Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 25, 2017 4A
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EDITORIALS
Homeless forum
good first step
Inspired by the outpouring of interest on Facebook
community pages, Polk County’s first forum to address
homelessness happened on Thursday. The event was well-
attended, with about 80 people coming to see how they
can get involved with helping the homeless population in
Polk County.
Action is needed, but it’s tricky, because homelessness
has many facets and faces. County Commissioner Jennifer
Wheeler had good intentions when she joined with offi-
cials in Marion County to form the Marion-Polk task force
to address homelessness, and was wise to remove Polk
from the group when its leaders began to lose focus.
That doesn’t mean she — and others in Polk County —
doesn’t want to address the issues and see what can be
done to help those in need.
When the Dallas community bulletin board on Face-
book exploded with people asking that very thing — how
can I help those out in the cold tonight? — the community
forum was arranged.
People learned about what resources are available and
what is needed, both immediately and down the road.
Some things are larger than community members can
handle — mental health, low wages, high rents, housing
shortage — while other things discussed are more man-
ageable.
While the Mid-Valley Community Action Network works
to get a handle on just how large a homeless population
exists in Polk County, community members can work to
collect donations of cash and clothing for those on the
streets and in parks.
When one has nothing, everything counts.
Today at Valley Life Center, the annual Community Con-
nect event will help hundreds connect to resources, get a
fresh hair cut, eat a warm meal, gather much-needed sup-
plies, and even get basic care for a beloved pet. It’s a great
chance to see services in action.
Even if you don’t need help, swing over and take the op-
portunity to “shop” for a place to volunteer. Find out where
you want to donate your time — your most precious re-
source — and sign up.
Spend time this weekend going through your closet and
seeing what you have that you aren’t using anymore — is it
still in good shape? Would someone else find joy from
something collecting dust in your home?
Donate it on the first Saturday of the month to the Polk
Family and Community Outreach donation center — the
warehouse space is donated by Salem Health West Valley to
store items that will be given to people in need in the Polk
County community.
Set out a box at school, work or church to collect food,
socks, coats, gloves, hats or cash.
It truly takes a village to help everyone in the communi-
ty. When the residents of Polk County set their minds to
something, nothing stops them.
Homelessness is not something that can be prevented,
but people who experience it or are close to experiencing it
can be helped. It is wonderful to see the first steps taken.
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).
—
ThursdAy, JAn. 26
• Monmouth-Independence networks Board of direc-
tors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S.
Fifth St., Independence. 503-837-0700.
TuesdAy, FeB. 2
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
WednesdAy, FeB. 1
• 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.
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
Trump’s first action
affects homebuyers
Congratulations Trump
voters.
Your boy in the White
House in his first official act
signed a presidential order
suspending a plan by Hous-
ing and Urban Develop-
ment to reduce the cost of
homeowners’ mortgage in-
surance for first-time home
buyers using mortgages
backed by the Federal Hous-
ing Administration.
Now it will be more ex-
pensive for these new buy-
ers to buy that first home.
This will negatively impact
750 to 800 thousand work-
ing, middle-class Americans
each year.
The Obama Administra-
tion had planned to lower
the cost of this insurance by
almost one-third.
But immediately after
being sworn, Trump sus-
pended the original plan. If
you plan to buy a house
under the HUD program,
the mortgage insurance on
that loan will go up, making
it more difficult to afford the
home.
Now, Trump’s buddies in
the insurance business can
rest easy that they will be
making the maximum pos-
sible and increase their in-
come by millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, middle-class,
working-class Americans
qualifying for an FHA-
backed mortgage will be
less able to afford that first
home or will pay millions
more for the privilege. Your
boy is really sticking up for
middle America.
Thanks, Trumpies, even
you will be shafted by this.
Fred Brown
Dallas
Stellar service, care
at Salem Health
In early December, my
husband took me to the
emergency room of Salem
Health West Valley at the di-
rection of my surgeon in
Portland. Usually, I have to
go to Saint Vincent’s Hospi-
tal for the symptoms I was
having, but the road condi-
tions were not safe. My sur-
geon said he would be avail-
able to the physicians at
Salem Health West Valley’s
ER. Those physicians were
incredible. Together this
skilled team successfully
prevented me from requir-
ing a dangerous surgery.
I was admitted to Salem
Health West Valley where I
remained for four days. I
was impressed with the
highly skilled and compas-
sionate care I received. The
nurses worked around the
clock and were attentive to
my needs.
I also want to thank the
housekeeping department.
There were two women who
I called, “The Merry Maids,”
who I looked forward to
seeing every day. They visit-
ed me and shared their ex-
periences and their families.
They did a great job of
cleaning my room and
acted as goodwill ambassa-
dors.
Another person that
added to the healing
process for me was Bill,
from the kitchen. He was an
absolute delight. When I
started the re-feeding
process, he helped me plan
the menu of foods I could
eat.
I tried really hard to cheat
and sneak food in the menu
that I wanted to eat, but Bill
would not let me. He made
the re-feeding process fun,
and he was very profession-
al.
Those of us in Polk Coun-
ty are fortunate and blessed
to have this professional in-
stitution right here in Dal-
las, and my husband and I
were so blessed to know
that we did not have to race
up to Portland to relieve my
suffering and prevent a
complete intestinal obstruc-
tion.
I would highly recom-
mend this hospital to any-
one looking for skilled and
compassionate care.
Joy McGavock
Dallas
Many thanks for
early Christmas gift
The residents of Jefferson
Lodge Memory Care Com-
munity, located at 664 SE
Jefferson Street in Dallas, re-
ceived an early Christmas
gift from the members of
New Life Ministries, located
in Monmouth.
Jefferson Lodge sends a
huge thank-you to the
church members who went
out of their way to make
Christmas so special for
their residents. Members
donated supplies and their
time to make a Christmas
ornament for each resident
in the memory care com-
munity. The handmade gifts
were delivered individually
and accepted with so much
gratitude from the commu-
nity.
Memory loss not only
takes away a person’s ability
to remember, but it changes
their cognitive abilities and
sensory perception as well.
The ornaments delivered by
New Life Ministries not only
encourage Jefferson Lodge
residents to reminisce about
Christmases past, but they
provide a piece of beauty for
them to enjoy as well.
From everyone at Jeffer-
son Lodge, thank you, New
Life Ministries, for dedicat-
ing your time and resources
to lifting the spirits of our
residents.
If you would like to know
more about the exceptional
care services provided at Jef-
ferson Lodge Memory Care
Community, call 503-623-
8104 or visit www.Jefferson-
LodgeMemoryCare.com.
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
Joy McGavock
Dallas
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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. 142, No. 4
(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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