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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2017)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 25, 2017 7A MLK inspired man to work for unity George Furniss, of Dallas, heard King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech in person By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Rev. George Furniss was 24 when he heard words that would in- spire him to spend decades fighting for civil rights and social justice. It was August of 1963, and Furniss was one of 200,000 people who had gathered on the Washing- ton Mall during the March on Washington. “It was a milestone expe- rience to be at the March on Washington. Two hun- d re d t h o u s a n d p e o p l e gathered there on that Au- gust day on the Washington Mall, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, hearing a series of excellent white and black civil rights leaders,” he recalled. The crowd had been standing for a little more than three hours when the last speaker, Martin Luther King Jr., took the stage. “Everyone was pretty tired. I think everybody was thinking it would good to have this over. It would be good to go home,” Furniss said. “And then was his speech. “He electrified the crowd.” Furniss knew they were listening to history in King’s “I Have a Dream …” speech. He forgot about the long hours of standing and lis- tened to the words. Furniss was particularly struck when King spoke of transforming “the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful sym- phony of brotherhood.” “That is based on more than just tolerance between groups, but it is based on ac- ceptance and friendship and GEORGE FURNISS for /Itemizer-Observer Rev. George Furniss gave a speech “Beyond Tolerance” inspired by the work of Martin luther king Jr. on Jan. 16 as Dallas First Presbyterian Church. love among people,” Furniss said, adding that journey is incomplete. “It’s a continu- ing struggle. It really is.” Furniss spoke on that theme on Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week at Dal- las First Presbyterian Church in his talk, “Beyond Toler- ance.” Now a resident of Dallas with his wife Sandra Larson, the pastor at the church, Furniss believes more peo- ple need to seek under- standing of views different from their own, particularly in the politically polarized times we live in. “Talk to each other and learn, have significant dia- logue about their world views,” he said. “It needs to be intentional. So much our lives are just kind of parallel lives. We are in situations to- gether, but we don’t engage.” It’s a belief he practices in his life, even having weekly coffee dates with a friend on the opposite end of the po- litical spectrum. He said the key isn’t nec- essarily to persuade or be persuaded, but simply en- courage listening — and un- derstanding. “It’s been extremely help- ful for me to understand his point of view,” Furniss said. Furniss is active in the Polk County Taskforce for Human Equality, which has hosted speakers addressing stereotypes about race rela- tions, Islam and transgender individuals. Once again, the purpose is to foster under- standing, he said. “We feel that is a way to make a contribution in Polk County,” he said. He’s active with the na- tional civil rights organiza- tion, Sojourners, and Bread for the World, an organiza- tion fighting hunger and food insecurity. Furniss, 78, hasn’t lost faith in the movement. “King said that the arch of history goes toward justice and I believe in that. People of all faiths who believe in the brotherhood of man must not grow discouraged,” he said. “They must realize it’s a long struggle, but it will be successful.” Safety coalition video contest open to high school students Itemizer-Observer staff report SALEM — A Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition con- test for high-school students encourages them to increase awareness about safety on the job. Students may submit a 90- second video that inspires young workers to do at least one thing differently to stay safe on the job. The video must include the theme: Speak up. Work safe. The video must educate young workers about the im- portance of speaking up in the workplace. Participants are en- couraged to develop a key message or slogan, use humor, and get creative while empha- sizing ways to protect them- Visit our website, www.polkio.com ...for local news, sports and community events. Follow us on Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Please join us for a 13 week seminar and support group that meets weekly to help you face the challenges of grief. Each session focuses on a specific topic and offers a DVD presentation and small group discussion time. A personal workbook is included for taking notes on the presented material and On Your Own sections. $35 registration includes workbook. Scholarships available. First session, “Is This Normal?” begins Monday, Feb. 6 • 6:30 pm Weekday Bible Building , 1156 SE Holman Ave. For more information or to register please call Kate or visit our website. 503-917-1625 www.crossandcrownministries.org GRAND OPENING! Dallas Retirement Village celebrates the grand opening of Lodge Residences and the Clubhouse! Wednesday, January 25th at 11:00 am Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 am. Tours to follow. Wine tasting and coffee sampling in the Clubhouse lounge, movie and snacks in the theatre and a performance by our resident drum collaboration. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. For more details, call 503-623-9211. 503-623-9211 225 NW Jasper St, Dallas, OR 97338 www.dallasretirementvillage.com Dallas Retirement Village is a faith-based, non-profit organization open to all. TALKS 1/8 PAGe (4.917” x 2.5”) ........................................ $ 69 $ 1/4 PAGe (4.917” x 5.083”) .............................. 132 $ 1/2 PAGe (10” x 5.083”) (4.917” x 10.292”) ...... 242 $ Full PAGe (10” x 10.292”) .............................. 473 $ Prime location BACk PAGe .................... 552 Deadline: Feb. 8 Publishes: Feb. 22 FULL A C dd O for onl LOR $50 mo y re! Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen 503-623-2373 Itemizer-Observer • 147 SE Court St., Dallas • www.polkio.com selves and their co-workers. The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. Schools will offer matching amounts. For more information: youngemploy- eesafety.org. POLICE REPORT Information for the police report comes from law en- forcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included. The status of incidents re- ported may change after further investigation. Indi- viduals arrested or suspect- ed of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty. — DAllAS Arrests/Citations Luann K. Hayford, 55, of Dallas, in the 100 block of Rainbow Ave. on Jan. 8 on second-degree criminal mis- chief — crime damage, and second-degree disorderly conduct. Patrick A. Swearingen, 51, of Dallas, in the 600 block of Main St. on Jan. 11 on second- degree criminal mischief — vandalism. Kenneth R. Short, 29, of Salem, in the 100 block of W. Ellendale Ave. on Jan. 13 on misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants, failure to perform the duties of the driver — property dam- age, and reckless endanger- ing. Loren S. Teter, 55, of Dallas in the 500 block of E. Ellendale Ave. on Jan. 19 on second-de- gree theft, second-degree criminal mischief and unlaw- ful controlled substance — prohibited acts. Daymn P. Reynolds, 21, of Dallas in the 100 block of SW Court St. on Jan. 21 on prohib- ited exposure. INDePeNDeNCe Arrests/Citations Melisa June Marie Collinsworth, 31, of Dallas, in the 1600 block of Monmouth St. on Jan. 2 for possession of methamphetamine. On Jan. 9 in the 800 block of N. Main St., Collinsworth was arrested for second-degree theft — re- ceiving stolen property. Anthony Wesley Good, 31, of Salem, in the 900 block of S. Main St. on Jan. 2 for proba- tion violation, failure to report as a sex offender, and posses- sion of methamphetamine. Ramon Garcia Fabela, 28, of Independence, in the 3300 block of Independence Hwy. on Jan. 2 for driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. Andrea Elena Quiroz, 21, of Independence, at S. Seventh and C sts. on Jan. 7 for posses- sion of methamphetamine and a warrant for probation violation. MONMOuTH Arrests/Citations Sonya Janet Rae Wright- house, 27, a transient in Mon- mouth, in the 100 block of Ed- wards Rd. S. on Jan. 12 for probation violation and sec- ond-degree criminal mistreat- ment — family or other. NEWS IN BRIEF State lawmakers to host students SALEM — The Oregon House of Representatives and the Ore- gon Senate will once again host students from around the state as part of the honorary page program. The program allows students to witness the legislative process in an up-close and personal way in a space of about six hours. For more information or to apply: oregonlegislature.gov, “citi- zen engagement.”
