Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2016)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 23, 2016 3A Minet fixes throttling issue By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — Monmouth Independence Networks has fixed the problem it had with slow- ing services, said PJ Arm- strong, tech director. “We identified a module that is in our core router,” he said. “What it does is process the data stream twice, so when we hit a point where we’re doing five gigs of traffic every night, it’s required to do it twice.” That slowed down every- one’s access, or “throttled” services. Armstrong told the Minet board of directors Thursday that a different device was aggregated to the router and has opened the data services. “We’ll find out Sunday how close we’re getting to that 10 gigs, which is our effective limitation,” Arm- strong said. Also at the board meet- ing, Buzz Brazeau, chair of Minet’s finance committee, presented a request to in- crease reserves by more than 100 percent used for capital improvements to the company. The upgrades are part of the company’s strategic plan, which has not yet been presented to the board. “I’m on side with your identification of needs,” said Jon Carey, Minet board member and Monmouth city councilor. “We’re in- creasing both the reserve and the tech refresh over 100 percent each, at a time where Independence has got lots of money; Mon- mouth doesn’t. So that’s a pretty large jump instantly at a time where it’s chal- lenging on the cities’ end.” Brazeau said the large jump is because Minet as a company has not ad- dressed the lagging tech- nology throughout its 10- year history. If the budget is not approved to allow for upgrades, Minet would be closer to a “mega failure,” Brazeau said. “It could not only affect our current operating posi- tion and negatively affect the growth potential, but it would leave the cities to cover the entire debt,” Brazeau said. Board member and Inde- pendence City Manager David Clyne said that while he understood the need, he hesitated to buy into a plan he hadn’t seen. “I’m not disagreeing with the needs,” Clyne said. “At the end of the day, we respond to the same p e o p l e. W h e n we t a l k about our rates for water and sewer, they say, you have $500,000 (going to Minet) that’s included in my water bill, and now you’re looking to up it. We’re missing a piece of transparency here. The city councils have not had buy- off on this plan.” Board chair and Mon- mouth City Manager Scott McClure said he supported the plan. “We need to know these are not one-time invest- ments,” he said, noting that if any of Minet’s endeavors to expand business oppor- tunities succeeds, the com- pany could be making money quickly. The board approved in- creasing the budgets for Minet’s capital improve- ments. DEQ to test well water in Polk County POLK COUNTY — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will offer free well water testing in the Mid-Willamette Val- ley as part of a groundwater study. DEQ will test for nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, and pesticides as part of the statewide groundwater monitoring program. DEQ will test 60 to 100 wells and send well owners reports of results. DEQ will collect well water samples in February 2017 and over the summer. For more information, see the DEQ groundwater monitoring page. To be considered for the study: 503-693-5736. “I have not retired.” — Clara Nimmo, Owner 223 Birchwood Dr., Dallas Behind the bowling alley, 3rd house on right, white picket fence. Hours: 8-5 T/W/Th and 8-5:30 Fri • Alterations • Dress Making • Tailoring • Repairs NEWS IN BRIEF Dallas responds to gas leak DALLAS — A gas leak detected on Nov. 15 near Southeast Shet- terly and Academy streets in Dallas was repaired the same day. Dallas Fire & EMS responded to a report of a natural gas leak and found a 2-inch transmission gas line had been damaged by construction equipment. Natural gas was free flowing from the line. NW Natural also responded to temporarily fix the leak. NW Natural personnel was on scene for an extended period to re- pair the damaged line. This area is under development and no occupied residences were effected. Old Mill recognized nationally DALLAS — Old Mill Feed and Garden was one of six stores to be recognized for the Retail Display Building contest spon- sored by Purina. Purina retailers from across the country submitted photos of Flock-Tober festivities. Each store was provided a display build- ing kit. Stores were recognized based on creativity and background chicken knowledge. More than 1,200 entries were received. Fatal crash on Orchard Heights DALLAS — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal car crash on Nov. 16 at 11:33 p.m. The crash took place in the 5200 block of Orchard Heights Road Northwest. Upon ar- rival, deputies located the sole occupant of the vehicle — Jesse Robinson, of Salem, who was deceased inside the vehicle. Preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle, a 1990 Ford Ranger pickup, was headed west on Orchard Heights when it failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. Speed may have been a factor. Any person with information concerning the crash can con- tact Deputy Mike Stevenson, 503-623-9251. New book about local history available INDEPENDENCE — A new book detailing life on a century farm near Independence and Monmouth is now available. “Rogers Road” is written by Jo Rogers Veatch. Veatch is the daughter of former Polk County Representative Joe Rogers Jr. and the great-granddaughter of former Monmouth Mayor George Rogers. Joe Rogers Jr. owned and operated the Inde- pendence Creamery from 1937-42. The book is available for purchase at www.TheBookPatch. com. Veatch has pledged $1 of every book sold to the Independ- ence Heritage Museum. Illahe Vineyards to help food share DALLAS — Through Dec. 31, Illahe Vineyards will participate in the Willamette Cares Food Share to help Oregonians who struggle with hunger. Donations will go to Marion-Polk Food Share. Illahe is locat- ed at 3275 Ballard Road, Dallas. For more information about food drives: marionpolkfood- share.org. Friday & Saturday November 25 & 26 • 9 am - 5 pm FREE ADMISSION Food available on site. Donations gladly accepted. TWO BUILDINGS FULL, Over 100 Craft Spaces with a variety of handmade crafts. Polk County Fairgrounds 520 S. Pacific Hwy W., Rickreall • 503-623-3048 Downtown Dallas Merchants Holiday Turkey Winners! In addition to the 30 winners there were 27 TURKEYS donated to the Dallas Food Bank. Turkeys were purchased from Dallas Safeway where winners should pick up their turkey before Nov. 24th. Dallas Domino’s is OPEN! Please excuse our mess. 772 Main St, Dallas 503-623-8888 We apologize for any inconvenience. A-Team Locksmith.............................................Tom Howard Brixius Jewelers ................................................Sue DeVault Calmlee’s Bookstore...................................Kayla Robertson Capitol Auto Chevrolet........................................Jody Jones Country Insurance .......................................Gary Suderman Court Street Hair ...........................................Millie Cummins Dallas Antique Mall .............................Betty Swartzendruber Dallas City Cleaners .....................................Dennis Caswell Dallas City Vapor Parlor .........................Shayne Handsaker Dallas Yoga & Balance Studio.......................Erin Shumway Domino's Pizza.............................................Lois Kaltenbach First American Title ...........................................Shelly Hilker Grandma's Attic Sewing ........................Janet DiBartolomeo Heartstrings Florist ............................................Sharon Pike Home Comfort .........................................Nancy Cruckshank Jake's Garage ......................................................Tom Burton Just Stuff...........................................................Shelby Burns Old Mill Feed & Garden ..............................Elaine Lindegren Polk County Itemizer-Observer .......................Terri Getchell Pressed Coffee & Wine Bar .............................Ashley Taylor Shear Perfection .........................................Amanda Howard Some Things ...........................................................Lou Gray The Decorated Wall ...........................................Jean Rogers Tim’s Automotive Specialties............................Jim Dundon Tipp’s Copy Center............................................Teresa Helm Tony’s Place ..........................................................Tom Smith Ugo’s Pizza .............................................Darcie LaFountaine Van Well Building Supply......................................Bill Briggs West Valley Taphouse................................Miranda Johnson World Gym .......................................................Yturri Camara Dallas Food Bank................................27 turkeys ~ Bev Linn
