Polk County
Voices
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 1, 2017 4A
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hiring freeze not
the answer
Since the 1960s, the U.S.
population increased by 67
percent, the private sector
workforce increased by 136
percent while the size of the
federal workforce rose only
about 10 percent. The two
million career civil service
employees conduct the es-
sential work of the federal
government, according to
the National Active and Re-
tired Federal Employees.
Past hiring freezes have
been ineffective in reducing
the federal workforce and
may have actually increased
overall costs to taxpayers.
I worked for the EPA dur-
ing the Reagan years when
he appointed Anne Gorsuch
Burford as administrator
with the goal to dismantle
the agency (sound famil-
iar?).
A hiring freeze and reduc-
tion-in-force were imple-
mented. The result was a
large increase in the hiring
of contract employees to do
the agency’s work, along
with a deterioration of
human health and environ-
mental quality.
Gorsuch was cited for
contempt of Congress in
1983 and forced to resign
during a scandal over mis-
management.
Contract employees have
an allegiance only to their
corporation while civil ser-
vants are dedicated to the
federal community and its
overall mission to serve the
public.
The federal hiring freeze
for all but the military is a
poor decision by the new
president and will have neg-
ative consequences for our
nation.
Michael Cairns
Independence
Wildlife for all, not
just trophy hunters
I recently read an article
that promoted hound hunt-
ing and the killing of bob-
cats. It included a graphic
photo of the kill lifelessly
stretched out in front of its
assailant.
As illustrated by the pas-
sage of Measure 18 in 1994,
Oregonians view the hound
hunting of our wild crea-
tures to be unacceptably
cruel and unsporting.
The hunter who wrote the
story didn’t chase down that
terrified bobcat to feed his
family, but rather for a tro-
phy and bragging rights. We
know from the public out-
rage over the killing of Cecil
the lion that the vast majori-
ty of people find trophy
hunting to be unethical and
wasteful, and certainly not
something to be celebrated.
There are so many ways
to enjoy wildlife that don’t
involve killing. Oregon’s
wildlife belongs to all of
us — not just the trophy
hunters — and I hope in the
future we can see stories
that will reflect an apprecia-
tion for wildlife that doesn’t
involve chasing animals
down with dogs and shoot-
ing them out of trees.
Cindy Birko
Dallas
Central teachers
care about kids
In recent edition of this
paper, some inaccurate
statements and criticisms
were made about the Cen-
tral Education Association.
The CEA would like our
community to know that we
are proud to serve our
teachers and our students.
We are proud to assist our
local families with needs
ranging from clothing to
glasses to food.
We are proud to support
our classified staff. CEA
members, at every level in
our schools, live in this
PUBLIC AGENDA
Public Agenda is a listing of upcoming meetings for
governmental 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, 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.
MONDAY, FEB. 6
• Central School District Board of Directors — 6:30 p.m.,
Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S. Fifth St., Inde-
pendence
• Independence Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Inde-
pendence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-
838-1212.
TUESDAY, FEB. 7
• Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 S.
Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8
• Independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4
p.m., Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Inde-
pendence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Library Advisory Board — 7 a.m., Mon-
mouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-
0725.
• Monmouth Parks and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Vol-
unteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
community, have children
who attend our schools,
and, along with our col-
leagues in the classified and
administrative staff, are in-
vested in our schools' suc-
cess.
From time to time, we
offer our voices to help find
solutions to problems with-
in our schools.
While exploring solutions,
we are proud to collaborate
with and support our cur-
rent district administration.
We look forward to doing
the same for a future ad-
ministration.
Teachers are responsible
for many tasks within a day.
We frequently become part
of the fabric of our student’s
lives.
This is a responsibility
that humbles us and makes
us proud. It is with this
pride that we serve our local
association and our larger
community.
Laura Waight
President of the Central
Education Association
Monmouth
Roundabout would
create nightmare
Roundabout?
After reading the Clow
Corner article in the Jan. 18
Itemizer, I felt the need to
add my 2 cents worth.
A roundabout on a major
highway (99W) is a bad
idea. There is a lot of truck
and commuter traffic on
this highway.
Just think about the traf-
fic nightmares when there is
a college game. I have nego-
tiated these highway messes
in Salem and other cities,
and they are a bad idea.
It is mentioned that a
traffic signal would be less
expensive. Cheaper and
more sensible is what
should take place.
Hoffman Road signal
works just fine so please use
common sense and install
the same pressure plate sys-
tem at Clow Corner. Yes
with a roundabout the acci-
dents will be less critical,
but I believe there will be
many more.
Wayne Theiss
Dallas
LaCreole school
helps Legion
The American Legion
Post 20 would like to take
this opportunity to thank
Mr Jamie Richardson, prin-
cipal, for the use of the li-
brary at LaCreole Middle
School.
