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Sunday, May 19, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
February 05, 2013
Bad intersection
needs attention
I am writing to help bring attention to yet another near fatal accident at Clow Corner and Riddell roads.
A young man, Kenn Kinnaman, now clings to life at OHSU after a large vehicle ran the stop sign and drove over the top of this 18-year-old boy. Fog is technically being blamed, but those of us who live in this area are very familiar with the danger at this location and the poor markings alerting drivers that a stop sign is fast approaching. Fog is a frequent issue in that area and safety improvements are needed now.
I am pleading for county leaders to immediately focus on significant safety improvements at this location. Flashing yellow lighted signs alerting drivers of the stop ahead should be placed at both the Riddell Road stops and on both sides of the road.
Additionally, a flashing red light needs to be affixed to the top of the stop signs at Riddell Road. That's four additional signs and two flashing red lights -- a small price for the value of a life.
The current reflective sign and rumble strips are clearly not enough to alert drivers of the pending danger. The addition of flashing lighted signs would grab the attention of drivers and create an immediate safety improvement.
Significant improvement could be made with hanging overhead flashing lights or a stoplight, but I understand these take considerable study and traffic impact reviews before being installed.
Please act and save lives now. How many more families need to lose their loved ones or see their family member live in a comatose state before safety improvements are made?
Anne Kinsey
Dallas
Training program
a valuable asset
I am so honored to be a part of a wonderful new partnership that is training our future workforce. The partnership I'm referring to is between Job Growers Incorporated, Habitat for Humanity and the Youth Opportunity System that JGI funds.
This partnership allowed all participants in the Youth Opportunity System the chance to be a part of a service learning, work readiness and educational program.
Job Growers funds four youth programs in Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties, allowing low-income youths the opportunity to learn educational and work-ready skills, receive career guidance, participate in service learning and hands-on training, and earn credentials that will lead them toward a successful future.
These young adults were given the opportunity to apply for this program, where they learn construction skills by building projects, repairing sidewalks and doing service learning projects in the community. Those who made it through the rigorous application process were selected to serve on a 6-month team.
Thank you to Job Growers Incorporated for funding this project, and for providing the opportunity for youths to be successful and learn in a youth-friendly environment. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity for providing the training, education and an experience that these youths will benefit from for the rest of their lives. The exponential growth of these youths is incredible to watch and makes me so proud to be a part of these changes in the lives of such great young people.
I ask that community members take the opportunity to get to know these young adults if you see them working in the community, and thank the partners involved for their contributions, time, effort and willingness to invest in our future.
Jenny Aker, executive director
HALO Program
Independence
Stolen wheelchair
must be returned
I give care to people in my home. These people are all disabled.
Two weeks ago someone took a black, almost new, wheelchair off my front porch on Clay Street. Other things over the years have also been taken and not returned.
I am pleading with the person who took the wheelchair. The gentleman that it belongs to is critically ill. He needs his wheelchair and I have no other one that he can use. Please return it, no questions asked.
Patricia Jones
Dallas
Levy should help
construct new jail
I'm always ready to share my opinion.
I not only would like to see this proposed county law enforcement levy pass because I think the Polk County Sheriff's Office does a pretty good job with its river safety and response work, but I would like to see an even bigger levy. That way we can build a new jail on the old lumber mill property and tear down that eyesore wart that was attached to the old county courthouse and restore it to what it was supposed to look like back in 1894.
I am trying to restore the Judge John J. Daly house and would be willing to chip in my share. This country is only 237 years old and we need to work to preserve our history and our past. It starts with small communities like ours that are willing to make a commitment to future generations, especially in poor economies, when these structures are most at risk.
Randy Wisnia
Dallas
Central auditorium
a boost to the arts
The Central High School auditorium has shone brightly in 2013 and we are blessed to have such an outstanding auditorium for performances in our community.
In January of this year, we had various performers in the alumni concert, guests from New York (Patrick Page and Paige Davis) honoring our own Robert Page, and a talented gospel group from the University of Oregon, directed by Andiel Brown. Jeff Witt and his Mainstreet Singers, as well as dedicated community members, spent numerous hours making these events a success.
This week we will have more performance opportunities with the opening of "Once Upon a Mattress," directed by Jeff Witt.
I am proud to be a part of this community, and to support the performing arts for our students and community members. Thank you for your support and see you at the show.
Kari Meyer
Monmouth
Citizens deserve to
protect themselves
I, like many Americans, am gravely concerned about what is happening in this country concerning gun laws.
I do not understand, if making schools gun-free zones makes schools safer, then should not the White House be a gun-free zone? And all state capital buildings and airports?
The answer is "of course," because saying an area is a gun-free zone does nothing to protect the citizens within and the government knows this. This is why government officials are surrounded by armed guards.
So why do they want to leave our children as sitting ducks in a shooting gallery? And how do more gun laws protect anyone? Would any of the new laws being bandied about have prevented the shooting in Newtown, Conn.?
Banning assault rifles and limiting the number of bullets a clip may hold is not relevant to anything. If laws prevented crime, then prostitution, drugs and drunk drivers would be a thing of the past.
The fact is that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and the others who wrote and signed our Constitution knew it was vital that the citizens be armed to protect themselves. Otherwise, we would still be kneeling to the Queen.
Jim Smith
Dallas
Volunteers made
'Connect' a big hit
We are pleased to announce that the Polk County Commission for Children and Families held its second annual Polk Community Connect event on Jan. 30. The event was very successful with an estimated 400 people served.
The purpose of the event is to provide services and resources to individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or just simply in need. The following services were made available: dental care, health screenings, haircuts, bike repair, pet care, agency resources and more.
We would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their hard work and support:
* Commission board chairman and Salem Leadership Foundation staff member, Herm Boes, served as co-chair of the event.
* Calvary Chapel Church in Independence for serving as wonderful hosts for the event and opening their doors to the community.
* HandsOn Willamette for their partnership and coordinating more than 100 volunteers.
* All of the more than 50 service providers and agencies who gave of their time to be available at the event and serve the community.
The event wouldn't have been possible without all of the hard work of the planning committee, volunteers and service providers.
Michelle Bornfleth
Dallas
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