Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 26, 2015 4A
EDITORIALS
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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?
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The deadline for letters to the
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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.
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
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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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