Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 2017)
Polk County News 8A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • May 24, 2017 County facilities bond fails By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — Re- pairs and updates to Polk County’s facilities will have to wait. A bond that would have paid for $10 million in main- tenance to the courthouse complex, the fairgrounds fa- cilities, and the Polk County Jail, with minor work at other buildings failed in the May 16 election. The vote tally was 52 per- cent to 48 percent, or 7,742 voting “no” to 7,232 voting “yes.” With voters declining the bond, the county will have to decide what to do next. “The problems aren’t going to fix themselves,” said County Administrator Greg Hansen. He said he will bring op- tions to the board to priori- tize projects and figure out how much money can be spent without cutting opera- tions too much. “We can’t ignore it, but we don’t have the money to pay for it,” Hansen said. He said he may bring a plan for the board to review and revise as soon as the JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer file The $10 million bond would have paid for repairs at various county facilities. end of this month. “We’ll try to begin to ad- dress it. Are we going to ad- dress $10 million worth? Absolutely not — we don’t have the money,” Hansen said. “It will take years and years to address it and hopefully we don’t have to impact operations too much to do it. We’ll have that discussion.” Another option is refining what the bond asked of vot- ers — the bond on the May 16 ballot would have cost an average of about 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — and putting it on a future ballot. “There wasn’t a whole lot of campaigning, against or for it, and it was fairly close,” Hansen said. “Those are all board decisions.” Hansen said voters had to be make choices in this election. People in South- western Polk Rural Fire Protection District had two bonds to balance, as did voters in West Salem, who had to decide on the coun- ty’s bond and one to pay for a new police station in Salem. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s still tough times for a lot of people,” he said. SW Polk bond approved By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Chief Fred Her- tel, Southwest Polk Rural Fire Protection District’s adminis- trator, is breathing a sigh of relief after voters on May 16 approved the district’s 15- year, $5.2 million bond. Voters passed the meas- ure by a margin of 54 per- cent to 46 percent, with the vote tally at 1,012 to 852. Proceeds from the bond will purchase much-needed equipment, including breathing units that allow firefighters to enter burning buildings to put out blazes or for rescues, Hertel said. The day following the vote, Hertel was cautious about the win. “From talking to people in the political realm, it looks like it’s a favorable vote,” he said. “I think that’s a pretty good margin for Polk County.” Hertel said planning for how to spend the money started a year ago when dis- cussions of placing the bond on the ballot began. In addition to breathing units, fire engines and equipment, the district’s board designated the money to replace the Rickreall sta- tion and build a new one in the Salt Creek area. The district now turns to details of making that hap- pen. “I am going to ask that we have a purchasing, contract- ing training for the board brought in so that we are fol- lowing all the rules appro- priately and that they under- stand what they are,” Hertel said. Special Districts Associa- tion of Oregon will help with training. “None of it is going to happen immediately,” Her- tel said. “None of it is even budgeted in our budget until July 1, and then it may take even longer than that to get the bonds processed and sold..” He added the measure wouldn’t have succeeded without a team effort. “It’s sure a sigh of relief,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without all the help from the staff here and the volunteers, the union and the (political action commit- tee) that ramped up. It was a good group effort.” POLICE REPORT Information for the police report comes from law en- forcement agencies. Not all calls for service are includ- ed. The status of incidents reported may change after further investigation. Indi- viduals arrested or suspect- ed of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty. — DALLAS Arrests/Citations • Luis Fernando Garcia Cer- ventes, 34, of Independence, in the 2000 block of Mistletoe Road on May 16 on charges of giving false information to a police officer, second-degree criminal trespassing and flee- ing or attempting to allude a police officer. • Leonardo Cisneros, 25, of Dallas, in the 500 block of SE Jefferson St. on May 17 on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants and failure to perform the duties of a driver when property is damaged. • Michael A. Armstrong, 25, of Keizer, on SW Harder Ave. on May 17 on charges of driv- ing while suspended and fail- ure to carry or present an op- erator’s license. INDEPENDENCE Arrests/Citations • Melissa Ann Rodgers, 38, of Independence, in the 600 block of S. Fifth St. on May 16 on two bench warrants for failure to appear. • Rosalyne Crandall, 28, of Independence, in the 600 block of Hyacinth St. on May 17 on four counts of dog li- cense required. • Jonathon Allen Roberts, 31, of Sheridan, in the 500 block of N. Walnut St. on May 18 on a bench warrant for fail- ure to appear. MONMOUTH Arrests/Citations • Jake Simmons, 20, of Inde- pendence, in the 100 block of Warren St. N. on May 6 for driving under the influence of intoxicants. • Lane Michael Crimson, 19, of Monmouth, at Jackson St. W. and Stadium Dr. N. on May 8 for DUII, reckless endanger- ing, and possession of mari- juana when younger than 21. • Michael Melvin Napier, 46, of Salem, in the 1600 block of Monmouth St. on