Polk County News
County
Continued from Page 1A
CCG Consulting and its
partner Finley Engineering
submitted a proposal to Inde-
pendence in November 2017.
The proposal said a study
would look in to the possibili-
ty of building a network with
one provider — such as the
county — and the feasibility
of leasing existing fiber to
connect to wireless towers
throughout the county to
provide service via a hybrid
fiber and wireless network.
CCG said, if it completed
the work, it would include re-
search of existing networks,
pre-engineering to determine
cost of building a broadband
network, a business plan and
possible funding sources.
While CCG submitted the
scope of work proposal, if the
application is successful, a
bid process would be used to
select which firm would per-
form the study, Irvine said.
He said conversations with
Commissioner Craig Pope
about opportunities to ex-
pand, including the use of ex-
isting resources, led to the
proposal of including Polk
County in the application.
Pope said, if the county
participates and is awarded
the grant, he would like to use
the results of the feasibility
study to request changes dur-
ing the state’s 2019 legislative
session. He said he expects
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 10, 2018 5A
Fire: Issues raised over certifications
the study will identify hurdles
to expanding broadband
service that lawmakers could
help sort out.
“My intent is to take this
information and go to the
legislature in 2019 and say
here’s why we are not ex-
panding. Here’s where you
can help us,” he said. “I don’t
know what that bill will look
like yet. I don’t know how it
will be done, but we need
facts and data to put into lan-
guage in a bill that says here’s
how we can use the tools we
already have, if you help us
unlock the tool box.”
The Polk County Board of
Commissioners discussed the
application at its Dec. 19
meeting, but wanted more
information on the proposed
study before joining Inde-
pendence. The application
period opens later this month
and is due on Feb. 21.
County Administrator Greg
Hansen said he had ques-
tions he would like answered
before further consideration.
“There’s going to be a lot of
competition for that money,
and how confident are we
with this proposal that
$50,000 will answer the ques-
tions that we need an-
swered?” Hansen asked.
“When the analysis scope is
figured out, how much
money will that cost?”
Continued from Page 1A
Southwest’s board and
Chief Fred Hertel have said
liability, firefighter certifica-
tion and department ac-
creditation have been is-
sues during contract nego-
tiations.
Records with Oregon De-
partment of Public Safety
Standards and Training, the
organization that oversees
firefighter certification and
department accreditation,
say Falls City hasn’t been
accredited in years.
“The department is not
accredited to teach to
statewide standards and
hasn’t been accredited since
May of 2011,” Hertel said.
“They can train internally
because DPSST is a volun-
tary state standard, but it is
a best practice and a stan-
dard that was written into
the 2014 contract between
Southwest and Falls City.
They had never honored
that part of the contract.”
Julie Olsen-Fink DPSST’s
fire program manager said
accreditation establishes a
voluntar y “handshake”
agreement that the depart-
ment will follow all rules
and regulations suggested
for fire agencies.
It also allows a depart-
ment to offer its own training
without having to bring in an
outside certified trainer.
“It means that they are
self-contained,” Olsen-Fink
said.
She said the state doesn’t
require agencies to be ac-
credited, but noted that
most fire agencies in Ore-
gon are accredited.
Olsen-Fink confirmed
that Falls Ctiy Fire hasn’t
been accredited since 2011,
but is in the process of up-
dating its status.
“They’ve made contact
with our agency for re-ac-
creditation,” Olsen-Fink said.
The process includes a
review of current rules and
regulations, assurance that
the department has the
proper equipment (a
pumper engine), and pro-
vides training directed by a
National Fire Protection As-
sociation certified fire in-
structor.
Accredited agencies also
must provide proof of nec-
essary re-certifications and
maintain records of that
training for at least five
years.
Olsen-Fink said if an
agency can’t check all those
boxes, departments work
with the agency to set up a
plan to achieve accredita-
tion.
Olsen-Fink said Thursday
that the active roster of Falls
City firefighters her agency
has on file says that all are
up to date on their certifica-
tions. She noted that the
paperwork on file at DPSST
is only as current as the
agency in question keeps it,
and the DPSST doesn’t keep
track of records that are out
of date.
