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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2016)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 17, 2016 4a How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Independence is playing the odds It’s a gamble. The city of Independence is prepared to spend another $3.5 million on Independence Landing — the former Val- ley Concrete site — to build roads, water and sewer sys- tems, as well as streetscape — which is what makes the sidewalks downtown look attractive. The city has already spent roughly $1.2 million on the property — $800,000 purchasing the riverfront acreage in November 2014, and about half a million getting it what cities call “shovel-ready,” leveling the land, demolishing ex- isting structures, anything that needs to get done so the developer doesn’t have to. All said and done, should the total $3.5 million be spent on the infrastructure project, the city will be into this prop- erty for roughly $4.7 million. City leaders say it will be money well spent when a hotel is completed as well as retail and housing units on the riverfront. True, the desired project will enhance the down- town area and add a lot of foot traffic, benefiting all who do business and live in downtown Independence. The city says it is still in talks with Tokola Properties for developing some of Independence Landing, and that building the roads and infrastructure will help in those ne- gotiations. Leaders expect to recoup the invested millions through tax revenues generated once the building is completed. But with no agreements officially signed, it’s an educat- ed guess at best — at worst, it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. The city has done due diligence in exploring hotel devel- opment, but so far no one has put their money where their mouths are, except for the city itself. That’s a lot of taxpayer dollars to be spending on a gam- ble. We hope it pays off for Independence. PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for govern- mental and nongovernmental agencies in Polk County. To sub- mit a meeting, send it at least two weeks before the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Observer via email (ionews@polkio.com). — Wednesday, aug. 17 • 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. Thursday, aug. 18 • Independence Parks and recreation Board — 6 p.m., In- dependence Civic Center, third floor, 555 S. Main St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1212. • Polk County Fair Board — 8 a.m., Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Main Building, Meeting Room No. 2, 520 S. Pa- cific Highway (99W), Rickreall. 503-623-3048. Monday, aug. 22 • 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 of- fice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594. Tuesday, aug. 23 • 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. • Mid-Valley Behavioral Care network — 3 p.m., MVBCN of- fice, 2965 Ryan Drive SE, Salem. 503-585-4935. 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 City should find innovative funding The Dallas Aquatic Center is used by all ages and bene- fits the entire community. The city should consider in- novative ways to improve funding including: Buy-in charges paid by new property owners — similar to water and sewer facilities where new resi- dents buy into the improve- ments that were initially built and paid for by exist- ing property owners. Special assessment dis- trict for new property own- ers — an assessment district to capture newly developed properties which would be assessed a portion of the pro-rata cost of operations of the aquatics center. Redevelopment agency revenues — tax increment or other revenues whereby the amount of property tax revenue available from properties within a certain area are frozen as of the cre- ation of the district. Rev- enues from within the dis- trict that are attributable to an increase in assessed value are allocated to the aquatic center and could be used to retire bonds. Joint financing — the school district could partner with the city to pay a pro- portional amount of the op- erations costs based on their usage of the facility. This could include reim- bursement for the initial cost of construction. Community foundation — a 501(c)(3) foundation that can collect tax-de- ductible donations used for operation of the aquatics center. Volunteers could spear- head programs to obtain additional revenues. George Irving Dallas Lions work to help all see, hear well To all the citizens and business owners of our community: As we start an- other year in the Lions working toward our centen- nial in 2017, we would like to say thank you for your support and let you know a little of what we accom- plished this past year. Central School District students in kindergarten through sixth grade — and the Mid-Valley Christian Academy — had their eyes tested. Those needing glass- es were assisted by the KEX Kids Fund, Central Lions Club and the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Founda- tion. In addition, we had the mobile health screening unit in the community sev- eral times and screened more than 40 adults, and were able to assist several in need of glasses and even some hearing aids. For the first time, we gave two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors at Cen- tral High School in memory of Lion Carol Cable. And on New Year’s Day, we provided free breakfast at the Mon- mouth Senior Center. These and many other things were accomplished with your support. Again, thank you. If you or someone you know would like more infor- mation, or to join Lions, call 503-838-2240. Steve Moser Central Lions Club membership chair Independence 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 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. 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 that are promotions for a business, products or serv- ices 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 let- ter 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. 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. 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. 33 (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