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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 20, 2015 4A EDITORIALS How to Contact Officials Take a closer look around Polk County Welcome to “Polk Wonderland,” nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, a county filled with more wonders than imagined and plenty of choices and opportunities to explore for a lifetime. In this edition of the Itemizer-Observer, you will discover a special section filled with stories about many of Polk County’s gems — some hidden, some in plain sight. Take a drive and view the vistas and panoramic views, forests and farmland along byways and back roads of the area. Hike the many trails at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge and the walking trails in our communities. From short, tree-lined strolls with family to longer treks through pristine forests, you will find something for all ages. Biking is another popular mode of transportation in the county including an internationally known mountain biking area just outside of Falls City. Looking for a more quiet, slower pace? Visit the Luckiamute State Natural Area and hike or canoe. Wines and vineyards abound in the Willamette Valley, and Polk County sits right in the center of many award- winning producers of many of Oregon’s fine wines. There are plenty of wine varieties and selections to please many a palate. The wines produced in our county have found their way to restaurants throughout the world. This is an exciting time in Polk County for growers, wineries and the wine lover because of the high quality of wine being made here. Craft beers have found a welcoming environment in Polk County. Independence, historically known as the hop capital of world, is the location of Rogue Hop Farm. Their presence has elevated the craft beer industry to new heights, and the community has seen a surge in local es- tablishments featuring a large variety of choice beers and spirits. Don’t wait for out-of-town visitors to get out and explore our county. Take a look through the special section inside, and put it in your guest room. Pick an outing and head out for an adventure. Send us a letter or post on Facebook and let us know what you think. PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for gov- ernmental 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 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., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. • Chemeketa Community College Board — 7 p.m., Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem. A work session will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by an ex- ecutive session (ORS 192.660 (2)). Executive sessions are not open to the public. THURSDAY, MAY 21 • Polk County Fair Board — 8 a.m., Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Main Building, Meeting Room No. 2, 520 S. Pa- cific Highway (99W), Rickreall. 503-623-3048. • Dallas Economic Development Committee — Noon, City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Independence Parks and Recreation Board — 6 p.m., In- dependence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503- 838-1212. • Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. • Rickreall Watershed Council — 1 p.m., Delbert Hunter Ar- boretum House, Dallas City Park. 503-623-9680. MONDAY, MAY 25 • Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1811. • Dallas School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m., Dal- las School District office board room, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503- 623-9664, ext. 2334 TUESDAY, MAY 26 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Independence City Council — 7:30 a.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. 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 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Sale of public lands not answer On March 26, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Amendment 838, a budget amendment enabling the sale and transfer of federal public lands, in a 51-49 vote. The reasoning behind this effort is that the land is mismanaged by the Feds, that some land is “excess,” and that the sale could be used to pay off the national debt. With an outdoor industry that generates $6 billion an- nually and supports 6.1 mil- lion jobs, this is an absurd way to reduce the debt, as any business owner can tell you that you don’t sell off the tools of your trade in order to pay your rent. Not if you want to stay in busi- ness. As an outdoorsman, I’d hope that the unique Amer- ican legacy of protecting wild places for the enjoy- ment and education of its citizens would continue in perpetuity, and I am simply horrified at this narrow and short-sighted proposal. In a society where very little is available for free, access to public land re- mains a birthright and refuge that anyone can enjoy, regardless of income level. It isn’t difficult to imagine who would benefit the most from such sales and transfers (sponsors in- clude folks with close ties to oil and mining interests), but it is clear to me that once enacted, we will never get those lands back. The problems that are mentioned in the proposals have a basis in reality, but the principle of land being held for the benefit of all is not the problem, and sell- ing it out from under the public is clearly not the so- lution. Please let your represen- tative know that you oppose such irreversible measures to alleviate temporary prob- lems. Matthew Grady Dallas Honor veterans at Avenue of Flags The Avenue of Flags was started in 1991 by our Dallas veteran organizations. It turned out to be a tremendous project and one with great emotional im- pact. We started with about 70 flags, each with the name of a deceased veteran on a small plaque. It kept grow- ing until last year, 2014, when we put up well over 600 flags. On Memorial Day, they flew proudly in the breeze on the hill of our Dallas Cemetery. Veterans and their fami- lies volunteer their time to work at setting up the dis- play. It took some physical doing and planning by a group of men and women who gave the community a gift that expresses the feel- ings of the whole communi- ty toward those who have given so much. So if you know any of the men and women who work hard to put up the flags, tell them how much you appre- ciate their efforts. They include members of the American Legion Post 20, American Legion Auxil- iary unit 20, and the Veter- ans of Foreign Wars Post 3203, as well as some citi- zens who have stepped for- ward and volunteered. Please come out and join us in remembering the Dal- las veterans who are no longer with us on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Dallas Cemetery. Beth A. Lillibridge Dallas A walk down memory lane I worked at the Blue Gar- den for Keith and Laverne Sanders for many years dur- ing its heyday. I have so many memories of it. I remember the big table out front with all of the Main Street businessmen drinking coffee and solving the world’s problems every morning. One night the electricity went out — it was darker than a cave in the bar. We got a lot of candles, pushed the piano out on the dance floor, and Jerry Mason played and sang for hours. We served cold sand- wiches, free poured drinks, and everyone had a great time. The band Cascade Sweet- hearts, with Joe and Judy Keener, and brother Dean on the drums, played every weekend, and the place was packed. How about James Garden- er’s movie, “The Promise,” which had several scenes, in front of and in the bar. I first met my husband there (he was one of the customers), and several years later I met him for coffee in front of the Blue Garden and the rest is histo- ry. Could I come in and serve coffee during the grand opening? I know where everything is. Billie Labonte Willamina Support for troops appreciated I am writing this letter to thank the people of Polk County, specifically Upsilon Master, for their great sup- port to Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan during the last year of de- ployment. The ladies of Upsilon Master provided wonderful reminders of home during Thanksgiving and Christ- mas, including nearly a hundred stockings that were stuffed with donations from individuals and businesses in Polk County. There were also several individuals, Karen Humel- baugh, Jen Vonderahe, Jacque Ford and Karen Horner, who sent packages and mail to the team here. This support is yet anoth- er reason that I am proud to be from Monmouth, as the support for personnel de- ployed was amazing. Many of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines were the beneficiaries of do- nations from people who they don’t know and likely will never meet. However, I am truly blessed to know these peo- ple, and the communities they represent, and wanted to thank them and the en- tire Polk County community for its support. 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 Greg Ford Kapolei, Hawaii Want to write a letter? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. 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 be printed. Letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a busi- ness, products or services will not be printed. For more information: io- news@polkio.com, or 503-623- 2373. 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. 20 (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/Editor .............................................................nadams@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