Falls City representatives
have said there has been
some certification account-
ing inconsistencies at
DPSST. They are working on
getting that straightened
out. Hertel said some, but
not all, of Falls City’s volun-
teers are certified.
Also noted after the con-
tract dispute began is the
existence of two open in-
vestigations into sexual ha-
rassment allegations involv-
ing Falls City’s volunteers.
Sheriff Mark Garton said
his office investigated the
cases in the spring and
summer of 2017. That fol-
lowed Falls City Fire’s own
investigation that found the
allegations couldn’t be
proven, Young said.
Garton said one of the
cases reportedly happened
at the Falls City Fire station
and another occurred when
the volunteers weren’t
working on behalf of the fire
department or at the sta-
tion.
“We did investigate them
and compiled the reports,”
Garton said.
But Garton said the cases
weren’t clear-cut, so the
agency made no arrests and
referred the investigation to
the Polk County District At-
torney.
“We sent them up there
for review in August and
haven’t heard anything
back,” Garton said.
District Attorney Aaron
Felton said the cases are
open and are being actively
reviewed. He said he could-
n’t comment further be-
cause investigations are on-
going.
Monday night, Falls City
resident Kathy Flanigan
asked if the board had con-
sidered a third-party medi-
ator to help with negotia-
tions.
Hertel said that was
under consideration before
Falls City declared an im-
passe in negotiations late
last year, and still is a possi-
bility. He said the two sides
would have to find a quali-
fied person to mediate.
“You have to have some-
one who understands fire
and EMS issues,” Hertel
said. “There are several en-
tities that are statewide that
could come up with a third
party, and we were looking
into that.”
Monday night, Watson
said the board wasn’t pre-
pared to answer all con-
cerns, but would keep lis-
tening to feedback from the
community before deciding
the next steps.
HEALTH DIRECTORY
AUDIOLOGY
GENERAL DENTISTRY
MASSAGE
Trust your hearing to those that specialize in hearing
and hearing related disorders. Evan L. Evans, Ph. D,
and Julie B. Evans, AuD are both doctoral level Au-
diologists who have the knowledge, experience and
compassion to provide you with the best care for your
hearing health. We offer free hearing screenings; by
our hearing aid specialist. We offer full & complete di-
agnostic evaluations, counseling and recommenda-
tions by our clinical Audiologists. Other Audiological
services include testing, management and treatment
options for Tinnitus. We have the knowledge and ex-
perience to assist your physician with the diagnosis
of diseases and disorders pertaining to hearing and
the hearing mechanism. We offer wax removal or
cerumen management, Tinnitus testing and Tinnitus
management techniques. An Audiologist, having the
Audiology credentials of the American Academy of
Audiology (F-AAA) and the The American Speech
Hearing and Language Association’s Certificate of
Clinical Competency (CCC-A) is the professional of
choice for anything related to hearing and or hearing
related issues. Serving our hearing impaired since
1980, with two locations to serve you.
Audiology Associates
1343-A Monmouth St., Independence • 503-838-3001
2296 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis • 541-757-2500
• DALLAS FAMILY DENTAL - Benjamin James DDS,
Tom Davis DMD, Les Wheeler DDS. 289 E Ellendale
Ave Ste. 204, Dallas. Dallas Family Dental provides
general and cosmetic dentistry for children and
adults. We are happy to serve as your dental provid-
ers, and are accepting new patients. www.dallasfami-
lydentaloregon.com
• RANDALL C. JONES, DMD - 1004 Monmouth St.,
Independence, OR 503-838-0434. Offering a broad
range of dental services in a relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. New patients and emergencies wel-
come.
• WESTON K. MORRILL, DMD - 289 E. Ellendale
Suite #201, Dallas. 503-623-6616. Family, preventive,
and cosmetic dentistry. Complete dentistry for the
entire family. Se habla español.
