Polk County News
2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 7, 2016
Central seeks $26 M facilities bond
By Emily Mentzer
Local seats up for grabs
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — In
November, Central School
District will ask for a $26 mil-
lion bond to improve facili-
ties, from expanding class-
room space to adding gyms.
Should voters approve the
measure, it should not raise
property tax rates, Business
Manager Cec Koontz said.
That is because of some
refunding the district did
earlier this year, the property
tax rate that would be as-
sessed is currently estimated
to drop in 2016-17.
“If we pass this bond now,
and interest rates on bonds
remain low when we go to
sell them, and assessed
property values in the dis-
trict grow at an average rate
of 3 percent over the next 27
years, we estimate that the
rate would stay at this year’s
level long enough to pay off
the bond,” Koontz said.
The goals for the bond
stem from the long-range
plan completed in 2012, Su-
perintendent Buzz Brazeau
said. Projects include major
components of either de-
ferred maintenance or
maintenance issues in need
of correction.
“Originally, we were talk-
ing about some field space
over on 16th Street, some
work at Independence Ele-
mentary School, Monmouth
Elementary School and Tal-
madge Middle School,” he
said. “Halfway through the
process, we started looking
at enrollment numbers, par-
ticularly at the middle
school.”
A bond exploration com-
mittee comprised of citi-
zens, school board members
and district employees saw
that Talmadge is expecting
one of the largest sixth-
grade classes it’s had: 290
students.
“The 2012 plan called for a
potential addition of a pod at
Talmadge to finish some of
their needs,” Brazeau said.
After looking at other
needs in the district,
Brazeau said the committee
moved away from field
space altogether.
“They identified work
they felt we needed to do at
IES,” he said. “They felt we
needed to air condition it.”
While 100-degree days are
uncommon in Polk County,
they do happen, Brazeau said.
“When they are there, it’s
pretty intrusive,” he said.
Other work at IES in-
cludes replacing the modu-
lar buildings, which are old
$8, 9am - 10am
Sept. 17th Pre-Sale
Admission: Adults $5
10am - 4pm
Kids 10 yrs & under Free
Food Available Polk County Fairgrounds
on site 520 Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall
Arleta Day 503-581-1206
Sally Bradfrod 503-399-7679
Hwy 22
Rickreall
Salem
★ Polk Co
Fairgrounds
I-5
Sales Table
Reservation
$35 per table
99W
Dolls, Bears, Books, Toys, Miniatures
& Related Items, Doll Stringing
No Appraisals
RV Space Available
Candidates have finished collecting signatures and have
accepted — or will soon — their nominations for local of-
fices.
In Dallas, Mayor Brian Dalton will run for re-election. The
following will run for five seats on city council: LaVonne Wil-
son (for re-election), Kelly Gabliks (for re-election), Paul Tra-
han, Marsha Heeter, Ken Woods (for re-election), Jennie
Rummell and Terry Crawford.
In Falls City, Mayor Terry Ungricht will run for re-election.
The following will run for three seats on city council: Shane
Curry, Charlie Flynn, Cliff Lauder, Jim Partridge, and Dennis
Sickles (for re-election).
In Independence, Mayor John McArdle will run for re-
election. Richard King will run for council position 3, now
held by Forrest Peck; Kenneth Day, Michael Hicks and
George Neujahr will compete for council position 5, held by
Jerry Hoffman; and Kathy Martin-Willis will run for council
position 6, held by Nancy Lodge.
In Monmouth, Councilor Steve Milligan will run for
mayor. The following will run for four available council
seats: Stephen Deptula, David Graham, George Jeffery,
Mark Lane, Laurel Sharmer, Byron Shinkle, Darin Silbernagel
(for re-election), Thomas Steinke and Steven Sundseth.
Jesse Schafer and John Oberst did not file for re-election.
The Itemizer-Observer will have more on the November
general election, including more about local candidates, in
future issues.
and in need of replacement,
Brazeau said.