May 9 for possession of methampheta- mine. • Brian Wesley Yaras, 44, of Dallas, at Jackson St. E. and Catron St. N. on May 9 for sec- ond-degree animal neglect. • Kristin McGrath, 33, of Monmouth, in the 100 block of Main St. W. on May 13 for physical harassment and sec- ond-degree disorderly con- duct. • Raymond Cruz, 34, of Mon- mouth, in the 400 block of Pa- cific Hwy. N. on May 15 for pos- session of methamphetamine. NEWS IN BRIEF M-I Rotary selling strawberries by the bucket POLK COUNTY — The Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club has started its annual strawberry fundraiser. Orders are due by June 8. People may order fresh, cleaned, stemmed and sliced berries by phone or email, 503-838-6687 or strawberry@mirotaryclub.org. Berries cost $50 for 30 pounds. Exact date for pickup depends on weather. Pickup sites include Independence, Dallas or Cor- vallis. Proceeds go toward the club’s youth programs. Monmouth Police Department seeks reserves MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Police Department is accepting applications for reserve police officers to augment full-time staff. Successful candidates will attend the Mid-Valley Reserve Training Academy from November through May, and may obtain credit from Western Oregon University or Chemeketa Community College toward a degree. Minimum qualifications include: 21 years or older, high school diploma or GED, valid Oregon driver’s license, and no criminal history. For more information: www.ci.monmouth.or.us, or Officer Mike Hamilton, 503-838-1109. Central High School awarded metalworking grant INDEPENDENCE – Central High School received a Spark Something Great Educational Grant from Hypertherm, a U.S.-based manufacturer of plasma, laser and waterjet cutting systems and software. The grant programs aims to get the latest plasma technology into schools so the next genera- tion of metalworkers can train on equipment they will find when entering the workforce. As one of 10 recipients, CHS will receive a Hypertherm Powermax45 XP plasma system, curricu- lum kit, and in-person training from a Hypertherm industrial cutting expert. OBITUARIES Pamela Lynn Welliver Nov. 12, 1953 – May 19, 2017 After a long battle with cancer, Pamela L Welliver went home to the Lord Jesus Christ on May 19, 2017, in Monmouth, at the age of 63. She leaves behind her lov- ing husband, Glenn Welliver; her daughters, Ann Holt and Belinda Welliver; four grand- children; great-grandchil- dren; great-great-grandchil- dren; and her three sisters, Joanne Via, Doris Newton and Charlotte VanHuss. Pamela was born Nov. 12, 1953, in Prescott, Ariz., to Benjamin and Vivian Chap- man, who predeceased her. Pamela was the youngest of four daughters. She graduat- ed from Dallas High School in 1972, and attended ac- counting classes at Chemeketa Community College. She was operations manager for the Commer- cial Bank in Silverton and West Salem. After her marriage to Glenn Welliver in 1987, she became office manager for the family business — Welliver Metal Products Cor- poration. Pamela had a lifelong love for animals, travel and camping, making one last trip the first week of May. Pamela began her battle with Primary Peritoneal Cancer in May 2015; she fought her illness with courage and remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months. She was greatly loved by her family, friends and church family at South Salem Church of Christ. Pamela’s ashes will be in- terred at City View Funeral Home & Cemetery in a pri- vate event for family only. A service to celebrate Pamela’s life will be held at South Salem Church of Christ, 310 Ewald St. SE, on May 26, Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street • Dallas • Hearing Testing • Hearing Aids • Service Call today for your FREE Consultation Mark Sturtevant 503-623-0290 Personally involved and invested in the Dallas community 2017, at 3 p.m. All are wel- come. Arrangements by City View Funeral Home. Sandra ‘Sandi’ Trussell June 21, 1938 – May 13, 2017 Services will be held at a later date. Serving the fami- ly, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton. Beryle LaRose Contreras July 29, 1935 – May 19, 2017 Beryle LaRose Contreras, 81, of Grand Ronde, died May 19. She is survived by seven children; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers; and many nieces and nephews. Welcoming new patients. Most insurance health plans accepted. Also a Moda preferred provider. Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $595 Simple Direct Burial $710 Traditional Funeral $2,275 Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes ~ Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com Services will begin at 11 a.m. on May 26 in the Grand Ronde Tribal Gym. The Dal- las Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. To leave an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Obituary Information Obituaries cost $8 per 25 words (column inch) and in- clude photos and flags for vet- erans. Death notices and serv- ice notices run free of charge. Obituary information must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the Monday before publication to be included in the newspaper. Most funeral homes handle obituary information and pro- vide it to the newspaper. How- ever, information can also be submitted directly from family members. Obituaries placed by private parties must be pre- paid. Color and black-and-white photos can be submitted, but photos will only be published in black and white. The Itemiz- er-Observer uses a flag logo in the obituaries of people who served in the armed forces. Death notices — like all in- formation submitted to the news department — are sub- ject to editing for style, con- tent and length. Information can be brought or mailed to the Itemizer-Ob- server, 147 SE Court St., Dallas, OR 97338, or emailed to ionews@polkio.com. For more information: Emily Mentzer, 503-623-2373.
