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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2016)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 3, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Plan needs safety first The Dallas School District needs a plan to address issues facing the grandstands at Gallaspy Stadium — and to ad- dress the numerous issues facing all of the district’s facilities. There’s no question the home bleachers, originally built in the 1960s, brings a sense of pride and character to the high school. But things have changed since they were built. Codes have been updated. What was OK then, simply doesn’t cut it now. Not acting quickly and decisively could lead to difficult consequences. Woodburn knows this all too well, as its grandstands were closed during the entire 2015 football season to bring stairs, aisles and the entrance to the crow’s nest up to code — similar issues Dallas’ grandstands face. An inspection by a state fire marshal forced the issue for Woodburn. Bringing these aspects up to current codes would take time and money, but it is well spent if it prevents an injury or worse. The bleachers are part of a much larger issue. The dis- trict has $45 million of work needed to be done. It has $17 million from a voter-approved bond to ad- dress them. We are glad to hear the Citizen’s Oversight Committee is working on a plan to tackle these issues, but a revised plan, one that takes into account these pressing issues, needs to be completed quickly. Once that plan is in place, communication is key. School officials have differing opinions on things like the condi- tion of athletic facilities or how big of a risk a facility is in of getting red-tagged. This lack of communication leads to confusion. Officials are frustrated because concerns aren’t being brought to them. Others are likewise frustrated that their concerns seemingly aren’t being addressed. The result? A fractured school district instead of a united one. Clearly, the district has its hands full. Choosing what projects to prioritize over others is always difficult. Inaction is the one course the district cannot take. That can lead to inefficiency, lack of unity and potential- ly risky environments. 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). — MondAy, Aug. 8 • 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. • Central School district Board of directors — 6:30 p.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independ- ence. TuESdAy, Aug. 9 • Independence City Council — 7 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • 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, Aug. 10 • 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. • Polk Soil and Water Conservation district — 6 p.m., USDA Service Center, 580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas. 503-623-9680. 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 Ellendale traffic causes headaches Have you noticed the in- crease in traffic in Dallas? Especially on Ellendale. There is an increase in traf- fic accidents and slow downs on this narrow, two- lane road, most of which doesn’t have curbs or side- walks. Why you may ask. It is because of the huge resi- dential subdivisions that are being built, bringing in hun- dreds of new residents to our small town. For years the city knew and planned for this growth, but made no attempt to put in place the street infrastructure that is needed to accommodate such an influx of cars, trucks, and huge construc- tion vehicles into Dallas. The roads should have been put in and widened and up- graded with lights, curbs and gutters, etc., first. You don’t put the cart before the horse. This huge increase in traffic causes dangerous sit- uations. I see the city failing its residents with a lack of foresight in this. Ali Rion Dallas Duck Race helps vision, hearing Saturday, the last of the 2,000 ducks were gathered by 4:38 p.m., ending the eighth annual Dallas Lions Club Duck Race. This is a thank you to our wonderful community. The first 162 numbered ducks to cross the finish line have won prizes for the pur- chasers of corresponding Duck Tickets. Dallas spon- sors — what an amazing display of support and gen- erosity. Beyond all the fun and cheering, it is important for you to know this: each of you who bought a ticket, provided a prize, publicized the event or helped in sales are directly responsible for elementary school vision screening (nearly 1,200 chil- dren were screened last year), the gift of sight for someone who needed eye- glasses, the purchase of hearing aids for someone who struggled to hear, stu- dent scholarships, Bikes for Reading programs and much more. 100 percent of our pro- ceeds are committed back to our community. Special thanks to the Dallas Cham- ber for hosting Summerfest, Polk Itemizer-Observer for special coverage of the Duck Race and finally, the fabu- lous Boy Scout Troop 288 who set up channels, pur- sued and herded the water- fowl through perilous whirlpools and unpre- dictable undercurrents along that slippery creek, and gathered the weary ducks as they reached their final destination. What a fabulous community we live in. Thank you Dallas. Dallas Lions Club Susan Gartland Dallas Thank you from Dallas Fire & EMS Mahalo Dallas! On behalf of the men and women of Dallas Fire & EMS, we wanted to thank the Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce for selecting our organization to serve as the grand marshals for the 2016 Summerfest Parade. We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated volun- teers who leave their dinner table, miss their child’s ball game, or leave the theater on date night with their spouse when the pager goes off to answer an emergency call in Dallas and beyond. Dallas is a great community, and the continued support we receive from of our resi- dents, businesses, and elect- ed officials is never taken for granted and always ap- preciated. Sincere thanks to all who braved some warm temper- atures on Friday night to at- tend our annual hydro cart races. This was followed by our open house on Saturday morning, which was a huge success. We thank all who visited the fire station to see the equipment, meet our members, ask about volun- teer opportunities, and learn how to save a life through hands-only CPR. We would be remiss if we didn’t thank two local busi- nesses, Limeberry and Domino’s Pizza, who pro- vided coupons for those who learned hands-only CPR. We also would like to recognize Graphic Latitude for the amazing Dallas Fire & EMS “Hawaiian Luau” themed T-shirts that were a hit with all. Our doors are always open to community mem- bers interested in joining our team. If you are inter- ested in being a part of an exciting organization, please fill out an application. Train- ing and equipment is pro- vided free of charge, and while you won't receive a paycheck, you will have the satisfaction knowing you helped a neighbor in need. Renee Wilson Vice President Dallas Volunteer Firefighters Association Dallas Dallas residents: Pick up your trash Following the parade on Saturday I was dismayed to see all the trash left behind. The sidewalk and streets had so much trash left. Then we went down to the Ian Tawney park to see cigarette butts all over the place. The lack of pride was amazing. Do the people of Dallas have so little respect for our city that they can’t be bothered to help keep it clean? Lastly to the guy in the jacked up truck who couldn’t park it between the lines. It was not my problem that you couldn’t get out. I wasn’t impressed when you pounded on my window even though you were wear- ing a Dallas Fire & EMS hat. I would like to think you just happened to have that hat, that you aren’t actually one. You and you’re shiny Ford. If you can’t park it, don’t drive it. You clearly can’t. 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 Valerie Grice Dallas WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. 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; dis- senters are welcome to respond. For the complete Letters pol- icy, see www.polkio.com, opin- ion, letters. For questions: ionews@polkio.com or call Edi- tor Emily Mentzer, 503-623- 2373 ext. 117. 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. 31 (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 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 which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault. Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395