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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 10, 2016 4A
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EDITORIALS
What’s the emergency
The Oregon State Legislature is meeting for its short ses-
sion shenanigans, 35 days in even-numbered years.
From the looks of things, the State Capitol must be on
fire. Or flooding, because 62 of the 97 bills in the Senate are
being labeled with an emergency clause.
In the House, 299 bills will be voted on, all in 35 days; 64
of the first 99 bills are considered an emergency.
The bills vary widely, with no rhyme or reason to which
will be declared an emergency — effective upon passage —
and which are not. One emergency is how money will be
distributed from the new wine country special license
plates.
Calling a bill — or ordinance, at the city level — an
“emergency” is a way to push through an agenda without
question. Before Oregonians know it, the laws have
changed and there’s not much they can do about it.
By putting emergency clauses on a bill, senators and
representatives in Oregon remove the chance for those
bills to be referred to the ballot, thus effectively removing
the people’s veto power.
What’s worse, senators and representatives say they
have to pass these bills with emergency clauses to protect
Oregonians from themselves, threatening that a ballot
measure would have more drastic effects on Oregon’s
economy and business and ecosystem.
In the case of the minimum wage bill, which discrimi-
nates wages based on location — three tiers with three dif-
ferent minimum wages based on the county you live in —
is an emergency. Legislators say it’s better than the alterna-
tive ballot measure, which isn’t actually on the ballot yet,
but they say the tiered, gradual system will be better for
businesses than if voters approved a statewide higher wage
all at once.
But legislators seem to twist and interpret Oregonian’s
wishes on ballot measures anyway. For example, when
Oregonians OK’d letting the Legislature meet every year,
regular and short sessions in alternating years, they proba-
bly didn’t expect their lawmakers to try to stuff 398 laws
into 35 days — more than 11 laws per day.
These laws will affect public safety, the environment,
victim’s rights, minimum sentences for some crimes, gun
rights, business, economic development, and Oregonians’
pocketbooks.
They deserve more than an hour each in discussion, and
they deserve the chance to go to the voters. Legislators
need to stop declaring fake emergencies.
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, FEB. 10
• Independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m.,
Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Independ-
ence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Library Advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth
Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Monmouth Parks and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volun-
teer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, irst loor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
• Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Board meet-
ing — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Dallas. 503-
623-9680, ext. 5
THURSDAY, FEB. 11
• Polk County Fire District No. 1 Board — 6 p.m., Central
Station 90, 1800 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1510.
• Western Days Commission — 7 p.m., Independence Civic
Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• Falls City City Council — 7 p.m., Falls City Community Cen-
ter, 320 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787- 3631.
FRIDAY, FEB. 12
• Monmouth Tree Advisory Board — 7 p.m., Monmouth
Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
SATURDAY, FEB. 13
• Polk County Fair Board work session — 8 a.m., Polk Coun-
ty Fair & Event Center, 520 S. Paciic Highway (99W), Rickreall.
Breakfast at 7:30. 503-623-3048.
MONDAY, FEB. 15
• Independence Tourism and Events Commission — 6:30
p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence.
503-838-1212.
• Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court
St., Dallas. 503-831-3502.
TUESDAY, FEB. 16
• Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S.
Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Dallas Parks Advisory Board — 5:30 p.m., Dallas City Hall,
187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502.
• Falls City School Board — 6:30 p.m., Falls City High School,
111 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787-3521.
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC oice, 850 Main St., Dallas.
503-623-8173.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17
• Independence Traic Safety Commission — 6:30 p.m., In-
dependence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-
838-1212.
• Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer
Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, irst loor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
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
Failed thief: it
never pays to steal
To all it should concern: I
once tried to steal from this
very hard-working, honest
man. No guesses here, he
caught me.
What may seem strange
to most people these days is
that I find myself so fortu-
nate that he did.
Tough as it was, I was
granted the opportunity to
be reminded that I am not a
thief aside from the fact and
being even harder to ac-
complish, I was made
stronger in my God.
Given convictions and
was granted much grace
when my heartfelt apology
was accepted. Please learn
from this lesson. It never
pays to steal. If you really
need it then ask for it. You
never know you may be
blessed to receive.
Schrene Worley
Dallas
Dallas Hospital
chief says ‘goodbye’
Friday marked my last
day as chief administrative
officer at Salem Health West
Valley and clinics. With a
heavy heart, I have decided
to return to my native
Washington state so I can
spend daily quality time
with my family.
