New weather radio installed in Clearwater County

By Don Gardner, Clearwater County Emergency Management Coordinator

After five years of working with the National Weather Service, Clearwater County now has a NOAA weather broadcasting station on Norton Knob. This station will broadcast official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.

In conjunction with federal, state, and local emergency managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as blizzards and high winds), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages). NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal.

Clearwater County’s broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at NWR Channel 5 or 162.500 MHz. If you purchase a weather radio with same capability, you can receive the alerts that are for Clearwater County. Following the radio’s manual you, can program you radio to Clearwater County’s code of 016035.

In addition to the radio broadcast, we have other tools to help you know what the weather is doing in Clearwater County. Clearwater County’s Office of Emergency Management has installed four weather data gathering stations. You can find links to these stations on the County’s web site at www.clearwatercounty.org. Just click on the “Check the Weather” link.

A number of people participated in bringing this project together. I want to thank Neal Johnson for providing and improving the Norton Knob location, making the NOAA broadcast station installation possible. I also want to thank all those who allowed us to place a weather station at their location and for the assistance from the Clearwater County IT Office.

The first Nationwide EAS Test on November 9

Although the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is frequently used by state and local governments to send weather alerts and other emergency notifications, there has never been a national activation of the system.

On Wednesday, November 9, at approximately 11 a.m. Pacific time, Clearwater County will participate in a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. It will be heard on the weather radios, local radio, and seen on local, cable, and satellite TV. This test will last for approximately three minutes then return listeners and viewers back to regularly scheduled programming.

The National EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. As the federal, state, and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.  You can download Clearwater County’s “Family Readiness Plan” at www.clearwatercounty.org.

EAS participants provide a critical public service to the nation as the resilient backbone of alert and warning when all other means of communication are unavailable. This EAS test plays a key role in ensuring our nation is prepared for all hazards and that the public is able to receive critical and vital information, should it ever be needed.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Don Gardner at the Emergency Management Office. 208-476-4064.

Orofino Mayor and City Council Forum

By Alannah Allbrett

The Orofino City Council Candidate Forum was held Monday evening at Orofino High School. The forum was sponsored by the Orofino Chamber of Commerce’s Public Affairs Committee, with approximately 45 people in attendance.

Ryan Smathers is running uncontested for his second full term as mayor. Additionally, he completed a partial term when that office fell vacant.

Three seats on the city council are open, including one left absent by the passing of Roy Clay. The two incumbents running are: Marguerite McLaughlin and Doug Donner. Newcomers to the race are: Avery Dunaway, Don Gardner, and Shannon Schrader.

Facilitator, Jeff Jones opened the evening by welcoming “concerned voters.” Candidates were asked what motivated them to run for city council. A brief summary of some of their statements follows:

 

Avery Dunaway wants “to have a voice in what goes on in the community and to be a voice for the people of Orofino.”  

Shannon Schrader said, “I started sitting in on meetings and found it very interesting. I would like to be part of making changes. What inspired me, basically, is the council.”

 

Don Gardner: “I felt it was an opportunity for me to step up. I want to be part of the solution, so I decided to run and donate my time to the city.”

 

Ryan Smathers: “I want to continue to run because we’re not quite done with some of the projects we’ve gotten started – one of the most important things to our whole community has been the water treatment plant. We’re about to break ground and get it started, and that’s probably the biggest motivator that I have.”

Doug Donner: “This will be my seventh [consecutive] term. Some of the largest projects are right in front of us, such as the water treatment plant that we’ve worked on for so long, as well as other unfinished projects.“

Marguerite McLaughlin: “I’m really proud of attaining the grant that we did for the water plant, but our infrastructure is getting old. I think that we need a lot of expertise on that, and work towards finishing the job.”

Question: In your opinion, what do you think are some of the most challenging issues facing our community; how would you go about trying to resolve these issues? Gardner – wants to promote business opportunities, and to support families and youth.  Schrader – said he didn’t know, yet what issues we’re faced with. Dunaway – to find a way to make my kids want to come back here once they leave for college. McLaughlin – is concerned over the apathy about important issues and wants people to communicate at council meetings. Smathers – said funding issues are always a big reality for us. Donner – said we are geographically challenged and need to utilize well defined comprehensive and master transportation plans.

