Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 26, 2016 4a
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thompson skilled
collaborator
A candidate such as Jim
Thompson for District 23.
Vote Jim Thompson, get re-
sults.
Let’s return Jim Thomp-
son to the Oregon Legisla-
ture.
I’ve had the opportunity
to work with Jim over the
years in his role as the chair
of the board for the Polk
County Fire District No. 1.
He was a driving force in
bringing four diverse agen-
cies together in the newly
consolidated district.
He is highly skilled in col-
laborating and bringing
people together, a skill set
that is sorely needed in the
House.
We need more people like
Jim to work across the aisle
to help solve the many chal-
lenges facing Oregon. Please
consider voting for Jim in
November.
Fred Brown
Dallas
Morett brings new
ideas, balance
I would encourage every-
one in House District 20 to
support Laura Morett. After
the last legislative session,
especially, we need some
balance and new ideas, and
Laura’s background and
pragmatism would make
her an asset in that body.
Please vote for Laura
Morett.
Dean Freeborn
Rickreall
Don Milligan
West Salem
Nearman protects
rights, freedoms
Wilson, Trahan for
Dallas City Council
Mike Nearman is honest
and reliable, outspoken
about protecting our rights
to self-defense, to choose
life, and to educational and
religious freedom. He is
willing to fight for average
folks to keep what they’ve
earned and not be bur-
dened by unreasonable
taxes and unaccountable
state spending. I don’t want
to be represented by some-
one that will “work together
to get things done,” if what
they get “done” is just plain
wrong. I trust Mike Near-
man to be fair, consistent
and honest. Vote for Mike
Nearman to be a voice of
reason for House District
23.
LaVonne Wilson and Paul
Trahan deserve your votes
for Dallas City Council.
LaVonne has served 32
years on council and con-
tinues to promote new
ideas and solutions.
She is an advocate for
local businesses and fiscally
conservative principles. I
had the honor of serving
with her on council, and
found her to be a thoughtful
and engaged community
leader. It’s important to
have a mix of fresh faces
and experienced members
on our nine-member coun-
cil.
Paul Trahan has much to
offer our city as Dallas expe-
riences major growth. We
need his expertise in land
use planning and develop-
ment. Please vote.
Garton has right
character to lead
Beth Jones
Dallas
Mark Garton represents
the character and experi-
Rachel Daberkow
Independence
ence we need in managing
the law enforcement efforts
in all of Polk County. Mark
began his career in police
work with Polk County Sher-
iff Office as a cadet when 17
years old. His active experi-
ence in all areas of the sher-
iff’s office, and my personal
knowledge, make him the
only choice for sheriff.
Since Mark was appoint-
ed to the sheriff position, he
has restored 24-hour pa-
trols, drug trafficking efforts,
and initiated mental health
programs.
All of Polk County, includ-
ing cities, is under the sher-
iff. Vote for effective law en-
forcement.
Wayne Simmons
West Salem
Measure will take
jobs from Oregon
A corporate employer
perspective on Measure 97:
Very recently, I was re-
quired to budget mandatory
health insurance, sick leave
and a huge minimum wage
increase, among the highest
in the nation. Now, Measure
97 will demand another
sizeable chunk of dwindling
profit.
My questions: Is Oregon a
welcome place for my cor-
poration?
Do I remain and continue
depleting the bottom line?
Or, do I look elsewhere for
lower payroll and less gov-
ernment drain on profit?
If I stay, added expenses
will reluctantly be passed to
consumers. If forced to
leave, thousands of jobs go
with me, and I need to pack
now.
Joetta Chrissakis
Dallas
Nearman dodges
issues for insults
It’s easy to see when a
politician is incapable of ar-
guing issues.
He turns to mockery, lies
and ridicule, hoping to
smear opponents.
Hence, the Republican
incumbent in House Dis-
trict 23. His efforts use such
childish comparisons as
“Flip Flops” and “Wolf in
sheep’s clothing.”
