Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

8/18 Letters to the Editor

*Six-vehicle ferry spells problems*Credit union has community spirit*Museum now can help genealogists*City leaders not paying attention*Campbell right for judge position

Museum now can

help genealogists

Polk County Museum volunteers have set up the new computer with Past Perfect software to aid in working with genealogy searches.

Many thanks to the Dallas Community Foundation for the $1,600 grant, which has allowed us to do that.

We look forward to working with our many friends who are searching for information about their ancestors.

Morris and Rita Montgomery

Monmouth

Campbell right

for judge position

I have known Monte Campbell since he began as a lawyer trying cases in Dallas 15 years ago.

I witnessed firsthand his exemplary integrity and temperament. He is patient, deliberative and very smart. More importantly, he understands ordinary working-class people.

He has the judgment and toughness to keep this community safe. He will not let the position of Polk County Circuit Court Judge go to his head.

Monte Campbell is the best choice this November.

Nicola Hedberg

Monmouth

City leaders not

paying attention

Sports Coordinator? Working with Dallas Kid's, Inc. and Dallas School District -- kindergarten through high school? The city position was created to "develop more cooperation between sports programs." (Itemizer-Observer, July 28).

First of all, Kid's, Inc. has functioned very well for years, has grown much larger then when our children were involved, and community support has provided facilities to be proud of.

The schools have athletic directors and coaches who can surely work together and coordinate school athletics. If they can't, then replace them with someone who can do the whole job.

Why create a new position with public funds duplicating what we already have?

Music programs are in jeopardy in schools, yet consideration for students who need choir, band or drama for an extra interest in school are passed over by athletics.

If there is extra tax revenue money to create a new position, why not make it one for music and arts programs, like a community band, singing groups and drama?

What about expanding the library hours and programs?

Staffing was probably one reason for closing the outdoor pool, which was more affordable to most families during the summer than the aquatic center that is not self-supporting.

They say there's no money to fix streets, yet they can create an unnecessary or duplicated position and tear up sidewalks to put in pavers. Even using federal dollars must allow for something more beneficial -- or why accept them?

Fiscal accountability starts in the local community. Our great country is in serious straits because the people paying the bills haven't been paying attention.

Terri Parsons

Dallas

Six-vehicle ferry

spells problems

In regard to the recent Itemizer-Observer story ("Ferry will close for replacement," Aug. 11) about a six-car ferry boat at the Buena Vista crossing, I am a former Buena Vista Ferry operator of 18 years. A six-car ferry at the Buena Vista crossing won't work.

First of all, six cars will put the ferry lower in the water, causing more tension on the overhead holding cable that holds the ferry. The leading ramp will be lower in the water. With a heavier load in the front, the leading ramp starts to dive. You can have water over the deck of the ferry.

When the sky-holding cable cuts loose, it's bye, bye ferry boat as it heads downstream with six cars or trucks and no electric from the bank to guide the ferry.

The diesel electric motor worked very well on a four-car ferry.

Secondly, when you put six cars on the ferry, the metal ramp of the ferry on the cement holds the ferry. Even on a four-car ferry, a heavy car or truck had to back off. The propellers were not powerful enough to get the ferry moving.

My suggestion would be to build a new four-car ferry and keep the electric power on the ferry.

If the holding cable breaks, the operator can still guide the ferry downstream to the next landing. The Willamette River can rise two or three feet in a day with a heavy rain from upriver.

In my opinion, a six-car ferry is a waste of money.

Oscar Frederic

Monmouth

Credit union has

community spirit

A great big "thank you" to the OSU Credit Union in Monmouth for its service to the community.

Allowing nonprofit organizations, such as the Friendship Force of the Mid-Willamette Valley, to use the comfortable meeting room free of charge is much appreciated. The staff is always friendly and accommodating.

In addition to that, OSU supports the Music in the Park summer concerts in Monmouth.

Good job, OSU Credit Union.

Dorothy Garrett

Monmouth

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