Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 1, 2017 13A
Falls City water bills to
go up by $1.75 monthly
Let your colors shine
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
The fall colors are on full display throughout Polk County.
FALLS CITY — Water
bills in Falls City will in-
crease by $1.75 to pay for
maintenance on backflow
devices installed to prevent
contamination in the water
system.
Mayor Terry Ungricht
wrote in a memo to the
Falls City City Council that
at the time they were in-
stalled, the council believed
they would be required by
law.
They were installed on
each hookup in the city,
but as it turns out, regula-
tions didn’t require them.
Ungricht said now that
they are installed, the city
has an obligation to test
them yearly.
In 2013, the city ap-
proved a contract to have
them tested. Under the
contract, testing was paid
for, not replacement if the
devices failed. That is the
responsibility of the cus-
tomer. To pay for the con-
tract, the city added a $2.25
per account charge.
With the inspection fees
expiring in June 2018, the
city decided to look at dif-
ferent ways to handle the
backflow device issue.
Three options were pre-
sented to the city’s Public
Work Committee.
The first was to pull the
devices when they failed.
“The purpose of the
backflow device is to pre-
vent contamination to the
system, but also protects
when there is a water loss
in the system,” Ungricht
noted in the memo. “If the
line that services the pres-
sure to your house fails, it
would drain the water out
of your pipes and have a
big chance of burning out
your water heater.”
The committee decided
that wasn’t an acceptable
option.
The second option was
to add another mainte-
nance fee for the devices.
The third is to have the
city take ownership of the
backflow devices, drop the
$2.25 fee for the testing
contract, but add $4 to the
base rate to cover the cost
of testing and replacing
units that fail.
The committee recom-
mended the third option,
and the city council ap-
proved the change at its
Oct. 12 meeting.
According to the city’s
testing contractor, about 20
devices may need to be re-
placed. Ungricht said that
would cost customers
about $250 for the device,
plus the cost of having a
plumber install it.
“This could create a real
hardship for some of our
utility customers,” Ungricht
said.
Solution on Page 6A
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer
The strip of asphalt on LaCreole Drive has been repaired.
LaCreole paving finished
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
DALLAS — A repair job
repaving a driving lane on
LaCreole Drive recently fin-
ished, after a NW Natural ex-
pansion project required
tearing up part of the street
and sidewalk.
The work was expected to
take place in June, but was
delayed because asphalt
contractors have been
spread thin since spring due
to the volume of work avail-
able in the region.
“Unfortunately, the gas
company … has been hav-
ing the same problems that
we’ve had with contractors
this year. They got pushed
way back,” said City Manag-
er Ron Foggin at a Dallas
City Council meeting on
Oct. 16.
The NW Natural project
to improve service to cus-
tomers on the south side of
Dallas was completed in
March.
The work left a narrow
temporary patch on one
side of the road.
City Councilor Micky
Garus asked about the proj-
ect at the meeting, saying he
had been getting questions
from residents about when
the fix would happen.
“The asphalt contractor
believes they can get the
project done before the
weather shuts them down,”
Foggin said. “They are trying
to get is done this week. We
really questioned their
rolling the dice against the
weather.”
The gamble worked, as
sunny, dry weather last week
gave the contractor the win-
dow it needed. Foggin said
the project is complete.
Matinees are all shows
before 6pm. New pricing for
matinees are: Adult $8.00
Children $7.00 • Senior $7.25
Pricing does not reflect
3D showings.
Friday - Sunday • November 3 - 5
GEOSTORM (Digital) (PG13)
(12:25) 6:30
BLADE RUNNER 2049 (Digital) (R)
(3:00)
9:05
ONLY THE BRAVE (Digital) (PG13)
(12:40 3:40) 6:40 9:40
BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS (Digital) (R) (11:40 2:10 4:40) 7:10 9:45
*THOR: RAGNAROK (Digital) (PG13)
(12:00 12:30 3:00 3:30)
*THOR: RAGNAROK (Digital) (PG13)
6:00 6:30 9:00 9:30
LET THERE BE LIGHT (Digital) (PG13) (12:05 2:25 4:45) 7:05 9:15
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE (Digital) (R)
(1:55 4:30) 7:05 9:40
JIGSAW (Digital) (R)
(12:45 3:00 5:15) 7:35 9:50
YOUR Community News Source!
Monmouth Area Community Events Calendar
PCL
Partnerships in
Community Living
503-838-2403
480 E. Main St.
Monmouth
DownTown
Trends
142 Highway 99 West
503-838-1445
Monmouth
Nov. 1-4 Central High School proudly presents The Addams Family, a new musical
and comedy directed by Jeff Witt and Wendy Boyack. Central High School. Visit website
for details and cost. http://www.chsperformingarts.org/
www.windermere.com
Nov. 3-4 4-H Holiday Fair. 9 am – 5 pm. Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center,
520 S Pacific Hwy W. Rickreall. For more details call 4H Office 503-623-8395. Free ad-
mission. Free parking. Food available onsite.
