2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 29, 2015
Polk County News
Lawsuit filed
against MINET
Former employee claims hostile
work environment, harassment
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
SERA ARCHITECTS/for the Itemizer-Observer
Development of the 2-1/2 miles along the Willamette River was the biggest topic of interest to residents.
Trails big focus of Indy parks plan
Residents want more connecting paths for bicycling, walking, running
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — The
city of Independence
wrapped up a new parks mas-
ter plan, which was presented
to the city council on July 14.
“The big shiny piece is the
riverfront,” said Shawn
Irvine, economic develop-
ment director. “Part of the
reason we (the city) pur-
chased the Valley Concrete
site was to maintain control
of the riverfront.”
The city owns 2-1/2 miles
of land along the Willamette
River, and whoever buys the
Valley Concrete site will
have to allow public access,
Irvine said.
“The key thing is, we’ve
got the trail that runs north
that is being well used, we
want to extend that to the
south, ideally out to the is-
land,” he said.
A new trail along the wa-
terfront would likely be a
soft-surface path, Irvine
said, and would be just one
part of a trail system.
“Trials were a big compo-
nent,” Irvine added. “That’s
what we heard from the
public: more trails, better
connected trails, more trails
to different places in town.”
About 500 people re-
sponded to surveys as part
of the public outreach in
building the new master
plan, Irvine said.
Open houses were well-
attended.
“That’s a much more in-
depth level of engagement,”
he said.
Neighborhood parks were
not neglected in the new
plan, Irvine said.
“We don’t want to lose
focus on the neighborhood
parks, that park next door,
that’s what folks use,” Irvine
noted. “We don’t want to
lose focus on keeping those
well maintained.”
In addition to the strong
desire for more trails for bi-
cycle and pedestrian traffic,
people wanted places to
hold large gatherings, Irvine
said.
“People wanted a place
Music in the Park
Matinees are all shows
before 6pm. New pricing for
matinees are: Adult $7.25
Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00
Pricing does not reflect
3D showings.
Main St. Park • Monmouth
Every Wednesday through August 26 ~ 6:30pm
MUSIC, FOOD, BEER & WINE GARDEN
Look for
Music in the Park
Series on Face-
book for more in-
formation about
this year’s artists.
Performing Tonight
July 29
World’s
Finest
(Reggae & Bluegrass)
FREE AND OPEN
TO THE PUBLIC
where they could get the
whole extended family to-
gether,” he said. “A place to go
and hang out the entire after-
noon with picnic shelters,
barbecues, a playground,
soccer field, walking trails.”
While some of those
amenities are already found
at Riverview Park, Henry Hill
seems like a potential place
for more, Irvine said.
“They have the fields, bas-
ketball courts, tennis,” he
said. The area around Henry
Hill belongs to Central
School District.
With the district office at
Henry Hill, they would be a
key partner in creating a
larger recreation area for the
community, Irvine said.
MONMOUTH — A lawsuit was filed on June 25 against
the cities of Independence and Monmouth and against
Monmouth Independence Networks (MINET) claiming
discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Laura Rodriguez, of Marion County, was an employee of
MINET in July 2011, according to court documents. She
was hired again by MINET in December 2013.
According to court documents, Rodriguez is a member
of several protected classes, including her gender (fe-
male), her race (Hispanic) and her sexual orientation (ho-
mosexual).
The documents claim that MINET general manager
Don Patten, manager of customer service relations Jason
Saunders and administrator Marilyn Morton made Ro-
driguez feel uncomfortable with sexual comments. Ro-
driguez also claims her supervisors passed her over for
promotion based on her race and because she had asked
about MINET’s maternity leave policy.
The accusations were investigated by Citycounty Insur-
ance Services (CIS), the insurance company for all three
entities named in the lawsuit — MINET, Monmouth and
Independence — and found no evidence supporting Ro-
driguez’s claims.
“CIS, our insurance company, interviewed myself and
virtually everyone on staff,” Patten said. “CIS informed us
that there is zero credibility to it.”
Neither the cities nor MINET have been served with pa-
perwork regarding the lawsuit, said Larry Linder, attorney
for Rodriguez.
Because of that, there isn’t much to do at this point, said
Independence City Manager and the chair of the MINET
board of directors David Clyne.
“Not much of anything is being done,” Clyne said.
“We’re aware of the complaint, but it was never actually
served on any of us. That’s how you have to start a lawsuit,
by serving the other party.”
No disciplinary action is planned for anyone named in
the lawsuit, Clyne said.
Linder did not get back to the Itemizer-Observer with
comment from Rodriguez by press time.
Court documents say Rodriguez is asking for at least
$30,000 including back pay, benefits and front pay, in ad-
dition to $150,000 compensatory damages plus attorney’s
fees. She also is requesting a trial by jury.
Friday - Wednesday July 31 - August 5
SOUTHPAW (Digital) (R)
ANT MAN (Digital 2D) (PG13)
PIXELS (Digital 2D) (PG13)
PIXELS (NEC DOLBY 3D) (PG13)
VACATION (Digital) (R)
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE:
ROGUE NATION (Digital) (PG13)
MINIONS (Digital 2D) (PG)
PAPER TOWNS (Digital) (PG13)
TRAINWRECK (Digital) (R)
(1:45 4:30)
(11:35 2:10 4:45)
(11:50 4:55)
(2:25)
(12:25 2:50 5:15)
7:20 9:55
7:25 10:05
7:30
9:55
7:40 10:00
(1:20 4:10)
(12:15 2:35 4:50)
(11:45 2:20 5:05)
(1:15 4:05)
7:00
7:10
7:35
6:50
9:50
9:25
10:05
9:35
Thursday August 6
For More Information Contact:
Mark Fancey 503-751-0147
Bring
your chairs
and blankets and
we’ll see you in
the park!
SOUTHPAW (Digital) (R)
THE GIFT (Digital) (R)
ANT MAN (Digital 2D) (PG13)
PIXELS (Digital 2D) (PG13)
PIXELS (NEC DOLBY 3D) (PG13)
PAPER TOWNS (Digital) (PG13)
FANTASTIC FOUR (Digital) (PG13)
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE:
ROGUE NATION (Digital) (PG13)
MINIONS (Digital 2D) (PG)
VACATION (Digital) (R)
TRAINWRECK (Digital) (R)
(1:45 4:30)
9:55
7:05
(11:35 2:10 4:45) 7:25 10:05
(11:50 4:55) 7:30
(2:25)
9:55
(11:45 2:20 5:05)
8:00 10:30
(1:20 4:10)
(12:15 2:35 4:50)
(12:25 2:50 5:15)
(1:15 4:05)
7:00
7:10
7:40
6:50
9:50
9:25
10:00
9:35
10 Year Anniversary!
presented by
Performing July 31st
JUKE BOX
HEROES
Foreigner
Tribute Band
Lawn Seating — Bring blankets & chairs
www.polkio.com
Show begins at 7:30
This Week’s FREE MOVIE:
Showing July 30 • 9:30
UP!
(Animation, Adventure, Comedy)
NEXT WEEK Concert: DANCEHALL DAYS - 7:30 PM
Movie: THE HUNGER GAMES
Mockingjay Part 1 - 9:30 PM
Pencil
us in!
• VENDORS • BEER & WINE GARDEN
Riverview Amphitheater, Independence, OR
Visit our website: independenceamphitheater.com
www.polkio.com