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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2016)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 13, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS County vet services are long overdue The Polk County Budget Committee has approved $40,000 to hire a veterans service officer to exclusively focus on helping local veterans. The county has not had its own VSO, while the number of veterans has continued to grow. That will change in Jan- uary, should the budget be approved. Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs is backlogged, with vets waiting to hear back about claims, appeals, or even to see a doctor. The VSOs are often slow to respond to a veteran’s request, sometimes taking weeks to reply to an email. We hope by having a local representative, it will help ease some of those issues, bringing much-needed relief to those who have given their lives to protect and serve our country and way of life. A local representative means easier access for veterans. If he or she doesn’t respond, the vet can go to the office and meet him or her face to face. We are glad to hear the idea is supported by the board of commissioners and the ODVA leaders. Polk County Administrator Greg Hansen said the pro- gram won’t start until Jan. 1, 2017, in part because he isn’t sure where the office will be located or who will staff it at this point. We can think of a few places to get started, such as the Central Community Resource Center, where people al- ready go to get help with the Department of Human Serv- ices, the Salvation Army, and other public services. We hope Polk County veterans will make good use of a local VSO, and know that part of that will depend on who is hired for the job. He or she should have a positive attitude and be determined to help the veteran rather than push him or her aside and back in the never-ending VA line. The VA and ODVA aren’t perfect and need many more improvements than we can list here, but Polk County is taking a step toward helping local vets. That, we applaud. 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, APRiL 13 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 Coun- ty Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. Polk Soil and Water Conservation District board — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Dallas, Suite A 503-623-9680, ext. 5. ThuRSDAy, APRiL 14 Polk County fire District No. 1 Board — 6 p.m., Central Sta- tion 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 — 6 p.m., Falls City Community Cen- ter, 320 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787- 3631. MONDAy, APRiL 18 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, APRiL 19 independence historic Preservation Commission — 4 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. 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 office, 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 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 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR When will cities get rid of Minet? Regarding Emily Mentzer’s article on Minet debt, she just restated what all of us in Monmouth have known for years, Minet (Monmouth-Independence Networks) will never be able to repay debt, and, regard- less of how much they seem to pay on the principle, in- terest is still accumulating, and the total debt increases yearly. (Mark) Dunmire seemed to be a fan of creative ac- counting until I read further and note his statement “whatever Minet doesn’t pay, we will transfer from Power and Light.” $13,749,646. That is in American dollars, a debt just labeled “non-col- lectible” by the Monmouth City Council but payable by the residents of Monmouth through the Monmouth Power and Light utility de- partment. So sad. When are we going to rid ourselves of this millstone around our collective necks? Harold E. Pippin Monmouth RFL survivor night a wonderful event We would like to thank the Relay for Life committee and all their sponsors for the wonderful Survivors Dinner they hosted at Eola Hills Winery last Saturday night. It was such a relaxing evening with delicious food (catered by Washington Street) and wonderful enter- tainment. The company was great, too. We appreciate all the hard work that it took to plan for this dinner, which resulted in a lovely affair, full of gra- cious encouragement. Thanks, again. Hollis and Elaine Ferguson Dallas I-O special sections help area visitors Spring and summer are always good months for us to share our communities with friends and family from out of town or out of state. Everyone enjoys the local sights and events very much. We especially appreciate the bonus publications that are included in the Itemizer- Observer: the Business Di- rectory, Explore Polk Coun- ty, and the latest Medical Directory. Thank you for providing us — and our visitors — such good information that is welcomed and used over and over again. Patty Taylor Dutcher Monmouth Street repair will get more expensive Time is of the essence to support the Dallas street bond. “Band-Aid” or “stopgap” repairs are no longer street repair options. Based on criteria devel- oped by an outside third party, The National Engi- neers Organization, the city streets have a grade D on our infrastructure report card. Due to increased energy- related material and equip- ment costs, waiting any fur- ther is asking citizens to pay more later. We must reduce further deterioration of our streets and the increased taxpayer expense down the road. We cannot continue to delay critical street repairs. Please join with me and vote yes on the street bond. Rich Wolcott Dallas Wheeler friend of workers, business I’d like to publically ac- knowledge and support Polk County Commissioner Jen- nifer Wheeler in this year’s Polk County election. I worked with Commis- sioner Wheeler for several years as an elected repre- sentative for the Confeder- ated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Commissioner Wheeler works hard to partner with local governments, as well as local businesses, to as- sure that Polk County is thriving and a great place to raise families. Please vote for Jennifer Wheeler, as she is the best choice for the upcoming Polk County Commissioners election. 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 Toby McClary Former Tribal Council member Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde West Salem 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 newspa- per, 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 verification 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. Office: 147 SE Court St., 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 NEWSROOM Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com Vol. 141, No. 15 (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 $35 Other Oregon Counties — One Year $40 Outside of Oregon — One Year $45 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. Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@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
