a little fore- sight.” Perr ydale and Central school districts were in the process of reviewing what the ruling would mean. “Obviously it is an issue that we need to begin to address now so we minimize the im- pact on our district and our community in the future,” said Central Superintendent Buzz Brazeau. For Polk County, the ruling means an increase of $400,000 to $600,000 per year, accord- ing to County Administrator Greg Hansen. He said that is an estimate until PERS releases from de- tails about the adjustments that will have to be made, which he anticipates in the coming weeks. Hansen wasn’t surprised by the judgement either. “When you try to do things retroactively, the courts have ruled pretty strongly that is a contractual obligation,” he said. “The best you can hope for is going from this point for- ward.” Foggin said there’s still time for the legislature to try to make changes in light of the ruling. Following the announce- ment of the decision, the League of Oregon Cities put together a wish list of issues for the legislature to tackle to ease the burden. Those include examining other possible PERS reforms and rejecting proposals that would cut property taxes and increase public con- tracting requirements on local government. Whether that is possible — especially addressing other PERS reforms — is yet to be seen. Democratic leaders House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney have signaled that the 2013 legisla- tion was the legislature’s best shot at PERS reform and noth- ing more would be done this session. Gov. Kate Brown, in con- trast, issued a statement say- ing she will be looking into the ruling and working with the PERS board to determine “next steps.” If the legislature doesn’t take up PERS again this session, Foggin hopes lawmakers will look harder at tax reform. “There still could be a fix,” he said. “They are wrestling with property tax corrections, maybe this will help them de- cide to do something with them. We don’t know right now. There is always hope that something will be done.” NEWS IN BRIEF WIMPEG sees changes MONMOUTH — Rod Killen has resigned as the director of WIMPEG, Western Oregon University, Independence, Monmouth pub- lic-education-government public access tel- evision, Monmouth Mayor John Oberst said. Efforts to make the TV station a 501 c3 nonprofit have stalled, meaning the board of directors has gone back to the original intergovernmental agreement to determine how to run the program, Oberst said. The board will search for a high-defini- tion server and will work on adding equip- ment to help increase programming, Oberst added. One thing the WIMPEG board will consider is one TV channel to serve both In- dependence and Monmouth. The WIMPEG board consists of a city councilor from each city, a representative from WOU, and a citizen from each city. Right now, Oberst fills the spot of a “citizen representative” from Monmouth. etation. The code will be enforced through- out the growing season from spring through early fall. For more information, call the city’s weed abatement hotline at 503-831-3510. BLM management plan ready for comment POLK COUNTY — The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released its new draft resource man- agement plan for Western Oregon for pub- lic comment. The plan outlines how the BLM will man- age its lands for the recovery of threatened and endangered species, providing for clean water, and producing a “sustained yield” of timber products, among other ob- jectives. There are 2.5 million acres in Oregon, in- cluding nearly 42,000 acres in Polk County. The draft plan will be available for review and comment until July 23 and can be found at: www.blm.gov/or/plans/rmp- swesternoregon. Dallas weed abatement program kicks off Ugo’s Pizza fundraiser DALLAS — It’s that time again — time to make sure your yard isn’t taken over by tall helps support nonprofit grass and weeds. The city of Dallas is beginning its annual weed, grass and debris abatement program and will work with residents to eliminate nuisances. According to city code the following are prohibited: any vegetation that is a fire haz- ard; weeds or grass that are more than 10 inches tall; weeds or grass going to seed; and the accumulation of debris, or other re- fuse that is not removed within a reason- able time. It is the responsibility of each property owner to cut down or destroy noxious veg- DALLAS — Ugo’s Pizza Parlor in Dallas is hosting a fundraiser for nonprofit A Gift of Time Oregon Tuesday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds of dine-in and carry-out orders will benefit the statewide organizations that provides a weekend break for non-professional family caregivers and relatives. Also, the program offers rele- vant education, resource awareness, and a brief respite from the selfless task of taking care of their loved ones. For more information, Rich Wolcott 503- 559-2741. OBITUARIES Ruth Jeanette Villwock June 1, 1926 – April 28, 2015 Ruth Jeanette Villwock, 88, of Dallas died April 28. She was born to George and Frieda Dezler in Port- land. Ruth graduated from Jef- ferson High School in 1943, and then attended Linfield RUTH EVELYN NELSON April 16, 1931 - April 21, 2015 Ruth Evelyn Nelson, 84, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in Portland, Ore- gon. Ruth was born April 16, 1931 in Chehalis, Washington to Earl Leigh "Pat" Middaugh and Cora (McClintok). Ruth attended college at Central Wash- ington University in Ellensburg, WA, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Edu- cation. She then went on to acquire a Mas- ter of Science in Special Education at Oregon College of Education (now West- ern Oregon State University) in Mon- mouth, OR. Beginning her professional career as an elementary teacher, Ruth had teaching experience in public schools in the states of Washington, Oregon and