Where is the discussion
of issues impacting Orego-
nians? Where are the solu-
tions? He can’t argue those
because he has no solu-
tions.
How about a candidate
who seeks widely accept-
able solutions through com-
promise and negotiation?
A person respected by
both parties.
Spread cheer this
Christmas season
As we approach the holi-
day season, we’d like to en-
courage our friends and
neighbors to remember
families in our community
who need a little help mak-
ing Christmas special for
their children.
The Dallas Adopt-a-Fami-
ly program matches donors
with families needing help
to provide gifts for children
and a Christmas dinner for
the family.
Families needing help
can sign up Nov. 14 through
18, 4 to 6 p.m., and Satur-
day, Nov. 19, 2 to 4 p.m. at
the Academy Building. Indi-
viduals, families or busi-
nesses wishing to adopt a
family can email
melissa.baurer@usw.salva-
tionarmy.org or call 503-
507-6269 for more informa-
tion.
Kathy Spear
Dallas
Garton respected,
trained, ready
When I first met Mark
Garton, he was a young
cadet. He went on to be-
come a respected deputy
sheriff. Mark worked the
jail, patrol, and was a detec-
tive sergeant. He supervised
the Polk County Major
Crimes Team and the inter-
agency narcotics team.
In 2015, Mark became
Polk County Sheriff. Sheriff
Garton is well-respected by
his officers and staff. Mark
is well-trained, well-educat-
ed, and has the experience
necessary to be sheriff of
Polk County. Mark has
served his entire career with
the Polk County Sheriff’s Of-
fice.
Join me in voting for
Mark Garton for Polk Coun-
ty Sheriff.
Paul Box
Retired Polk County deputy
sheriff
West Salem
Re-elect honest,
ethical Evans
Re-elect Paul Evans for
HD 20. I have known Paul
since he was born. Paul has
always wanted to be in poli-
tics since he was young.
He was class president at
both Central and WOU. Paul
was a major in the service,
deployed many times, put-
ting his life on the line to
keep us safe.
Paul is an honest and
ethical man. He is exactly
what our great state needs.
Penny Linwood
Dallas
Thompson works
for wine, ag biz
I am writing this letter to
urge the voters of District 23
to support Jim Thompson
for State Representative.
In my 25 years in the Ore-
gon wine business in Polk
County, Jim has been the
most supportive and knowl-
edgeable candidate for the
Oregon wine industry and
all other agricultural busi-
nesses in Oregon.
District 23 is one of the
largest wine regions in Ore-
gon and needs Jim to fight
for increased tourism and
sane land-use laws for the
betterment of all Oregoni-
ans and our economy.
He has a proven record of
working tirelessly for Dis-
trict 23 and deserves your
vote.
Eric Rogers,
CFO (retired) Eola Hills Wine
Cellars
Dallas
More letters on Pages 6a
and 7a
Last call for all election-
related letters:
The Itemizer-Observer will
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WANT TO WRITE A LETTER?
PUBLIC AGENDA
Public agenda is a listing of upcoming
meetings for governmental and nongovern-
mental agencies in Polk County. To submit a
meeting, send it at least two weeks before
the actual meeting date to the Itemizer-Ob-
server via email (ionews@polkio.com).
—
WEDNESDay, OCT. 26
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, first floor confer-
ence room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173.
THURSDay, OCT. 27
• Monmouth-Independence Networks
Board of Directors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill edu-
cation Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independ-
ence. 503-837-0700.
TUESDay, NOV. 1
• Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volun-
teer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-
0725.
• Dallas Urban Renewal advisory Commit-
tee — 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, NOV. 2
• Monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m.,
Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth.
503-838-0725.
• Monmouth Planning Commission — 7
p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Mon-
mouth. 503-838-0725.
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, first floor confer-
ence room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173.
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Vol. 141, No. 43
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