Question: [to incumbents] What has Orofino done to address the recession issue and have any services been reduced? Donner – said we’ve tightened up, and held off hiring a public works employee and we are fortunate that a good reserve program was put in place several years ago. McLaughlin – said employees have taken on extra duties and the city tries to make it work to stay within their budget. Smathers – a lot of the credit goes to prior leadership and currently we watch every penny we spend and go over each bill before authorizing money. The city is a very well run team.

Question: [to challengers] If you had a blank check and could make any improvements that you wanted to in the city, what improvements would you make? Gardner – jobs and job training, a summer job program for youth. Schrader – access for the Riverside area, with a paved bike pathway to the bridge with an overpass.  Dunaway – pay off the bond for the water bill and lower utility bills for people. I would also give the school district the funds that they need to finish schools.

 

Question: As an elected official of this city, please list two issues that you would like the full city council to address or get involved in. Donner – thinks they are already involved with every issue now. Schrader – the North South Trail and to utilize all the recreational opportunities. The city should play a bigger role to bring in money for that.  McLaughlin – would like to see businesses brought back into the town and secondly to see youth come back and reside here. Gardner – would like to end the “revolving door” for law enforcement officers. He would also like to utilize and protect Orofino Creek as a resource for recreation. Smathers – downtown beautification and the Rails to Trails program. Dunaway – the railroad tracks and the city pool.

 

Question: On a scale of 1 – 10 (10 being the highest) how would you rate the performance of the city council over the past four years? Schrader – said he had no opinion on that, everything seems to be carried out the way it’s supposed to. Gardner – gives them a #8 rating and is proud of them. Dunaway – gives the council a #8 for the water bond they got. McLaughlin – thinks they deserve a #9 for working hard and diligently towards the common good of Orofino. Donner – gives council a #9 for the water treatment plant, master transportation plan, comprehensive plan, and the ALP airport plan. Smathers – gives the council a #10 due to past efforts of Roy Clay and the hard working council. He said there are good choices sitting here and he will work with whomever is elected.

Question: In one word, how would you like the public to describe you? Smathers – “Dedicated. I’m dedicated to this community. I always have been and plan to be for a long time.”  McLaughlin – “Dedicated. I want people to know that I’m knowledgeable but I’m also dedicated to the goodness of the city.” Donner – “I’d like to choose the same word, or aggressive.” Dunaway – “Friend. I’d like everybody to be able to tell me their thoughts and ideas.”  Schrader – “Two words, honest and fair.  I’m not a good speaker, but I’m going to be honest and fair if you ask me a question.”  Gardner – “Outstanding. When people say, how’s your city council? They are going to say, outstanding.”

 

Question: What do you think about a skate park?  All candidates agreed a skateboard park would be a good thing if it could be budgeted. Young people want one, but the community would have to partner, organize, and find funding for it.  The total recreation budget of $45,000 is capped by the state and is only enough to maintain the city’s three existing parks. The city is unable to be the sole provider at this time.

Question: What are your thoughts about annexation of outlying areas which use city services? All candidates agreed it is an issue that is contentious but needs to be looked at. Comments were that it would be very costly to bring their infrastructures up-to-date and might prove costly instead of bringing more revenue to the city. It was pointed out that police and fire protection are already being provided to those neighborhoods. The council has talked about annexation several times, and it might be inevitable at some time in the future.

Question: How would you attract more businesses and jobs to Orofino? Smathers – by supporting the ones that are already here and staying adamant about every dollar we spend being spent locally. McLaughlin – by having an excellent school system. Donner – more town cleanup and utilizing the Clearwater County Economic Development Specialist. Schrader – we have a huge opportunity for recreation development. Gardner – we need to review some of the rules and ordinances that prevent start-up businesses.

Question: What special skill or talent would you bring to the council? Donner – the ability to look at all sides of issues.  Schrader – good organizational skills – the ability to bring everybody together to make something happen. Gardner – a dedication to get it done; it may take a little time or go quickly, but it will get done. Dunaway – I’m a good listener; I listen to 30 employees. I am not a very good talker, but I am a very good listener. Smathers – I am definitely able to listen to people and hear all sides of the story, and also it’s important to be accessible and available at any time. McLaughlin – I do listen and ask a lot of questions when we’re discussing issues. I’m open minded but don’t take just one word, that’s being told me, as being the final answer on an issue.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Be sure to take time to vote.

