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Thursday, May 23, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
November 27, 2012
Selection process
will pay dividends
Congratulations to the city of Dallas on its selection of Ron Foggin as city manager.
Thanks to Mayor Brian Dalton and the Dallas City Council, the selection procedure was the most open and involved procedure seen in local government efforts to fill such positions.
Before making the final selection, the council reviewed more than 40 applications for the position. It then brought the number to three finalists -- all of whom brought valuable experience to filling such a job. The three finalists were introduced in a "meet and greet" evening session at the Dallas Civic Center prior to going through four separate interview sessions with the council, city employees and two other groups.
All in all, it was a rather exhausting process, for the applicants and for the council. It was a full-fledged effort at avoiding problems the city and other local entities have encountered by having a shorter, less exhausting approach to the task.
We believe Ron Foggin's history of municipal work and his long-term commitment to the community of Lehi, Utah, will serve Dallas well.
Thank you, Mayor Dalton and councilors for the effort you've made in selecting a new city manager.
Dave Weston
Dallas
Writer's rant was
factually wrong
In response to the letter headlined "McCain deserving of criticism as well" (Nov. 21 Itemizer-Observer), I'd like to point out that Sen. John McCain never flew in the Korean War and was, in fact, 13 years old when that conflict broke out in the summer of 1950.
The writer asserts that Sen. McCain destroyed three American aircraft (during the Korean War) while flying in his nation's service as a Naval Aviator. During the 2008 election cycle, much was made of this and his alleged recklessness as a fighter pilot. The truth is more nuanced.
Fighter pilots, especially ones from that era, pushed the envelope everyday in aicraft that were not nearly as reliable and safe to fly as the ones in the air today. Training accidents and aircraft mishaps claimed the lives of hundreds of pilots of that era.
One F-86, F-102 and F-106 pilot told me during an interview in 1999 that almost a third of his flight class died in such mishaps between 1948-1965. The technology required for Mach 1+ flight was simply immature.
The flying of that era was also less restrictive, and the human-error accidents that resulted were the reasons for safety regulations that are in force today.
I hope this puts Sen. McCain's career in perspective, and in the proper war.
John R. Bruning
Independence
Wells is a credit
to his profession
Recently, an article about Independence Police Chief Vern Wells was featured without comment from folks who worked with Vern ("Chief marks 25th anniversary," Nov. 21 Itemizer-Observer).
Vern is a rare moral person who has always been committed to the profession of policing. I was lucky enough to recommend him for his initial hiring in the 1980s.
The city of Independence is lucky to have an experienced, well-educated professional in Vern Wells. I am glad he was recognized as a "step above" for his long tenure in this difficult position.
I wish Vern Wells the best as the "senior police chief" in the state of Oregon, but also as a caring person in the right position.
Jim Harper
Dallas
Building shouldn't
come off tax rolls
I was surprised and dismayed by the recent announcement by Monmouth's city manager of the proposed purchase of the Forest Capital/Boise Cascade building on Highway 99W at Church Street in order to increase the police department facilities.
The proposal shows a lack of understanding of what runs the city and other local government services -- namely, property taxes.
The Forest Capital building, presently unoccupied, currently pays more than $11,680 in property taxes yearly for the support of city services. Also, when Boise Cascade occupied the building, dozens of mostly local people were employed and worked there.
The building itself is a prime commercial property with nothing similar in Monmouth, and with direct highway access. High speed Internet service and nearness to Western Oregon University make this property a prime business facility.
Why would any financially responsible business person change this building on the tax rolls to a vastly oversized police station, away from the center of the city, and lose the property tax income to the city?
Of course, the police department needs adequate space to function well. Has the city thought about other reasonable options? For instance, adding second story offices over the existing police station parking lot, buying the adjacent cottage to expand the present building, or buying the empty Merchant Works building?
Many sensible options exist. This proposal deserves to be rejected if it comes to a vote.
Paul Sieber
Monmouth
Automotive shop
comes to rescue
A letter of thanks and appreciation to Tim's Automotive in Dallas.
Due to the many overlays on West Ellendale Avenue, I had a false reading on my car's gas gauge. My vehicle would not start. I had Tim's mechanic out to my house to determine the problem. No gas was coming to the motor and when it did there was no pressure.
I had the vehicle towed to Tim's and they dropped (removed) the gas tank to replace the fuel pump and found no gas. They replaced the tank, put in gas, and only charged me for the gas.
Thank you, Tim's Automotive.
William G. Petrovic
Dallas
Local businesses
step up for MVR
Now that (hopefully) all the letters about the election are done, it is time for long overdue thanks on behalf of the board, staff, and especially our developmentally disabled adult clients for several Polk County businesses.
Thanks to Eola Hills Winery, Van Well Building Supply, Cross Creek Golf Course, Oak Knoll Golf Course, Dallas Walmart, Burgerville of Monmouth and Spirit Mountain Casino. These generous businesses sponsored teams and donated money or prizes in our annual fundraising golf tournament.
Mid-Valley is a nonprofit organization supporting developmentally disabled adults with vocational and residential programs. Our 30-plus clients who work, train and are supported in a community inclusion program here in Polk County are part of a larger group of more than 200 clients being served by the organization in the mid-valley area.
The Mid-Valley Open raises funds to provide for scholarships for disabled adults who have lost their funding from the State of Oregon, or are on a "wait list" for services.
Mid-Valley continues to provide programs for our clients with special needs, despite more cutbacks in state and federal funding.
These businesses and their management believe in community involvement and giving back to those who are less fortunate. Again, on behalf of our organization and our clients, a big thanks and pat on the back to all of them. I urge you to consider supporting and patronizing these businesses for their services and products. They deserve our support.
Lynn A. Hurt
Dallas
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