503-838-1141
297 N Pacific
Monmouth
Nov. 3-4 Western Oregon University HOMECOMING! Friends, food, fun and foot-
ball! That is what you will experience during Homecoming 2017. Come back to campus
to see what’s new, relive your memories with buildings and familiar places, and spend
time with former classmates and friends. There are many activities and events planned,
including an alumni and friends tailgater and reunion group gatherings! Check out the
schedule of events and plan your trip today! Friday, November 3 - Homecoming pre-
view Wine Tour and Dinner. Visit three local wineries to enjoy wine, breathtaking views,
time with classmates and friends, and more! Transportation, snacks, water, tastings and
dinner is included! See event site for more information and to register. Saturday, No-
vember 4 - Meet and Greet breakfast with Curtis Campbell and Rex Fuller. Start your
day right with a hearty breakfast! Dean Jack Morton Memorial Kickoff Reception. Share
your stories of Dean Jack Morton. Celebrate his amazing life. Campus tours. Check out
what is new and what has stayed the same on a student-led walking tour. Alumni &
Friends Tailgate. Celebrate and enjoy the company of alumni, Wolfie, and more before
the game. Food and drinks are included. Welcome to families and children. Wolves vs.
Azusa Pacific football game. Game tickets available here. 5th Quarter reunion group
gatherings and post-game receptions. Grab food and drinks with former classmates after
the game. For more info contact Emily Lafon, Alumni relations Coordinator 503-838-
8710. lafone@wou.edu
Nov. 5 Polk Flea Market. 9 am – 3 pm. Adult Admission is only $1.00 and children 12
and under and parking is free. Early Bird Admission is only $5.00 per adult from 6am-
9am Sunday morning. Follow us on Facebook at Polkfleamarket. Polk County Fair-
grounds & Event Center, 520 S Pacific Hwy W. Rickreall.
Nov. 11 1st Annual Veterans Fundraiser. Potato Bar with all the fixings - $5.00 per
person (age 6 & under free). Silent Auction 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Dinner 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Oral Auction 7:00pm - 8:00pm. Concert 8:00pm - 10:00pm (The Boondocks Boys). Polk
County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 520 S Pacific Hwy W. Rickreall.
355 N Pacific Ave.,
Ste A
Monmouth
503-838-4268
*Starred Attraction. No Passes.
Monday - Thursday • November 6 - 9
GEOSTORM (Digital) (PG13)
(12:25) 6:30
BLADE RUNNER 2049 (Digital) (R)
(3:00)
9:05
ONLY THE BRAVE (Digital) (PG13)
(12:40 3:40) 6:40 9:40
BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS (Digital) (R)
(2:10 4:40) 7:10 9:45
*THOR: RAGNAROK (Digital) (PG13)
(12:00 12:30 3:00 3:30)
*THOR: RAGNAROK (Digital) (PG13)
6:00 6:30 9:00 9:30
LET THERE BE LIGHT (Digital) (PG13)
(2:25 4:45) 7:05 9:15
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE (Digital) (R)
(1:55 4:30) 7:05 9:40
JIGSAW (Digital) (R)
(12:45 3:00 5:15) 7:35 9:50
The Polk County Itemizer-Observer
Serving Polk County
Since 1875
503-623-2373
oregonstatecu.
Saving
Carpets
Daily
Carpet Hero
503-838-0869
Monmouth
LOOKING
FOR RENTALS?
Nov. 23 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! From all Monmouth Business Association.
297½ N. Pacific Hwy
Nov. 24 – 25 Polk County Craft Festival. 9 am – 5 pm.Two buildings full of hand-
made items!! Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center. 520 S Pacific Hwy W. Rickreall.
503-838-1278
Nov. 28 Celestial Wonders! 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. WOU Ensemble Series Chamber
Singers & Concert Choir! Rice Auditorium on the Western Oregon University campus.
Ticket Information: Tickets are $5 general, $3 students and senior citizens, WOU stu-
dents free with ID. Contact Information: Julia Hrenchuk 503-838-8275,
hrenchukj@wou.edu
Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 Garden Club Holiday Greens Sale. Central Baptist Church 655
S. Pacific Ave. (Hwy 99) Monmouth. 10 am – 6 pm. Free Admission. Fresh and made on
site door wreaths plus table arrangements & decorated mugs available for sale with new
ones put out all day. Funds raised are used for local community beautification projects.
For More information contact Margaret Johnson 503-838-3995.
Mon/Indep Chamber of Commerce
November Forum
Date: Wednesday, November 8
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Location: Independence Public Library (175 Monmouth Street)
Topic: MI Chamber Annual Meeting & Elections
Lunch: $12.00 boxed lunch from Three Legged Dog
* Lunch orders must be received by noon 11/7/17. Fee incurred unless
cancelation received via email to micc@minetfiber.com by noon 11/7/17.
Thirsty Thursday — November 16
Please, recycle this
newspaper.
800-732-0173
464 S Pacific Hwy
Monmouth
Western View
Properties
Property Management, LLC
503-838-2951
165 E. Main St.
Monmouth
503-838-1773
410 E. Main St.
Monmouth
Host: IndyCommons
Date: Thursday, November 16
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: 278 S Main Street, Independence
To advertise in this calendar call Heidi at the Itemizer-Observer 503-623-2373 ext 115