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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 2015)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 25, 2015 4A LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Comments affect public safety I attended a Dallas City Council meeting (on Nov. 16), where there were over 150 citizens in attendance as well as reporters and video cameras. Typically, there are five or six in the audience. Most were there to listen and/or comment on the commo- tion created by the hateful and bigoted anti-Muslim generalizations that coun- cilor Micky Garus posted on his “Micky Garus Dallas City Councilman” Facebook page. I listened to com- ments from the audience and also the comments that eight of the nine councilors made regarding this issue. What surprised and worried me was that not one of those that spoke made any reference to the increased security risks our communi- ty now faces as news of Mr. Garus’ comments spreads around the globe. In this day and age of global communications, no community is isolated or in- sulated from the eyes of the world. One of the best at- tributes of living in Dallas is the relative safety and secu- rity from outside influences that we, until now, have taken for granted. All that may have been changed by Mr. Garus’ irresponsible comments and the contin- ued publicity that I’m sure he and his supporters are enjoying. Someone remind- ed me of the bull’s-eye that Mr. Garus featured on his yard signs when he ran for city council. Now, that bull’s-eye is on the City of Dallas. Great. Joe Koubek Dallas Dallas deserves to be ‘safe, livable’ As a resident of Dallas I embrace the mission state- ment of the city of Dallas “to maintain a safe, livable environment” for all its citi- zens and its vision “to foster an environment in which Dallas residents can take advantage of a vital, grow- ing and diversified commu- nity that provides a high quality of life.” How can we as parents and residents claim to have a “safe, livable environ- ment” when our elected of- ficials publicly threaten physical violence against a group of our most vulnera- ble children and school ad- ministrators who support the rights and safety of these children? How can we have a “vital, growing and diversified community” when our elected officials disparage adherents of minority faiths? Will the new face of our city be one of bigotry; one where children are not safe? How will this new image af- fect the just adopted City of Dallas 2015/2016 Economic Development Strategy? Who will want to stop or set up shop in a city that has elect- ed officials that at a mini- mum practice permissive bigotry or let threats of vio- lence against children go unchallenged? The response of the city of Dallas City Council to the public rants of one self-de- scribed bigot must not be passive or sanitizing. In- stead, the council needs to forcefully speak out against this type of behavior and adopt a policy of conduct for elected officials that clearly ties their personal behavior to the welfare of our city. Give the residents of Dal- las the community we want and deserve. A community that has a “safe, livable envi- ronment” and is “vital, growing and diversified.” Kelly Crawford Dallas Politics needs dose of common sense I’m curious to know if anyone else has asked the question, “How did France immediately know where the key ISIL targets were after the Paris attacks?” If this information was obviously available, why have these locations not been targeted before by the U.S.? What are we really doing in the Middle East to fight terrorism? I believe we should cher- ish the lives of the youth of this country above playing politics. Let’s get them out of harm’s way, tighten national security at all levels and de- fend our own borders. It can be done! God forbid logic and common sense ever confuse the realm of politics. Joetta Chrissakis Dallas Leave councilor Garus alone I am writing to support Micky Garus in what his Facebook page statement was. Yes, Islam is evil. Look at what the terrorists did in Paris, France, on Friday, Nov. 13. I know Micky is a good citizen of Dallas, grew up and attended schools here and has a wife and children in our community. He ran for city council to bring change to an other- wise stagnant community. We voted for him and now we must stand by him. He owns a business, teaches concealed weapons courses to members of our community, and holds sem- inars on emergency pre- paredness training for the public. The people from the Left that drove to our little town to rally against him should just go home and take care of their own business. Leave Micky and Dallas alone. Nelda Carroll-Allegar Dallas Pedestrian wonders why car hit her I was in the crosswalk going east on Washington Street across from Jefferson Street. I was in the middle of the street when he hit me. Why did he not see me? I was in a bright green coat. It was not raining just a light mist. He hit me on my right knee and I fell across his hood. It made me so mad he hit me. I just wanted to go home. So I walked home. My son was just leaving for work, he said you should have gone to the police. What would that do? Was he on his phone talking? Was he texting? What kept him from seeing me? I have always walked all over Dallas or rode my old bike. I do it for my health, but I could have been killed. Alice Down Dallas Garus not a racist Micky Garus said publicly what most decent people still think privately on two topics, and got beat up for it. His intolerant attackers were all from the “toler- ance” crowd. Go figure. And no, pointing out the violent and intolerant na- ture of Islam is not “racism.” Islam is not a race. Tim Gratsinger Monmouth Bias is everywhere Identifying bias can be a difficult task. It is all around us even if we choose not to look for it. Journalists and elected officials might claim that their decisions are not influenced by it but I don’t believe that is possible. Recently, we have seen our very own city coun- cilor’s bias. He has shown a personal concern for Mus- lims controlling our govern- ment. He has also displayed that