A significant rise in the number of impaired drivers is being reported in Polk County -- a finding also seen at the Independence Police Department. These increases may be linked to increased surveillance: Substantial upticks have occurred in the county over the period since a bond levy financed more public-safety personnel; The City of Independence has documented a higher number during certain holidays, when patrols were increased as the result of a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
 
The number of motorists found to be driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) is now averaging at least one-to-two per day in Polk County, about a third more than a year ago, according to the county’s district attorney, Aaron Felton, who has served since 2013. That same general pattern has persisted in the last few years, he said. Most DUIIs are alcohol-related but there has been a notable rise in those that involve both liquor and marijuana, he added. The update was reported by Mr. Felton to the Polk County Board of Commissioners at a recent meeting. 
 
The commissioners stated they appreciated hearing the results, but Commissioner Craig Pope pushed for more data in the future, which might help reveal a cause-and-effect linkage. In a brief interview after the meeting, Mr. Pope said he agreed that a higher level of law-enforcement patrolling is likely related to the increase in DUIIs. However, as wine-tourism opportunities and micro-brewery sites continue to grow in the county, that might prove an influential factor, as well, he suggested.  

A proposal called “the greenhouse gas bill,” more officially known as SB1530, has divided Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature – but not the Polk County Board of Commissioners. They were unanimous in their condemnation of this measure, which seeks to cut fuel emissions. 
 
At a recent meeting, the commissioners passed a proclamation citing the senate bill’s potential for negative impact on the county, due to “increased costs of fuels, regulation, equipment upgrades” for agriculture and, on a more personal level, to any commuter who drives to work. “From our view, any benefits derived from SB 1530, which are in dispute, do not justify the penalties and costs imposed on us by this bill,” according to the commissioners. The bill would limit emissions related to manufacturing, utilities and fuel production. So far, a walkout by Republicans in the state legislature is preventing the quorum needed for a vote.

The Independence City Council will address spending needs related to water-and-sewer equipment and technology, and will hear a report from the city auditor Tuesday night. At its last meeting, councilors approved a five percent raise for City Manager Tom Pessemier and rebates to a pair of developers who have pledged to refurbish the old city hall they recently purchased, which currently is partly surrounded by chain-link fence. The rebate would allocate $295,000: $125,000 to refurbish the sidewalks and street-scaping; $100,000 for Parallel 45 Brewing, once it is readied for a certificate of occupancy; $70,000 for reconditioning the rest of the building. The money to the development team of Gomacgo LLC is tied to attainment of these milestones, which were set by city staff.

A special work session by the council will be held at 5:30 pm before the council meeting at the Independence Civic Center, in one of the event rooms, downstairs. 

COMING UP: The Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC), based in Independence, will share the results from the LWC's stream-temperature monitoring program on Thursday, March 12, 6 pm to 8 pm, at Volunteer Hall, 144 S. Warren St. in Monmouth. Caleb Price, LWC's monitoring coordinator, will give the presentation.  Details and RSVP at  https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/tempmonitoring.html 

2040 Vision Plan Meetings Conclude: A series of public meetings to address planning goals for the next two decades concluded with a final open house this month, and one take-away from the sessions was the need for better parking downtown. Business owner Mitch Teal, of Brew & Tap downtown, noted during one meeting that this is a problem in need of a solution. Suggestions from other attendees ranged from establishing a vertical parking structure to allocating more adjacent land to the need.

A “roundabout” that would slow traffic at the intersection of Clow Corner and Highway 99 is set to start this spring, with a target-completion date of less than two years, according to County Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst, who has been meeting with transportation officials. “I was once one of the biggest skeptics of this,” Mr. Mordhorst said. However, he has since changed his mind -- he’s seen the success of some of these structures in central Oregon, he said. Slowing traffic in this way is crash-preventive, he noted. “A ‘glancing’ accident can happen,” he acknowledged. However, that’s far less serious than a car collision, he explained. The cost of the project is estimated at $10.5 million, but that sum is thought to be significantly beyond the money needed – the budgeted amount is a safeguard against work stoppage if there are cost over-runs.

A state-sanctioned contract that adds new conservation practices, including requiring timber companies to inform neighbors when spraying insecticide, is bound to impact Polk County – a place where relatively large parcels of forest land are privately owned, according to Mike Totey, district forester for West Oregon. He reported on the action at the Polk County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.  

The move is aimed at reducing the “litigation and legislation” that has meant efforts and expenditures in court time and on ballot measures, said Mr. Totey, when asked what he thought the document would accomplish. The agreement is a “Memorandum of Understanding” between various conservation groups and timber companies – it was formally announced yesterday by Gov. Kate Brown. One requirement calls for providing buffers around streams and other waterways to protect them from contamination during aerial application of pesticides.  

Sean Carpenter, spokesperson for the environmental organization 1000 Friends, said: “We are heartened by this development, we appreciate the hard work to reach this agreement, and we support the efforts of all to take the necessary actions contemplated to bring this to a successful conclusion for all Oregonians.” Mr. Carpenter was contacted after the Polk County Board of Commissioners adjourned the meeting.

A “volunteer fair” last month that was held at the Independence Civic Center succeeded so well at garnering sign-ups that it will become an annual event. Fifteen different groups – ranging from the Central Lions Club to the Luckiamute Watershed Council – hosted tables in mid-January; Their efforts yielded 42 new recruits. 

The idea was hatched by Janice Thompson, chair of the Independence Days Commission, but helmed by Independence City Councilor Shannon Corr. “I volunteered to run with the idea,” Councilor Corr said, in effect becoming the first volunteer of the event. 

Polk County’s first home for women exiting jail or placed there by a specialty court is set to open in March, according to Greg Hansen, the county’s administrative officer.

The contract for this “transitional home” has been signed, Mr. Hansen said. The location is in Dallas, at an unspecified address that’s been found suitable for such housing. The length of stay for residents in the all-female home is expected to be about six months, he said. More details are expected after the roll-out period. 

Mike Ainsworth, chair of the Polk County Board of Commissioners, and Commissioner Lyle Mordhorst praised Independence Tuesday for holding a city council meeting that provides outreach to families. Both noted the cost of childcare is high – even a few hours of babysitting can cause an economic hardship on parents. “What they are doing is civic-minded for young families,” Commissioner Mordhorst said of the City of Independence. In a recent issue of Enterprise, the publication of the Strategic Economic Development Corporation in Salem, Commissioner Craig Pope, who was absent from the commissioners meeting Tuesday, called childcare costs an issue “that impacts our workforce and businesses.”

Gilgamesh Brewing has officially received approval for a liquor license at its Independence location on Main Street, called The River. The action, at the last Independence city council meeting, prompted City Councilor Marilyn Morton to inquire about the pizza restaurant, which appears to remain shuttered – after an opening seemed imminent. No word yet on Donatello’s, but The River already is drawing people – window-peekers have been visiting recently.