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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 2016)
Polk County News 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 27, 2016 More settlements, trials with full DA staff By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — Measuring success in a district attorney’s of- fice isn’t as easy as documenting the performance of a sports team. It isn’t all about winning or los- ing at trial. In Polk County, the majority of cases don’t make it that far, and that, in itself, could be considered a “win,” said Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton. “Most cases settle, and there is a reason for that,” Felton said. “We file cases that are good, solid cases.” That is in part a credit to police agencies doing a professional job getting cases ready for prosecution before forwarding them to the DA’s office, Felton said. “Declines,” or cases refused or sent back to local police agencies for further investi- gation, have decreased by more than half since the 2013-14 fiscal year. “We are taking cases and work- ing them through disposition,” Fel- ton said. The other part of that equation is having what Felton considers a full staff. Nearly one year after voters ap- proved the public safety levy giving his office three more prosecutors and two additional support staff positions, Felton said his office is recovering. Felton had a full complement of prosecutors by July of 2015 and, with that in place, his office is on track to match or exceed the num- ber of trials and settlements in 2014-15, which was about 600. The office also was able to add a part-time victims’ assistance coor- dinator thanks to a grant. Felton took the opportunity of bringing on more employees to re- structure the office, creating a po- sition to handle the intake and dis- tribution of “discovery,” or evi- dence. That was part of a change Felton believes will make his office more efficient — and devoid of paper files. “Everything is going digital,” Fel- ton said. “We’re going paperless. The goal would be paperless by July 1.” He said the new system will make the obligation of turning over evidence to defense attorneys easi- er, and good for organization in general. “It’s a prudent investment in cost savings and efficiency that has made us work sharper and better,” he said. “In the long run, it will make us more efficient.” Case numbers for 2016-17 should grow significantly as the Polk County Sheriff’s Office fills its patrol and drug team vacancies, and as other local police agencies add officers. Felton said his office is preparing for that by assigning prosecutors to certain types of cases. He’s desig- nated attorneys to misdemeanors, domestic violence, sex abuse and child abuse. Most attorneys are carrying a lighter caseload. “Before the levy, our caseloads were much higher per attorney than other offices our size,” Felton said. “That was inefficient and wasn’t giving people the proper amount of time for each case.” The number of sex abuse cases, however, are a concern. Those are assigned to Chief Deputy Jayme Kimberly, and she’s balancing 140 sex abuse cases, in addition to child abuse cases and administra- tive duties in the office. Felton and Kimberly are looking for the best way to reduce her caseload. “She is one of our most experi- enced prosecutors and her case- load is extremely complex and sensitive, so what I’m also looking at is training,” Felton said. He said Polk County is unique in that it has a jail with a large capac- ity, a strong parole and probation department with the capability to supervise felony and misde- meanor offenders, and effective re- sources for drug treatment pro- grams for those who need them. “A lot of counties cannot put those three together because of re- sources,” he said, adding that with levy resources, his office is now in a position to use all of them. “I know my people are better in court as a result.” OBITUARIES Paul Thomas Mannen Jr. Aug. 22, 1933 – April 12, 2016 Paul Thomas Mannen Jr., 82, of Dallas, died April 12. He was born in San Diego to Paul Mannen Sr. and Bertha Klicka Mannen. He graduated from San Dieguito High in 1951, and spent a year at Pomona College. P a u l served in the Army for two y e a r s , spending part of that time in Korea. Upon his return, he enrolled at Oregon State College (OSU) where he ma- jored in pre-med and met his wife of nearly 60 years, Carol Blatchford, of Mil- waukie. They were married on Sept. 20, 1956. Paul graduated from OSC in 1958, and entered the University of Oregon Med- ical School in Portland. He then attended Portland State University to earn his teach- ing credentials. He taught in Boring and Sandy, and coached football and baseball. Paul returned to OSC on a full scholarship to earn his master’s degree. His career took him to Or- land, Calif., and Hilo, Hawaii, before he and his family moved back to Ore- gon. Upon his return to Ore- g o n , Pa u l t a u g h t a n d coached in Milwaukie, Rainier and Dallas. Retirement had allowed him to become involved in many volunteer efforts. He was recognized by the community of Dallas as the Good Samaritan and by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association as the outstand- ing athletic director for the state of Oregon. The Presbyterian Church became a very important part of his life, as well as the Delbert Hunter Arboretum. Sister Laurel Judith died before he did. Survivors include wife, Carol; children, Katherine Ann, Douglas Paul, Mary Eleanor, Laura Jean; 10 grandchildren; and extend- ed family. Memorial service is May 7 at 11 a.m. at the First Presby- terian Church in Dallas. Contributions are sug- gested to Dallas Education