We were able to hold our
annual High School Oratori-
cal Speech contest on the
United States Constitution.
The winner moved on to the
next level on Saturday at
Post 136, Salem.
Also, the post would like
to thank those that helped
with the contest, as judges
and time keepers.
Jesse Cagle
Dallas
Trump makes bad
choices first week
After a very short time in
office, Donald Trump con-
tinues to destroy this coun-
try under the pretense of
making it great again.
And I have to say, I always
thought this country was
great.
A wall is to be built along
the Mexican border, which
has now alienated the Unit-
ed States from Mexico. And
the idea that Mexico will
pay for it is ridiculous.
If a tax is imposed on
items imported from Mexi-
co, who will pay the tax?
The citizens of the United
States. I doubt businesses
will eat this tax.
All of us, including those
who voted for Donald
Trump, will be paying for it.
Thank you Mr. Trump.
Those of us on a fixed in-
come appreciate another
increase to the cost of liv-
ing.
When do we start the
wall along the Canadian
border? After all, they are
foreigners as well.
He has signed an order to
restart the pipeline through
South Dakota, with no re-
gard for the Native Ameri-
cans who oppose it.
As we’ve done for a cou-
ple of hundred years, we
again rape and plunder the
land that belongs to the
Standing Rock Reservation.
What happened to the
idea of respecting the rights
of these people and land
held sacred to them? It was
the “white” people who put
these people on a reserva-
tion, and now we don't let
them decide how to use the
land or what will or won't
be done to it.
When will we hear about
the alternative to affordable
health care?
Over 20 million people
could lose health coverage
but to date no alternative
has been mentioned.
And is an investigation
into the three million to five
million “illegal” votes for
Secretary Clinton really
needed when no proof has
been presented?
Even top-ranking Repub-
licans are saying it’s time to
move on.
Cliff Brown
Dallas
Obama will remain
active in America
I received a personal let-
ter from President Obama
yesterday, wrote a week be-
fore he left office, that says
a lot about his character
and the compassion he
showed for people.
He spoke about what he
believes Americans stand
for and is heartfelt.
It had to do with a family
I know that is here illegally,
and they don’t have much,
but this woman knew I was
just making some soup for
Thanksgiving as I am dis-
abled and get very little for
food stamps.
She made up a bunch of
tamales and brought them
to me so I would have a
good meal for Thanksgiv-
ing.
She has arthritis and
traveled a half-mile in the
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—
Reach us at:
Mail: Editor, Polk County
Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box
108, Dallas, OR 97338.
ionews@polkio.com.
rain to bring them.
I said that there are peo-
ple like her who have been
waiting to become Ameri-
can citizens for quite a
while, and they weren't
looking for anything but to
just become American citi-
zens and share in our val-
ues and traditions and see
their kids get a good educa-
tion. Her family was cele-
brating Thanksgiving by
making tamales, and she
wanted to make sure I got
some.
We don’t always under-
stand each other, but I help
her when I can and she
does the same with me.
Neither of us have much,
but we try to help each
other.
The president said he
was moved by what he read
about the woman and her
tamales. I told him I would
continue trying to help
these people with the new
administration, and would-
n’t be giving up, because
all’s I have is time and de-
termination, and his re-
sponse was pretty amazing.
It’s obvious he does not
intend to just fade away,
but will remain actively
helping people and the is-
sues he believes in.
Rick Bagby
Dallas
Gov’s budget
outpaces needs
I have read that the gov-
ernor’s budget proposal in
nearing $75 billion, and in
1980s, it was near $10 bil-
lion. That would mean that
the budget has grown ap-
proximately eight times, or
doubled three times: 2 x 2 x
2 = 8.
That would mean the
one-bath house I sold in
Aloha in 1980 for $43,000
would be worth $344,000.
My 2,100-square-foot house
in Dallas isn’t worth that
much. Have any of the fol-
lowing gone up eight times:
your wages, your house
value, the population of the
state or county, school at-
tendance?
Then why the cost of
state government?
Gary Weis
Dallas
Dallas wrestlers
help when needed
A heartfelt shout-out to
the Dallas Wrestling team; a
wonderful group of young
men who came out in
droves last week to assist an
elderly community mem-
ber.
In mid-January an alert
was posted on the Dallas
Link-up website: a free, as
well as easily accessible,
online space for communi-
ty members and organiza-
tions to address local
needs.
This alert asked for vol-
unteers to aid an elderly
community member with
moving into her new long-
term residence.
Due to her age, and
other various barriers,
this individual required
help with moving/trans-
porting her heavy furni-
ture items.
She not only needed
“man-power,” but also
moving trucks equipped
with related moving sup-
plies.
See LETTERS, Page 5A
HOW TO REACH US
NEWSROOM
Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com
Vol. 142, No. 5
(USPS) - 437-380)
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which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.
