Polk County
Voices
Polk County itemizer-Observer • September 6, 2017 4A
EDITORIALS
Slow down, leave
early for school
It’s that time of year again, when our neighborhood
streets become flooded with children and teenagers, cars
and buses, on their way to school.
From the 6-year-old kid who is going to kindergarten for
his or her first day to the 17-year-old teenager working on
his or her final year of high school, they’ll be everywhere.
And their parents will be driving them — or maybe they’ll
be driving themselves for the first time.
Police vehicles will be out in force around our school
buildings, making sure drivers stop for pedestrians and
slow down to the 20 mph speed limit around school zones.
Make their job easier this week — and our kids and
teens safer — and leave a bit earlier for work or school.
Take your time and keep your foot light on the gas pedal.
Be patient, and don’t forget to stop for buses when they’ve
got their lights blinking.
The start of a fresh school year is an exciting time for
kids, parents, teachers, staff and administrators. Rather
than getting impatient and dreading the impending traffic,
smile at children as you stop or slow down for them. Wish
them good luck and a good day.
It’s also time to look at your schedule and see how you
can help alleviate some pressure on school employees by
volunteering.
Our schools have many chances and ways to volunteer,
from reading to kindergarteners who need extra help to at-
tending parent-teacher organization meetings. Some
schools may need a community volunteer to help in the li-
brary or to help mentor children in art or a profession.
Volunteers are often subject to background checks —
check with your school for more details on how you can
get involved.
When the adults in the neighborhood join forces to help
our youths, it helps grow the community locally and at
large. These are the future leaders of our community, our
state and our nation. They are the ones who will develop a
cure for cancer or the next iPhone technology. These are
the kids who will figure out the answers to questions we
continue to ask. They’ll build better roads, better homes
and better skyscrapers. Maybe they’ll even build a better
mousetrap.
But without the proper support and education, the
chances of any of that decrease substantially. Be a part of
the solution and volunteer.
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, SEPT. 6
• 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.
MONDAY, SEPT. 11
• Dallas School Board — 6:30 p.m., Dallas School District of-
fice, 111 SW Ash St., Dallas. 503-623-5594.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 12
• Independence City Council — 6:30 p.m., independence
Civic Center, 555 S. main St., independence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Tree Advisory Board — 7 p.m., monmouth
Senior Center, 180 Warren 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.
• WIMPEG Board of Directors — noon, Volunteer Hall, 144
Warren St. S., monmouth.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13
• 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.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Try walking a mile
in our shoes
The tragic fire on Catron
Street that claimed the life
of a 1-year-old affects the
whole community.
As first responders, our
local fire department was
heroic in its efforts to save
the life of that child. But
tragically the fire was too in-
tense when they tried to
enter the burning house.
Two of our firefighters were
burned during the attempt-
ed rescue.
Our local firefighters are
part of our community, and
they don’t leave their job at
the job. Many of them also
have families and are pro-
foundly affected by this
tragedy.
We want to thank our he-
roes for the work they do
every day. Their primary
goal is to help prevent
tragedies such as this.
As a reminder, check your
smoke detectors regularly.
As board members, our
responsibility is to see that
your tax dollars are spent
wisely.
Tom Snair
Independence
Board President
Polk County Fire District No. 1
Polk County Fair
huge success
The 2017 Polk County
Fair was a great success —
in huge part to our commu-
nity.
Thanks to the parents
and leaders for helping
young people gain new
knowledge, skills and reach
their project goals.
We appreciate our many
award donors by honoring
our winners from premium
money for scholarships.
It’s exciting to watch the
smiles and elation as kids
earn their first blue ribbon
or win a trophy. Special
thanks to Cross Creek Golf
Course for the loan of a golf
cart that was greatly appre-
ciated by a staff member re-
covering from back surgery.
The Polk County Live-
stock Association is a
tremendous partner as
sponsor of our Market Auc-
tion. They make it possible
for youth to recoup much of
the cost of raising their mar-
ket animals.
The auction wouldn’t be
successful without the
many buyers. The profit
from their animals will be
used to pay feed bills, invest
in school clothes and sup-
plies and college tuition,
going right back into the
local economy.
Thanks to the fair board
and management for man-
aging the details. The su-
perintendents do an out-
standing job organizing the
barns, classes and judging.
It takes hundreds of hours
of prepare for fair.
To our Teen Superintend-
ents, we could not do it
without you. Seeing the
growth in our older youth as
they help in the 4-H Fair Of-
fice to organize and deliver
the awards programs makes
you believe in the future of
our country.
Our program year begins
Oct. 1. 4-H is open to all
youth grades K to 12. We
hope you and your family
will join us in this grand ad-
venture we call 4-H.
