Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, June 14, 2017, Image 4

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Polk County itemizer observer., June 14, 2017, Page 4A, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 14, 2017 4a How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Free speech is not free The Dallas City Council is looking at a new policy to gov- ern rules of conduct on social media. Some say this would violate a councilor’s first amend- ment rights. The intent of the new policy is not to prohibit someone’s free speech, but to hold them accountable when they break the already-established rules of decorum. As the saying goes, “Free speech is not free.” Lately, we’ve seen a few comedians cross the line of what society considers acceptable when it comes to expressing their disdain and dislike of our president, or using speech considered to be inappropriate by most of our nation. They have the right to express themselves in whatever manner they choose — very little is truly illegal when it comes to free speech and expression — but choices, ac- tions and words come with consequences. While the man holding the top political office in our na- tion uses social media however he chooses, we expect more from our local representatives. Not only should our councilors show respect to each other both in person and online — even when (especially when) they disagree — but they should avoid discussing city business on social sites including Facebook. We have seen councilors comment on each other’s Face- book feeds. On the surface, it seems innocent enough, but if a majority of councilors discuss city business, regardless of location or medium (in person, via telephone, email, or social media) it could be considered a violation of public meetings laws. It is great to see our councilors taking to the internet in attempts to better educate the community. We’ve seen an increase in city council meeting attendance, perhaps a re- sult of some councilors’ social-media savvy. However, we’ve also seen some major misunderstandings and upset citizens because partial truths were posted online. If the whole story or process or policy would have been dis- closed sooner, it could have saved everyone some headache. 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). — wEDnESDaY, JunE 14 • independence Heritage Museum Commission — 4 p.m., Independence Heritage Museum, 112 S. Third St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1212. • Monmouth Library advisory Board — 7 a.m., Monmouth Public Library, 168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Monmouth Parks and Recreation Board — 7 p.m., Volun- teer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., 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. THuRSDaY, JunE 15 • Monmouth arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol- unteer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • independence Parks and Recreation Board — 6 p.m., In- dependence Civic Center, third ﬂoor, 555 S. Main St., Independ- ence. 503-838-1212. MOnDaY, JunE 19 • independence Tourism and Events Commission — 6:30 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., Dallas City Hall, 187 SE Court St., Dallas. 503-831-3502. TuESDaY, JunE 20 • independence Historic Preservation Commission — 4 p.m., Independence Civic Center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212. • Monmouth City Council — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 War- ren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725. • Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC oﬃce, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. wEDnESDaY, JunE 21 • Monmouth Planning Commission — 7 p.m., Volunteer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., 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 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 County not doing enough for suicide I read this morning an ar- ticle about Polk County and the prevention of suicide. Up to this point I have been kind about the servic- es I received last winter as far as the situation with a girl I welcomed into my home, but I am not doing anyone any service. The county is under the delusion that a person can reach out on their own. This girl had BPD and had two distinct personali- ties where anyone who helped, including the doc- tors assistants and the po- lice, either became the enemy or she turned on the charm and my call was treated as a domestic dis- pute. I don't fight, never have. I called for a welfare check and the police simply told us to stay away from each other, joking about it being time for lunch. The next day she hung herself. Previously in Mon- mouth, I asked for a psy- chological evaluation from the doctor’s assistant (the only person we were al- lowed to see). I was blown off. The pros are delusional if they think these people have the capacity to pick up the phone and call for help. Others may simply be look- ing for attention. If you’re going to practice this sort of medicine, take it seriously. Randy Wisnia Dallas All life on earth at risk of extinction Donald Trump, many of 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 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 his associates, as well as too many of his supporters are obsessively stupid of the threats of global warming and much environmental damage we have created. Now all viable life on earth is in greater risk of ex- tinction than 66 million years ago when a 6-mile wide asteroid struck near Yucatan, Mexico, killing the dinosaurs and 70 percent of all species. Among our many sins is fracking, which endangers our most valuable asset: pure, clean water. Walden Joura Dallas Demeaning others feeds hatred In the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., are posters the Nazis used to spread their hatred toward Jews. At the beginning of their campaign were three posters that stuck out to me reading: “The Jews are our misfortune,” “Just doing my job,” and “Propaganda fuels hatred of Jews.” Today we seem to have justified our hatred toward those we don’t agree with as if we were just doing our job, and it is our misfortune that they exist. Name-calling was the be- ginning of the Nazi rise. Whether you are a Re- publican, Democrat or In- dependent, demeaning those we don’t agree with, disrupting speeches, and destroying property only fuels the hatred that is with- in all of us. It does not build unity or understanding. Because they don’t vote our way, we say they lack in- telligence or are racist. We have the right to say what we want, so we think we can tear anyone down and it won’t affect our rational thought, but hatred begins with thinking you are the only way. 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 Larry Dalton Monmouth WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Letters to the editor are lim- ited to 300 words. Longer letters will be edited. Election-related letters of all types are limited to 100 words. Writers are limited to one elec- tion-related letter per election season. Election letters from writers outside of Polk County are not accepted. Each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. Letters that are libelous, ob- scene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or individuals will not be printed. Letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a busi- ness, products or services will not be printed. The Itemizer-Observer does not guarantee the accuracy of facts presented by letter writers; dissenters are welcome to re- spond. Letter writers who dis- agree with other published letter writers should maintain a civil discourse and address the subject, not the author. Letters, like all editorial mate- rial submitted to the newspa- per, are edited for length, grammar and content. Letters must include the au- thor’s name, address and tele- phone number. This includes letters submitted via the I-O’s website. Names and cities of res- idence are published; street ad- dresses and telephone numbers are used for veriﬁcation pur- poses only. Letters must be submitted from individuals, not organiza- tions, and must be original sub- missions to the I-O, not copies of letters sent to other media. Letters of thanks to busi- nesses, individuals and organi- zations are limited to 10 names. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Monday. Let- ters submitted may not be re- tractable after this deadline. — 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: 161 High St. SE, Suite 250, 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. 24 (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 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Polk County — One Year $35 Other Oregon Counties — One Year $40 Outside of Oregon — One Year $45 POSTMaSTER: Send address changes to: Polk County itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338 Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com DiSPLaY aDVERTiSing Heidi Leppin .................Display Advertising Manager ....................................hleppin@polkio.com Rachel Best ....................Display Advertising.............................................................rbest@polkio.com Karen Sanks...................Client Services ...................................................................ksanks@polkio.com CLaSSiFiED LinE aDVERTiSing Dawn Ohren.....................................................................................................................ioads@polkio.com PRODuCTiOn Kathy Huggins ..............................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com Karyn Pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com The Polk County Itemizer-Observer assumes no ﬁnancial responsibility for errors in advertise- ments. It will, however, reprint without charge for the portion of an advertisement web: www.polkio.com Phone: 503-623-2373 Fax: 503-623-2395 which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.