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Wednesday September 4, 2024 | Volume 148, Issue 36

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Monmouth approves public safety fee $10.25 added to electricity bill By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES

Cutting the ribbon Aug. 29 welcoming an expansion to the Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center are (from left) Board President Sarrah McMaster, Clinical Director Tyler Ramm-Gramenz and Dan Strasser, Executive Director.

Adolescent center expands program with new building By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

One of Polk County’s best kept secrets just got a little bit harder to keep. On the heels of winning an Outstanding Organization of the Year award from the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce in June, the Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center just hosted a ribbon

cutting Aug. 27 celebrating the expansion of their program into a new building. After helping cut ribbon, Dan Strasser, PADTC Executive Director, told the assembled throng of staff and community members about word getting out about their program. “We’re probably the best kept secret, because nobody

is expecting to come here,” he told them. He later told the Itemizer-Observer, “Even when we tell people where we’re at, they pull in, ‘I didn’t know you guys were even here.’ They know the church, drive right past it.” The PDATC’s program to help a different kind of students in need actually began in a one-room schoolhouse in

1978. They built their current facility 22 years ago before acquiring the property across their parking lot in 2018. Strasser said PDATC’s mission is to work with students ages 12-18 suffering from severe psychological or emotional issues. “It could be somebody abused and still working through PTSD, to kids who

are schizoaffective or hearing voices, severely depressed,” he said. “Our goal is they’re here for a short period of time and are able to get back to regular school. So, we are giving them the tools to function in a regular school.” See EXPANDS, page A8

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Samuelus share polynesian heritage allowed growing up in the assembly of our church.” Feeling rebellious, she It’s hard to believe that sought an outlet for what she someone as proud as Ruth felt it was her calling. Samuelu is to share her “It was something I was Polynesian heritage through meant to do. When I was song and dance once feared she’d never get to experience little, all I wanted to do is dance,” Ruth added. it herself. Eventually, she disRuth, or Auntie Ruta as covered a nearby church, she’s known to her students, Toma Le, under direction of along with her husband “Auntie” Yolanda. She taught Anthony, have reestablished Polynesian dancing in the their dance class company in church’s dining area. Independence after operating “Oh my gosh. It was beautiit in Arizona since 2013. ful,” Ruth recalled. “I felt this However, there was a time is what I was meant to do.” in her youth growing up in She pleaded with her father California, Ruth feared her to let her dance. Even without parents, like a scene out of his blessing, she learned to “Footloose” would never allow her to venture down that dance, to embrace her Samoan heritage. path. “And when he attended “My parents were minisone of our shows, he said it ters and weren’t big fans of dancing,” she said. “It wasn’t was the most beautiful things, a gift from God,” Ruth said. By DAVID HAYES Itemizer-Observer

PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES

Demonstrating Samoan dancing at Natia O Le Pasefika’s open house Aug. 24 are the Samuelu children and fellow instructors, (from left) Dallas, 18, Stevie, 14, and Josiah, 13. “He actually said you should expand and use that.” He gave Ruth his blessing and from then on she flourished.

IN THIS ISSUE Voices Corrections Obituaries Puzzle Solutions Social Public Records Classifieds Puzzles

A4 A4 A6 B2 B2 B5 B6 B7

She and Anthony want to share their journey with the Monmouth and Independence community. They hosted an open house for their dance

studio, Natia O Le Pasefika, Aug. 23 and 24. The studio, currently operating

With recent cuts to Monmouth’s city budget, the largest department paid for by the general fund, police at 39 percent, found themselves short staffed compared to their regional contemporaries. To make up for this shortfall in funding, the City Council unanimously approved Aug. 20 instituting a $10.25 public safety fee on residents and businesses electric bills. In addition to restoring a 15 officer position the MPD had last year, the fee would also fund returning their community service officer part to full time and add a 16th officer by next year. The safety fee will be implemented in a five-year cycle, taking effect on Sept. 15 and run through Sept. 1, 2029. This includes 40 cents per electric bill for a fund to help people who have low or fixed income and need help paying their bills. “This funding would equate to approximately $1,700 a month,” the staff report read. Councilor Roxanne Beltz wanted to ensure exceptions were implemented equitably. “If we’re talking making exceptions for low income, I think we then need to look at exceptions for organizations that have … larger use,” she said. “If we’re going to make an exception at one end, we need to think about the other as well.” The $10.25 monthly charge will go up by 3% per year through its five years with an annual review by the City Council. “The reason I think I’m OK with this is we’re going to review this every year,” Councilor Carol McKiel said. The public safety fee will also cover 5.15% of the police department’s operating costs, which are made up of personnel services and materials and services, City Manager Rochelle Roaden explained. “By covering a percentage of operating costs and vehicle replacement costs that were already budgeted for, this takes pressure off the General Fund on an average of $270,000 each year over the next five years,” she said. The need to make cuts to the police department’s budget to balance the general

See FAMILY, page A6

See FEE, page A8

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