he has bias towards the safety of his daughter. He worries that sexually de- viant boys or men will claim they identify as a woman to give them a free pass to go into the girl’s bathrooms and locker rooms. In the Nov. 18 issue of the Itemizer-Observer, there was a front-page story covering the first Dallas City Council meeting since Micky Garus made the news. The num- ber of supporters shadowed the number of opponents for Micky. Unfortunately, the article seemed slanted by the bias of the reporter. All three of the people who spoke before the council against Micky were quoted and only one of the larger number who supported him were quoted. Why should this be presented to readers in such a contrary manner? I realize that it is not po- litically correct what Micky said, but it did take political courage to voice his true feelings. Come next elec- tion, the voters will have a better idea of where he stands and if his views re- flect their own like they did at the council meeting. Imagine if we knew where all the other councilors stood on important issues so we could determine if they will represent us well. Isaac Maiden Dallas ‘Merry Christmas,’ not ‘Happy Holiday’ Well, it is quickly ap- proaching the end of 2015, and there are only two more holidays that I recognize be- tween now and Dec. 31. The first is Thanksgiving, where I give thanks to hav- ing survived another year of increasing regulations and intrusion on my personal privacy here on the fruited plain, and the other is Christmas, where I cele- brate the birth of Jesus Christ. Apparently, to celebrate a holiday, everything that I am supposed to say is gov- erned by what a govern- mental authority says is ap- propriate and, for the first time in my life, I do not be- lieve what any politician or government official says. I do not trust any of them to tell me the truth about any- thing so I really don’t care about the political correct- ness of how I address or cel- ebrate these occasions. Everything that we are told by the news media has some kind of a political slant to it, so virtually noth- ing is being reported accu- rately. And, we, the people, are supposed to somehow obey increasingly convolut- ed regulations that are passed by just a few of our elected representatives in secret meetings. We are only made aware of what has happened after the fact, and then it is too late to make any changes, regardless of the bias or deceit that was included in the legislation. So, when I answer the phone, callers will probably hear me say “Happy Thanksgiving” or “Merry Christmas” or a combina- tion of both. But I have no intention of wishing anyone a politically appropriate “Happy Holi- day.” Richard Evans Monmouth Name calling serves no purpose Those who choose to dis- agree with Micky Garus’s comments certainly have a right to do so, after all this is America. However those who at- tack him personally and call him racist and bigoted just are not telling the truth. Micky volunteers many evenings and weekends coaching youth sports. Encouraging kids to do their best, accept, support each other, come together as a team and be proud as they build character. This applies to all of the kids he coaches and teaches regardless of religion, color, nationality, or ability. This is definitely not big- oted or racist! He also volunteers as a city councilman, runs a business, employs people, pays taxes, supports local causes and charities. In short, a credit to the com- munity. As to the Muslim threat - just look at the millions of refugees fleeing repressive Muslim regimes in the Mid- dle East and Northern Africa causing absolute chaos in Europe. Does any- one not know that the “I” in ISIS stands for Islamic? Gene Henshaw Dallas More LETTERS, Page 6A EDITORIALS PUBLIC AGENDA Just for today, give Thanks for all we have 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, NOV. 25 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. TUESDAY, DEC. 1 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County 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. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0722. Tomorrow is Thanksgiv- ing Day, the national holiday to give thanks and heal the wounds of the nation. The first Thanksgiving is thought to be in November 1621, a year after the Pil- grims landed in the New World. After their first corn harvest proved successful, Gov. William Bradford or- ganized a celebratory feast and invited their Native American allies — who had taught them how to cultivate the land — to join them. The fourth Thursday of November became the offi- cial date of Thanksgiving in 1863, enacted by Abraham Lincoln after a 36-year cam- paign by Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and writer, author of the nursery rhyme, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Hale had published nu- merous editorials and sent many letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians to establish a national holiday of Thanksgiving. Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to move the holiday up a week in 1939 in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression, but it was met with opposition and moved back to the fourth Thursday of the month in 1941. In the Willamette Valley, we have a lot to be grateful for. We live in a great country and a beautiful valley, where pret- ty much anything will grow in our gardens and neighbors care for each other. It’s not perfect, of course. We have our struggles and hardships. But for one day, take a moment and be thankful for what we have rather than what we don’t. We have some giant hearts here in Polk County, and this year we’ve started a new series titled, “Commu- nity Champions,” where we get to highlight and honor those people who stand up and say “yes” to volunteer opportunities. We know there are many more who give with no thought of return, and hope to share their stories with you in the future. HOW TO REACH US Vol. 140, No. 47 (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 inancial 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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