It’s been a pleasure and
joy to serve the hospital staff
this past year — plus getting
to know the wonderful peo-
ple who live and work in
Dallas and Polk County.
I immediately felt at
home in the beautiful and
simple life of Dallas, living
two blocks from the hospi-
tal. I treasure the friend-
ships, both professional and
personal, that I’ve made
here.
Thank you to all the com-
munity members and or-
ganizations who reached
out and made me feel at
home — including the Dal-
las Rotary, and the Dallas
and Monmouth-Indepen-
dence chambers of com-
merce.
2015 brought many
changes for Salem Health
West Valley.
We completed the affilia-
tion with OHSU. Soon after-
ward, West Valley Hospital’s
name changed to Salem
Health West Valley. In part-
nership with government
agencies, we opened the
Central Health and Wellness
Center in Independence.
The work continues at
Salem Health West Valley to
offer exceptional experi-
ences to patients each and
every day:
Hospital staff improved
patient pre-registration for
scheduled appointments
and decreased wait times.
The emergency depart-
ment vastly improved its
trauma care by shortening
the time it takes for patients
to get a CT scan.
Imaging services were ex-
panded for MRI, CT and ul-
trasound scans — plus
colonoscopies and physical
therapy related services.
The hospital now accepts
requests for medical records
for the Salem Health sys-
tem, so you don’t have to
drive to Salem to get them.
The future truly looks
bright for Salem Health West
Valley.
I wish you all the best in
the future. Thank you.
Jim Sapienza
Dallas
ties to come.
Over the past several
years I have asked various
members of Minet leader-
ship to consider proposals
including the following: re-
structure governance board
by including more citizen-
at-large and non-voting ad-
visory positions; focus in-
vestments in assisting small
business development; and
invite a comprehensive re-
view of internal practices,
policies, and procedures.
These recommendations
are intended to yield a
healthier, more representa-
tive and transparent organi-
zation better able to seize
new avenues for potential
revenues as well as en-
hanced capacities to facili-
tate economic growth and
sustainability.
I urge the leadership of
our community to make the
absolute best use of this
public treasure.
Changes needed
to use potential
Paul Evans
Monmouth
As a State Legislator, my
job is to facilitate a safe and
secure Oregon. Develop-
ment of economic growth in
our communities is a duty I
take seriously.
Our future depends upon
our ability to create, inno-
vate, and market the next
best ideas.
Therefore, I could not re-
main silent about a recent
decision made by the Mon-
mouth Independence Net-
work (Minet) board to
shelve a proposal to provide
free and/or low-cost WiFi
throughout its service areas.
This is an unfortunate de-
velopment. I urge a recon-
sideration of this policy
choice.
We originally built Minet
as a tool for economic de-
velopment: a magnet to
bring tech start-ups, provide
unique capacity opportuni-
ties for small businesses,
and empower innovators
willing to share ideas to a
global marketplace.
While our services to resi-
dential customers are best
known, the network was en-
gineered to support a robust
commercial portfolio.
Minet was intended as a
modern “farm to market”
portal to a global market-
place — it is time for us to
recalibrate the strategy and
structure of Minet for the
emergent potentials of the
21st century economy.
Other communities
throughout Oregon are rac-
ing to do what we have al-
ready done — it is critical
for us to optimize invest-
ments made for opportuni-
Be safe when
walking, biking
Only bike and walk at
dark or in the rain when ab-
solutely necessary. Use
crosswalks with lights or at
intersections. Don’t jaywalk.
Wear white clothing.
When walking, take a high
power torch which is easily
seen at night.
To pay for safety equip-
ment, let service organiza-
tions make this equipment
available at bargain prices
or the sheriff’s office with
their multi-million dollar
levy.
At key intersections —
government agency add
flashing yellow lights with
push button control. This is
especially important at
schools on state highways
and high traveled streets.
Equipment — wear lime-
yellow vest or wind breakers
with reflective stripes.
Bicycles — wear hard hat
with a bright torch and a
bright torch on handle bars.
Use flashing white/yellow
lights. Wear reflector stripes
at ankle and thigh area
(level of car lights). Put re-
flectors in spokes of wheels.
Bike only in bike lanes,
roads with wide shoulders
or in parks created for bicy-
cling.
Walk — take a high power
torch and hold it in hand
next to the traffic.
Use a torch not a flash-
light. Aim to be seen in ad-
verse conditions.
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
Kenneth Johnson
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. 141, No. 6
(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
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