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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 2016)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 14, 2016 4A EDITORIALS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Test results don’t show true progress The results are in for the most recent round of Smarter Balanced assessments, and it’s a mixed bag. While some scores are higher, others are lower. But what’s in a score, anyway? As long as students can show they know the material through skills assessments, the results of the test do not af- fect their future. The real question is how many of these students will graduate and continue on to further their ed- ucation, traditionally at a college or university, or nontradi- tionally. Also, with parents able to opt out of having their chil- dren participate in Smarter Balanced tests, it seems like the scores are becoming less and less relevant. What is important is creating “lifelong learners.” That is one of those jargon phrases often used by education pro- fessionals, but it is filled with truth. If our youths graduate from high school, they can check that off their list of things to do. When they graduate with a sense of creativeness, curios- ity, a skill of critical thinking, engaged in the world around them, a desire to effect change in this nation — increasing- ly divided — and a sense of adventure, that’s when we’ll know we have succeeded in building a better generation than we were. And those are not things that can be scored with a test. 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, SEPT. 14 • 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. • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 • Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • 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, SEPT. 19 • Independence Tourism and Events Commission — 6:30 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Dallas Parks Advisory Board — 5:30 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. • Falls City School Board — 6:30 p.m., Falls City High School, 111 N. Main St., Falls City. 503-787-3521. • Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. Morett voice echoes freedom Liberty has found her voice with candidate Laura Morett. Our own voice in state pol- itics is carried by the repre- sentative we elect. With decades of piled-up regula- tion and tax burden, we need a voice which rings of free- dom: teachers free to teach, entrepreneurs free to create jobs, and citizens free to see the actions of its government. Well-meaning rules have inadvertently created ghost towns and political corrup- tion. Let’s abandon the dys- functional top-down ap- proach to positive change and unshackle those trying to make better lives for their families and a better Ore- gon. Let’s start by voting for Laura for HD20. Jason Haury West Salem Evans leadership proven for Polk Paul Evans deserves re- election. He is a proven leader who works hard for women, minorities, the en- vironment, students, and veterans. He has a record he can be proud of. Conversely, there really isn’t much known about his opponent. She has not ex- plained what she would do about problems facing Ore- gon. She goes on the radio and talks in vague generali- ties, like, “we need good schools.” Great. How will she accomplish this? Paul works to lower class sizes and compensate teachers in a fair manner. Paul has a record to stand on; his opponent does not. The choice is clear. blessed to have strong sup- port in Dallas. Wanda Davis Dallas Leonard Hlavinka Coordinator, Dallas Emergency Food Corp. Thank you, Trinity Lutheran Thompson right choice for dems The Dallas Food Bank would like to extend a spe- cial “thank you” to Trinity Lutheran Church for a high- ly successful “Fill the Pantry-Pay the Rent” fundraiser. Their fundraising committee, congregation, and youth group spearhead this annual fundraiser. The amount of time and energy put into this event makes it one of the largest fundraiser for the food bank. With such tremendous community support, the food bank will be able to fulfill our mission statement in reducing hunger in our community. The food bank is truly As a registered Democrat I will vote for Jim Thomp- son, Independent candi- date, House District 23. There are two candidates in this race. This election presents us with a clear choice. Jim in the House of Representa- tives would represent all constituents in our District not a narrow minority. He would work with all mem- bers of the House to help pass legislation good for Oregon. I have known Jim for years, and served with him on a local fine arts board. I support his decent values and interests. I urge all Democrats to vote for Jim Thompson, In- dependent candidate, House District 23. Tremaine Arkley Independence Why the wait on senior center The seniors of Polk Coun- ty have been working for over 12 years to have a sen- ior center built. We are cur- rently occupying a room at the rear of the city library. This is a room for which the library staff has plans for, but they are unable to uti- lize the space as long as the seniors occupy it. To make matters worse, the room is too small to serve as a use- ful senior center. We have worked with three city man- agers and several mayors, all of whom profess to be in favor of a new senior center. WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer let- ters 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- 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 writ- ers; dissenters are welcome to respond. Letter writers who disagree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters, like all editorial ma- terial submitted to the news- paper, 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 residence are published; street addresses and telephone numbers are used for verifica- tion purposes only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- tions, and must be original submissions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to busi- nesses, individuals and organ- izations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Letters submitted may not be retractable after this deadline. — Reach us at: 503-623-2373 ext. 117 A grant has been secured and the city has agreed to a site for a new center. Pre- liminary architectural draw- ings have been made and submitted. Must we wait another 12+ years? Surely the city planning commis- sion can approve the con- struction of the building. It meets all the zoning laws. Apparently the planning commissioners are unduly influenced by a small group of people who are against change. Let’s get off dead center and get a senior cen- ter built so the small room we are currently using can be returned to the library. Jerry Wennstrom Dallas Elect Thompson for State Rep One of the abilities I have admired about Jim Thomp- son is his knowledge and understanding of our health care system. He has dedi- cated his career researching better solutions for allergies; he has established a pre- scription monitoring pro- gram to slow down drug abuse and has worked to control ever increasing medical costs. Our health care system is more important than ever. We need a Legislator that understands how the sys- tem works and how we can make it better. That choice is Jim Thompson. Join me voting for Jim to put his experience and common sense solutions to work for us. Cheryl Williams Dallas HOW TO REACH US Vol. 141, No. 37 (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
