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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 28, 2017 4A
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EDITORIALS
Be safe this holiday
No one does Fourth of July as well as Polk County. With
celebrations kicking off in Falls City and Independence on
Saturday, it’s a four-day affair as the community dons its
best red, white, and blue, and gathers for carnivals, pa-
rades, barbecues and fireworks.
The heat is not forecast to be as high as it was last week-
end, but if you’re thinking about going for a swim in one of
our rivers, take care. Polk County Fire District No. 1 re-
sponded to two water rescues in the Willamette River last
week — one of them turned out to be fatal.
The river is colder than you might expect. Even if it looks
calm on the surface, it’s what’s underneath that could cre-
ate a dangerous situation, and quickly.
Life jackets are provided at Riverview Park and at the In-
dependence Boat Landing for people who want to venture
into the water, but they don’t do any good if they remain
hanging on a hook. Wear them and watch your surround-
ings. Have a designated adult to supervise children at all
times.
When on the river, avoid using alcohol. It’s illegal to
drive under the influence, and that goes for boats and bi-
cycles as well as cars.
If you choose to consume, designate a driver or have a
taxi’s number on hand. Nothing is worth risking the lives
of others, your family and friends or yourself.
With the Fourth comes fireworks. Three opportunities
present themselves for professional displays — Monday at
Riverview Park, and Tuesday at both Riverview Park and in
Dallas at Roger Jordan Park.
Of course, you can also purchase your own fireworks for
a private showing, but consider your neighbors, pets and,
most of all, safety.
We’ve seen a legal burn pile get out of control and
threaten to destroy a home this year. The same thing can
happen with fireworks. Follow the instructions on the
package and have a hose and bucket of water handy.
We hope everyone gets out and enjoys each other and
our nation’s birthday. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and
use common sense to stay safe and help others enjoy the
weekend, too.
Because the Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year —
our usual day to print the paper — we will not have many
photos of this year’s festivities in next week’s paper. Check
online on July 5 for photo albums, and the July 12 issue of
the Itemizer for photos in print.
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
The planet has
survived worse
I read the letter from Wal-
dron Joura and wondered
where he got this ridiculous
theory about global warm-
ing. If you look back at the
history of the world, you will
find that we go though
many changes of warming
and cooling, and yet life has
flourished in all this.
We are still warming up
from the last Ice Age and
will continue to do this until
we go through another Ice
Age.
Ever wonder what life
was like when we were so
warm that the earth was
covered in foliage that cre-
ated all that oil and coal be-
neath us?
We did not pull out of the
global warming pact to stop
our way of treating the
problem, we did it because
it would cost us trillions of
dollars and many lost jobs
that we cannot afford.
One volcano eruption
gives out thousands more
carbon dioxide than people
do in one year. Maybe we
need to plug them up.
Also as anyone knows, we
take in oxygen and let out
carbon dioxide. Maybe we
should all stop breathing.
Now we only theorize
that a large comet or aster-
oid was the cause of the loss
of the dinosaurs — remem-
ber this all took place 64
million years ago. Ever think
that maybe they just
evolved into other animals
in the next one or two mil-
lion years. We now think
that they are the forerun-
ners of the birds.
I doubt very much that
what we do will wipe out all
life on earth.
All plants will survive in a
world of warmth and car-
bon dioxide as it did billions
of years ago.
Mr. Joura is probably one
of those who thinks the
world is only a few thou-
sand years old as the Bible
says. Funny I have seen that
in the Bible.
Walt Davies
Monmouth
Let officials know
your concerns
Parents train children so
eventually they can function
as adults. With the resound-
ing defeat of Measure 97,
parents/voters clearly com-
municated to state officials
the fiscal parameters within
which they must function,
and revenues are higher
than ever.
Reminiscent of the emer-
gency clause that was used
to raise the minimum wage,
our children/leaders re-
tooled the small business
tax, worsened it, and are
pressing to impose it with-
out a general election. In-
vestigate immediately, con-
vey thoughts to officials
now due to July 10 budget
deadline.
Kris Dalton
Monmouth
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
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
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 28
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
THURSdAY, JUnE 29
• monmouth-Independence networks — 11 a.m., Minet
board office, 405 Hogan Road N., Monmouth. 503-837-0700.
WEdnESdAY, JULY 5
• monmouth Historic Commission — 6 p.m., Volunteer Hall,
144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• 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.
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. Friday. Letters
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.
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. 26
(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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Polk County — One Year $35
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Outside of Oregon — One Year $45
POSTmASTER:
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Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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Phone: 503-623-2373
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which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.