Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2017)
Polk County Voices Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 22, 2017 4A How to Contact Officials EDITORIALS Keep safety in mind as holidays approach Whether you choose to hit the shops on Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, or sit in your pajamas and search for deals online through Cyber Monday, holiday shopping means opportunities to brighten the day of a loved one. The holidays are always a great time to connect or re- connect with neighbors. If you haven’t already, take a plate of cookies to the family across the street and introduce yourself. Building community in your neighborhood is a great present, especially as it makes keeping an eye out for each other easier. The holidays present opportunities for thieves, too. If you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood, report it to the local law enforcement. It may be someone’s Uncle Bob home for the holidays, or it may be someone trying to find a moment to steal packages left on a door step. During the holiday season it is more important than ever to make sure a Grinch doesn’t ruin your plans. Re- member to follow safety tips now and year-round. • Don’t keep valuables in sight in vehicles, and lock all doors to cars and to your home. • As you prepare to put up those Christmas decorations, keep safety in mind there, too. Don’t overload sockets with too many strings of lights. It may feel like it’s not a big deal to piggy back all those lights — you’ve done it before, maybe, without anything bad happening, or it’s only for a few weeks — but losing everything to an electrical fire is not worth taking a chance. On a similar note, be sure you’ve had your chimney swept before you start those roaring, cozy fires, and keep your Christmas tree properly watered. • Turn your Christmas lights off when you’re not home or going to bed to decrease the chances for fire, too. • Don’t forget to think about your pets this year, and more than putting his or her favorite chew toy or catnip under the tree. Remember that a lot of decorations may pose some risks to animals. New decorations may look like new chew toys. A tree inside may be too great a temptation for kitty to resist climbing. Many traditional holiday plants can cause problems — even severe poisoning and death — for pets. • While it has remained rather mild temperature-wise, as the thermometer drops, it will be important to continue to look after neighbors and pets. Elderly neighbors may not use their heaters as often, or may need to be checked on. Pets should not be left out in the cold without shelter. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We hope some of these tips will help make the whole season safer for all. 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, nov. 22 • Polk County Board of Commissioners — 9 a.m., Polk County Courthouse, first floor conference room, 850 Main St., Dallas. 503-623-8173. MondAy, nov. 27 • Independence Library Board — 4 p.m., Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence. 503-838-1212. TuesdAy, nov. 28 • 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., 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. WednesdAy, nov. 29 • 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 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 Call your Congress about new tax plan Right now, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the Congressional “tax reform” efforts in Congress. Sadly, we know the plan about to pass will eliminate the Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) program across the nation — including Oregon. Our program (ORVETS) was established in 1945. It is the primary reason more than 340,000 Oregon Veter- ans could purchase a home. Since their origin, these low- interest loans continue to make a profound difference in the lives of military fami- lies throughout our state. At a time when we con- tinue to ask so much of the men and women we send into harm’s way, elimination of this successful program is, quite simply, theft: Theft of the dream of home own- ership for thousands of struggling veterans. The irony is rich. Tax poli- cy experts across the ideo- logical spectrum admit the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans will benefit dis- proportionately from the Congressional tax plan. However, in what universe is it acceptable — or moral- ly right — to steal the dreams of our veterans to pay for a windfall for rich? Wealthy Americans bene- fit disproportionately from the peace and stability made possible by the sacri- fice, selflessness, and serv- ice of our veterans. Stealing away the dream of home ownership from our veter- ans is dereliction of duty. We still have time to stop the madness. Tell Congress we will not pay for tax cuts for the rich by stealing from our veterans. We must stand 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 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 up for all who stood for us. Call today. Rep. Paul L. Evans Monmouth Trump takes from those who hurt On Nov. 2, Trump stated; “We are giving them (voters) a big, beautiful Christmas present in the form of a tremendous tax cut … .” There are presents for everyone in the GOP/Trump tax sham. Some gifts and some lumps of coal. For example, our children and heirs who will have the gift of paying the $1 trillion that the tax, cut mostly for the rich, will add to the U.S. deficit. Merry Christmas. For folks struggling to pay off student loan debt, their gift is that the interest on that debt is no longer de- ductible. The cost of the debt will now include more taxes. Merry Christmas. For those people struggling with dependents with chronic medical issues; those extra medical expenses will no longer be deductible. Merry Christmas. Planning to contract a rare disease? The tax credit of 50 percent for the cost of clinical testing for cures will be eliminated. Merry Christ- mas. Thinking about adopting an orphaned child? Recon- sider, because the $13,750 tax credit will be eliminated. Merry Christmas. Are you a teacher serving America in the classroom? Well, those expenses you incur buying needed class- room supplies will no longer be deductible. Merry Christmas. Had your home destroyed by a natural disaster or other event? Losses from these events will no longer be de- ductible. Merry Christmas. There are plenty more gifts just like the above. If you’re a family with no special expenses then the increased personal deduc- tion seems like a good deal. It is a “Look at what we're doing for you” ploy. Meanwhile if life has thrown you a curve ball, then look for the target on your back. That’s what Trump and the GOP like to see. Their motto appears to be, “Let’s shaft those who are already hurting.” 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 Fred Brown Dallas WANT TO WRITE A LETTER? Call us. The Itemizer Observer can help you expand your market share, and make your business more profitable. Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen at 503-623-2373. ADVERTISING THAT WORKS. 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. 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. 47 (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 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 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
