Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 2, 2016 4A
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EDITORIALS
Voting deadline
looms Tuesday
We are ready for Nov. 9. We are experiencing voter ex-
haustion. Each day, we are bombarded with new informa-
tion about why this candidate is better, or why this candi-
date is worse. Why vote yes on this measure, or vote no on
that one.
We’re tired. We know you are, too.
But don’t mentally check yourself out of this election
until you’ve filled out that ballot and put it in the mail —
just one first-class stamp needed — or in a drop box.
Through all the talk of poll results, landslide victories,
electoral colleges and swing states, it can be tough to keep
believing your vote matters.
We’re here to tell you it does.
It may not carry as much weight nationally, but local-
ly — where elected leaders have more immediate impacts
on your daily life — it matters a lot.
Remember two years ago when Danny Jaffer lost to
County Commissioner Craig Pope by 11 votes?
More recently in May, the Falls City Schools facilities
bond lost by just 11 votes.
This election year, residents of each Polk County city will
have choices in who will represent them on the city coun-
cil, with unopposed offices the exception rather than the
rule.
Several measures this general election will have an im-
pact in our state, county and cities — will certain corpora-
tions face a new sales tax? Will schools be asked to spend
more money on high school students? What about paying
for outdoor school for each district? Should money from
the Oregon Lottery pay for veterans services?
These are just some statewide financial impacts of this
election. Locally, both Falls City and Central School Dis-
trict are asking for voter approval on facilities bonds.
City council candidates have different ideas on how to
spend taxpayer dollars, also.
Read up on what the candidates think on the Itemizer-
Observer website, polkio.com, and be sure to turn in your
ballot before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
When you wake up on Nov. 9, at least you can breathe a
sigh of relief knowing you made your voice heard.
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, 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., 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.
MondAy, nov. 7
• Central School district Board of directors — 6:30 p.m.,
Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Independ-
ence.
• Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Independ-
ence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• dallas City Council work session — 5:30 p.m., Dallas City
Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. The regular council
meeting will follow at 7.
tueSdAy, nov. 8
• Independence City Council — 7 p.m., Independence Civic
Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• dallas Planning Commission — 7 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.
• Independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m.,
Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Independ-
ence. 503-838-1212.
WedneSdAy, nov. 9
• Monmouth Library Advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth
Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Monmouth Parks and recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volun-
teer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., 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.
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 has what
it takes to lead
I have known Mark Gar-
ton for many years and I be-
lieve he has what it takes to
be elected as our Polk
County sheriff. He has
worked from the ground up
in the Polk County Sheriff’s
Office, earning his way to
his current position.
Mark has followed
through with promises
made during the levy cam-
paign (24-hour patrols and
POINT). Mark has also cre-
ated the Mobile Crisis team
to address mental illness in
our community, which is
needed.
Mark’s strong family val-
ues and sense of communi-
ty makes him the right per-
son to be our sheriff.
Judy Whitlow
Amity
Help feed the
hungry this holiday
Thanksgiving is fast ap-
proaching.
Last year the Dallas Food
Bank provided more than
100 Thanksgiving food
boxes for hungry families in
our community. This was
made possible with the help
of generous and caring indi-
viduals, churches, and busi-
nesses of Dallas.
These boxes allowed hun-
gry families to partake in a
traditional Thanksgiving
meal.
This year our goal is to
provide at least 100 families
with holiday boxes.
We are asking for dona-
tions of green beans, pack-
aged stuffing, cranberry
sauce, and store-bought
pies to fill the boxes.
Donations to help pur-
chase food items would also
be helpful.
Food items can be bought
to the food bank at 322
Main St., No. 180, Monday
through Friday from 8:30 to
11:30 a.m., or dropped off at
the Dallas library.
If you have any questions,
please call us at 503-623-
3578.
Thank you for your help.
Mona Ordonez
Dallas
Thompson finds
ways to help
I worked with Jim
Thompson over 30 years.
There are huge differences
between Jim and his oppo-
nent.
Jim seeks people to help
him develop projects and
ideas, plus accepts input
from any source.
His opponent sees his
role as blocking everything.
Jim spent considerable
time helping constituents.
His opponent doesn’t, so
constituents go to Sen. Bo-
quist, overloading his work-
day. Most members of the
Oregon Legislature appreci-
ate Jim’s wide range of ex-
pertise and seek out his
help.
His opponent has only
one answer, “No.” I know
Jim’s work. You should vote
Jim Thompson and get re-
sults for Oregon.
Jane Brown
Dallas
Thompson would
be asset to HD 23
I met Jim Thompson 10
years ago when I was the
guest speaker at a meeting. I
found him engaging and
well-informed.
We talked about many is-
sues and agreed on the
need for more civic educa-
tion, and for people to be-
come more active in their
communities.
I am glad that Jim is run-
ning for another term in the
Oregon House.
He is a dedicated public
servant, concerned about
the greater good, and a
tremendous asset for Polk
County.
I intend to vote for him
and encourage others to do
the same.
Ed Dover
Professor
Political Science
Western Oregon University
Jazz Fest success
thanks to partners
St. Thomas Episcopal
Church wishes to express
appreciation to the many
sponsors of the Jazz Festival.
$6,000 was raised and will
be equally distributed to
three local nonprofit organi-
zations: CASA of Polk Coun-
ty, Sable House and the Polk
Community Medical Clinic.
The Wells Fargo Founda-
tion donated $1,000 to help
us reach our goal.
Other community part-
ners who sponsored the
event were Home Comfort,
Citizens Bank, Capitol West
Valley, St. Urbans Cellars,
Brissenden and Reynolds
Attorneys at Law, the Itemiz-
er-Observer and KathKen
Vineyard who provided the
venue for the event.
We also thank the numer-
ous businesses who were
donors to our silent auction.
Thanks to all who attend-
ed making the Jazz Festival
successful.
Save Sept. 10, 2017, for
the next St. Thomas Jazz
Fest.
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
Janice Wolcott
Dallas
See LetterS, Page 6A
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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. 44
(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
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Polk County — One Year $35
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Outside of Oregon — One Year $45
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Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.