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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2015)
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 3, 2015 3A Polk County News DEADLINES NEWS DEADLINES For inclusion in the Wednesday edition of the Itemizer-Observer: Social news (weddings, engagements, anniver- saries, births, milestones) — 5 p.m. on Thursday. Community events — Noon on Friday for both the Community Notebook and Community Calendar. Letters to the editor — 10 a.m. on Monday. Obituaries — 4 p.m. on Monday. ADVERTISING DEADLINES Retail display ads — 3 p.m. Friday. Classified display ads — 11 a.m. on Monday. Classified line ads — Noon on Monday. Classified ads are updated daily on www.polkio.com. Public notices — Noon on Friday. CORRECTIONS If you see anything that re- quires a correction or clarifi- cation, call the newsroom at 503-623-2373 or send an email to nadams@polkio. com. WEBSITE The Itemizer-Observer is online at www.polkio.com, on Facebook and Twitter. Watch for breaking news, links to stories, sports scores updates and more. WEATHER RECORDED HIGH LOW May 26.............. 71 May 27.............. 80 May 28.............. 86 May 29.............. 82 May 30.............. 80 May 31.............. 87 June 1................ 64 47 49 51 53 50 55 54 RAIN .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .64 Rainfall during May — 0.72 in. Rain through June 1 — 15.24 in. Citywide Internet for all? NEWS IN BRIEF Officials suggest exchanging access for debt forgiveness By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH/INDEPEN- DENCE — Monmouth-Inde- pendence Networks (MINET) must find new av- enues to increase revenues if it is to be self-sustaining, Di- rector Don Patten said to the board at its Thursday meet- ing. “As a result in the change in demand and fewer ad- dresses to serve, MINET cannot save for the future, cover debt and cover operat- ing costs using the tradition- al business model,” he said. Patten has previously sug- gested a purchase service model, where the company would lease out excess data infrastructure. While he is working on that, he proposed citywide WiFi or a low-level broad- band for Monmouth and In- dependence. If the MINET board of di- rectors approved, all resi- dents and visitors of Mon- mouth and Independence would receive free WiFi, or a free low-level Internet band- width would be provided for every home. In exchange for MINET providing one of those serv- ices, the cities could forgive some of the company’s debt service shortfalls, Patten suggested. “We live in a technical utopia,” Patten said. “WiFi or low-level bandwidth are practical solutions for the low- or never-served com- munity. Should access be a birthright to anyone who ever lives in these cities?” Patten added that Central School District is looking to offer more online courses. One hurdle to that is getting technological hardware — computers and tablets, for example — into the hands of students. Another hurdle, Patten said, is getting those devices connected to the Internet, particularly because 70 per- cent of Central’s students are on free or reduced lunches, meaning they are below the federal poverty level. Patten noted that free WiFi or Internet, even a low- level bandwidth, would help solve that problem. While city managers and board leaders Scott McClure and David Clyne liked the idea of citywide Internet service in one capacity or another, neither liked the idea of paying for it, or of forgiving MINET some of its debt service shortfalls. Clyne said that the service would provide value to tax- payers, who have paid mil- lions of dollars of subsidy payments from water or power bills — depending on which city they are from — for about 10 years. “I like the notion that there’s be some kind of re- turn value for the money we’re putting in anyway,” Clyne said. “We’re a long ways from seeing it re- turned, why not return some kind of service.” MINET board member Jerry Hoffman said a move into Internet for all would boost customer loyalty to MINET. “People who are paying for the system already will be seeing a tangible result,” Hoffman said. “I think that bodes well for the future of MINET loyalty.” David Ritchey, MINET board member, noted that such an undertaking was bound to be wrought with challenges, and would be ex- pensive. Patten agreed, adding that grants may be available to expand services. McClure said paying for it would be an issue. “I think it can be devel- oped,” he said, “but it’s (the idea) so vague, it’s hard to react too much.” With the concept of for- giving MINET’s debt short- falls, McClure said the cities would have to find a way to pay for the Internet for all services, which could mean raised rates in some areas and cut services in others. When Patten asked the board when they wanted a business plan outlining possibilities for Internet for all, the response was unde- fined. “I’d rather it was thought- ful than fast,” Clyne said. Polk No. 1 tries again to find new chief INDEPENDENCE — The board of directors for Polk County Fire District No. 1 is going for round two in looking for a new fire chief. “We were unsuccessful on our first go-around, so we re- opened it again,” said Joost Vanderhave, board chair. The same company, Emergency Services Consulting Interna- tional, that ran the first search will conduct the second one, at no additional charge, Vanderhave said. The consultant will cost between $10,000 and $15,000. The first recruitment started in January. The second recruitment will be open for the next three weeks. During the first search, the top candidate and board of di- rectors were not able to negotiate a contract because they were too far apart on salary, Vanderhave said. Other top candi- dates had accepted other employment. Interim Chief John Stein will work on an extended contract during the second search. Vanderhave said he is hopeful to have a new chief in place by the end of August. Photo contest to highlight Indy history INDEPENDENCE — The City of Independence Historic Preservation Commission seeks submissions for its historic photo contest. Entries must be of a historic structure that has been restored with a note that reads “This Place Matters.” Entries must be of one of Independence’s historic buildings or houses that have had restorations done that improve the structure’s appearance and bring it back to its original architec- tural beauty. Contest judges will choose three winners. Winning photos will be displayed in the central lobby of the Independence City Hall and on the city of Independence website. Finalists will be exhibited throughout August. Entry deadline is June 26. Photos may be mailed to: Historic Photo Contest, City of Independence, P.O. Box 7, In- dependence OR, 97351, emailed to Irvine.shawn@ci.indepen- dence.or.us or delivered in person. For more information: 503-838-1212. New prop to help train firefighters PERRYDALE — Amity Fire District has built a new ventilation prop for volunteer firefighters to train on. The prop was con- structed with help from 1-800-BoardUp and McGee Salvage. Ventilation is done on structure fires in both residential and commercial buildings to remove the super-heated gas and smoke, which allows firefighters to quickly search for and res- cue potential fire victims. It also helps firefighters locate and confine the fire within the building for safer and more effective fire suppression. With this prop, Amity firefighters can practice their skills needed for safe firefighting efforts, and train neighboring fire departments and new volunteer firefighters. The prop is located at Amity Fire District’s substation in Per- rydale. Visit us online at www.polkio.com