Pierce candidate forum

By Judy O’Brien

The Pierce Candidate Forum was held Tuesday evening at Pierce Community Center with 50 people attending. The forum was sponsored by the Pierce GEM Committee.

Justin Karst and Carmen Syed are candidates for mayor. Mike Vaughn, Patricia Jacks, Harry Stenzel and Michelle Nelson are running for two positions on Pierce City Council.

The evening was facilitated by Loren Whitten-Kaboth. Candidates were asked their background and goals for the city.

Carmen Syed was unable to attend, as her son Jonathan was being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout Tuesday night. Loren read Syed’s statement, which said she was asked to help and is willing to serve. Carmen has experience in running other organizations within the community and is a business owner.

Candidates were asked, “what was their vision for Pierce.”

Justin Karst “wants to help the people of Pierce and feels he can relate to people, community and family.” He “will try to make Pierce a better place” and is “able to make compromises when necessary.”

Mike Vaughn has raised his family here, his children went to Timberline schools and his main goal is for the community to be aware of what’s happening in City Council.

Patricia Jacks has spent 25 years in Pierce, is a RN and works in Pierce for CVHC. Her goals include upgrading the streets. She also feels government “should be a facilitator for the people.”

Harry Stenzel has lived here most of his life and is self employed in road construction. His main goal is street upgrades. He also feels there are problems with nuisance ordinances that need to be solved.

Michelle Nelson has lived in Pierce 20 years and graduated from Timberline Schools. She feels Pierce is “a great place to live” and her goals are to stay involved and support the community. She will foster economic growth which would also help retain youth in the community.

A question and answer period followed. Answers reflect a brief summation of candidates’ responses.

 

Question: What experience do you have that would help the community? Nelson – background in education and work within the community. Three years as court clerk. Stenzel – 66 years in Pierce and previous council member. Jacks – deal with people on a day-to-day basis, have ER experience which teaches one to deal with problems effectively. Karst – have engineering experience, I believe “can always make it better.”

Question: Should Judgetown pay their fair share of water bill? All candidates shared the idea that Judgetown needed to pay their fair share and candidates were willing to “go all the way” to see this was accomplished.

Question: Event that caused you to run? Stenzel – streets need attention. Nelson – problem on her street that was solved by council; and issue with Chinese Cemetery. Vaughn – street maintenance and Chinese Cemetery. Jacks – feels one should help out when one can. Karst – protect future of Pierce.

Question: What would you do when you have a stance different from friends? Karst – stand by myself. Vaughn – what is best for Pierce. Stenzel – ask advice from friends. Nelson – would be representing citizens of Pierce so would ask their opinions.

Question: Would you change the way council meetings are run? Nelson – would leave as is. Stenzel, Jacks, Karst and Vaughn all said the mayor handles the meetings. All agreed meetings are run effectively.

Question: What is your top priority? Vaughn – streets, drains, snowplowing. Jacks – streets. Stenzel – streets. Nelson – economic growth. Karst – every issue that comes up in City Council.

Current Mayor Greg Gerot commended candidates for their desire to assist in community issues and said he was pleased to see community interest in this forum.

Australian visitors enjoy first trip to America

Australians Tom and Wendy Buvac just spent a month here in Orofino for their first taste of “American culture,” and it was an enjoyable treat for them. Even though the couple lives just outside a city of over a million inhabitants, their home is in the suburbs and near the “bush,” as they call it the woods.

Tom was brought here to learn the scope of the NightForce operations based here in Orofino, and wife Wendy took her annual “holiday” to come with him, leaving her job as a bank branch manager near Adelaide, South Australia.

During their month stay at the High Country Inn, Wendy and innkeeper Jo Moore had a great time during the days when Tom was busy at the NighForce plant. Jo introduced Wendy to the art of preparing and canning peaches and apples, folding huge quantities of napkins, cooking in large amounts (Wendy helped trim and cut forty thick slices of pork loin for a dinner party,) even cleaning cabins!

On days off the couple was treated to drives around the country, once by the Moore’s, another time by Tom’s mentor at NightForce, Mike Forest. On the days that Jo had meetings in town Wendy would go along and spend her time exploring Orofino. She walked up and down the streets, meeting people as she ventured into stores.

