Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 27, 2016 4A
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Time is needed to get
lead response right
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/
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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
Kudos to the Dallas School District for not panicking
when it comes to testing for lead in the water at its schools.
We think the strategy of waiting until school is in session
and following the recommendations of Environmental
Protection Agency for testing will provide better results for
the district and its students in the long run.
The rush to test is understandable, as the health and
safety of children and employees could be at stake. Howev-
er, doing so using incorrect processes — which may be the
case for other districts that have completed or are current-
ly testing — means at best they will have to retest. At worst,
they could provide false readings.
It’s clear from Dallas’ facilities manager’s recount of
Monday’s meeting with the Oregon Department of Educa-
tion, the Oregon Health Authority and other school district
representatives that many questions remain about how the
state should respond to the issue.
Requiring districts to have comprehensive plans in
place to mitigate risks by October, as was suggested at that
meeting, would make it difficult for schools to meet dead-
lines. More critical, the short timeline makes it less likely
those plans will be effective.
Questions of how often tests should be conducted, what
taps should be tested, how much lead is acceptable in
water and whether the state should help pay for obliga-
tions it places on districts need to be thoughtfully an-
swered. State and school leaders should take the time to do
that, for the benefit of all involved.
We are glad this important issue is being addressed —
and that the Dallas School District’s response was to take
the time to get the best outcome possible.
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
Welcome, Summerfest
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
Summerfest 2016 kicks off Thursday and we couldn’t be
more excited. Not only is it four days packed with serious
fun, but it’s the time of year when everyone comes out to
support the community.
It takes an army of volunteers — including soldiers from
the Oregon Army National Guard — to organize the festival
and then to pull it off as seamlessly as they do. So while
you are enjoy the celebration, remember to thank those
who made it possible.
Also, while thousands flock to the festivities, remember
to keep a close lookout for those on foot and bicycle, and
have patience with the traffic.
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
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 27
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
ThursdAy, July 28
• Monmouth-Independence networks (Minet) Board of
directors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750
S. Fifth St., Independence. 503-837-0700.
MOndAy, AuG. 1
• Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Independ-
ence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• dallas City Council work session — 5:30 p.m., Dallas City
Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502.
• dallas City Council — 7 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court
St., Dallas. 503-831-3502.
TuesdAy, AuG. 2
• Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S.
Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• dallas urban renewal Advisory Committee — 5:30 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, AuG. 3
• 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.
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
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-
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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-
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website. Names and cities of res-
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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
editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Let-
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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.
See something interesting happening in Polk County?
Call us at 503-623-2373. We check out your news tips!
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
Vol. 141, No. 30
(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
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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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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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