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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 26, 2015 4A EDITORIALS How to Contact Officials Come together for both towns The joint work session between the cities of Independ- ence and Monmouth councils is about four weeks away, and we are excited to see what they can accomplish by putting their heads together. It is great to see the city governments reaching across the S-curves and working toward common goals. The sister cities share more than just a border. In fact, they have many common goals, activities, and some areas where they could be better aligned when it comes to city ordinances. The agenda for this monumental meeting has not yet been announced, but we have heard the mayors and coun- cils are working on compiling things they’d like to have on the table when the two groups meet on Sept. 28 at Polk Fire District No. 1 Station 90. We have seen building more trails come up as a hot topic in both cities, and think this would be a great oppor- tunity to build a trail system unmatched by other towns. In fact, Independence and Monmouth could take advantage of twice the geographical area, twice the resources and twice the brainpower by building 25 miles of trails between the river, fields and campus of Western Oregon University. The councils could facilitate a joint trail committee filled with members of the public from both cities and from the university. If two heads are better than one, surely three are better than two. Students, staff and faculty at WOU could add valuable input into what makes a good trail system, and help host events to show off the two cities. The joint council work session is a great opportunity to make both towns even better and stronger than they al- ready are. We are happy to see the cities put down their score cards — Independence pays for the student-resource officer at the high school; Monmouth pays for the senior center — and build a better future for all. These city councils have a rare chance to make a histor- ical difference and change between the two cities, where once residents said they should “build a wall” between the two. Trails is just one thing we think they should discuss. What do you think should be on the agenda for this meet- ing? Send us a letter to the editor at ionews@polkio.com and let us know. 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 Beloved neighbor Episcopal Church cat pepper-sprayed welcomes LGBT I have lived in a manufac- tured home park for 11 years. If you have a cat, you have to have a leash and halter to let it outside. We have for six years done this — the only one in the park. My husband walks him on his leash all over the park the people love him. Sunday at about 5:30 a.m., we were up. He was tied outside, and we heard a big thump. Went to check on him, and he was not seeing and foaming at the mouth. We got him in the house he was sprayed with pepper spray. We don’t know who did it but we are not very happy. He didn’t deserve this and we didn’t either. He was tied up so how could he have done any- thing? Everyone loves this cat. Why are people so cruel to animals? He is like one of our kids. Sharon Martin Dallas St. Thomas Episcopal Church hosted a Believe Out Loud Provincial Workshop on Aug. 15, presented by Matt Hains (president of In- tegrity USA), Charlene Mc- Creight (Diocesan organiz- er) and Dennis Small J. Parker (chaplain for Integri- ty USA Portland chapter). “Believe Out Loud” is a trans-denominational brand and logo that are being adopted in different ways by LBGT-affirming movements within major Protestant de- nominations. “Integrity” is leading the way in the Epis- copal Church by establish- ing “Believe Out Loud” Epis- copal congregations as a designation for welcoming parishes in the Episcopal church. John Krenkle Dallas Eagle Scout makes difference at H2O A big “Thank You” to San- ford Bassett, son of Porter and Mary Bassett of Dallas, for a job well done. Sanford chose H2O as his community project while striving for an Eagle Scout achievement. From scratch he made his presentation to the board of directors of H2O, which in- cluded his desire to pretty us up with new paint. He calculated measurements, got estimates for paint and supplies from VanWells and enlisted his army of parents and friends to accomplish a huge undertaking. We at H2O believe he is well qualified for and sur- passed his community proj- ect requirement for Eagle Scout. We would like to take this opportunity to publical- ly thank Sanford, his family, and friends for all the grunt work that resulted in a pride-filled presentation of H2O. Our hats off to you, Sanford. You’re well on your way. Joetta Chrissakis H2O staff and board of directors, Dallas 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 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 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, AUG. 26 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk Coun- ty Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. THURSDAY, AUG. 27 • MINET Board of Directors — 7:30 a.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-837-0700. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk Coun- ty Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Dallas Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee — 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. War- ren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk Coun- ty Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters 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 businesses 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. The Itemizer-Observer does not guarantee the accuracy of facts presented by letter writers; dissenters are welcome to re- spond. Letter writers who dis- agree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters, like all editorial mate- rial submitted to the newspaper, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the au- thor’s name, address and tele- phone number. This includes letters submitted via the I-O’s website. Names and cities of res- idence are published; street ad- dresses and telephone numbers are used for verification pur- poses only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- tions, and must be original sub- missions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to busi- nesses, individuals and organi- zations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Let- ters submitted may not be re- tractable 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. 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. 34 (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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