 

Some of her stops included the Hallmark store, where she bought cards and souvenirs, the Ronatta’s Cakery for a donut, the Flower Shop for some fall ornaments, Glenwood Pharmacy for some postcards, Eagle’s Nest for more souvenirs, the Natural Food Store for some gluten-free products for her mom, IGA for groceries to make lunches, and a stop by Augie’s for a coffee.

On a couple of occasions the couple was treated to dinner at the Edge. Wendy was also a guest of Jo at the CVHC Auxiliary meeting one day, to learn more about the Life Flight program, but for most of Jo’s daytime meetings Wendy enjoyed her walks around Orofino. She especially enjoyed watching the river, as well as the logging trucks going by.

When asked about their most enjoyable memories to take back with them, Wendy and Tom mentioned Lumberjack Days and the logging show as well as all the good eating to be had there, especially a Doughboy! She and Tom were asked at a local sandwich shop if they spoke a different language in Australia! (No, the same language, it just sounds different and has a few new expressions for the American ear!)

Both Tom and Wendy enjoyed a couple of visits to the Dworshak Visitor Center, where they viewed the programs and talked with the Rangers. Jo also introduced them to the hamburgers at the Woodlot!

Then last week, the end of their stay, the couple sat in the IGA “car park”, and were intrigued by the number of hunters stocking up and heading out to hunting camp. While Jo had an appointment at the Eye Clinic, Wendy sat and visited with a logger who told her all about the first week of hunting around Headquarters, where it would be wall-to-wall camps. (Tom’s hunting experience consists of being out in the bush with no one around for miles and miles, and shooting “varmints” such as foxes!) Tom said, “Too many people for me!” Jo told him he should be able to stick around to see all the rigs returning to town with their “trophies with antlers” loaded in the back of their trucks!

Some new words or expressions that Jo learned during the couple’s stay included “having a lie-down,” which means having a nap; putting things on the “bench” which is a counter here; “rubbish” is trash; a car park is the parking lot; and one of her favorites is the Australian name for a shopping cart: a “trolley!” She’ll probably be using these new words as part of her everyday vocabulary from now on!

Special note: Mike Forest left for Australia two days after the Buvacs’ departure, to help with setting up a new operation for the company over there.

After a couple of months over there he will be followed by other Orofino NightForce employees Sean Simmons and Josh Goodwin, on a rotation basis… what wonderful opportunities for our young men!

Tom Buvac of Australia, in Orofino for a month's training with NightForce

Jo Moore and Wendy Buvac, in High Country Inn's kitchen

Polio soon to vanish everywhere

Yearly, in countries all around the world, Oct. 24 is marked as World Polio Day to encourage mankind’s fight against the dreaded disease, polio.

The only time in world history that humans completely eliminated a deadly disease from the earth was in 1979. After successful vaccination campaigns throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified the eradication of smallpox in December of that year.

To the present, smallpox is the only human infectious disease to have been completely eradicated.  Now, we are on the verge of eliminating a second disease from the face of the earth: Polio.

As of Oct. 13, there have been only 444 cases of endemic polio in the world this year. This compares to 717 on the same date last year.  In 2010, there were a total of 1349 cases of polio in the world. Fifty percent of these cases occurred in Pakistan and Chad.

After a peak of over 300,000 cases (with 57,879 being fatal) in the U.S. in 1952, the introduction of the Salk vaccine in 1955 and of oral Sabin vaccine in 1961, the wild–type of polio has not been documented in the U.S. since 1979. That year, cases occurred in a religious group that declined immunizations. The last case of paralytic polio in the Western Hemisphere occurred in 1991, and the last non-paralytic case occurred in 1994.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that enters the mouth via the fecal-oral route, multiplies in the gastrointestinal tract, spreads into the blood, then spreads to muscles and the nervous system. After an incubation period of three-six days, it may cause fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs, particularly in children under the age of three.

One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs), which can develop in a matter of hours. Most people with paralysis recover some function weeks to months after infection.

Less than one percent of polio infections ever result in paralysis, and since most people infected with poliovirus have no signs of illness, they are never aware they have been infected.  After initial infection with poliovirus, the virus is shed intermittently in feces (excrement) for several weeks. During that time, polio can spread rapidly through the community. This means constant public health vigilance is important.

