Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 28, 2016 4A
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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-
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Election-related letters of all
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Writers are limited to one elec-
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Each writer is restricted to
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Letters, like all editorial mate-
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Letters must include the au-
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The deadline for letters to the
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—
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
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Dallas, OR, Independence, OR and Monmouth, OR.
Published weekly at 147 SE Court Street
Dallas, Oregon 97338
Phone: 503-623-2373
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which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.