Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 6, 2016 4A
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EDITORIALS
It takes a village to
throw a great party
Another great Fourth of July celebration is in the history
books. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Monmouth
and Independence for the Western Days and Hometown
Stars and Stripes celebrations over the weekend, while
hundreds gathered in Dallas Monday night for music, food
and fireworks.
Saturday, a last-minute parade and potluck drew a
crowd in Falls City.
As we enjoyed — and covered — events around Polk
County, we noticed all the volunteer effort that went into
making a seamless event.
From the Community Art Show and Art in the Park in
Monmouth, to the Hometown Celebration in Independ-
ence, it is thanks to people putting in the hours year-round
to organize those events — from recruiting the vendors to
lining up the live music to planning and executing the py-
rotechnic displays — that make it possible.
Dallas and Falls City were not to be left out of the Inde-
pendence Day fun. Though Dallas’ organizers took a step
back from an all-day event, the evening was packed with a
good time for all.
Falls City nearly missed out on the weekend celebra-
tions, but thanks to community-minded business owners,
a successful and patriotic parade was followed by a potluck
where the mayor flipped hamburgers and cooked hotdogs
for all.
Another thing we noticed was the enormous support
from law enforcement throughout Polk County. Walking
through Independence Riverview Park were officers from
Dallas Police Department and deputies from the Polk
County Sheriff’s Office. Monmouth and Independence po-
lice officers worked in both towns as if there were no city
limit signs.
We appreciate living in a community that comes togeth-
er at all levels — from citizen volunteers to first responders
to law enforcement — during times of celebration.
Thank you all for another great weekend packed with
fun Fourth of July events.
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 email
(ionews@polkio.com).
—
WEdnEsdAy, July 6
• Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Volunteer Hall,
144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer
Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
MondAy, July 11
• Hops and Heritage Festival Commission — 6 p.m., Inde-
pendence Elks Lodge, 289 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-
1212.
• WIMPEG Board of directors — 7 p.m., 150 N. Knox St.,
Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• dallas school Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of-
fice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594
• southwest Polk Fire Protection district Board — 7:30
p.m., Rickreall Fire Station, 275 Main St., Rickreall. 503-831-3530.
TuEsdAy, July 12
• Independence City Council — 7 p.m., Independence Civic
Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Tree Advisory Board — 7 p.m., Monmouth
Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• dallas Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Dallas City Hall,
187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3565.
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas.
503-623-8173.
WEdnEsdAy, July 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
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
Plan to move
peafowl is afoot
Your June 1 article about
peacocks in Monmouth
brought up a good point:
large birds shouldn’t wander
onto highways.
These birds reside near
Gentle Woods Park but pop-
ulation growth in the last
couple years has encour-
aged them to look afield.
The local neighbors plan
to capture and move several
birds (including the adoles-
cents pictured in your arti-
cle) when the adult males
lose their tales and become
transportable, about the be-
ginning of July.
The remaining birds will
be less likely to roam onto
nearby properties and
roads.
These are beautiful birds
and often on display on the
neighborhood streets. They
also seem to realize they are
photogenic.
Just a warning though:
they are wild birds. They’re
not aggressive but they are
not chummy either. So
watch with care.
want to thank the very gen-
erous members of our com-
munity who have donated
to the Food Bank. In recent
months the food bank has
greatly benefited from food
drives and individual dona-
tions:
Western Oregon Universi-
ty Food Drive, the Postal
Workers Drive, the Mon-
Indy Green Bag project, the
Central School “Fill the Bus”
drive, local businesses,
clubs, churches, libraries
and so many individuals.
During the last two
months, more than 1,200
people have received food
through the Ella Curran
Food Bank; 450 of them are
children under 18.
Each day we see the im-
pact of your donations and
the appreciation that the
food bank customers ex-
press.
So once again, we would
like to say “Thank you” for
making such a difference.
Robin Puccetti
President, Ella Curran Board
of Directors
Independence
Noise caused by
soldier celebrations
Dan Farnworth
Monmouth
Ella Curran thanks
food-drive donors
On behalf of the Ella Cur-
ran Food Bank Board of Di-
rectors and volunteers, I
I recently received an
anonymous letter from a
neighbor. I hope you will
print my rebuttal.
Dear Anonymous:
It is said that the pen is
mightier than the sword. In
your case, your sword is as
mighty as a boiled noodle.
Next time save yourself a
lot of trouble and shorten
your essay to one simple
sentence: “Hey, it was kind
of loud last night.”
Some young men were
home on leave from the
military, and it was close to
the Fourth of July.
They decided to exercise
the rights they are defend-
ing with some target prac-
tice.
Even my mother joined
in, she is 85.
Mid-week, yes, perhaps
loud. However, I will not
apologize to mail with no
return address. I will wel-
come constructive com-
ments from neighbors.
We are a free people, and
I believe these rights should
be exercised.
Flex freedom’s muscles
for those who bought it.
Feel free to call the police.
They are welcome here, we
have nothing to hide.
We will remain a family
who adds character and
cares for our community.
And since you men-
tioned our old neighbor, we
miss him too.
He knew how to do
something you will never
know: Mind your own busi-
ness!
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 office: 707 13th St. SE,
Suite 285, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-589-4555
Email: via website,
www.wyden.senate.gov
James B. Reams
Independence
Visit our website, www.polkio.com
for local news, sports and community events.
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-
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The Itemizer-Observer does
not guarantee the accuracy of
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dissenters are welcome to re-
spond. Letter writers who dis-
agree with other published
letter writers should maintain a
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Letters, like all editorial mate-
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Letters must include the au-
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Letters must be submitted
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Letters of thanks to busi-
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The deadline for letters to the
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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
Vol. 141, No. 27
(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
nEWsRooM
Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com
Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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