Among those paralyzed, five percent to 10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Children whose legs are paralyzed by polio today often require crutches, special braces or wheelchairs in order to move around. Two-thirds of people have residual neurologic sequelae and a post polio syndrome resulting in a new onset of symptoms reappearing after 20-30 years.

In 1985, Rotary International and its affiliated Rotary Clubs undertook as the organization’s number one priority, the task of working with the WHO and countries worldwide to eliminate polio from the earth. Even as late as 1988, poliomyelitis infected nearly 1,000 children worldwide every day.

Rotary, with the recent help of funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have raised over $800,000,000 to this end, and have sponsored countless hours of professional and volunteer help to provide oral vaccinations all around the world during National Immunization Days and on other occasions.

Humankind with the help of national governments worldwide, WHO, Rotary International with its members clubs, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is on the verge of wiping out polio once and for all.  The last few cases are the most difficult to prevent!

The Orofino Rotary Club, like its sister clubs in the United States and in the over 200 other Rotary countries of the world, take World Polio Day, Oct. 24, seriously. The Orofino Rotary Club hopes to raise a substantial amount of money to combat polio this year, and again each year, until Polio vanishes from the face of the earth.  Join us in our Polio fundraisers, as you are able, for humanity’s sake!

Trevor Haag, Orofino’s “Angel of Baseball”

Trevor’s father, Tracy Haag, said “Trevor was very competitive and hated to lose. But he was also a good sport and he would help other kids a lot.”

By Alannah Allbrett

  Baseball season is beginning to fade to a memory for some people, and they are already moving on to football and soccer seasons. But, for the hardworking people who sponsor the annual Trevor Haag Memorial Tournament exciting plans are already tentatively underway for next year’s event.

  This year’s event was the eighth Trevor Haag Memorial Tournament, a tournament unique in many ways. Many future big leaguers are already looking forward to season nine in Orofino.

  The excitement starts each year with a free breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. The traditional breakfast was started by Trevor’s grandparents, the late Chuck and Linda Haag. Trevor’s other grandparents are Tim and Carol Adams of Orofino. All of Trevor’s family: grand parents, aunts and uncles, and immediate family all come out to help. Some family members come from Florida, New Hampshire and New York to stay involved with the tournament.

  Excitement mounts in the opening ceremony, as the teams line up on the field. There is a short welcoming speech as the Haag family stands on the pitcher’s mound. Ally Statler comes forward to sing the national Anthem. Colorful, red, white, and blue balloons are released overhead. The balloon colors are white for Grandma Linda, red is for Trevor’s grandparents, and the blue is for Trevor. Someone is chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the games begin.

History

  Trevor Haag started playing T-ball at age five, “He played every year that he could,” said his father Tracy. Trevor lost his life to a rare and undiagnosed heart condition (Long QT Syndrome) when he was only twelve years old.

  In 2003 he participated in a motorcycle race in Kamiah and seemed fine at the time. During the race he coasted to a stop, his bike toppled over, and he fell to the ground. When people ran to his aide, his heart had already stopped beating. His older brother Justin has the same condition and uses a defibrillator. Justin still maintains an active lifestyle playing basketball but has been through several related health challenges.

  Police Chief, Jeff Wilson, who was instrumental in organizing the tournament, in 2004, and also Trevor’s coach, said that Trevor’s passing was really hard on his classmates; “It was really devastating,” he said. Jeff and Jamie Wilson both wanted to do something memorable in Trevor’s honor to promote the sport Trevor loved best and make a positive difference in many kids’ lives.

  The tournament, which began with six teams, grew to 26 teams last year. In 2010, 285 kids participated. Through word-of-mouth and Facebook, word has gotten around about this outstanding tournament, and people time their summer vacations now so they can attend from as far away as Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

  “When we started out,” Jeff said, “we did a few things differently. We offer especially nice trophies for one thing. There is a huge one for the Trevor Haag Award, for the most inspiring member in the tournament.” The Haag family selects the player who will receive its highest honor. There is also a Justin Haag Team Award, which goes to the team that best exemplifies good sportsmanship qualities in competition.

  In 2004, a large billboard sign, with a picture of Trevor on it, was erected at the VFW field. Each year, the name of the championship team is listed below on a permanent plaque. ASE Signs created the sign and donated the labor for construction.