• DR. MICHELLE HASBROOK, DMD - 120 N. At-
water, Monmouth, OR 503-838-2998. Providing all
phases of dental care for children and adults. We wel-
come new patients!
• KENNETH WINOKUR, DMD - 329 South Main
Street Independence, OR 97351. 503-838-1633.
High quality service with your comfort in mind. Ni-
trous oxide gas sedation available. www.indepen-
dencedental.org
• OUT OF GRAVITY MASSAGE - Julianne Klingberg
DeForest, LMT - 503.510.2256 - NOW IN INDEPEN-
DENCE Enter Stressed, Leave Blessed - Out of Grav-
ity Massage offers massage sessions to suit a variety
of needs and health concerns. Intuitive and holistic
bodywork are blended with extensive and varied edu-
cation, creating a caring and knowledgeable environ-
ment of healing. Also, with a prescription and a claim
number, up to a year’s therapeutic massage sessions
will help in your rehabilitation from a motor vehicle
accident. Relaxation, well care, geriatric and pediatric
massage is available, as well as motor vehicle accident
rehabilitation. Infant massage instructional sessions
available. Call today for an appointment. 503-510-
2256 OR # 7627/ National #295187-00
CHIROPRACTIC
GYNECOLOGY SERVICES
• JOYNT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Brian
Joynt, DC - 629 Clay Street East, Monmouth, OR
97361 Family-oriented chiropractic clinic, dedicated
to creating an unparalleled experience of service,
quality and care by teaching the true principles of
chiropractic. We look forward to empowering each
of you to help your family participate more fully in
life. New patients welcome. Accept most insurance.
Auto/personal injury and work comp. Massage ther-
apist on site. Complimentary consultations. Call us
today to make your appointment (503) 837-0550.
• THORNTON CHIROPRACTIC - Drs. Sharon and
Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care,
God cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR
97351 • 503-838-3346. Office hours: Mon, Tues &
Fri 8-noon & 2-6 pm; Wed 8 -noon & 2-4 pm; Thurs
2-6 pm. Proudly serving Polk County for over 17
years. Offering Thompson Drop and other hands-on
techniques, as well as Advanced Activator Methods
and Functional Neurology. We provide gentle and ef-
fective full-spine and extremity adjusting for all ages
in a loving and caring environment. We are accepting
new patients for Family Wellness Care, Medicare,
Auto or personal injury & Workers Comp. Licensed
Massage Therapy available on site.
COUNSELING
• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING ~ KATE
KOENS, NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Coun-
selor and Certified Temperament Therapist. Cross
and Crown Counseling offers counseling services to
individuals, couples and families as well as identity
seminars and grief recovery workshops. Our office is
located at 1156 SE Holman Ave. Dallas. Some specif-
ic areas of counsel are adolescent, premarital, mar-
riage, trauma, crisis, grief, depression, anxiety, anger,
divorce, and identity crisis. We help our clients find
healing, learn communication skills, and appropriate
responses to individual and family needs and how
to obtain overall health, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually. We provide a safe and caring environ-
ment to face life situations, address interpersonal and
intrapersonal conflict and help individuals realize
their full potential in order to live decisively with
truth, relevance, perspective, and purpose. For more
information or to schedule an appointment please
call (503) 917-1625 or visit our website at www.cros-
sandcrowncounseling.com
Gynecological care is available in Dallas at the Salem
Health West Valley Specialty Clinic. Gynecologist
Keita Sakon, MD, specializes in gynecology exams
and procedures, including hysteroscopy and laparos-
copy, as well as family planning, abnormal Pap eval-
uation, treatment of pelvic pain, symptom control for
menopause and abnormal periods. Dr. Sakon works
in Dallas on Friday afternoons from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
seeing patients at the clinic and performing gyneco-
logical procedures in the Salem Health West Valley
surgical suites. New patients are welcome! Salem
Health West Valley Specialty Clinic is located at 591
SE Clay St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 for an appoint-
ment. Visit salemhealth.org/westvalley.