North Carolina. After a sudden hearing loss at the age of 30, she became involved in activities pertaining to the deaf, returned to college to complete certification requirements for becoming a teacher of the deaf and taught deaf students at both the elementary and secondary level. She has been an instructor on the staff at Oregon State University and a teacher of hearing impaired in the Physically Handi- capped Program of the Corvallis public schools. Ruth was also an instructor in both the Education of the Deaf and Counsel- ing of the Deaf programs at WOSC. Ruth was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed many sports including golf and tennis. Ruth was a loyal member of the Eastern Star and American Association of University Women. She loved cats and had one always in her life. Ruth suffered a stroke at age 47 which cut her career short. Despite her dis- ability, she lived independently for over 30 years. She had many friends and was known for her smile, her laughter and positive outlook. She is survived by her three children Nannette Nelson of Vancouver, WA, Eric Nelson (Debra) of Kent, WA and Elda Orr (Doug) of Hood River, OR. She has five grandchildren – Tyler, Ian, Amelie, Carson and Lauren. Her four brothers, Wyman, Don, Merritt and Darwin and one sister, Elda, preceded her in death. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Claquato Cemetery, 142 Stearns Road, Chehalis, WA 98532. Donations can be made in Ruth's name to the Oregon Hu- mane Society (1067 NE Columbia Blvd., 97211). Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Trib- ute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. College for two years. She married Ernest on Nov. 1, 1946, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland. Ruth and E r n e s t made their home on the farm north of Dallas. Ruth spent the early years of marriage raising their family, caring for the household and helping Ernest on the farm. As her c h i l d re n re a c h e d h i g h school age, Ruth worked as the guidance center secre- tary at Dallas High School, retiring after 21 years. Ruth and Ernest were members of Salt Creek Bap- tist Church for more than 50 years. Ruth was active in many church activities in- cluding the ladies’ group and choir. She had a won- derful voice and often sang in trios and ensembles as special music for the church service. Ruth also served as church clerk and Sunday school secretary. Ruth’s faith remained a focal point of AMY STALNAKER Jan. 28, 1963 - Feb. 26, 2015 Celebration of Life Saturday, May 9 Noon to 3 PM Dallas City Park Seibert/Fredrickson Memorial Shelter 600 SW Allgood St ~ Bring a potluck dish ~ her life and she shared it with her family. She liked to knit, sew, read, beach walk, go on family fishing trips and car trips. She and Ernest enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest on Aug. 16, 2001, and brothers, Delbert and Robert Dezler. Survivors include her son, Paul (Sandi) of Dallas; daughters, Jeannette (Nathan) Gardner of Olympia, Wash., and Judi (Jim) Peters of Monmouth; 11 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Graveside service was Sat- urday at Salt Creek Ceme- tery followed by her memo- rial service at Salt Creek Baptist Church. Contributions are sug- gested to the Salt Creek Bap- tist Church Missions Fund in care of Bollman Funeral Home in Dallas, which han- dled arrangements. To send an online condo- lence: www.dallastribute- .com. Mildred L. Schoenborn Feb. 14, 1927 – April 30, 2015 Mildred L. Schoenborn, 88, of Monmouth died Thursday. She was born in Eugene to Frank and Eugenia Curtis Domaschofsky. Mildred grew up in Dallas and graduated from Dallas High School. She moved to Sutherlin where she raised her children, and in 1984, she settled in Monmouth. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Murphy. She mar- ried Milo Schoenborn on June 10, 1994. Mildred had a few jobs in- cluding a position with Avon as a dealer and later as a sec- retary for C Cable Realty in Independence, where she retired from in 1994. When she wasn’t working she enjoyed cooking and baking and even won first prize at the Polk County Fair with one of her delicious cakes. Mildred also enjoyed traveling with her husband Milo and spent a lot of that time on various cruises. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy; sister, Joanne An- glund; and brother, Ray Do- maschof- sky. S u r - vivors in- clude her husband, Milo; chil- dren, Keith Murphy (Diane) and Jeannine Mur- phy Mackey (Clifford); stepchildren, Connie Arnold (Roger), Cathy Mclean (Craig), Van Schoenborn (Deb), Candy Bottenberg (Barry), and Randy Schoen- born (Jill); brother, Rex Do- maschofsky; sister, Jean Cut- ler; four grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and nu- merous great-great-grand- children. Memorial service is May 16 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Monmouth. A potluck gathering will follow at the church. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online condolence: www.dallastrib- ute.com. C. Howard Wilson Sept. 29, 1925 – April 28, 2015 Memorial service for C. Howard Wilson, 89, of Mon- mouth will be June 1 at 11 a.m. at Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St W. Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence handled arrangements. To send an on- line condolence: www.Farn- stromMortuary.com. Salem Arletia Ruth James 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 July 31, 1929 – May 2, 2015 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost 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 Memorial service for Ar- letia Ruth James, 85, of Dal- las is Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Dallas Seventh-day Adven- tist Church, 589 SW Birch St. Farnstrom Mortuary in In- dependence handled arrangements. To send an on- line condolence: www.Farn- stromMortuary.com.