Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 24, 2015 4A
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Student health
center good for all
As the finishing touches are put on the new Central
Health and Wellness Center in preparation of its open
house Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., we want to extend a
hearty thank you to all who made it happen, and ahead of
schedule.
From the feasibility study — to see if a student-based
health center was needed in Monmouth and Independ-
ence, and if it would be self-sustaining — to the collabora-
tion between so many health partners; from Dalke Con-
struction Co. Inc., who kept plans ahead of schedule, to all
those who awarded grants to the project.
If you haven’t heard about it, Central Health and Well-
ness Center will provide all students in Polk County — and,
well, the entire community — with health, mental health
and dental care.
Not to be confused with a free medical clinic, the health
and wellness center will accept insurance, just like any
other doctor’s office. The medical side of the health center
will be run by Salem Health. Capitol Dental will provide
the dental services. Polk County will provide mental health
services.
One thing that sets it apart is it will accept the Oregon
Health Plan, where other doctors may not.
The services are needed, particularly in this county,
where more than 70 percent of students in Central School
District are on free and reduced lunches, meaning they are
at or below federal poverty level. In Falls City, students on
free and reduced lunches also is high. The poverty level
there, coupled with the lack of local medical services,
means this new health center will provide much-needed
help for Falls City students.
Importantly, the center will bring infant-toddler care,
with priority on children of teen parents. This will let teen
mothers and fathers go back to the classroom to finish
their diplomas without fear of providing adequate child
care for their young ones. Western Oregon University’s The
Research Institute will provide the child care.
The result of so much collaboration between so many
different organizations is a convenient, accessible, com-
plete health care experience for our communities.
Kudos to Falls City volunteers
For a moment last week, we were holding our breath. A
favorite part of the Fourth of July weekend in Polk Coun-
ty — Falls City Third of July celebrations — might not hap-
pen. Last minute plans had fallen through, but organiza-
tions in Falls City picked up the ball and ran with it.
We’re glad to see people step up to keep this tradition
alive for Falls City residents.
In fact, kudos to all the volunteers who work hard to
make all of the county’s celebrations so great. From Dallas
to Monmouth to Independence, Polk County really shines
on the Fourth of July thanks to the hard work and dedica-
tion of those volunteers. And a shout out to all our first re-
sponders and law enforcement who work to keep the
peace on the holiday.
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, JUNE 24
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
• Polk Soil and Water Conservation District — 9 a.m., Walk-
ing R Ranch tour and public meeting. Polk SWCD easement
committee will tour the ranch at 6895 Ohms Road, Monmouth.
• Monmouth-Independence Networks (MINET) Board of
Directors — 7:30 a.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main
St., Independence.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173.
• Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Volunteer Hall,
144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722.
• Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer
Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722.
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
Stay safe as summer begins
With schools out and
warmer temperatures on the
way — it may reach triple
digits this weekend — it is
important to remember to
watch the roads for more
pedestrian and bicycle traf-
fic. While you may have the
right-of-way, it is more im-
portant to be safe than to be
first.
Leave your pets at home
rather than taking them with
you and leaving them in the
car while you run errands.
Drink lots of water and
stay out of the sun during
the warm afternoons.
Don’t forget to wear a life
jacket if you head to the river
for refreshment.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Public safety levy
hurts city dwellers
Yes, thanks to all who
voted “yes” on the safety
measure. I mean the ones
that live in the city limits.
Thanks for causing our
taxes to go up and get noth-
ing out of the deal. People
in the county need safety,
but let them pay for it.
Their property taxes are
significantly lower than in
town.
There is a property in the
county that is valued at over
$525,000, but their taxes are
only $2,200 per year.
I live in town in a 35-year-
old house, and mine are
over $3,300.
They will go up well over
$100 for this levy, not count-
ing the 3 percent yearly tax
increase.
Why don’t they raise the
county property taxes to pay
for county safety?
It makes no sense.
Ali Rion
Dallas
Youth club grateful
for all the support
To all those who support
Dallas Riders for Christ —
youth motorcycle club
(DR4C).
I know this is not done
enough, but I would like to
say a big thank you to those
in Polk County and beyond
who help support DR4C
youth.
Some of you have slipped
by without a thanks for your
act of kindness given and/or
donations.
Also, thanks to those who
helped in some way making
the April car wash and our
recent June garage sale a
great success — it helps us
continue this club in the
community.
The DR4C team of volun-
teers is greatly appreciative
of all your help, support and
your youth that come to the
club.
Myron Kliewer
Dallas
Volunteers made
all the difference
The 2015 Independ-
ence/Monmouth Clean-up
and Beautification Day on
May 16 was a great success.
This year, we had a great
turnout with more than 63
volunteers from our com-
munities that performed
many cleanup and beautifi-
cation projects in both
cities.
At the collection site, we
had 158 residents from In-
dependence, Monmouth
and the county who de-
posited a total of 11.22 tons
of yard debris, 3.41 tons of
metal and 20.98 tons of
garbage.
We were also pleased that
the Independence Umpqua
Bank joined us again to pro-
vide confidential shred serv-
ice for our citizens through
Recall Secure Document
Destruction, which resulted
in 5,000 pounds of confi-
dential documents properly
disposed of.
The day was made a fur-
ther success by the great
volunteers; Boy Scout Pack
38 removed more than two
blocks of graffiti, and the
Polk County Community
Corrections cleared a major
portion of the river bank in
preparation for the annual
Western Days Fourth of July
fireworks at Riverview Park
in Independence.
Several local businesses
participated in donating
equipment, food and their
time for the volunteers and
workers, including Brandt’s
Sanitary Service, Les
Schwab Tires, Master Appli-
ance, Roth’s IGA and local
pizza restaurants and coffee
houses.
The public works depart-
ments from both cities per-
sonally assisted residents
and also worked at the col-
lection site.
We would like to thank all
those who volunteered,
making this day a true suc-
cess for our communities. It
is with the involvement of
our citizens that help make
our communities the won-
derful places that they are.
We hope to see everyone
next year!
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
Sue Albee
Community Service Officer
Independence Police
Department
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—
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.
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. 25
(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
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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
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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
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