Polk County News
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 19, 2017
Solar Saturdays at Indy library
REUNIONS
DHS Class of 1997
Dallas High School Class of 1997 will celebrate its 20th re-
union at Rogue Farms from 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 5. On Aug. 6
from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., classmates will meet at Dallas City
Park for a family picnic. For more information and tickets:
www.eventbrite.com/e/dallas-or-class-of-97-reunion-tickets-
35530112523, or on the DHS class of 1997 reunion group on
Facebook.
CHS Class of 1972
Central Class of 1972 will celebrate its 45th class reunion on
July 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Independence Riverview
Park. No host; just come and visit. Hope to see you there.
DHS Class of 1962
Dallas High School Class of 1962 will celebrate its 55th re-
union on Aug. 11-13.
For more information: Case Chaney, 503-881-5810.
Reunion for Falls City schools
Open to anyone who has attended Falls City schools. The
event will be held on Aug. 26 starting at noon at The Bread-
board in Falls City. The event moves to The Boondocks at 4
when The Breadboard closes. There is a special Facebook
group page: www.facebook.com/groups/434784380189748/.
For more information: Tracy Quiring, dgutf@outlook.com or
541-903-1434.
CHS Class of 1977 40th
STEPhANIE BLAIR/Itemizer-Observer
Every Saturday leading up to the weekend of the Great American Eclipse on Aug. 21, the Independence Public Li-
brary will hold a Solar Saturday event. Each week participants will use a different artist medium to make space-
themed creations with the guidance of a community member leading the session.
“It sounded like too much fun around the eclipse not to do something,” said Library Director Robin Puccetti.
Puccetti added that, in planning, the library tried to incorporate all different art forms into the schedule. With
events spanning from poetry writing and drawing, to tie-dye and clay working, the variety offers artistic outlets
for all ages. To volunteer with the library, for Solar Saturdays or other events, contact the library by calling 503-
838-1811 or visit the library in person.
Hansen addresses future with county
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
POLK COUNTY — County
Administrator Greg Hansen will
officially retire this summer, but
he won’t leave right away.
Hansen said expected
changes in the Oregon Public
Employees Retirement Sys-
tem that could affect him fi-
nancially are driving his deci-
sion to retire. He met with a
PERS representative Tuesday
afternoon to discuss his op-
tions and will retire in August
or September. He will work
full-time under a contract
for the rest of the year.
Hansen presented the
Polk County Board of Com-
missioners three options for
what could happen in 2018.
One choice had him leav-
ing at the end of 2017. An-
other pushed his end date to
around June 30, 2018. No
one on the board liked those
options.
His second option was to
work on a potentially long-
term contract, but limited to
an average of 24 hours per
week to stay under the PERS-
mandated 1,039-hour limita-
tion for retirees. He suggest-
ed a three- to five-year con-
tract. “I would not be propos-
ing this option if I were not
confident with the current
expertise/talent of our exist-
ing department heads,” he
said.
Hansen said the county
has ballot measures to
renew the public safety levy,
to bring in money for Polk
County Courthouse mainte-
nance and to create a Polk
County Fair district on tap in
the coming years. Also, he
expects retirements in lead-
ership posts around the
county in two to four years.
Hansen said he would like
to stay on to help the county
through those transitions.
The contract option
would save the county
$60,000 to $100,000 per year.
Commissioner Jennifer
Wheeler said the only viable
option in her opinion is a
part-time contract.
“I highly respect that he
put the county first in this
situation because he certain-
ly didn’t have to,” she said. “I
would like him to be here as
long as he possibly can.”
Commissioners Mike
Ainsworth and Craig Pope
agreed. The board asked
Hansen to draft agreements
for the rest of this year and
the longer-term contract.
After working for the
county for more than 30
years, Hansen said planning
for retirement felt strange.
“It was a weird memo to
write and even weirder to
talk about this morning,”
Hansen said Tuesday.
Requesting all classmates to attend Central high School’s
Class of 1977 40th reunion for a no-host dinner and drinks at
Kolby’s RB&B at 3838 River Road NE, Keizer, on Aug. 12 from 6
to
11:30
p.m.
RSVP
on
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/events/631545067040419/?ti=icl or text
Molly Derry at 503-917-9251, via email, mderry@aol.com.
Those who register before Aug. 1 will receive a free drink
coupon at the door for themselves and a guest.
DHS Class of 1987 30th
Dallas high School Class of 1987 will host a 30-year reunion
on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at Rogue Farms, 3590 Wigrich Road, Inde-
pendence. The reunion will continue on Aug. 6 with a family
potluck from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Siebert/Frederick-
son Memorial Shelter in the Dallas City Park. For more informa-
tion: Facebook Dallas Dragons Class of 87.
Remembering the Praegitzer fire of ’87
A “fire reunion” will be held on Aug. 12 and 13 for all the
employees and businesses affected by the massive industrial
fire that destroyed Praegitzer Industries in 1987.
The reunion will include a bring-your-own picnic from noon
until 4 p.m. at the new side of Dallas City Park on Aug. 12. A
golf outing is scheduled for Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at Cross Creek
Golf Course. A brunch will be on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at Eola hills
Wine Cellars, Rickreall. RSVP for brunch: 503-623-2405.
For more information: eric.rogers1947@gmail.com.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Costa receives Presidential Award
FRONT ROYAL , Va. — Lucas Costa, of Monmouth, a senior at
Randolph-Macon Academy, was awarded the Presidential Aca-
demic Education Award for Academic Excellence.
Senior students selected for this award must demonstrate
high motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leader-
ship qualities and exceptional judgment.