Foundation, Delbert Hunter Arboretum, or Dallas First Presbyterian Church in care of the Dallas Mortuary Trib- ute Center, which handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. David E. Hamm Arnold Dale Teal Dec. 10, 1920 – April 9, 2016 Feb. 13, 1951 – April 18, 2016 David E. Hamm, 95, of Dallas, died April 9 in Dallas. He was born in Chicago to Henry D. Hamm and Susan Fast Hamm. David graduated from Dallas High School and went on to graduate from the Bible Institute of Los An- geles (now BIOLA Universi- ty). He married Evelyn D. Russell in Corvallis on June 27, 1943. Together they were missionaries for 26 years in Chile. He was the founder and pastor for three years of the Keizer Community Church. David retired as a pastor with the Evangelical Free Church. He was a member of the Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas. He enjoyed wood- working and cooking, espe- cially waffles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn on Feb. 2, 2013. Survivors include his son, Leroy Hamm, of Carm- ichael, Calif.; two grandchil- dren; and four great-grand- children. Memorial service is May 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangel- ical Bible Church in Dallas. Private interment was at Dallas Cemetery. Contributions are sug- gested to the Gospel Mission of South America in care of the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Arnold Dale Teal, 65, of Falls City, died April 18. He loved spending time with his grandkids and fami- ly. His was preceded in death by his twin brother Ronald in 2014. Survivors include his wife, Jeraldine “Dennie” Horner Teal; son, Brian Youtz; sis- ters, Rob- bin Gaskill and Kim Griffith; four grand- children; and ex- tended family. Service has been held. Dallas Mo r t u a r y Tr i b u t e Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Bill Hale Sr. April 16, 1932 – April 17, 2016 Bill Hale Sr., 84, of Dallas, died April 17. He was born to Leslie and Olive (Cull) Hale in West- hope, N.D. He ser- ved in the U.S. Navy and had a long career in law enforcement. Bill served as chief of po- lice in many areas within Oregon. Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street • Dallas • Hearing Testing • Hearing Aids • Service Call today for your FREE Consultation Mark Sturtevant 503-623-0290 Personally involved and invested in the Dallas community Welcoming new patients. Most insurance health plans accepted. Also a Moda preferred provider. He enjoyed hunting, fish- ing, camping and tending to his garden. Survivors include his daughters, Jeanne, of Parker, S.D., Debbie, of Dallas, and Brenda, of Stayton; sons, Bil- lie Jr., of McMinnville, and Steve, of Salem; 12 grand- children; and nine great- grandchildren. Private Service will be held. Contributions are sug- gested to hospice. Kathleen Robertson Hoch Vacaville, Calif.; daughter, Alison (Tony) Thiessen, of Dallas; and two grandchil- dren. Husband, Andrew Hoch, died on Nov. 21, 2003. A celebration of Kath- leen’s life will be on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Private inter- ment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Bisbee. Memorials may be made to Bible Study Fellowship in care of Dallas Mortuary Trib- ute Center, who handled arrangements. To leave an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Sept. 18, 1931 – April 23, 2016 Kathleen Robertson Hoch, 84, of Dallas, died on Saturday. She was born in Bisbee, Ariz., to William and Kath- leen Steven. Kathleen graduated from Bis- b e e Hi g h School, at- tended Mills Col- lege in Oakland, Calif., for two years, and then enrolled at the Univer- sity of Arizona where she studied elementary educa- tion. She joined the Delta Gamma Sorority at the U of A. Kathleen taught fifth- and sixth-grade students in the Palo Alto School District. She married Andrew Hoch on Oct. 8, 1955, in Bisbee. They lived all over California. After Andrew died in 2003, Kathleen moved to Dallas. She enjoyed being closer to her family. She enjoyed gardening, shopping, boogie boarding, and movies. She was especially inter- ested in politics. She en- joyed traveling with her hus- band and loved the Califor- nia and Oregon coast high- ways. Kathleen attended the Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas. She was involved in Bible Study Fellowship. She is survived by son, Andrew (Barbara) Hoch, of LUCKIAMUTE DOMESTIC WATER COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING Robert Homer Ross March 18, 1920 – April 19, 2016 Robert Homer Ross, 96, of Monmouth, died April 19. He was born in Monett, Mo., to Otto and Alta Ross. Robert’s life will be cele- brated privately. Farnstrom Mortuary in Independence handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.FarnstromMortuary. com. Ronald Lee Anderson July 20, 1957 – April 18, 2016 Ronald Lee Anderson, 58, of Monmouth, died April 18 in Monmouth. Survivors include his son, Jason Weisensee, of Mon- mouth; daughter, Monesia Kern, of Grants Pass; and four grandchildren. Sterling James Trowbridge Dec. 29, 1952 – April 24, 2016 Service for Sterling James Trowbridge, 63, of Dallas, is Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Philip Catholic Church in Dallas. Howell, Edwards, Doerk- sen in Salem handled arrangements. To send an online tribute: www.hed- fh.com. Jeffrey Randall Holly Aug. 13, 1970 – April 15, 2016 Jeffrey Randall Holly, 45, of Monmouth, died April 15. A gathering will be held Satur- day at the Holly Farm. Monday 7:00 p.m. May 9th 503-838-2075 Location: Business Office 8585 Suver Rd. • Monmouth Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $550 Traditional Funeral $1,975 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes ~ www.ANewTradition.com
