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.