Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 11, 2016 4a
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Taylor keeps voters
informed on stance
Last week, I opened the
Oregon Family Council
Voter’s Guide to see that
Commissioner Jennifer
Wheeler declined to answer
their questions. The Oregon
Family Council polls candi-
dates on issues that matter
to many voters. Wheeler
does not fill out any of these
types of questionnaires.
This is unfortunate, because
many rely on these guides
to make informed voting
decisions.
Her opponent, Terrence
Taylor, has no difficulty let-
ting voters know where he
stands on issues that matter
to me. Perhaps it’s a good
year to turn out incumbents
and elect representatives
that are more up front with
constituents.
Jim Cross
Dallas
Jones is a winning
combo for District 23
With the upcoming elec-
tion and the issues on the
table, we are glad to know
that Beth Jones is a candi-
date we can get behind to
work for the people of Polk
County and Oregon as state
representative for District
23. Beth’s conservative
views, coupled with her
compassion for the people
of our community, give her
what we hope is a winning
combination. We have per-
sonally seen Beth’s work
and vision accomplish
much and inspire others to
move when they would oth-
erwise be complacent. Beth
is full of integrity. She is the
kind of person we need in
the House.
Dave and Amy Bertolini
Dallas
Have an old flag?
Call the Legion
Every day many families
and businesses throughout
Polk County fly American
flags, but what can you do
with a flag that is old, torn,
ripped, faded, and no
longer able to be flown? If
you think throwing them
out is the answer, please
consider the American Le-
gion Post 20 and American
Legion Auxiliary Unit 20. We
will take that old flag off
your hands and retire it
with honors. Every year the
American Legion here in
Dallas retires old flags that
we have gathered through-
out the year. It would be our
privilege to take your old
flag and help it into retire-
ment. For more information
or if you have a flag you
would like to be retired,
please contact the post: Joe
Lillibridge at 503-480-6274,
or Beth Lillibridge at 503-
480-6254.
Beth A. Lillibridge
Dallas
Jones has what it
takes to lead
Being retired has allowed
me an opportunity to get a
bit more involved in our
community. I’ve known
Beth Jones a few years; her
knowledge base and ability
to get things accomplished
is amazing. Her heart for
the people and her desire to
make life better for those in
company executive level
budgetary and planning ex-
perience, creative thinking,
and common sense. He will
be a voice for fiscal restraint
with public safety and road
maintenance his top propri-
eties. Additionally, he is op-
posed to the farming and
distribution of marijuana in
unincorporated county
areas which Jennifer Wheel-
er, in tandem with Craig
Pope, voted for.
A vote for Terrence is a
vote for family values and
responsible governance.
Rose Bajorins
Falls City
Thompson rational
choice for HD 23
need is not a campaign
“show.” I have been to the
debates. Beth Jones puts ac-
tions behind her words;
Nearman skirted around
many topics up for discus-
sion. Vote for the person
that will listen to and stand
up for us all. Beth Jones for
State Representative of
House District 23.
the event was unstaffed, she
stayed working long after
her time elapsed.
This is the norm for her,
not the exception. Jennifer
Wheeler shows up.
She deserves our vote on
Tuesday.
Linda Wilds-Vanecek
Dallas
Seniors deserve
better choices
Has streets money
been misused?
I’m so glad to see some-
one running to oppose
(Mike) Nearman. When I
tried to get legislation to
protect seniors from abuse
and exploitation, he was
weak, vacillating and use-
less. We deserve better.
In the recent weeks the
mayor of Portland has come
out and stated that the
money Portland has used to
fix it’s streets has been used
to fund other projects. This
is why they are asking for a
gas tax increase.
So my question is: Is the
city of Dallas in the same
position? Has the mayor
and city manager used the
funds for our streets to fund
other projects in the city of
Dallas? If the answer is yes,
then why do you feel it is
necessary to go to the resi-
dents and ask for a bond
measure?
David Christensen
Independence
Cyclist finds streets
in good condition
I am somewhat surprised
to see the support for the
street bond. As one who has
cycled over many of the
streets of Dallas, I wish to
share my impression of
their condition. If anything,
cyclists feel poor streets
even more than motorists
do. Apart from a few short
stretches, the streets in Dal-
las are, in my opinion, in
commendably good condi-
tion. In fact I have been sur-
prised that sometimes those
in better condition are “re-
paired” while some poorer
portions are neglected.
Rodney Stent
Dallas
Helping is the
norm for Wheeler
Over the years, I had
heard many positive things
about Jennifer Wheeler and
the work that she has done
for the people of Polk Coun-
ty. Until recently, I had not
met her in person.
The Mid-Valley Winter Ag
Fest took place in late Feb-
ruary. Jennifer found time in
her busy schedule to work
as a volunteer. When it be-
came clear Saturday that
Deb Thomas
Independence
Bert Copp
Monmouth
Longtime helper
retries from LMS
Much to my deep regret, I
need to end my volunteer
position (at LaCreole Mid-
dle School) after many
years. I have done office
work, graded tests, checked
out books to students,
wrapped new books and
mended those that needed
preserving for longer use,
and filed returned books to
the shelves.
I have spent most of
these years in the library. I
must thank my mentor,
Cheryl Scott, for showing
me the ropes. I thank Jim
Pauls, the librarian, for put-
ting up with my many ques-
tions and often interrupting
him at his busy jobs.
