Trammart News Service WEST SALEM â For several years, Wayne Simmons has been on a quest to do what many like him have found impossible: Divide the family farmland outside West Salem into smaller parcels. In only a few minutes last week, those hopes were dashed. In a two-to-one vote, the Polk County Board of Commissioners issued a swift denial of the proposal. âIt took all of about 10 seconds when they made the decision,â Simmons said. âThere was no discussion, and we donât know why it went the way it did,â he added. Board Chair Mike Ainsworth cast the dissenting ballot. Commissioners Craig Pope and Lyle Mordhorst voted to uphold the recommendation of the staff and the county hearing officer, who had concluded there was âinsufficient evidenceâ for a zone change allowing the sale of 10-acre lots from the 228-acre site.