City council race becomes acrimonious, claims prove hard to substantiate
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
After incumbent City Councilor Dawn Roden posted a call for a campaign without “personal attacks” and “demeaning rhetoric” on her Facebook page, Roden’s opponent, Evan Sorce, accused her of campaign finance violations.
Sorce, along with Kate Schwarzler, an Independence city councilor running unopposed for mayor, also implied that Trammart News was ignoring Roden’s infractions – assertions for which the news outlet could find no basis after searching the Oregon Secretary of State’s records.
The allegations were made after Roden showed an image of a post in which Sorce had stated that city council candidates should disclose their donations and expenditures – and posed the question: “Dawn Hedrick-Roden Independence City Council seat #3 what are you hiding?”
Sorce apparently was referencing complaint filings from a previous campaign; Roden countered that she had been found “innocent” of previous accusations taken to the state agency.
Sorce responded that “they just decided not to sanction you. There is a difference.” (An inquiry to the Secretary of State’s office by Trammart News failed to confirm a distinction between a lack of sanction and the word “innocent” from staff there.)
Large signs that Roden called “leftovers” from a prior campaign appeared to be the point of dispute – Sorce stated they were likely to exceed campaign-spending limits.
The same day that Trammart News was “tagged” with a flurry of comments for allegedly declining to pursue the claim against Roden, a large campaign sign for Roden along a roadway was found slashed in an incident confirmed by Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton.
The Roden-Sorce campaign appears to stand in stark contrast to one for a position on the county board of commissioners in May, when the seat held by County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst was challenged by Monmouth City Councilor Roxanne Beltz. Both candidates seemed to focus on issues. “Not a bad word was spoken between us,” Mordhorst affirmed after he won re-election.
Both Sorce and Schwarzler received attention for their online comments, which appeared on Roden’s Facebook page.
Schwarzler’s criticism of Trammart News drew support from two others aside from Sorce who, like Schwarzler, apparently felt that Roden escaped scrutiny for her alleged transgression while Schwarzler was singled out in recent reports showing she had unpaid property taxes and is under investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for receiving city revenue for products related to her business.
In fact, Trammart News had followed another OGEC complaint about the same time as Schwarzler’s came to light, involving an Independence committee member. When that complaint ended in dismissal, it went unreported – to do so was seen as highlighting allegations that the ethics commission had determined didn’t occur.
Similarly, property tax payments were examined for every Independence city councilor after the council voted to place a levy on the November ballot that would increase residents’ tax payments, if passed – Schwarzler was the only city councilor who showed unmet tax obligations.
Trammart News contacted Roden’s online commenters, including Schwarzler, in an attempt to obtain proof that Roden had skirted campaign laws when records searches showed no such outcome.
In an encounter with Sorce during a break in a meeting at city hall, Sorce was asked how to pin down any negative result of the accusation. There were “multiple complaints” during the last election, he said.
Schwarzler, in an email, offered no substantiation, but observed: “You seem adept at finding information when you need to, so I'm sure you'll be able to find this, as well.”
The search by Trammart News did turn up a reprimand by OGEC when Roden was late in filing a statement of economic interest in 2019, which is required of all public office holders. “The late filing was when I was on the historic commission, not as a city council member,” Roden said.
Trammart News also contacted Mike Rhodes, who had filed the complaint regarding Schwarzler with OGEC, which led to the vote to investigate her actions. He was informed of the online campaign commentary, as well. Rhodes reiterated his reasons for seeking answers about awards of money from the city to Schwarzler.
Even though a large portion of the thousands of dollars Schwarzler received was grant funding, “discovering she was receiving payments from the city while on city council (and) voting to approve the budget without disclosing the benefit she was receiving, I felt was unethical,” Rhodes said. “So, I asked the state to look into it.”
Trammart News has done the same pertaining to campaign expenditures by Dawn Roden but, so far, no significant findings have surfaced.
(Disclosure: Anne Scheck, publisher of Trammart News, previously was a tenant of Indy Commons, owned by Kate Schwarzler. Note: Editorials for the publication(s) are always welcome but should be issue-oriented rather than personality-driven. Guidelines are available on request and are posted on this website.) ▪
(Update: After initial publication of this story, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission confirmed that Roden had a late filing penalty of $30 for her 2019 Statement of Economic Interest. The Commission voted to approve a waiver of that penalty and issue her a Letter
of Education.)
