Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, December 23, 2015, Image 4

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Polk County itemizer observer., December 23, 2015, Page 4A, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-observer • December 23, 2015 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ 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 (Also known as, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”) By Clement Clarke Moore ’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!” As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the housetop the coursers they flew With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too — And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And he filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” Source: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, 1983 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). — MONDAY, DEC. 28 • Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence Public library, 175 monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1811. TUESDAY, DEC. 29 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, 850 main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Mail not delivered due to lights? In the Christmas spirit (as we have the last two years), we decorated our house and yard with lights. We cau- tiously kept the walkway and porch clear both for the mailman and also for the children and parents who come to my home (I run a day care). The first week was fine the second week we stopped receiving mail and were concerned that it was being stolen. Since I do run a day care I watched as the mailman did not even ap- proach our home. Con- fused, I looked up tracking numbers to see my pack- ages had been marked as delivered. I called the post office. After two phone calls and two days later, our mailman’s supervisor came out and said our lights placed in the yard are a trip- ping hazard. I asked why he didn’t use the sidewalk (the professional thing to do). She said he didn’t have to and needed to save time. I was told she would call Monday after she could speak to the union repre- sentative (to protect the mailman’s rights). She has not called, so I now go to you, the public. Am I the only one not receiving mail? Do I have no rights to have Christmas lights? Jessica Sheldon Dallas Editor’s note: Sheldon’s mail now is being delivered again. YMCA auction huge success It’s no secret that in re- cent years, the Y has had its struggles. My job over the past year and a half has been to repair our reputa- tion, reinvigorate our pro- graming, and once again become an organization the community can trust and rely on to provide quality, values based, programing for children, adults, and families. On Dec. 11, the commu- nity came together and demonstrated they believe in the Y. Our 16th Annual YMCA Christmas Party and Auction was a massive suc- cess. For the first time our event sold out — 193 people packed the historic Green Villa Barn. We had two local bands, a delicious dinner (organized, cooked, and served by volunteers), a per- formance by the Y’s Inspira- tion Dance Company, over 170 silent auction items, a video highlighting Y partici- pants, and a very lively oral auction. In the past, if we reached a net of $9,000, we considered the evening a success. This year, because of the generosity and hard work of all those involved, we raised over $20,000! All the money raised stays in our community to allow those in need to attend our programs. Thank you to our corpo- rate sponsor, Pacific Power, whose sponsorship allows us to cover most of our op- erational costs for the event. Thank you to Green Villa for such a beautiful space and thank you to all the volun- teers, especially the Silber- nagel’s, for your time, talent, and effort. We received food donations from Ovenbird Bakery, the Grove Coffee House, Roth’s, Sysco, and the Bermudez Family Farm — all of which helped us to retain more of the money raised. There are so many more people to thank; everyone’s help is greatly appreciated and truly bene- fits many in our community. Thank you to those who helped and to those that at- tended our event — see you next year! Natascha Cronin Monmouth-Independence Family YMCA Branch Director Choose love over differences The main virtue of Chris- tianity is love, but love hasn’t been relevant enough lately. I’ve been a supporter of the people who have been targeted within Dallas because of who they are (specifically, Muslim and transgender communities). To say the least, people who have been targeted do not feel safe or welcomed be- cause words of hate inspire actions of hate. This is not a matter of political correct- ness, this is a matter of human beings under perse- cution. I was part of an ef- fort to put forth a welcom- ing community initiative to help make everyone in Dal- las feel safe and welcomed, but our effort was swept under the rug. Because of that, nothing has been done to protect those citizens, ex- cept the reminder of Title IX within the high school. Even if you don’t agree with how the people targeted live their lives, please help them feel welcomed and loved. If you’re able to set aside your differences and pursue love: thank you. This is usually the happiest time of each year, so let’s make that hap- pen. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Justen Noll Dallas Talk provided needed education St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Dallas provided a much-needed service to our community last Sunday by presenting a most enjoyable and educational talk by Dr. Allen Fromherz, “The Reli- gions of Abraham.”Based on his extensive research and study of the Middle East and Muslim culture, Dr. Fromherz clarified the facts about much of the misinfor- mation which currently cir- culates as knowledge of Islam. The standing-room- only crowd provided a dose of support to my belief that Dallas is not the bigoted and xenophobic community which one might think from recent local events. Thank you to the congre- gation of St. Thomas and the ad hoc task force for human rights in Polk Coun- ty, for sponsoring this event. I hope it is only the begin- ning of a much deeper con- versation on the issues which seem to divide us. 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 Dale Derouin Dallas Sixth extinction of life is inevitable During the last 500 million years, Earth has had five major extinctions and is now advanced far into the sixth and worst and possibly final extinction of all life on Earth, including ISIS and the U.S. Barack is moving to the right. Global warming is the great- est threat to life on Earth. President Barack Obama is right ISIS is the second great- est threat to life on Earth. Obama is right weapons of mass destruction and all guns are the third greatest threat to life on Earth. Albert Einstein once said that there are only two things that might be infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And, he confessed he wasn’t sure about the universe. I have spent over 80 years considering these issues and sincerely hope that I am wrong. Walden Joura 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. 51 (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. 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 DISPLAY ADVERTISING Heidi leppin .................Display advertising manager ....................................hleppin@polkio.com Rachel Best ....................Display advertising.............................................................rbest@polkio.com Karen Sanks...................Client Services ...................................................................ksanks@polkio.com CLASSIFIED LINE ADVERTISING Dawn ohren .....................................................................................................................ioads@polkio.com PRODUCTION Kathy Huggins ..............................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Karyn Pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Web: www.polkio.com Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395