I also need to thank Cheri
Gallino for allowing me to
help her these past two
years, as much as she would
let me. She did most every-
thing herself and didn’t’
take a break, which frustrat-
ed me no end.
Many moons ago, in cold
weather, I had car trouble
and, in nothing flat, Candy
Smith, Alice Struckmeier
and Mike, the custodian,
had on their coats and
came to my rescue. I shall
never forget that; and of
course, when Mike put the
key in the ignition, the car
started and I was able to get
out of the way of other vehi-
cles coming and going.
Thanks also to the teach-
ers and aides in the special
education classroom. They
were so friendly to me.
In fact, all of the staff and
teachers I met are great.
I have enjoyed my time
there, and I will miss every-
one. I knew it was Monday
morning. Candy always an-
swered me when I asked be-
fore I signed in.
It has been my privilege
to enjoy my mornings, and I
encourage others to volun-
teer and help at school if
you ever get the chance. It’s
been an experience I’ll al-
ways cherish. I am hoping
to visit and perhaps bring
some goodies with me.
Myra Moore
Dallas
Jones would seek
answers for district
Vote for Beth Jones for
state representative, House
District 23.
I’ve not known Beth
Jones as long as many.
She has been and is very
active in our community
and district on many levels.
She’s a problem solver who
seeks answers for solutions.
Because of Beth, there is
a nonprofit called Bambinos
which assists many in our
community by supplying di-
apers, wipes and sometimes
formula or food in times of
need. They also help with
sports and activity scholar-
ships.
She is a caring, charis-
matic lady who isn’t afraid
of challenges and will do an
incredible job.
Deanna Rhoades
Dallas
Taylor has what it
takes for county
Too often in politics, it is
not what your abilities are,
but who you know. In con-
trast, Terrence Taylor, candi-
date for County Commis-
sioner Position 1, will bring
to the table Fortune 500
Voters of Oregon’s House
District 23 will have a real
choice to make in the pri-
mary. Jim Thompson, a
highly regarded (by both
parties), representative for
District 23, was “primaried”
by a group of right-wingers
who used the fact that few
voters turned out in the pri-
mary to effect his defeat.
Thompson is running as
an Independent Party can-
didate. The Democratic
Party has no candidate, so
these voters are voting for
Jim Thompson.
Simply write Jim Thomp-
son in on your ballot for
District 23 and mark the ad-
jacent bubble. A rational
choice when we really need
one.
Fred Brown
Dallas
Street bond is no-
brainer: vote yes
It is a no-brainer to fix
the streets.
Dallas is a great city, one
that prides itself on keeping
up with priorities. Streets
are, and have been, on the
high priority list for a long
time, and it is time to take it
off that list and do some-
thing about that, and the
time is now.
In the case of street re-
pairs, this major priority has
been put aside for way too
long. Now we have what we
have.
Streets are way below the
PCI levels. Do the right
thing. It is a no-brainer.
Simply vote yes.
lars are needed instead of
just being wanted. Annually,
the city receives $1.1 million
in gas tax revenue, 24 per-
cent is used for repair and
76 percent is spent on over-
head.
The city council subsi-
dizes many city services
with our general tax dollars
but has said no to roads.
The city estimates a cost of
$26,000 per mile to repair
roads or $1,430,000 annual-
ly.
Yet the city council has
only budgeted $270,000. We
need budget policies which
ensure money is available to
maintain our roads not a
new levy.
Jim Williams
Dallas
Jones will find
good solutions
Recently I attended the
Beth Jones/ Mike Nearman
debate. Jones knows the
23rd district, the issues that
challenge it, and is willing
to work on both sides of the
aisle to find solutions to
those problems. As a mod-
erate Republican, I appreci-
ated that Jones was willing
to look at the issues, reper-
cussions, and long-term ef-
fects before blindly support-
ing them. In a state house
that is dominated by De-
mocrats, I feel that Jones’
honest, forthright, and
agreeable nature will carry
our district much further
than Nearman’s close-mind-
ed attitude of stubbornly
sticking to his side of the
aisle.
Joyce Garland
Dallas
It’s time to repair
Dallas streets
City needs to
budget better
Dallas neighborhood
streets were constructed in
the 1940s and 1950s and
were not designed for the
traffic they now endure.
Thousands of vehicles are
now driving on our neigh-
borhood streets every day.
Imagine your 20-year roof
is now 27 years old and it
needs patching or replacing.
Our streets are the same
way and have outlived their
lives of 70 to 80 years. Our
streets need repairing or re-
placing too.
Please vote yes in support
of repairing our neighbor-
hood streets. Voting yes
shows your pride in making
Dallas a great place to live,
work, and raise a family.
I have yet to be con-
vinced that the new tax dol-
Ken Woods
Dallas
Murray Stewart
Dallas
WANT TO WRITE A LETTER?
Letters to the editor are lim-
ited to 300 words. Longer let-
ters 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 writ-
ers; dissenters 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, like all editorial ma-
terial submitted to the news-
paper, 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
residence are published; street
addresses and telephone
numbers are used for verifica-
tion purposes 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 organ-
izations 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:
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., Dal-
las.
HOW TO REACH US
nEWSROOM
Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com
Vol. 141, No. 19
(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
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
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
The Polk County Itemizer-Observer assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertise-
ments. It will, however, reprint without charge for the portion of an advertisement
Web: www.polkio.com
Phone: 503-623-2373
Fax: 503-623-2395
which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.