Polk 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.