Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, December 07, 2016, Image 4

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Polk County itemizer observer., December 07, 2016, Page 4A, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Voices Polk county itemizer-observer • December 7, 2016 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Community comes out for MI YMCA Friday marks the 17th annual Monmouth-Indepen- dence YMCA Christmas Party and Auction. For the first time, the dinner and auction event is sold out. Each year for the last three years, since Natascha Cronin took over as executive director, proceeds from the auction have increased from $4,000 in 2013 to more than $20,000 last year. Although Cronin has since taken on a larger responsibil- ity with the Y, working with both Marion and Polk counties, her heart continues to lie in the Monmouth and Independ- ence communities. She was visibly touched by the re- sponse she has received by the community — seen by the sheer increase in participation and in donations. The community has rallied together for the Y, and, by so doing, each other. The Y offers a variety of programs, from youth sports to adult fitness, the Independence Pool and Nite Court, after- school programs, summer and winter camps. Money raised at the annual auction ensures that all who want to can participate, regardless of ability to pay, and that’s what the Y is about. Cronin and her wonderful crew at the Y have made the community a priority. We’re glad to see the community has returned the favor. Even though the event is sold out, there are many ways you can help the Y: Either through time or money — or both. It’s a great place to volunteer. With so many programs, the opportunities to help are endless. Also, the Y will always be happy to take donations to help pay for scholarships for youths. Just $25 helps provide services to a young person in our communities. During the Christmas season, people are often moved to donate financially or get involved as a volunteer. Don’t for- get our local YMCA when you pull out your checkbook or fill in your calendar. 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, DEC. 7 • 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. ThuRSDAY, DEC. 8 • Polk County Fire District No. 1 Board — 6 p.m., central station 90, 1800 Monmouth st., independence. 503-838-1510. • Western Days Commission — 7 p.m., independence civic center, 555 s. Main st., independence. 503-838-1212. • Falls City City Council — 6 p.m., Falls city community cen- ter, 320 N. Main st., Falls city. 503-787- 3631. MONDAY, DEC. 12 • Monmouth Tree Advisory Board — 7 p.m., Monmouth senior center, 180 s. Warren st., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas school District of- ﬁce, 111 sW ash st., Dallas. 503-623-5594. • Southwest Polk Fire Protection District Board — 7:30 p.m., rickreall Fire station, 275 Main st., rickreall. 503-831-3530. (location moves each month). TuESDAY, DEC. 13 • 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. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14 • Independence heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m., independence heritage Museum, 112 s. third st., independ- ence. 503-838-1212. • 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 Flag burning is symbol of failure I pledge allegiance to the Republic of the United States of America, one nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All. The flag is burned at times to demonstrate the evidence of failure to maintain the principles of our country’s pledge; for which it stands. Charles Krogman Dallas PAC hopes to make a difference We are working on form- ing a Polk County Principled Action Movement. The re- cent presidential election brought to light some seri- ous issues in our society and culture. We are starting a movement to do something about one or more of the ex- posed issues. This move- ment will strive to include as much diversity as possible. Group members will identify issues of common concern, will strive to edu- cate themselves about these issues, discuss them, come to a consensus for action, and develop a strategy for specific action. A prime ex- ample of this is the Electoral College process. We are looking for inter- ested people in or near Polk County. One of the few re- quirements of this move- ment is the ability and will- ingness to meet face to face to discuss the ideas and de- velop a course of action. We can be smarter as a group than we ever can be acting alone. We are going to provide a safe, trust-filled environment for interactive discussion of diverse and conflicting viewpoints. Trust will be the key to the success of this endeavor, hence the name “principled action.” What will our output be? One suggestion is a well- reasoned white paper on a particular issue, factually as true as possible within the constraints and abilities of the group members, with a suggested course of action. Distribution of this paper, if this is what happens, will be decided by the group. Locating and inviting par- ticipants is underway. As soon as we have a group of suffi- cient numbers, we will estab- lish a meeting time and place. Please contact Bob Mur- phy, murf92279@gmail.com, if you are interested in pos- sibly taking part in this campaign or drive. Bob Murphy Dallas Hundreds fed thanks to efforts On Nov. 22, the Ella Cur- ran Food Bank provided 200 families with the groceries and a turkey needed to make their Thanksgiving dinner. More than 20 volun- teers helped hand out the supplies. Schools, churches, Western Oregon University, businesses, Mon-Indy Green Bag project and individual donors made the project happen. This event fed more than 650 people. Patty Nevue Independence Dallas Goodwill confusing prices I frequently browse Goodwill stores from Tillamook to Albany. I feel I must speak up about the high prices at our local Goodwill. Why are the prices here so much higher than any other area Good- will store? The items that people do- nate to Goodwill are sold not only to help finance Good- will’s mission. They also pro- vide a low-cost resource where people can buy used items they might otherwise not be able to afford. However, browsing at the Dallas Goodwill, I often hear grumbling: “Who prices this stuff?” “I can buy this for less at Walmart — new!” Holding a paint brush priced at $2.99, another man said, “I can get the same one at the Dollar store!” The store manger, Christie, has only been at the Dallas store for three weeks. She didn’t deserve my drilling her on the pric- ing structure. She explained that guidelines are supplied by the corporate office, which still didn’t explain why prices at the Dallas store are so much higher. This is not fair to our community. Dallas has its share of people struggling to make ends meet: people on welfare, people without transportation, dependent on food banks, etc. — not to mention heating bills and Christmas. Has the Dallas Goodwill lost its perspective? I believe that Goodwill and other second-hand stores play an important role in society. Putting pride aside, we all want to stretch the dollar and provide for our families the best we can. There’s no shame in that. To me, “good will” is a collective community mind set to help others less fortu- nate, for balance and quali- ty of life for all. I write this in an attempt to gain fair- ness, and in hope that this letter will fall before the eyes of whoever “can” or “will” make things right. Besides, it’s Christmas! Dwain Roberts Dallas Dallas wrestling grateful for support 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 On behalf of the Dallas High School wrestling team, I would like to thank the community for their contin- ued support of the Dallas wrestling program. We re- cently completed our annu- al poinsettia fundraiser, and we felt the support of many individuals and businesses in the Dallas community. Dallas has always supported wrestling at all levels, in- cluding youth, middle school and high school. On Jan. 7, we are hosting the Janet Brunner Invita- tional wrestling tournament at Dallas High School. We invite you all to come out and watch your wrestlers. Thank you again. Tanner Earhart Dallas HS Wrestling Team Dallas WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Each writer is re- stricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, obscene or in bad taste will not be printed. attacks by name on businesses or individuals will not be printed. Letters to the ed- itor that are obvious promo- tions for a business, products or services will not be printed. 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 of thanks to businesses, individuals and or- ganizations 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. For the complete letters pol- icy: www.polkio.com. reach us at: Mail: Editor, Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.o. Box 108, Dallas, or 97338. 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. 49 (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.