Polk County
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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 25, 2017 4A
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EDITORIALS
Keep Halloween
safe for everyone
Tuesday is Halloween, and with the leaves changing
color and chill in the air, it seems a perfect time for some
spooky fun.
As you celebrate the holiday that is all about candy, cos-
tumes, haunted houses and creepy stories, remember to
stay safe.
Halloween is the one night that we encourage children
to walk around in the dark, go to strangers houses and ask
for candy. It’s a good tradition, rooted in community trust,
that we shouldn’t be afraid to participate in.
Be smart about it, though, and here is why: Roughly two
times as many children aged 5 to 14 are killed while walk-
ing on Halloween evening compared with other evenings
of the year. Falls are a leading cause of injuries among chil-
dren on this one night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety
Council have compiled tips for parents to keep in mind.
Children should:
• Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches
rather than entering houses.
• Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an
adult.
• Know their phone numbers and carry a cell phone for
an emergency phone call. They also should carry a note in
their pocket with their name and address.
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can
inspect them.
• When using costume knives and swords, ensure they
are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking in neighborhoods, children should:
• Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks and avoid crossing
yards.
• Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks and don't
cross between parked cars. Children should stop at all cor-
ners and stay together in a group before crossing.
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame re-
tardant. Consider using face paint instead of masks.
• Avoid wearing hats that could slide over their eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized
shoes to prevent tripping.
Parents and adults should:
• Supervise the outing for children younger than 12 and
establish a curfew for older children.
• Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porch-
es, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing decorations away
from doorways and landings.
• Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts,
hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
• Inspect all candy before children eat it.
To ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters:
• Drive slowly, watch for children in the street and on
medians and exit driveways and alleyways carefully.
• Have children get out of cars on the curbside, not the
traffic side.
And remember, have a fun and happy Halloween.
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. 25
• Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk
County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St.,
Dallas. 503-623-8173.
THuRSDAy, OCT. 26
• Monmouth-independence networks Board of Direc-
tors — 7:30 a.m., Henry Hill Education Support Center, 750 S.
Fifth St., Independence. 503-837-0700.
TuESDAy, OCT. 31
• Polk County Board of Commission work session — 9 a.m.,
Polk County Courthouse, BOC office, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-
623-8173.
WEDnESDAy, nOV. 1
• 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 Coun-
ty 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
Dallas shines at
Glow Run
The Dallas Glow Run
Committee would like to ex-
tend a heartfelt thank you to
the volunteers, sponsors
and participants that came
out in support of the 2nd
annual Dallas Glow Run
held on Oct. 14 at the Acad-
emy Building. Over 100 vol-
unteers lined the course to
cheer and guide runners
and walkers and make sure
the event ran smoothly.
This year's event included
a newly added Kid's Dash
for children ages 6 and
under. The young partici-
pants enjoyed the party at-
mosphere and were greeted
by glow-in-the-dark batons
from the Anytime Fitness
mascot and a finisher's
metal that was proudly dis-
played to family and
friends.
Next, more than 400 run-
ners and walkers, many of
which were dressed in cos-
tume, completed the 5k fun
run through Downtown and
the Dallas City Park to the
illumination of 2,500 led
twinkling lights. The event
raises thousands of dollars
each year for Christmas
Cheer, a local non-profit
that provides food assis-
tance to families in need.
The Dallas Glow Run
Committee would also like
to thank staff from the City
of Dallas Parks and Recre-
ation Department, Police
and Community Develop-
ment for their support with
the event.
Dallas is fortunate to
have so many caring people
to create a fun, family-
friendly activity that show-
cases why it's so great to
live in a small town. We look
forward to an even bigger
and better Glow Run in Oc-
tober 2018 and hope that
you'll be there to celebrate
it with us!
Suzanne Dufner
Dallas
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Letters must include the au-
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This includes letters submit-
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lished.
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.
Email: ionews@polkio.com.
SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER
As I was driving down
16th street between Central
High School, Talmadge Mid-
dle School, and Ash Creek
Elementary, I was reflecting
on my first three months in
the Central School District
community. I kept reflecting
on the word community.
When key words resonate
with me, I refer back to their
definitions to indulge my re-
flective connection to that
word. There are several dif-
ferent definitions of com-
munity: A group of people
living in the same place; a
feeling of fellowship with
others, as a result of sharing
common attitudes, interests,
and goals; or an interacting
population of various kinds
of individuals in a common
location. In this reflection of
the different definitions, I re-
alized that many of us live
each day in several commu-
nities.
For example, our family
community, school commu-
nity, and work community, to
name a few. Some may have
connections to one another
and some may not. Through-
out my first three months, I
have had the opportunity to
see and learn about the dif-
ferent communities within
each of the five schools, dis-
trict departments, as well as
the greater Independence
and Monmouth communi-
Kubista
ties. These
connected
make up
t h e g re a t
community
I have the
honor of
serving
each day as
the super-
intendent.
As one of the educational
leaders within this commu-
nity, it is vital we continu-
ously foster environments
where learning, growth,
working, and leading are
prevalent.
As I have met with stu-
dents, staff, families, and
community leaders it is clear
this type of environment is
being fostered. Within any
community, it is important
that we build a culture of
trust, we build a culture of
relationship, we build a cul-
ture of communication, and
we build a culture of under-
standing.
Please know, within these
different communities, there
will be times we will agree to
disagree and view things dif-
ferent. That is always a great
way to learn and grow, by lis-
tening to understand and re-
flecting on those differences.
But, the capacity of a human
community, is people living
and working together, learn-
ing, growing, and leading, 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
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
bring forth new realities, for
the success of Central School
District, students, families,
staff, and the greater com-
munities we are in.
To close, I want to share a
few anonymous quotes from
Central staff as I asked them
to reflect on their dreams for
students, families, and the
greater Central community.
In regard to students:
That they “love to learn.”
That they “experience the joy
of realizing they can be suc-
cessful beyond their wildest
imagination,” and “have a
feeling of accomplishment
in whatever they do.”
In regard to families: That
they “feel welcome and in-
volved within the schools.”
In regard to community:
That we “work together to
support the needs of stu-
dents, families, staff, and the
greater community.”
Our work together has
just begun in Central, a gem
of a school district, located
in the beautiful Willamette
Valley.
I look forward to working
with the many communities
that make up Central as we
continue to polish this gem
in support of our students,
staff, and families.
Jennifer Kubista, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Central
School District
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
nEWSROOM
Emily Mentzer ..............Editor/Monmouth/Independence Reporter ....ementzer@polkio.com
Vol. 142, No. 43
(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
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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
Lukas Eggen..................Sports Editor......................................................................leggen@polkio.com
Jolene Guzman............Dallas/Falls City/Polk County Reporter ................jguzman@polkio.com
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