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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 13, 2015 4A How to Contact Officials LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Main Street on its much de- served road to a comeback. No vote on levy is for accountability Eloise Van Tassel Sebastopol, Calif. (Measure) 27-117 is about responsibility. Timber dol- lars did not disappear overnight. Everyone paying attention knew this was coming. A handful of state representatives have been warning of a funding crisis coming to timber counties for nearly 10 years. This problem is not new; it began in the days of the spotted owl and is now being talked about as some- thing that just happened. We have to ask ourselves why our elected official waited until now to begin to fix the problem. This is an opportunity to demand ac- countability and vote no on 27-117. Levy is small price to pay for safety We deserve 24-hour sher- iff’s patrols in Polk County and a District Attorney’s of- fice with resources to prose- cute every criminal, not just the worst. Each of us paying a little more so all our resi- dents can be safe is a small price to pay. Let’s be responsible citi- zens and pay for essential public services instead of hoping the feds will do it for us. Vote “yes” on Measure 27-117. Wanda Davis Dallas Bob Miller Dallas Yes vote to bring justice for victims The county is seeking the public’s help to add neces- sary and vital criminal jus- tice services. This levy is a necessity for our county. We immediately lack the ability for the DA’s office to prose- cute offenders. The DA’s office is running on fumes trying to get cases indicted for victims in our county. Without adequate sup- port and funding, there is potential for these offenders to fall through the cracks yet again. We simply do not have the staff to run an ef- fective justice system in Polk County. This is a dis- service to all crime victims! Please vote “yes” for pub- lic safety. Kelli Carpenter Monmouth Police Officer Association Monmouth Sheriff should re-prioritize needs “The Polk County Sher- iff’s Office is limited to 10 hours of patrol per day and has forced the District Attor- ney’s Office to prioritize cases,” a quote from the ar- ticle in the April 29 edition of the I-O. I was ready to give a yes vote until the other day when I saw the Sheriff's Pa- trol on the river in their boat checking ID’s and boater registration and etc. The Sheriff’s Department has let me down on what they call priority. I really feel that time on the water should be spent right now in other duties of the sher- iff’s office. Glen Harmison Dallas Editor’s note: The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is funded through a grant by the Ore- No guarantee how money will be spent WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer let- ters will be edited. Election-related letters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one elec- tion-related letter per election season. Election letters from writers outside of Polk County are not accepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, ob- scene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on busi- nesses or individuals will not gon Marine Board. Raises, timber money means no Polk County will be faced with a controversial tax measure — safety levy. Iron- ically, at one time, I was in favor of this measure — to adequately fund the Polk County Sheriff’s Depart- ment. However, two months ago, Congress approved the funding of O&CR (Oregon & California Railroad Timber money.) Also it was disturb- ing to learn “Polk” was added to the levy; 2 percent raise to county employees. This has turned into a mindless tax measure; therefore, I’m urging voters to reject this levy. James Allgood Independence County’s levy record is good In 15 years working with all departments in Polk County, I found talented and dedicated employees doing their job with fewer people and less money. I challenge Mannenbach’s statement that “he is leery be printed. Letters, like all editorial ma- terial submitted to the news- paper, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the au- thor’s name, address and tele- phone number. This includes letters sub- mitted via the I-O’s website. Names and cities of residence are published; street ad- dresses and telephone num- bers are used for verification purposes only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- of the commissioners’ ver- bal promise.” There have been three successful ballot measures for Polk County (two road bonds and jail bond). In all cases, the county did more than they promised. One last observation, I personally worked with Sheriff Wolfe throughout my career, and you will never find a nicer, more honest and loyal public employee. I support this levy and ask you to support the same. John Graham Dallas ‘Rainbow girl’ glad Garden to be fixed I read with interest about Mr. Bob Collin’s purchase of the Blue Garden building and his intent to “bring it back to what it was.” (April 1) I spent my first 18 years growing up in Dallas (1941- 1959), and graduated from Dallas High School. So, this qualifies me to send my “Blue Garden” story. I was a Rainbow girl, fol- lowing a strong family tradi- tion of “lodge” affiliation. Eventually I “went through the chairs” and served as Worthy Advisor in 1959. We tions, and must be original submissions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Letters submitted may not be retractable after this deadline. — Reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, OR 97338. Fax: 503-623-2395. Email: ionews@polkio.com. Office: 147 SE Court St., Dallas. held our meetings in the Masonic Hall above the Blue Garden on Monday nights. Many of the Rain- bow functions specified for- mal dress. It was a grand opportunity for a young girl to go to one of the Salem department stores to be outfitted in a confection of pastel satin and tulle, as dic- tated by late ’50’s fashion. It was de rigueur for me and my Rainbow friends — Judie, Page, Nancy, Kelley, Carol Woods, and Karen Casey among them — to stop in at the Blue Garden after we descended the stairs from our Rainbow function and sip a Coke. We slid ourselves, clad in our bouffant formal gowns, into one of the Naugahyde booths, where we must have provoked an indulgent smile from the regular denizens of the Blue Gar- den’s adult nightlife. Visiting Dallas in later years, seeing the decline of Main Street and the adja- cent downtown has sad- dened me. Bravo to Mr. Collins for launching the “old girl” on her way back to her former glory, art deco sign, glass brick and all. One hopes that she’ll prove a leader for the venerable County punishing voters into submission. There were many ways the county could have re- solved its budget without reducing the number of sheriff’s deputies. They chose to reduce the most obvious and most needed group of employees purely to coerce voters into voting more money for them to spend. Nothing in this measure actually commits to more deputies on the road. This measure leaves open the possibility of spending for anything they want. They could have found other areas to cut last time, and there is no guarantee they won’t use the same tactic next time they want more money. Daniel Betts Dallas Levy benefits all in safer communities The public safety system is an “umbrella” that en- compasses patrol, prosecu- tion, jail, community cor- rections and juvenile, but this system is nearing col- lapse without additional support. This levy will cost 45 cents per $1,000 of as- sessed value. But in return, residents will receive re- stored 24-hours patrols, ad- equately staffed jail, protec- tion for emergency medical responders, backup for mu- nicipal agencies, prosecu- tion of felony and misde- meanor crimes, preventa- tive drug enforcement, and countless other benefits from living in a safer com- munity. I urge a yes vote on Ballot Measure 27-117; its passage will support all parts of the Polk County public safety system. 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 Mike Ainsworth Monmouth 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 (ionews@polkio.com). — WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 • Polk Soil and Water Conservation District — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Suite A, Dal- las. 503-623-9680, ext. 5. THURSDAY, MAY 14 • Polk County Fire District No. 1 Board — 6 p.m., Central Station 90, 1800 Monmouth St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1510. • Luckiamute Watershed Council — 7 p.m., Volun- teer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-837-0237. • Falls City City Council — 7:30 p.m., Falls City Community Center, 320 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787- 3631. MONDAY, MAY 18 • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Perrydale School Board — 7 p.m., Perrydale School, 7445 Perrydale Road, Amity. 503-623-2040. TUESDAY, MAY 19 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623- 8173. • Independence Historic Preservation Commis- sion — 4 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • Falls City School Board — 5:30 p.m., Falls City High School resource room, 111 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787-3521. • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623- 8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722 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. 19 (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. 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