Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, July 12, 2017, Image 4

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Polk County itemizer observer., July 12, 2017, Page 4A, Image 4

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Voices polk County itemizer-Observer • July 12, 2017 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Be inspired to take action Something happened over the Fourth of July in Dallas, and it was more than fireworks and a barbecue competi- tion. It was another viral Facebook post that ended up show- ing the true spirit of this community. A woman vandalized signs and places throughout town, but was stopped in her tracks after defacing the Sgt. Ian Tawney Memorial Park sign. A witness took her picture and called police before she could spray-paint anymore signs in town. What happened next started in a similar manner to what we often see on Facebook. Someone posted a picture of the vandalism and complained. Public shaming of the woman — unknown to many at the time of posting. How could anyone do this? What a terrible thing! Then, a sort of vigilante stepped in. Alex Lofton and his family and friends took matters into their own hands. Lofton noticed the Facebook post because it was getting so much attention, and, at 11 p.m. on July 4, drove over to the Ian Tawney Memorial Park with a bucket of soapy water and scrub brushes in hand. He used the light from his headlights to begin the work of trying to clean the pink spray-paint from the veteran’s sign. When the paint would not wash off, Lofton and his crew got some acrylic paints and began trying to paint over the graffiti. That wasn’t good enough. The pink kept coming through. So, Lofton and his friends worked in the heat of the day repainting it a darker, “Marine Corps Green.” They didn’t stop until the work was done. Of course, the town took note. On the evening of July 4, people began posting pictures of Alex and his family work- ing in the dark of the night by headlights, and the com- ments changed from complaints to praise and love. We’re not suggesting people paint city property on a regular basis, but we hope the community will remember what Lofton, his family and friends accomplished last week. We hope that, before you post a picture of trash in Dal- las City Park and complain about how rude your fellow residents are for littering, you will pick up the trash. If you must post, post about how lovely the park looks because you’ve helped keep it clean. You don’t have to be a part of a commission or council to take responsibility for the beauty of your town. As for Lofton and his crew, our hats are off to you. 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, JuLy 12 • 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. • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., polk County Courthouse, ﬁrst ﬂoor conference room, 850 Main st., Dallas. 503-623-8173. THuRSDAy, JuLy 13 • Polk County Fire District no. 1 Board — 6 p.m., Central station 90, 1800 Monmouth st., independence. 503-838-1510. • Falls City City Council — 6 p.m., Falls City Community Cen- ter, 320 N. Main st., Falls City. 503-787- 3631. MOnDAy, JuLy 17 • Dallas City Council — 7 p.m., Dallas City hall, 187 se Court st., Dallas. 503-831-3502. TuESDAy, JuLy 18 • 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, JuLy 19 • 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 Science doesn’t judge, it observes Oh dear, Mr. Davies, I am quite confused after reading your opinion on global warming in the June 28 paper. It seems that the argu- ment about the planet’s warming and cooling peri- ods and the cyclical nature of these phases on the earth, brought to you by re- cent centuries of scientific research, observation, ex- periments, publishing find- ings, peer review, more ex- periments, etc., until gradu- ally over time the entire warming and cooling peri- ods and the effect these pe- riods have on our planet, humanity, animals, plants, all are valid in the discus- sion. Yet the very same scien- tific processes that have been discovering, docu- menting, experimenting, publishing, reviewing, and explaining the effects of global warming on our planet, humanity, animals, plants, are not valid. I don’t know that one could use scientific findings of a previous time to dis- claim the scientific findings during this time. If indeed science has truly discovered the warm- ing and cooling cycles of the earth, does it not also make sense that science would discover when the earth is in distress in those cycles from manmade influences? Science does not judge. Science observes and meas- ures and shares its conclu- sions. What we do with those newly found facts be- longs to us. Not to science. Science has and is continu- ing to do its job in docu- menting and telling the news of global warming that is here. Our Creator gave us the gifts of science and faith. With the two together, we can move forward to keep our planet healthy and in a good working order for hu- manity’s future. Diane McBurnett Monmouth Cellphone sting could bring revenue So, I’m pretty sure it is no secret that it is illegal to talk or to text on a hand-held cellphone while driving. Why is it then that when I’m out and about I observe far too many drivers ignoring this law? Come on folks, hang up and drive. WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? letters to the editor are limited to 300 words. longer letters will be edited. each writer is restricted to one letter per 30-day period. letters that are libelous, obscene or in bad taste will not be printed. Attacks by name on businesses or indi- viduals will not be printed. letters to the editor that are obvious promotions for a business, products or serv- ices will not be printed. Here’s an idea, have a plain clothes police officer on a random day in a ran- dom place photo ticketing once a week. I’m guessing it wouldn’t take long to be so flush with cash that no pro- gram or department would be wanting for anything. There would never again be the need to ask the taxpay- ers for a bond measure. We could build that jail, put the new roof on the current one, hire those extra offi- cers, do the courthouse annex, fund all of the public safety departments, take care of the fairgrounds facil- ities and probably have funds left over. Julianna Burke Independence Mini-Marathon smashing success On behalf of the 47th an- nual Fourth of July Mini- Marathon planning com- mittee, we would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make this a fun event. Specifically, the Central Lions Club, the staff at the Independence library, the Folck Family, Jacob Welch, Carol Rose, Kelly Rockwell, Cody Black, Bill and Linda Lindh, the Kelly family, the Cable family and other vol- unteers for assisting with day of race registration, water station, and the finish line. We would also like to thank all the businesses that donated water and prizes for our finish line raffle. We had over 400 people register this year. All proceeds from this event go to support local nonprofits and schol- arships. We hope you’ll consider participating next year. Jennifer O’Sullivan Independence Veteran recounts Honor Flight On June 23, I was a very letters, like all editorial material submitted to the newspaper, are edited for length, grammar and con- tent. letters must include the author’s name, address and telephone number. This in- cludes letters submitted via the I-O’s website. The deadline for letters to the editor is 10 a.m. Mon- day. For the complete policy: polkio.com. happy World War II veteran. My doctor, Dr. Edwardson, recommended me to the Honor Flight TLC program. This is a nonprofit program which honors veterans from WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars by giving them a free trip to Washington, D.C., to see all of the national war monuments. First stop was the WWII Monument, built in 2004, a beautiful fountain in the middle surrounded by pil- lars representing each state. They didn’t rush us back to the bus. We got to sit and view the monument. While sitting there under the shade trees, many people would come to us and shake our hands to thank us for our service. Young children would come to us as well as older people. People knew we were vet- erans because Honor Flight gave all the veterans a T- shirt labeled, “Veteran.” On the back of the shirt there were two quotes which read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher,” and “If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.” We traveled to the Lin- coln, Vietnam and Korean memorials. The Navy Mon- ument was next. Then they took us to the Arlington Na- tional Cemetery where we saw the changing of the guard. We saw the Iwo Jima statue, then the Air Force Monument, where we all got out of the bus and had a group picture taken to re- member the trip. There were 20 veterans and 20 guardians on this trip. Thanks to Honor Flight’s Diane and Jane, plus 20 vol- unteers who helped us at the airport, pushed us in our wheelchairs, and helped us in and out of the bus. Thank you Dr. Edward- son for suggesting this, and the Honor Flight program that gives veterans this chance in a lifetime. 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 Melvin Olfert 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 Vol. 142, No. 28 (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 nEWSROOM emily Mentzer ..............editor/Monmouth/independence reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com lukas eggen..................sports editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/polk County reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com stephanie Blair.............General Assignment reporter........................................sblair@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 The polk County itemizer-Observer assumes no ﬁnancial responsibility for errors in advertise- Karyn pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338