Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 22, 2016 4A
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EDITORIALS
Be safe while you
enjoy summer
With summer officially here, it is time to remember to be
safe while you recreate and celebrate.
Climbing temperatures make rivers and streams look
enticing, but remember water may be colder than you ex-
pect, and hidden dangers such as logs may lurk just be-
neath the surface.
Always wear a life preserver when recreating on or near
the water. Even proficient swimmers sometimes struggle
with the cold and current.
Our law enforcement agencies are stepping up patrols
through the Fourth of July weekend, searching for those
driving under the influence of intoxicants. Nowadays, that
includes marijuana. While enjoying an alcoholic beverage
or recreational marijuana may be part of your summertime
celebrations, remember to plan ahead and designate a
driver — or find another way home. Don’t drink and drive.
Being behind the wheel and using your cellphone by
texting or talking can led to a serious accident in just sec-
onds. There are enough distractions on the road — don’t
add your cellphone to the list.
Pull over if you need to answer a call or text — or better
yet, give the phone a rest while you drive from point A to
point B.
It isn’t worth the ticket — and most of all, it isn’t worth
losing your life or killing someone else. Don’t forget to
buckle up, too.
With the long days and early mornings, many are out
and about walking, running and bicycling.
Though it’s not illegal to take a walk, run or ride in dark
clothing, consider a wearing reflective vest or other highly
visible gear, especially during the hours of dawn and dusk.
It really helps drivers see you.
PUBLIC AGENDA
Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for
governmental 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).
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WEDnESDAy, JunE 22
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
THuRSDAy, JunE 23
• Monmouth-Independence networks Board of Direc-
tors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S.
Fifth St., Independence. 503-837-0700.
• Rickreall Watershed Council — 2 p.m., Delbert Hunter
Arboretum House, Dallas City Park. 503-623-9680.
MOnDAy, JunE 27
• Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence
Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-
1212.
• Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District
office, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594
TuESDAy, JunE 28
• Independence City Council — 7:30 a.m., Independence
Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Senior Advisory Board — 1 p.m., Monmouth
Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas.
503-623-8173.
WEDnESDAy, JunE 29
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor 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
Dallas Fire, EMS
thanks supporters
On behalf of the men and
women of Dallas Fire &
EMS, we extend our thanks
to more than 500 residents
who joined us for breakfast
at the fire station on Father’s
Day.
The proceeds of this an-
nual event will help support
the Harpy Bovard Scholar-
ship, which recognizes a
longtime volunteer firefight-
er and provides assistance
to a Dallas High School sen-
ior attending college.
Our organization has
proudly served Dallas and
Southwestern Polk County
since 1878, and we appreci-
ate the support and contin-
ued assistance we receive
from our community.
We extend a special
thanks to our Dallas Star-
bucks Coffee and Dallas Boy
Scout Troop 288, who both
helped make our event a
success.
We look forward to see-
ing you all at the Freedom-
fest fireworks show being
held at dusk on July Fourth
as Dallas celebrates our na-
tion’s birthday and inde-
pendence.
Later in July, we invite
you all to stop by the fire
station during Summerfest
and meet your emergency
services team and ask about
becoming a member of our
great volunteer organiza-
tion.
Eriks Gabliks
President
Dallas Volunteer Firefighters
Association
Dallas
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
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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
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.
Visit our website, www.polkio.com
for local news, sports and community events.
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
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POLK COUNTY
Board of Commissioners
850 Main St.
Dallas, OR 97338
Phone: 503-623-8173
www.co.polk.or.us
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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. 25
(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
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POSTMASTER:
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Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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