Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, September 28, 2016, Image 4

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Polk County itemizer observer., September 28, 2016, Page 4A, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 28, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Forum shows how debates should run A Thursday forum on Measure 97, hosted by the Mon- mouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce at the Mon- mouth Public Library, may not have swayed anyone in the audience one way or another, but it set a fine example of how a debate should be run. Otto Schell with the Oregon PTA spoke in favor of Meas- ure 97, and Alison Hart with the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce spoke against the measure. It wasn’t so much what they said, but how they said it. The two were passionate about their beliefs, politely dis- credited each other’s reports, and at one point admitted, “This is our job. To disagree without being disagreeable.” Each encouraged audience members to dig deeper into studies and reports to find answers. For every study that shows Measure 97 — a corporate sales tax — would be good, another shows it would be bad. And then Hart and Schell found common ground. They agreed: Oregon students deserve better. They disagreed on how that should be paid for — polite- ly, respectfully, and patiently. Ultimately it is up to voters to do the research, uncover reliable sources of information, decode studies and re- ports, and make the choice that most closely reflects what they think is the best for Oregon and our nation. In the meantime, as we jump head first into the next four weeks — peak season for forums and political debates — all candidates could take notes from Schell and Hart. The two could not disagree more, and yet found com- mon ground. We all want what is best for our nation — bet- ter schools, less poverty and homelessness, open and hon- est government, food, shelter, clothing, world peace. Political arguments shouldn’t be about the end game — we’re all heading that way already — it’s about which road will we take to get there, and who will be driving. PUBLIC AGENDA Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for governmental 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. 28 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. MONDAY, OCT. 3 • Central School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Inde- pendence. • Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Inde- pendence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503- 838-1212. • Dallas City Council work session/meeting — 5:30 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. Dallas council follows at 7. TUESDAY, OCT. 4 • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Dallas Urban Renewal Advisory Committee — 5:30 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, OCT. 5 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. 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 Garton goes beyond call of duty Jim Cross Dallas Gabliks devoted to serving Dallas I am writing to encourage voters to vote for Sheriff Mark Garton in the upcom- ing election. I have had the privilege to serve as mayor of Falls City and the oppor- tunity to work with Mark. In the short time he has been sheriff he has: instituted 24- hour patrols; assigned a deputy to cover Polk County schools; started a mental health patrol unit to help people in crisis; and worked with citizens to institute Neighborhood Watch pro- grams. He always is accessi- ble to citizens and goes be- yond the call of duty to try and resolve issues. Vote Gar- ton for Polk County Sheriff. Vote Paul Evans this November Having known Kelly Gab- liks for many years through our mutual participation in exercise classes at the Dallas gym, I've always looked for- ward to her upbeat, positive attitude and admired her dedication to a live a healthy lifestyle. Later, I be- came aware of Kelly's strong interest in making Dallas a community that strives to enhance the well-being of all its citizens. I can't think of a more de- voted and deserving citizen to entrust with a position on the Dallas City Council. Join with me in securing a position for Kelly Gabliks as a member of the Dallas City Council. Terry Ungricht Falls City Nearman is good for Polk County Mike Nearman's inde- pendent opponent prides himself on his ability to co- operate with Democrats. But does the majority party seek such cooperation? Not at all — it’s their way or no way. What has one-party rule gotten us? Abuse of the emergency clause to short- circuit voters' referendum power, a PERS crisis that Democrats are unwilling to address, and a business- killing tax initiative despite tax collections at historical highs. We don't need a repre- sentative who seeks to col- laborate with the pirates, thieves and tyrants in Salem. We need a represen- tative who is a restraining influence against the pro- gressive march. We need Mike Nearman. Thank you, Itemizer, for writing an informative arti- cle featuring the two HD 20 candidates, Laura Morett and Paul Evans. While the article presents the attrib- utes of each candidate in a fair and balanced way, it is apparent that Paul Evans is the more qualified candi- date. Morett says she wants to do something — to put on her boots and fix things, but her plan consists of passing a bill to ban bill passage. How will tying our hands behind our backs, help our economy, small businesses and our schools? Morett is not ready to gov- ern. Evans is the right choice. Bill Harrod Dallas Vote yes Central on facilities bond Micki Varney West Salem Paul Evans should be re-elected I enjoyed the article in the I-O that contrasted HD 20 candidates, Laura Morett and Paul Evans. It is clear from the article that Paul is more qualified. Laura doesn’t seem to understand how government or the leg- islature work. She says the first thing she would do is pass a bill to stop the pas- sage of bills. I guess she doesn’t understand that’s how laws get passed. She also wants to eliminate fam- ily leave and family wage jobs. She is a terrible choice for office. Paul Evans has the knowledge and experi- ence to work for us. He de- serves re-election. This fall, Central School District residents have the opportunity to invest in our children and community. Our elementary and middle schools are in need of up- grades to not only increase safety, but provide excep- tional learning environments that promote learning. CHS is an excellent exam- ple of the type of facility our community can provide for our children when we come together to support them. Local non-profits, organiza- tions and community mem- bers also benefit from your support. Also, the timing could not be better, as there will be no expected tax increases. Please join me in sup- porting our community. Bill Hayden West Salem Odi Campos 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 WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters 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 writers; dissenters are welcome to re- spond. Letter writers who dis- agree with other published letter 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, not copies of letters sent to other media. 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. 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 NEWSROOM Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com Vol. 141, No. 39 (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 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 Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395 which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.