HEARING HEALTH
• JOYFUL SOUND HEARING SERVICES, INC. Mark
Sturtevant, 312 Main Street, Dallas OR, 503-623-0290.
Providing Polk County with hearing solutions for 30
years. Services include: Hearing evaluations, Diag-
nosing hearing loss; Impedance; Fitting all types of
hearing devices, Servicing all makes and models of
hearing aids; Ear inspections; Wax removal; Hearing
protection. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9-4pm. (Fri-
days by appointment only)
ORTHODONTICS
• YENNE & SCHOFIELD - SPECIALISTS IN OR-
THODONTICS - 580 Main Street, Suite E, Dallas, 503-
623-5002. Providing Polk County with orthodontic
care for children and adults for functions and cos-
metics. Open Tuesdays & Thursdays.
PHYSICAL THERAPY/
REHABILITATION SERVICES
• PINNACLE PHYSICAL THERAPY is an orthopedic
physical therapy facility committed to getting great
results for each patient. We focus on advanced spine
care, women’s health issues, sport rehab, vehicle
accidents, and work injuries. We offer highly special-
ized care including manual therapy, aquatic therapy,
specific deep tissue mobilization techniques, Postural
Restoration Institute (PRI) techniques and therapeu-
tic exercise. We have a warm, caring and friendly
staff and accept most private health insurance, auto
insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. We
offer both male and female physical therapists. Often
no physician referral is needed to start care. Call us
today and ask how to get therapy for your condition
or talk to your physician to see if physical therapy is
right for you. Call us: 503-623-2433. We are conve-
niently located at 210 W. Ellendale Avenue Dallas,
Oregon 97338; (next to Taco Bell) Check us out on
the web: www.pinnacle-physicaltherapy.com
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY offers a wide
range of rehabilitation services. Our hospital in Dal-
las, located at 525 SE Washington St. in Dallas, offers
physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech ther-
apy and aquatic therapy (at Dallas Aquatic Center).
503-623-7305. Our clinic in Monmouth offers phys-
ical therapy, occupational therapy and speech ther-
apy. Located at 512 Main St. 503-838-1388. Visit www.
salemhealth.org/westvalley.
IMAGING SERVICES
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY offers state-
of-the-art all-digital diagnostic imaging services.
With your physician’s referral, we provide bone
densitometry, CT scan, fluoroscopy, mammogra-
phy, ultrasound, X-ray and MRI services. Check
out our comfortable and spacious mammography
suite. We are located at 525 SE Washington St.,
Dallas, 503-623-7302.
• DR. CHARLES ESSEX, family medicine, is accept-
ing new patients at Salem Health West Valley Medical
Clinic, located at 512 Main St., Suite 300, Monmouth,
503-838-1182. With a proactive healthcare approach,
Dr. Essex provides care for the entire family and will
work with you to build a healthy lifestyle with annual
exams, immunizations, lifestyle counseling, sports
physicals, skin care, cancer screenings and more.
New patients are welcome.
• DR. JOHN HADLEY, family medicine, is accepting
new patients at the Salem Health West Valley Medical
Clinic at 555 SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-623-7301.
With a proactive healthcare approach, Dr. Hadley
provides offers family medicine for your entire family
from newborns to adults with annual exams, immu-
nizations, lifestyle counseling, sports physicals, skin
care, cancer screenings and more. New patients are
welcome.
LABORATORY SERVICES
• SALEM HEALTH WEST VALLEY provides lab
services at two convenient locations in Dallas and
Monmouth. Both labs are fully accredited, provid-
ing collections and testing with healthcare provider
referral. Employment and self-referral drug testing
is offered. The West Valley Hospital lab in Dallas is
open 24 hours, seven days a week, at 525 SE Washing-
ton St., 503-623-7303. The Monmouth lab is located
in the Monmouth Medical Center, 512 Main St., Suite
300, 503-838-1388. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30
a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed between noon and 1 p.m. Ap-
pointments are not required.
Call the Itemizer-Observer at 503-623-2373
to have your business listed in this directory.