Polk County
Voices
Polk county Itemizer-Observer • October 18, 2017 4A
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EDITORIALS
It’s time to start
talking about it
It’s a sticky subject, suicide is.
It’s uncomfortable to talk about, someone taking his or
her own life. A slew of “what ifs” that can never be an-
swered. A laundry list of “whys” follows. The act itself can
swallow survivors whole with guilt, sorrow, anger, and
more questions than answers.
The stigma attached to suicide is strong. In fact, journal-
ists are discouraged from reporting on suicides except for
three specific circumstances. The fear is if killing oneself is
glorified, it may encourage others to seek their “15 min-
utes of fame” in a similar fashion. The old adage of doing
no harm is in play, and most suicides go unreported in the
press.
A movement has been afoot in Polk County for a couple
of years to stop the stigma, instead encouraging people to
seek help. Rather than simply posting the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and expecting any-
one who may be contemplating ending his or her own life,
the Mid-Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition reached out to
youths to communicate that you are not alone.
Students at Central High School put together a video
showing that everyone needs to talk — even the jock and
popular girl. Everyone has insecurities, problems at home,
stress and pressures. It’s OK to get counseling or reach out
for help. When you see someone in distress, it’s OK to ask
(#OK2Ask) about it and be that person who listens.
The Mid-Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition offers sui-
cide prevention training to students and adults. Some pro-
grams are free; other, more in-depth seminars cost a nom-
inal fee. Right now, leadership classes at Central have
taken these suicide prevention trainings. Students see an
issue and have taken steps to help their peers through the
tough, high-school years.
But it doesn’t stop there. Thoughts of suicide don’t nec-
essarily become a thing of the past like proms, Friday
Night Lights, school plays and raging hormones. We must
remain diligent as a society, keeping our eyes out for each
other, lifting each other up when we see friends (or
strangers) slipping into despair.
For those who are considering suicide, know that there
is help. You may feel alone, that there is no light at the end
of the tunnel, but you aren’t alone. There is a light. Call the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline now. Make an ap-
pointment with your school counselor.
Grasp on to hope.
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
Making America
great takes work
Immigrants make Ameri-
ca great if:
They love America.
They respect the laws of
the land.
They learn the language
and don’t feel entitled to
have everything presented
to them in a language other
than English.
They pay their own way.
They don’t rape the sys-
tem by entitlements.
Yes, we are all immi-
grants, but America didn’t
achieve its greatness by ex-
pecting special services and
privileges.
America became great by
everyone doing their fair
share and paying their own
way by hard work and in-
tegrity.
Help make America great.
Be true Americans.
June Stout
Independence
End of life made
easier by services
The family of Juanita
Baker would like to thank
Tonya Smith and the staff at
Blue Haven Residential and
Memory Care Facility in
Dallas, and also Serenity
Hospice for the wonderful
care shown to Juanita dur-
ing her final journey. Every-
one was so kind, caring,
compassionate and profes-
sional to her and her family.
It gave us great peace of
mind.
We appreciate all that
they did to keep her com-
fortable, and we will be
eternally grateful for their
guidance at this difficult
time. And our thanks also to
Mike Bollman, of Bollman
Funeral Home, and his staff
for their kindnesses and
professionalism.
Randy and Linda Baker
Dallas
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
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, OCT. 18
• 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.
THURSDAy, OCT. 19
• Monmouth Arts and Culture Commission — 7 p.m., Vol-
unteer Hall, 144 Warren St. S., Monmouth. 503-838-0725.
• Independence Parks and Recreation Board — 6 p.m., In-
dependence civic center, third floor, 555 S. Main St., Independ-
ence. 503-838-1212.
MOnDAy, OCT. 23
• 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, OCT. 24
• Independence City Council — 6:30 p.m., Independence
civic center, 555 S. Main St., Independence. 503-838-1212.
• Monmouth Senior Advisory Board
— 1 p.m., Mon-
mouth 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.
WEDnESDAy, OCT. 25
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
county courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
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. 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
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 newspaper,
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. Monday. Let-
ters 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.
What’s YOUR neighbor up to?
You may find your neighbor, your boss, your friend or yourself in the pages of
the Itemizer-Observer. Local stories on local people—that’s our specialty.
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. 42
(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
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to: Polk County Itemizer-Observer, P.O. Box 108, Dallas, Oregon 97338
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
DISPLAy ADVERTISInG
Heidi Leppin .................Display Advertising Manager (ext.115).................hleppin@polkio.com
Rachel best ....................Display Advertising.............................................................rbest@polkio.com
Aaron Stark....................Display Advertising (ext. 110) ......................................astark@polkio.com
Karen Sanks...................client Services (ext. 118)...............................................ksanks@polkio.com
CLASSIFIED LInE ADVERTISInG
Dawn Ohren .....................................................................................................................ioads@polkio.com
PRODUCTIOn
Kathy Huggins ..............................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com
Karyn Pressel .................................................................................................................iosales@polkio.com
The Polk county Itemizer-Observer assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertise-
Web: www.polkio.com
ments. It will, however, reprint without charge for the portion of an advertisement
which is in error if the Itemizer-Observer is at fault.
Phone: 503-623-2373
Fax: 503-623-2395