“And, of course, we have
the requirement ahead of us
that I know the Legislature is
talking about and aren’t
going to address until Febru-
ary, and that’s the increase in
physical education in K-8
grade,” he said.
The expected increase in
PE requirements combined
with the communities’
needs for more athletic facil-
ities gave the bond explo-
ration committee members
the idea that gymnasiums
should be included in the
bond, Brazeau said.
“We need to make adjust-
ments in cafeteria spaces for
lunch, and gymnasium
spaces for physical educa-
tion,” he said.
Right now, elementary
schools make use of gyms
for lunch time, and many
gyms are old without regula-
tion stats — cushioned
floors and short baskets.
Originally, the bond ex-
ploration committee recom-
mended the school board go
forward requesting the bond
when the district would re-
ceive a $4 million matching
grant from the state.
“ We d i d n’t g e t t h e
money,” Brazeau said.
A Pleasant Place to Buy or Sell Your RV
CALL TODAY FOR A NO-CHARgE EvALuATiON.
OPEN WEEK!
A
Y
A
7 D S 9-6 • Sat 9-5
i
Mon-Fr un 10-4
S
Rick 503-437-5398
Ruben 503-915-2080
4075 NE Three Mile Lane, McMinnville, OR
www.macrvsales.com Next to the Spruce Goose Aviation Museum macrvsales@gmail.com
Even without the grant —
which the district could still
receive if Central voters pass
the bond and other districts
are not successful in their
bond bids — the committee
thought the timing was right
to go for the money.
In addition to the district’s
needs at the elementary
schools and middle school,
the bond, if passed, should
have no effect on property
tax bills, Brazeau said.
“We can’t guarantee any-
thing, but the estimate that is
in the current financial envi-
ronment is that we would not
be increasing the (tax) assess-
ment for anyone,” he said. “It
would go longer; but the as-
sessment wouldn’t go up.”
Falls City
The Falls City School Dis-
trict trying again to pass a
bond to build a new multi-
purpose gym and cafeteria
at Falls City Elementary
School in November.
The district is seeking a $2
million bond at the cost of
$1.30 per $1,000 of assessed
value on property taxes over
the next 20 years.
If the bond is passed, the
state will provide another $2
million for construction
through the Oregon School
Capital Improvement Match-
ing Program, which the Ore-
gon Legislature approved
during the 2015 session.
The Legislature appropri-
ated $126.2 million for
grants during the 2015-17
biennium for school dis-
tricts that pass school facili-
ty construction bonds. For
November’s election, six
school districts were guaran-
teed grants if they could
pass bonds. Falls City School
District was third on the pri-
ority list.
The grant comes at no ad-
dition cost on property taxes
in Falls City.
The bond failed by 11
votes in May’s primary.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Four arrested in Dallas meth bust
DALLAS — Two men and two women were arrested on
Thursday after a month-long investigation by the Polk County
Inter-Agency Narcotics Team.
John Molina, 46, of Dallas, was arrested and charged with
two counts of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, one
count of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, three
counts of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and one
count of unlawful delivery (possession with intent to deliver) of
methamphetamine with substantial quantity.
Michael Gravelle, 46, of Dallas was arrested and charged
with three counts of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine
and one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Brooke Williamson, 19, of Dallas, was arrested and charged
with one count of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine.
Vicki Pastre, 41, of Dallas, was arrested and charged with one
count of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine.
Since the beginning of August, several investigations were
tied to these persons, who were part of an informal organiza-
tion that distributed meth throughout the Dallas area, accord-
ing to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Orchestra accepts new members
MONMOUTH — The Willamette Valley New Horizons Or-
chestra welcomes new players as it begins its third year. This
year, the orchestra rehearses on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. at the Monmouth Senior Center.
There are no auditions or try-outs. The orchestra welcomes
beginning-to-intermediate musicians, as well as more experi-
enced musicians. At this time, the flute section is full. Flute
players may be placed on a waiting list, or try a different instru-
ment.
The orchestra gives two or three public performances. A $25
monthly fee covers the orchestra’s expanses, such as purchas-
ing music.
