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Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 17, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WOU should spend money in classes I’m a professor at Western Oregon University. For many years I have been very proud of our school. I was recently hopeful for Western when I learned about the new state funding model and when I learned that we would gain our independ- ence from OUS and hire a new president and new board of trustees. Now, however, when it comes time for that new president and board to pro- vide faculty raises in salary, the least well-paid faculty in the state of Oregon, that new president instead digs in his heels and refuses to budge in negotiations with the faculty union. He would rather spend the school’s money, our money, on new administra- tive positions and new “ad- ministrative projects,” rather than pay its faculty. At a time when students are graduating with thou- sands of dollars in debt, they should be outraged at the way this administration is spending their money. And their parents should be outraged. And the taxpay- ers of this state ought to be outraged, too. Somebody needs to tell Western’s new president (and its new board of trustees) to spend that money on teachers’ salaries and classroom instruction, where it belongs. Ryan Hickerson Woodburn Issues at Central are not a crisis According to social media, there is a “crisis” at Central High School. As chairman of the Central School District Board of Di- rectors, and having exten- sive insight and knowledge of the situation, let me as- sure you there is no crisis. Our students remain fo- cused on their studies; our athletes continue to com- pete well at the 5A level; our student leadership opportu- nities through POWER Peers, ASBEC and FFA are growing; and our perform- ing arts have never been better, as exemplified by the recent performances of “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead.” However, there is an in- creasing frustration and di- lished for this profession. Ron Smith Independence Bird cannons cause disruptions vision between the adminis- tration and the licensed teaching staff at the high school — so much so that a “vote of no confidence” was taken regarding the princi- pal. The board carefully in- vestigated this situation by reviewing teacher com- plaints, listening to staff representatives, and analyz- ing the facts — unanimous- ly concluding the issues brought forward do not warrant the dramatic re- moval of an employee. We agree the environment and communication processes at the high school are not acceptable and need to be improved, which will re- quire a commitment by all parties involved. Therefore, we are sup- porting a plan designed by our superintendent to im- prove the situation. For more information on our district’s improvement objectives, to read the board’s response to the “vote of no confidence,” or to contact a board member, visit our website at www.central.k12.or.us. Steve Love CSD13J Board Chair Monmouth Thanks for making Connect a success On behalf of the Polk Community Connect Plan- ning Committee, we would like to thank the many agencies, organizations, businesses, volunteers and community members who supported the fifth annual Polk Community Connect event. More than 300 women, men and children were served at the event with dental care, health screen- ings, clothing giveaway, pet care, bike repair, haircuts, and meals served all day. More than 30 resource or- ganizations were present with information for guests. We are grateful to Valley Life Center Church for again serving as the host site facil- ity. Thank you to the Dallas Ministerial Association and local churches for their do- nations and support. The Salvation Army provided a great breakfast and James2 Community Kitchen served a wonderful lunch to the guests. We would also like to thank the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Mid-Willamette Valley Com- munity Action Agency for their support, as well as Cherriots Salem Keizer Transit for providing free bus rides to and from the event. Jacks World Pet Grooming and Supplies coordinated and provided the pet care. The Northwest HUB was available to assist guests with bike repairs and tune ups. Thank you to everyone who assisted with the plan- ning or served in a volun- teer role the day of the event. We are grateful for the generosity of the com- munities of Polk County. Michelle Bornfleth Polk County Family and Community Outreach, Service Integration; Heather Wright – Living Hope City Church; Herm Boes – Salem Leadership Foundation Recreational pot new ‘drug market’ Open Letter to the Inde- pendence city councilors: There are a growing number of local citizens who are concerned about the prolif- eration of Independence’s new “drug market” in our community. Specific ordinances must already be in place which do not allow these cartels to set up shop in the proximity of schools, churches, day care centers and public parks. So; what are they? How many feet, yards, blocks or miles must separate these dispensaries from a public playground or park? What is the minimum allowable dis- tance from a library, a school, the YMCA, the dog park or even the air park? Notice the absence of an objection to these money- making operations. Personally, I am all for it. As well as your right to tax the heck out of the industry. Just keep this process in the shadows away from our children. Unlike the propa- gation of liquor within the city limits; there are those of us who equate the pot store existence to more inline of that of a porno shop. I don’t care who goes there. How- ever, keep it away from my grandchild. Perhaps your staff can submit an article to this publication and educate the rest of the citizenry as to the boundaries you have estab- My husband and I live at the city limits of Dallas, fac- ing Ellendale Road West, for 26 years. For the past six years plus, we have been tolerating the bird cannons firing off across the way. As the crow flies, over one mile. Our back porch, which faces Ellendale, is now un- usable due to the constant booming. There are no trees or structures between us and the cannons that would disrupt the percussion; we’re on a hill. I understand the farmer’s dilemma to protect his crop. What to use: Poison? Can- nons? Glitter flags? Netting? Some farmers are placing elevated platforms to en- courage raptor nesting and habitation. Others are using falconers to combat the birds. I don’t have the an- swer, and for that, I’m sorry. I suffer from PTSD (post- traumatic stress disorder) and the booms torment me. My husband is mostly deaf; the booming doesn’t bother him. Well, just move, you say. We can’t. My husband is gravely ill and facing surger- ies. We literally don’t have the funds or health to move — we’re stuck. I also know that I’m not the only one suffering from PTSD. We have many veter- ans in the area that are also suffering. When the cannons were mainly used in Sep- tember and October, it was somewhat tolerable. This year, they began in January. According to the Oregon agriculture guidelines, the cannons may operate 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. So far this year I have been startled awake at least 15 times between 10:30 p.m. and midnight by the win- dow rattling, percussions triggering my dogs to bark as if there is an intruder. I can sit in my living room in the evening after dark with the windows closed and hear the con- stant booms. Please, can someone come up with a solution? 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 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 Tina Smith Dallas WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Election-related letters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one election-re- lated letter per election season. Election letters from writers outside of Polk County are not ac- cepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. The Itemizer-Observer does not guarantee the accuracy of facts presented by letter writers; dis- senters are welcome to respond. Letter writers who disagree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters must include the author’s name, address and telephone number. This includes letters sub- mitted via the I-O’s website. Names and cities of residence are published; street addresses and tele- phone numbers are used for veriication purposes only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organizations, and must be original submissions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to businesses, individuals and organizations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Letters submitted may not be retractable after this deadline. Reach us at: Email: ionews@polkio.com. 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.7 (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. 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