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
After incumbent City Councilor Dawn Roden posted a call for a campaign without “personal attacks” and “demeaning rhetoric” on her Facebook page, Roden’s opponent, Evan Sorce, accused her of campaign finance violations.
Sorce, along with Kate Schwarzler, an Independence city councilor running unopposed for mayor, also implied that Trammart News was ignoring Roden’s infractions – assertions for which the news outlet could find no basis after searching the Oregon Secretary of State’s records.
The allegations were made after Roden showed an image of a post in which Sorce had stated that city council candidates should disclose their donations and expenditures – and posed the question: “Dawn Hedrick-Roden Independence City Council seat #3 what are you hiding?”
Sorce apparently was referencing complaint filings from a previous campaign; Roden countered that she had been found “innocent” of previous accusations taken to the state agency.
Sorce responded that “they just decided not to sanction you. There is a difference.” (An inquiry to the Secretary of State’s office by Trammart News failed to confirm a distinction between a lack of sanction and the word “innocent” from staff there.)
Large signs that Roden called “leftovers” from a prior campaign appeared to be the point of dispute – Sorce stated they were likely to exceed campaign-spending limits.
The same day that Trammart News was “tagged” with a flurry of comments for allegedly declining to pursue the claim against Roden, a large campaign sign for Roden along a roadway was found slashed in an incident confirmed by Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton.
The Roden-Sorce campaign appears to stand in stark contrast to one for a position on the county board of commissioners in May, when the seat held by County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst was challenged by Monmouth City Councilor Roxanne Beltz. Both candidates seemed to focus on issues. “Not a bad word was spoken between us,” Mordhorst affirmed after he won re-election.
Both Sorce and Schwarzler received attention for their online comments, which appeared on Roden’s Facebook page.
Schwarzler’s criticism of Trammart News drew support from two others aside from Sorce who, like Schwarzler, apparently felt that Roden escaped scrutiny for her alleged transgression while Schwarzler was singled out in recent reports showing she had unpaid property taxes and is under investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for receiving city revenue for products related to her business.
In fact, Trammart News had followed another OGEC complaint about the same time as Schwarzler’s came to light, involving an Independence committee member. When that complaint ended in dismissal, it went unreported – to do so was seen as highlighting allegations that the ethics commission had determined didn’t occur.
Similarly, property tax payments were examined for every Independence city councilor after the council voted to place a levy on the November ballot that would increase residents’ tax payments, if passed – Schwarzler was the only city councilor who showed unmet tax obligations.
Trammart News contacted Roden’s online commenters, including Schwarzler, in an attempt to obtain proof that Roden had skirted campaign laws when records searches showed no such outcome.
In an encounter with Sorce during a break in a meeting at city hall, Sorce was asked how to pin down any negative result of the accusation. There were “multiple complaints” during the last election, he said.
Schwarzler, in an email, offered no substantiation, but observed: “You seem adept at finding information when you need to, so I'm sure you'll be able to find this, as well.”
The search by Trammart News did turn up a reprimand by OGEC when Roden was late in filing a statement of economic interest in 2019, which is required of all public office holders. “The late filing was when I was on the historic commission, not as a city council member,” Roden said.
Trammart News also contacted Mike Rhodes, who had filed the complaint regarding Schwarzler with OGEC, which led to the vote to investigate her actions. He was informed of the online campaign commentary, as well. Rhodes reiterated his reasons for seeking answers about awards of money from the city to Schwarzler.
Even though a large portion of the thousands of dollars Schwarzler received was grant funding, “discovering she was receiving payments from the city while on city council (and) voting to approve the budget without disclosing the benefit she was receiving, I felt was unethical,” Rhodes said. “So, I asked the state to look into it.”
Trammart News has done the same pertaining to campaign expenditures by Dawn Roden but, so far, no significant findings have surfaced.
