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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2016)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 21, 2016 5A Wilson: Small contributions add up to big differences Continued from Page 1A She’s also volunteered on the Dallas Community Foundation Board, the Chemeketa Community College budget committee, and a group organizing building a new senior center in Dallas. She attends Dallas Down- town Association meetings and is participating in ef- forts to jump start economic development in town. That’s probably not where Wilson envisioned herself when she and her family moved to Dallas from Seattle in 1971. Her husband, Bob, was transferred to Dallas to manage the former J.C. Pen- ney’s store in downtown. The move was a big change for Wilson, and it took her a few months to adjust. “Bob just finally said, ‘You just need to get out and meet people. Just don’t stay here (at home),’” Wilson re- called. She took his advice, vol- unteering at first. Soon she was asked to serve as a teacher’s assistant, the be- ginning of a nearly 30-year career with the Dallas School District. Former Superintendent Gordon Kunke asked Wilson to help with accounts payable at the district office. She was promoted through the years, ending her career as the district’s business manager and deputy clerk. Wilson said she was al- ways encouraged by others to take on a new challenge, even when she didn’t believe she had the ability. “I really appreciated the people who gave me oppor- tunities and had the faith in me that I could do the job,” she said. Thirty-two years ago, someone suggested she take on another role she hadn’t considered: city councilor. She gave a familiar reply: “I’ve never done anything like that. … I didn’t think I would win.” She gave it a go, putting out 22 signs — the most campaigning she’s done — and won a seat. Wilson said her first meet- ing was a little intimidat- ing — she sat closest to the audience and was keenly aware that she was being observed. Always a team Coffee: $900 for public workers bands together,” Smith said. “I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle, and I wouldn’t move out of Dallas for the life of me. My mom said, ‘if you see someone frowning, give them the biggest smile ever — give them your smile. I knew it was tough, and some of these guys weren’t smiling. I was just trying to give them a smile.” A card has also been es- tablished at the Monmouth Dutch Bros. for police and firefighters. Anyone can donate to ei- ther location. Continued from Page 1A “Anyone who thinks they’re deserving of it, go for it,” Smith said. Some departments have had trouble using the card, or have refused because of rules against accepting gifts. Smith said the donations have all been anonymous, and she is trying to figure out a way that the intent of the card — to show appreci- ation for public employ- ees — to be delivered to those who have done so much for the public. She said the card is being used by county and city workers. “It’s about the spirit of giving,” Smith said. She hopes the tradition will continue beyond the holidays somehow, but hasn’t worked out the details yet. Smith said she was just a match, and it was the com- munity of Dallas that lit the fire. “This community really Itemizer-Observer file LaVonne Wilson was honored at the awards banquet. player, Wilson found the role she needed to fill on the council. In her opinion, a coun- cilor — or any kind of board member — needs to be a good listener. Listening to fellow council members, citizens and city employees is the first critical step in decision making. The second piece is more of a philosophy. “You also need to be an independent thinker,” she said. “An independent thinker to me is someone who has no self-serving. You Please join us for Christmas Dinner December 25, Noon to 2 p.m. St. Philip Catholic Church 825 SW Mill St. Dallas, Oregon Provided by: Knights of Columbus-Council #8129 and St. Philip Parish Questions? Call Grand Knight Reed Gould 503-623-8606 May you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! From, Susan King and family Sue King 503-580-5973 Wishing everyone a healthy & happy holiday season! Open Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Day and New Year’s Day 10-4 109 E. Ellendale Ave, Suite B Dallas • 503-623-3199 No appointment needed. Mon-Sat 9 am - 7 pm Sunday & Holidays 10 am - 4 pm www.emurgentcaremedical.com Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $8.00 Children $7.00 • Senior $7.25 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. 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(Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) MOANA (Digital) (PG) (11:15 1:50 4:25) OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (Digital) (R) PASSENGERS (Digital) (PG13) (11:10 1:50 4:30) SING (Digital) (PG) (11:25 2:00 4:35) *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (10:00+ 1:00 4:00) *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (9:30+ 12:30 3:30) COLLATERAL BEAUTY (Digital) (PG13) (12:25 2:45 5:05) ASSASSINS CREED (Digital) (PG13) (12:35 3:40) 24 7:05 9:40+ 7:05 9:40+ 7:15 9:55+ 7:10 9:45+ 7:00 10:00+ 6:30 9:30+ 7:25 9:45+ 6:45 9:50+ + NOT SHOWING DECEMBER 24th Sunday (Christmas Day) • December 25 WHY HIM? (Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) 7:05 9:40 MOANA (Digital) (PG) (1:50 4:25) 7:05 OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (Digital) (R) 9:40 PASSENGERS (Digital) (PG13) (1:50 4:30) 7:15 9:55 SING (Digital) (PG) (2:00 4:35) 7:10 9:45 *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (1:00 4:00) 7:00 10:00 *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (3:30) 6:30 9:30 COLLATERAL BEAUTY (Digital) (PG13) (2:45 5:05) 7:25 9:45 ASSASSINS CREED (Digital) (PG13) (12:35 3:40) 6:45 9:50 Monday - Thursday • December 26 - 29 WHY HIM? (Digital) (R) (1:40 4:15) 7:05 9:40 MOANA (Digital) (PG) (11:15 1:50 4:25) 7:05 OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (Digital) (R) 9:40 PASSENGERS (Digital) (PG13) (11:10 1:50 4:30) 7:15 9:55 SING (Digital) (PG) (11:25 2:00 4:35) 7:10 9:45 *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (1:00 4:00) 7:00 10:00 *ROGUE ONE (Digital) (PG13) (12:30 3:30) 6:30 9:30 COLLATERAL BEAUTY (Digital) (PG13) (12:25 2:45 5:05) 7:25 9:45 ASSASSINS CREED (Digital) (PG13) (12:35 3:40) 6:45 9:50 * NO PASSES are not for yourself. You are basically there to think about what is the best for the people — all of our citi- zens.” Her tenure on the Dallas City Council is a stretch un- matched by anyone except Ken Woods Jr., who has her beat by two years. Woods said Wilson was gracious, even when debating a point of contention. “She was very polite and let others speak,” he said. “She would sit there quietly until something needed to be said. Then she said it.” -- has experienced the same. He said Wilson often “put her cards on the table,” but placed the interest of the organization before her own. “We will miss that in Dal- las,” he said. “It will take s o m e t i m e t o re p l a c e LaVonne.” Mayor Brian Dalton, who worked alongside Wilson for 17 years on the council, said her long and extensive com- munity involvement allowed her to add the perspective from other groups into council decisions. “She brought a sense of history to the group’s en- deavors,” he said. “Some- times that’s very valuable. I’ve learned from it.” That’s likely to continue in one form or another. Wilson said she doesn’t know what to do with slow days. She prefers playing her part. “I think the greatest gift that anyone can give in their life is service to others, just knowing that made you a difference in small ways,” she said. “You are not mak- ing major differences, nec- essarily, but anybody who steps up and take on some- thing, will have a reward that is everlasting.”