It truly takes a village, and
Polk County 4-H is thankful
to be part of your village.
Thanks for your part in
helping to shape the leaders
of tomorrow.
Susan Busler
and The Polk County 4-H
Staff
Dallas
Kudos to
organizers of party
The Dallas community
recently enjoyed a spectacu-
lar party to celebrate the
eclipse over a four-day
weekend of Aug. 18-21. Our
town welcomed visitors
from neighboring commu-
nities, at least 28 states and
18 countries from as far
away as Iceland, China and
Romania.
Folks enjoyed fabulous
music concerts, food, ven-
dors and entertainment for
young and old while shop-
ping and celebrating in our
downtown. This event
showcased our downtown
in a fabulous way.
Great fun was had by all
with a resounding “great
job” being heard from en-
thusiastic folks for days to
follow.
This event didn’t just
“happen.” Credit should go
to those who put in the most
time and went the extra mile
for many months to prepare
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For more: polkio.com.
for this grand event. Rachel
Phelps, Doug Graven, of
Pressed Coffee & Wine Bar,
along with the city of Dallas
staff and the Dallas Down-
town Association were the
heavy hitters, along with the
chamber and visitors center
lending support.
Doug and Rachel lined up
the wonderful music and
professional stage that
brought a spectacular dis-
play to our downtown.
They coordinated the
wine and beer garden, and
the wine tasting event in-
side Pressed. The city and
DDA lined up the vendors
and children’s activities.
The city arranged for
some great campsites in
Roger Jordan Park at the
aquatic center, sent out
dozens of beautiful visitors
packets, and provided the
community with over 12,000
protective glasses.
Finally, a big shout out to
Emma Guida for continuing
the arrangements she start-
ed while at the DDA as she
finished her tenure working
for the city.
A special thanks to Mayor
Brian Dalton for organizing
and coordinating the vari-
ous entities in our commu-
nity almost a year in ad-
vance. Everyone involved
should be proud of the suc-
cess of one of the biggest
parties this town has ever
seen.
David Morelli
Dallas
Monmouth needs
to do more for kids
Paul Sieber’s request for
some sort of foot traffic
control on access to the in-
tersection of Sacre Lane and
Church Street school cross-
ing is well presented.
He and I are four-decade-
plus residents of this neigh-
borhood.
We have watched the area
grow and traffic multiply.
Ninety nine percent of that
growth passes through that
intersection.
Our city has looked the
other way and made no ef-
fort to provide access to the
new homes.
Council members sat and
watched as street access
was closed over the years.
First a cable, then a pipe
closed the end of Alberta
Street, which led directly to
Highway 51.
This is a street that could
easily have had controlled
access to our area. Then, a
subdivision was permitted
to build at the end of Mar-
garet Street.
A street to connect with
Hobart Road was requested
but refused.
Reason given? The soil
was considered unsuitable
for street construction.
Later, approval was given to
fill in (about 4 feet of fill),
and houses were built over
the flood plain.
Lastly, many dollars were
spent by the state in im-
proving the S-curves. Look
what they have done to pro-
vide access on the south
side of the curves while ef-
fectively blocking good ac-
cess to the north.
Councilor Sharmer, we
support you, but please look
past the council. This is also
a management issue.
Harold E. Pippin
Monmouth
Woman is blessed
by good neighbors
I have got to be one of
the luckiest people in the
world. I have such wonder-
ful neighbors.
I am in the twilight years
of my life, and through the
kindness of my neighbors,
Anna and Josh, who lent me
a pair of special sunglasses,
I was able to watch the
eclipse. What a thrill. That
was a once-in-a-lifetime ex-
perience for me.
I have another neighbor
named Frank. I recently
took an extended trip, and
Frank made sure my flowers
and yard were watered. And
on many a garbage pickup
day, I go outside to find he
has already wheeled my
cans to the curb.
Across the street is my
neighbor Jake, who recently
did some work around my
house that I have been try-
ing to get done for the past
year. And when he was
done, he told me if I ever
needed any help to contact
him. He would be glad to
help me.
And last winter when we
had all the ice and snow, I
got my car hung up on
some ice by the mailboxes
up the street. Before I knew
it, two neighbors (I don’t
even know their names) had
pulled my car off the ice
and I was free to go again.
With all the turmoil going
on in this world, I can only
say thank you to my wonder-
ful neighbors. I just wish
everyone was as lucky as I
am.
Helvi Ross
Dallas
HOW TO REACH US
Vol. 142, No. 36
(USPS) - 437-380)
The official newspaper of Polk County • Serving Polk County families since 1875
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