(Disclosure: Anne Scheck, publisher of Trammart News, previously was a tenant of Indy Commons, owned by Kate Schwarzler. Note: Editorials for the publication(s) are always welcome but should be issue-oriented rather than personality-driven. Guidelines are available on request and are posted on this website.) ▪
(Update: After initial publication of this story, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission confirmed that Roden had a late filing penalty of $30 for her 2019 Statement of Economic Interest. The Commission voted to approve a waiver of that penalty and issue her a Letter
of Education.)
Latest Central School District interventions to improve test scores appear promising
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
Two different interventions that have been implemented over the last few years by the Central School District appear to be showing the hoped-for increases in learning outcomes at the third-grade level, following a long period of attempts to stem losses in this group of elementary school students.
It’s an important cohort because it is the first year of formal statewide testing for them, noted Superintendent Jennifer Kubista. CSD does lag behind state averages, including the third-grade group – but they are keeping pace with past results, according to data presented to the CSD school board meeting Monday night.
Two approaches seem to be showing desired success: The first is an expanded opportunity for district-wide summer school programs, which is preventing what’s become known as the “summer slide,” defined as “a regression” that almost inevitably occurs over summer break in some children; The second is what CSD administrators call the “universal screener,” a somewhat confusing term for some parents that means their children are “tested and targeted” through examinations that pinpoint problem areas, according to one of the third-grade teachers.
The testing identifies weaknesses among students, highlighting their need for educational attention in those areas. This individualized approach helps teachers, teachers’ aides and special instructional personnel to “zero in” with the specific focus needed, more commonly known in academic terms as “intervention.”
In the past year, the district met its strategic goals for the third grade, with upticks of 3% to 5%, despite being without the preferred support materials for a new math curriculum. Another influential factor may be tied to attendance – it is highest in the elementary schools. However, attendance appears to be flat or decreased at the secondary levels. “We are going to continue to dig into that,” Kubista said, adding that family contact for parents whose students miss school is now a priority.
At the third-grade level, results are consistent, according to state results of the past three years. The jumps that counter the “summer slide” illustrate continued growth, and are being demonstrated on state assessment tests, as well. “There is no summer slide,” said Kubista. “That is a big win.” ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
Two different interventions that have been implemented over the last few years by the Central School District appear to be showing the hoped-for increases in learning outcomes at the third-grade level, following a long period of attempts to stem losses in this group of elementary school students.
It’s an important cohort because it is the first year of formal statewide testing for them, noted Superintendent Jennifer Kubista. CSD does lag behind state averages, including the third-grade group – but they are keeping pace with past results, according to data presented to the CSD school board meeting Monday night.
Two approaches seem to be showing desired success: The first is an expanded opportunity for district-wide summer school programs, which is preventing what’s become known as the “summer slide,” defined as “a regression” that almost inevitably occurs over summer break in some children; The second is what CSD administrators call the “universal screener,” a somewhat confusing term for some parents that means their children are “tested and targeted” through examinations that pinpoint problem areas, according to one of the third-grade teachers.
The testing identifies weaknesses among students, highlighting their need for educational attention in those areas. This individualized approach helps teachers, teachers’ aides and special instructional personnel to “zero in” with the specific focus needed, more commonly known in academic terms as “intervention.”
In the past year, the district met its strategic goals for the third grade, with upticks of 3% to 5%, despite being without the preferred support materials for a new math curriculum. Another influential factor may be tied to attendance – it is highest in the elementary schools. However, attendance appears to be flat or decreased at the secondary levels. “We are going to continue to dig into that,” Kubista said, adding that family contact for parents whose students miss school is now a priority.
At the third-grade level, results are consistent, according to state results of the past three years. The jumps that counter the “summer slide” illustrate continued growth, and are being demonstrated on state assessment tests, as well. “There is no summer slide,” said Kubista. “That is a big win.” ▪
Highway 22 zone of stench is worse than ever, according to motorist
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
The autumnal equinox usually brings changing leaf colors and puffy clouds along a tree-studded stretch of Highway 22 between the turn-off for Independence and the exit for Monmouth – but now that section of roadway is becoming known for an unavoidable stench.
Dubbed “the big stink” by some commuters, it has gotten so pungent that breath-holding was jokingly suggested for drivers who need to use the thoroughfare to get to the Polk County Courthouse. At the most recent meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners there, resident Bill Farr showed up with concerns about how the stinky air is going to be addressed.
