Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 3, 2016 4A
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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
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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
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which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.
Phone: 503-623-2373
Fax: 503-623-2395