Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 23, 2017 4A
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EDITORIALS
Postal reform
needed soon
Most people get mail Monday through Saturday. But
what happens when the mail comes later than we expect?
We found out a few years ago, when the Postmaster
General had to take away overnight First-Class and Period
Now, we may be facing a new slowdown, if something isn’t
done by Congress very soon.
Who needs the mail, some people ask? We have the In-
ternet now. But a lot happens in the mail, and a lot goes
wrong when it is late. To begin with, mail is the backbone
for about $1.3 trillion in jobs, products and services.
And then there is the personal impact.
People send in their credit card payments at the last
minute when cash is tight. The payment reaches the credit
card company late, and credit scores take a beating. That
causes loans for cars and houses to get more expensive.
Many people count on the mail for medicines. A missed
dosage can mean a trip to the hospital.
Small businesses count on the day’s mail to bring in
cash from customers.
Some things just can’t be emailed. It is hard to send your
grandkid’s birthday cake overnight by the Internet. Some
farm supply houses use the mail to deliver small animals
quickly. They certainly can’t zap them across broadband,
or allow them to die in a post office waiting for a mail
truck. And then there are legal documents that have to ar-
rive by certified mail. Also, I have to mention late newspa-
pers, where sales coupons are missed and public event an-
nouncements arrive after the event. Newspapers like this
one that rely on the mail for delivery to readers took it on
the chin the past few years, with disappointed readers can-
celing their subscriptions.
We are at another crunch point. The U.S. Postal Service
has a $57 billion deficiency on its balance sheet, most of it
caused by Congress. Fixing it may require the Postmaster
General to close more post offices and mail sorting plants,
eliminate mail-hauling truck routes and ground the air-
mail. The mail would be slowed down even further.
The choices are tough, and Congress is never good at
tough choices. Businesses that buy postage cannot afford
big increases. Consumers cannot afford to pay more for
slower mail. USPS wants to protect jobs for its workers.
Of course, USPS is not supported by tax dollars, but by
postage. And no tax-payer money should be needed unless
Congress lets the system deteriorate further.
There is a better choice.
A bill, HR 756, was sent to House Ways and Means Com-
mittee last March by the House committee responsible for
overseeing the U.S. Postal Service.
The legislation would require about 77,000 retired postal
workers who draw benefits from a federal benefits health
fund to use Medicare instead. Medicare taxes were already
paid for these workers. The Medicare fund owes these re-
tirees their benefits anyway. It is just that this group has
chosen a different benefit for themselves, which they were
allowed to do. Now it is time for them to follow the prac-
tice of most private sector workers and draw their earned
benefits from Medicare instead.
Commercial mailers would have to accept a small
postage increase to pay most of the new cost to Medicare.
But the benefits to the federal budget and to USPS would
be substantial. Overall, the federal deficit would be $6 bil-
lion less if the bill passed.
And the U.S. Postal Service would save about $30 billion
over 10 years. All that needs to happen is for House Speak-
er Paul Ryan to put the bill up for a successful vote.
If you are concerned about losing more mail service,
particularly in rural America, contact your Representative
and ask for a big push for HR 756 in September.
Matthew Paxton IV
NNA President
Publisher of the News-Gazette
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, Aug. 23
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
ThursdAy, Aug. 24
• Monmouth-Independence networks Board of direc-
tors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S.
Fifth St., Independence. 503-837-0700.
MondAy, Aug. 28
• Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence
Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• dallas school Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of-
fice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594.
TuesdAy, Aug. 29
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9
a.m., Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas.
503-623-8173.
WednesdAy, Aug. 30
• 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
League thanks
Boquist for session
This letter is to express
the League of Oregon Cities’
appreciation to Sen. Brian
Boquist for his leadership
during the 2017 legislative
session in gaining passage
of a $5.3 billion transporta-
tion package that will result
in significant benefits for all
Oregonians.
The senator also played a
critical role in efforts to ne-
gotiate legislative solutions
to protect local flexibility,
while ensuring accountabili-
ty for public dollars being
spent on local public im-
provement projects.
His efforts will help to en-
sure that local communities
get the best value when
making investments in local
infrastructure.
In addition, Boquist was
instrumental in the passage
of a pilot program creating a
more equitable property tax
assessment method for new
construction, and defeating
harmful property tax ex-
emptions.
Local governments and
schools rely heavily on
property tax revenues to
fund their budgets. We
thank Boquist for his
achievements and contribu-
tions during the 2017 leg-
islative sessions which ben-
efit Oregonians living in
cities.
Mike McCauley
Salem
Dallas citizens find
success with help
In the process of trying to
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
sell a rental home in Dallas,
a loan request from our
buyer was denied by every
possible lending service due
to a zoning issue at this ad-
dress.
We struggled through
several layers of local au-
thorities before our situa-
tion was brought before the
Dallas City Council, and ul-
timately resolved.
We would like to thank
those involved for their
amazing efforts including
Jeff Laeng, of Avenue Mort-
gage, Amber Archibald and
Windemere Realty; Chase
Ballew, Jason Locke and
City Attorney Lane Shetter-
ly; and finally, the efforts of
Mayor Brian Dalton and the
council members, especially
Council President Micky
Garus, and councilors Jim
Fairchild and Paul Trahan.
Our apologies if we left
out anyone, but we at-
tempted to stay within the
maximum names allowed
per I-O policy.
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 and Nancy Wilson
Dallas
WANT TO WRITE A LETTER?
Letters to the editor are
limited to 300 words. Longer
letters will be edited.
Election-related letters of
all types are limited to 100
words. Writers are limited to
one election-related letter
per election season. Election
letters from writers outside
of Polk County are not ac-
cepted.
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.
The Itemizer-Observer does
not guarantee the accuracy
of facts presented by letter
writers; dissenters are wel-
come to respond. Letter writ-
ers who disagree with other
published letter writers
should maintain a civil dis-
course and address the sub-
ject, not the author.
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. Names and
cities of residence are pub-
lished; street addresses and
telephone numbers are used
for verification purposes
only.
Letters must be submitted
from individuals, not organi-
zations, and must be original
submissions to the I-O, not
copies of letters sent to other
media.
Letters of thanks to busi-
nesses, individuals and or-
ganizations are limited to 10
names.
The deadline for letters to
the editor is 10 a.m. Monday.
Letters submitted may not
be retractable 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
Vol. 142, No. 34
(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