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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 2016)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 6, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Welcome to 2016 Heading into 2016, here are some projects we’d like to see make some progress: We would like to see the Blue Garden open its doors and be welcomed by the residents of Dallas and visitors alike. We hope to see the Independence riverfront planned and developed thoughtfully. We had a number of new businesses and restaurants open in 2015 — we hope people support those businesses and they are able to keep their doors open through 2016. We would love a bakery in Dallas. We hope to see more collaboration between Monmouth and Western Oregon University. We are excited about the new leadership at WOU and look forward to seeing what the new board and president bring to campus in 2016. There’s a momentum in the air, one of vision and progress. We hope the residents of Polk County can keep that momentum going. With an election in November, we hope people can keep a civilized discussion about candidates and will watch with interest to see who steps up to serve in our local govern- ments as well as statewide. With lingering controversy hovering over Dallas from 2015, we hope for continued respectful conversation that leads to a resolution for all. Last year had its ups and downs, but let’s remember the high points and work to make 2016 packed full of even more great memories. One way to ensure your community and its wonderful events, from Summerfest to Hops and Heritage Festival to Music in the Park, go smoothly and are fun for all is to vol- unteer on the boards and committees responsible for mak- ing those events happen. Make getting involved part of your New Year’s resolu- tions. As for us, we’ll continue to try and provide the best local news for you, our readers. We love to hear from you, so feel free to write us a letter to the editor or drop us a note. 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, JAN. 6 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, irst loor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Dallas Residential Street Task Force — 4 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. MONDAY, JAN. 11 • WIMPEG Board of Directors — 7 p.m., 150 N. Knox St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Southwest Polk Fire Protection District Board — 7:30 p.m., Rickreall Fire Station, 275 Main St., Rickreall. 503-831-3530. • Hops and Heritage Festival Commission — 6 p.m., Inde- pendence Elks Lodge, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838- 1212. • Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of- ice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594. TUESDAY, JAN. 12 • Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC oice, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503- 623-8173. • Monmouth Tree Advisory Board — 7 p.m., Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Independence City Council — 7 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, irst loor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. • Monmouth Parks and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volun- teer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Monmouth Library Advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m., Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1212. • Dallas Residential Street Task Force — 4 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court Street, Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Board — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas. 503-623- 9680, ext. 5. 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 Bending to federal influence not right Try Monmouth’s Hadley’s Bakery It comes as no surprise that federal influence is felt in local government. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune. The simple threat of lost federal funding can buy a lot of compliance. This influence has most recently reared its head in the Dallas School District. The most disturbing as- pect of the latest episode is that our elected representa- tives and their administra- tors seem to be too easily disposed to yield to the fan- cies of federal bureaucracy. The Office of Civil Rights the Department of Educa- tion have filed amicus briefs in support of transgender youth. Yet, no court of law had ruled in their favor. Our school board fails to distinguish between an ami- cus brief and a judicial rul- ing. Superintendent Michelle Johnstone has referred to “the law” in her communi- cation. The fact is, there is no law that requires access to sin- gle-sex facilities based on perceived gender. It is concerning to me that our school board and their administration fail to comprehend, or at least concede, this very conse- quential distinction in the law. Surely, reasonable accom- modation of transgender youth and privacy for all is an achievable goal. However ill-informed def- erence to federal overlords is not acceptable at all, ever. Hadley’s Radio Bakery in Monmouth is my new go-to restaurant. There’s nowhere else like it for fresh, unique, traditional home cooking. My pastry was warm from the oven because Hadley bakes small batches throughout the day. And his special cold-brewed coffee is excellent. You may find a pot of bone broth soup simmering on the stove or a plate of fresh biscuits and gravy, and so much more. I’ve been there three times this week. Jim Cross Dallas Rene Grier Monmouth Disagreement isn’t persecution, hatred The author of the Dec. 23 letter to the editor “Choose love over differences” seems to imply that a difference of opinion means that you are unwelcoming and persecut- ing. He claims to be welcom- ing and making people feel safe, yet his rhetoric ramps up negative feelings toward those whose opinion differs. Disagreeing does not mean there is hatred or safety issues or that one side plays the victim. Progressives talk about coming to the table to com- promise, but they never mean it. What they really want is exactly their way. Referencing the transgen- der issue at the high school, a compromise here is the transgender having their own space. People went out of their way to accommodate the transgender’s choice of lifestyle, but that was not good enough. Instead the individual is insisting on foisting a choice of lifestyle on other students and their parents, grandparents, whose responsibility it is to protect the values of their children. All citizens deserve to have their rights respected equally and to be protected. The people who spoke out to protect their children would be the first to step up to protect the transgen- der. Too bad the transgen- der can’t respond in kind. How is it that hundreds of voices are unable to be heard over the voices of a few? I personally would not trust the author of the afore- mentioned (letter to the edi- tor) to protect and respect my safety and right to priva- cy because of his one-sided view. Terri Parsons Dallas Thanks for ‘warm, fuzzy’ donations We would like to send a huge thanks to all the gen- erous people who donated warm clothing, blankets, and other articles of warmth for our “Warm and Fuzzy” clothing drive 2015. What a difference these things made to those who needed them. We would also like to add a big, big thank you for the staff at Starlite Lanes, Dal- las, for acting as a drop-off point for us and their cheery attitude. It made a big difference. The articles collected sur- passed the 2014 totals. God bless. 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 oice: 707 13th St. SE, Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-589-4555 Email: via website, www.wyden.senate.gov Deb Darr Falls City 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 veriication 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. Oice: 147 SE Court St., Dallas. Sen. Jef Merkley (Dem.) 313 Hart SOB Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997 Salem oice: 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 oice: 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. 1 (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. 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