The answer: the emissions currently are allowed by a Confined Animal Feeding Operation permit, under the Oregon Department of Agriculture, according to Commission Chair Craig Pope. “I checked,” Pope said, in a brief statement prior to the meeting.
“I am concerned about the smell,” Farr told Trammart News. “It is hurting my quality of life. I cannot even sit on my patio anymore.” Farr said he lives just less than a mile from the spot where the smell seems to be originating – and it has meant staying indoors on beautiful fall days.
During the meeting by the board of commissioners, Tina Andersen, manager of the Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, told commissioners that she believes business for the fairgrounds is being jeopardized by the odor. One client, for example, recently stopped by to double-check the rental space before a scheduled activity occurred. A cancellation resulted because “they wanted me to guarantee the smell wouldn’t be there,” Andersen said, adding that she couldn’t make that promise.
Strong odors are often associated with dairy cow operations, but the Rickreall Dairy herd no longer occupies the site that’s been identified by some as the source of the smell. A daytime trip to the facility by Trammart News showed only empty facilities and vacant barns. But a combination of rotten eggs and aging manure permeated the air.
Explanations at the Polk County courthouse for the strong smell ranged from a theory that periodic rainfall, combined with sun-baking days, worsens the stench or, in another hypothesis, that land left unattended with waste products gives rise to new and odiferous bacterial growth. The Rickreall Dairy closed more than a year ago, along with a few others like it in the state that had struggled to stay in business but were sold and shuttered over the past few years.
The land is being acquired by a new owner for a rubbish transfer station tentatively named, Rehub Polk; The provisions and permits for its operation are scheduled to take place in 2025, according to public information provided at the City of Dallas' website in preparation for the change in land use.
An inquiry to the DEQ about the permit status of the property is scheduled to be addressed next week, according to a response from the DEQ yesterday. ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
The autumnal equinox usually brings changing leaf colors and puffy clouds along a tree-studded stretch of Highway 22 between the turn-off for Independence and the exit for Monmouth – but now that section of roadway is becoming known for an unavoidable stench.
Dubbed “the big stink” by some commuters, it has gotten so pungent that breath-holding was jokingly suggested for drivers who need to use the thoroughfare to get to the Polk County Courthouse. At the most recent meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners there, resident Bill Farr showed up with concerns about how the stinky air is going to be addressed.
The answer: the emissions currently are allowed by a Confined Animal Feeding Operation permit, under the Oregon Department of Agriculture, according to Commission Chair Craig Pope. “I checked,” Pope said, in a brief statement prior to the meeting.
“I am concerned about the smell,” Farr told Trammart News. “It is hurting my quality of life. I cannot even sit on my patio anymore.” Farr said he lives just less than a mile from the spot where the smell seems to be originating – and it has meant staying indoors on beautiful fall days.
During the meeting by the board of commissioners, Tina Andersen, manager of the Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center, told commissioners that she believes business for the fairgrounds is being jeopardized by the odor. One client, for example, recently stopped by to double-check the rental space before a scheduled activity occurred. A cancellation resulted because “they wanted me to guarantee the smell wouldn’t be there,” Andersen said, adding that she couldn’t make that promise.
Strong odors are often associated with dairy cow operations, but the Rickreall Dairy herd no longer occupies the site that’s been identified by some as the source of the smell. A daytime trip to the facility by Trammart News showed only empty facilities and vacant barns. But a combination of rotten eggs and aging manure permeated the air.
Explanations at the Polk County courthouse for the strong smell ranged from a theory that periodic rainfall, combined with sun-baking days, worsens the stench or, in another hypothesis, that land left unattended with waste products gives rise to new and odiferous bacterial growth. The Rickreall Dairy closed more than a year ago, along with a few others like it in the state that had struggled to stay in business but were sold and shuttered over the past few years.
The land is being acquired by a new owner for a rubbish transfer station tentatively named, Rehub Polk; The provisions and permits for its operation are scheduled to take place in 2025, according to public information provided at the City of Dallas' website in preparation for the change in land use.
An inquiry to the DEQ about the permit status of the property is scheduled to be addressed next week, according to a response from the DEQ yesterday. ▪
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