  Another thing that is unusual about this tournament is that the umpires, score board keepers, concessions, and people who do the field maintenance are all volunteer helpers. Many tournaments have to hire people to do these jobs but not in Orofino. Jeff said many people were eager to get involved and wanted to help.

  “We usually try to do something special for the Haags,” said Jeff. This year we had authentic baseball jersey’s made that had the #8 on the back along with “T. HAAG,” and the front said “Trevor Haag Memorial Tournament.” Trevor’s mother Annette, Tracy, and Justin were each given a jersey, and one was framed, representing one for Trevor.

  Each year tee-shirts and supplies have to be ordered and materials need to be printed. The event is not an easy one to plan, since the schedules have to be printed in advance of knowing how many people will actually attend. Jeff and Jamie Wilson have, with experience, gotten pretty good at guesstimating the event.

  Several positive emails have been received from visitors to the tournament. The following one pretty much sums up the reason for all the effort that goes into it. 

  “It was an honor for me, my coaching staff, our players, and our families to be a part of an event this great in honor of a young man we were never fortunate enough to meet. Interestingly enough, after listening to stories about Trevor from locals, we left town feeling as if we did know him. I certainly hope the Haag family knows that even though most of the players that came to town this past weekend did not know Trevor personally, that Trevor has touched their lives now. Those of us involved in South Sound Baseball wish Orofino Youth Baseball, the town of Orofino, and the Haag family happiness and continued success in ventures working with kids.” Jeremy Larson Manager South Sound All Stars.

  The tournament continues to generate good will throughout many communities and brings people to our area, often for the first time. Another email thanked all the volunteers that prepped fields, kept score, and were out there in the heat in umpire gear. They enjoyed Orofino so much; they chose to stay an extra day.

Looking forward

  Next year promises to be a good one as special events are being planned already. Jeff said they want to put together a real social event in the city park. Instead of the usual late game, plans are for having a band in the park, so all the players will have a chance to intermingle and continue the fun. All the lights on the field will be on for kids to play, and kids can look forward to Whiffle ball and other fun things.

  Trevor’s father, Tracy, said his son was very competitive and hated to lose. “Jeff, his coach, had to bench him a couple of times. But he was also a good sport and he would help other kids a lot.” Tracy and Annette Haag wish especially to thank Jeff and Jamie Wilson; “We really appreciate all they have done over the years as well as the many volunteers who willingly pitch in,” Tracy said.

Pictured are some of the great trophies and ribbons given out each year at the Trevor Haag Memorial Tournament. These trophies are awarded to the first through fourth champions and also consolation champions for both the age 12 and under and 10 and under divisions.

Pictured is the Justin Haag Trophy named after Trevor’s brother Justin.

Pictured is the Trevor Haag Trophy given to the player who is voted the most inspirational player of the tournament. The recipient is chosen by the Haag family.

Orofino City Council candidates featured in election forum Oct. 24

Five Orofino residents will vie for the three open Orofino City Council positions in the Nov. 8 election. The Orofino Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a forum at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at the Orofino High School cafeteria. It will allow the public to get more information and ask questions of the candidates.

The candidates

Squaring off for seats on City Council are incumbents Doug Donner and Marguerite McLaughlin versus new candidates Avery Dunaway, Shannon Schrader and Don Gardner.

Avery Dunaway – Avery is a shareholder and secretary/treasurer of ASE Signs, Inc. He has been in the area for 16 years and is married to a lifelong Orofino resident.  Avery has not previously held an elected position.

Shannon Schrader – Shannon is an auto body technician at Orofino Body Shop. She has been in Orofino for 18 years.

Doug Donner – Doug is running for re-election.

Marguerite McLaughlin – Mar­guerite is running for re-elec­tion. She is currently the elected chair for the Finance and Per­sonnel and the Water and Wastewater Committees. She is also a member of the Street Committee and the Airport Committee. She has served on Orofino City Council for the past six consecutive years.

Don Gardner – Don is the Clearwater County Emergency Management Coordinator, a member of the Orofino Fire De­partment and an instructor for ISU/FEMA/EST. Don is cur­rently the chair for District 2 Interoperability Governance Board.

The forum will be moderated by Orofino resident and owner of KLER Radio, Jeff Jones.