For more information: Paul Doellinger, 503-838-4884.
‘Marketplace’ sold back to city
INDEPENDENCE — Friday, Family Treasures Marketplace,
owned by Jewels Cresser, was sold in a sheriff’s auction. The
property, 240 Monmouth St., was sold back to the city for
$415,000 as a credit bid. Cresser will have a period of time to
make redemption on the building.
“Our plans are to change the locks and secure the building
at the soonest opportunity, provide for the return of personal
property to the rightful owners and market the property pur-
suant to council directive,” City Manager David Clyne said.
Dallas DHS building complete
DALLAS — The Oregon Department of Human Services
Multi-Service Center is complete.
The 33,000-square-foot building will house a number of re-
sources, including an after-hours child welfare facility featuring
an outdoor playground.
The building was completed by White Oak Construction in
conjunction with Lenity Architecture.
To read more about the building, see polkio.com, “New DHS
offices going up in North Dallas.”
Hill to read from book examining race
DALLAS — The Dallas Public Library will host an author visit
by former Oregon State treasurer Jim Hill.
Hill will read from his new book, “The New ‘N’ Word: The
White Middle Class,” at the library at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15.
In 1992, Hill became the first person of color to be elected to
a statewide office in Oregon. He served two terms as state
treasurer. Prior to that, he served as an assistant attorney gen-
eral at the Oregon Department of Justice, an Oregon state rep-
resentative and an Oregon state senator.
After the recession of 2008, Hill noticed a change in the sta-
tus of the white middle class in America. His premise is that dis-
crimination isn’t always race based; it is also about power and
money.
He will be signing copies of his book after he speaks.
Free trees to new Arbor Day members
POLK COUNTY — The Arbor Day Foundation is hosting a
membership drive. All who join the foundation in September
will receive 10 free trees as part of the foundation’s Trees for
America program.
Trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting
between Oct. 15 and Dec. 10.
For more information: arborday.org/September.
Thompson to host town hall on Monday
DALLAS — House District 23 Jim Thompson candidate will
host a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday at Pressed Cof-
fee & Wine Bar, 788 Main St., in Dallas.
All are welcome to meet Thompson and talk about issues
important to them.
Furniture Upholstery
All types: for homes, offices, equip-
ment. Also, repairs, RV cushions,
slipcovers, High Quality since 1966
Stephen
Everyone is aware of the catastrophic
effects on Europe, Africa and Asia produced
by the World Wars…But how did the
World Wars impact Polk County? What
was the war like here at the “Home Front”?
This is a part of Polk County history that
is little known today, forgotten as the
population has aged.
PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE
MEMBERSHIP
Support Your Local Ambulance
How did we deal with the local effects of
the war: rationing, labor shortage, black-
outs, fear of invasion, the disruptions caused
by the establishment of Camp Adair, the
concerns for loved ones who were in the
Services and the new pressures on women
who had to deal with life in the absence of
their men gone into the war effort?
How did Polk County change?
These are the topics that we wish to
examine. A joint effort of the Itemizer-
Observer and the Polk County History
Museum is soliciting input from anyone
who wishes to participate. Are you old
enough to remember those times (at least
WWII), do you have old letters, newspapers,
photos, family history or diaries? We are
open to almost anything that could give us
an idea of “…how it was…” back then.
I welcome your contributions…I can be
contacted at: davidm3123@aol.com.
Winters Sewing
DALLAS FIREMED
Open Enrollment September - October 31st
$65 per household
within city limits
$75 per household
outside city limits
24 hours a day, year-around Emergency
Medical Service Membership
DIAL
For enrollment assistance call:
9 1 1
CITY OF DALLAS
503-831-3508
FOR MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES
Offered to the communities of Dallas,
Falls City, Rickreall, and surrounding areas
Enroll and pay online www.ci.dallas.or.us
503-838-4999 or 503-375-9266
Emmy
Joseph
440 E. St • Independence, OR 97351
www.winterssewing.com
Serving Polk County 16yrs