No need for PFD citations when loaner life jackets are available

 

By Deb Norton

In a small town like Orofino everyone knows where you live and who you are, how many sugars you take in your morning coffee at the café, what days you walk your dog (and its name), how many kids you have (and their names), what car you drive, and your favorite beverage. You can be sure that your neighbors and friends will know immediately if you are in trouble or if you need help and will rally around you.

There is also a disadvantage, at times, when your name appears in the local paper under the Courthouse News for failure to have PFDs (personal flotation devices, also known as life jackets) on board while boating - as everyone will soon know!

It is surprising to see how many individuals receive citations from the Sheriff’s Office for failure to carry the required number and proper size of PFDs, since Dworshak Dam and Reservoir has had PFD loaner boards on site since 2008.

Six different sizes of life jackets are carried at three different locations—Bruce’s Eddy, Big Eddy and Dent Acres Campground—by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dworshak State Park maintains a PFD loaner board at Freeman Creek Campground. Life jackets can be borrowed (honor system) for the duration of your boating outing and returned as you leave the reservoir.

According to the Clearwater County Sheriff’s resources, PFD citations at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir have decreased by 25% since the installation of the first PFD loaner board.

We at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir want the public to know that with these loaner boards, PFD violations should be zero. The life jackets are there for your use. We want you to return to your families at night, safe and sound (and without a citation!).

Discussion continues on safety and zoning issues for old Orofino School

The City Council Chambers were filled to capacity with concerned community members, parents and educators for the Orofino Building and Fire Committee meeting held Aug. 26.

A hearty discussion ensued over the newly proposed zoning of the grounds and the extensive safety requirements needed to bring the old Junior High School building up to code. City Council initiated rezoning the property as a result of a change of ownership, ie from the school district to Paul and Lee Pippenger, from a public entity to a private entity for public use.

Council Members Banks and Dunaway along with Administrator Laam, Building Official Perry, Public Works Supervisor Barton and Fire Chief Lee were present. Don Strong, Deputy Fire Official from Boise was also invited to attend.

The school district had received a letter stating that they could not use the gymnasium at the old school building unless a sprinkler system was installed. They were also informed that in order to utilize the gymnasium, the remaining part of the building was to remain empty.

Superintendent Bob Vian asked the members of city council what had changed in the past month to warrant the new requirements.

Perry stated that the council just learned of a change in ownership and a change in the use of the building. It was no longer considered to be for educational purposes. Members of city council had seen clothes being distributed and other events taking place in the old school building. The council assumed that now that the school building was in the hands of the private sector, it was being used for purposes other than education.

More than a few objected saying nothing had changed; the school curriculum requires physical education, and encourages participation in sports. Much is learned through the participation of sports, and in a community where little else is offered for kids, we are in desperate need of a community center.

Newly appointed Commissioner for Clearwater County John Smith stood up and reminded all that the codes were there for a reason, meant to keep people safe. He did not want to see the building turned back into a school, but he would like to see it continue to serve the community as a Community Center.

Smith presently serves the City of Lewiston as building Official and is quite knowledgeable in the use of codes. He volunteered to help explore the options with the help of a design professional and Orofino’s Building Official Perry, which might help bring the plans together.

For now, the city will permit the school district to utilize the gym and a safety inspection is mandated to take place in the near future for the remainder of the building, as it has not been done for a couple years. Nothing else has been decided. The discussion rests until more information can be gathered.

Megaloads: Opposing viewpoints

Against: By Ron Hanes, Orofino

Why can’t the Nez Perce Indians get over it? Some in the community are saying: Just shut up. They lost the war, so how can they claim to have rights we whites don’t have? How can a defeated people assert legal authority when it comes to the passage of mega-loads over US Highway 12?

A little history: The first treaty between the U.S. and the Nez Perce people was signed in 1855. Even though the Nez Perce population had been significantly reduced by “white man diseases” which had traveled up the Columbia well before Lewis and Clark stumbled onto the Weippe Prairie, in 1855, the regional population consisted of around 10,000 Nez Perce and their allies and fewer than 2000 non-Indians.

Though the Nez Perce considered eliminating the whites, a fairly easy task estimated to take less than a month, they chose instead to keep the peace, not from a position of weakness but from one of power and consent. Their chiefs signed the treaty. This treaty, with the full backing of the United States Constitution, assured the Nez Perce people they would retain and control approximately 90% of their existing land holdings. Non-Natives were not allowed to reside within the 1855 reservation boundaries.

With the discovery of gold near the present town of Pierce came a surge of miners from the played-out California gold fields. Rag Town, a tent city appeared “overnight” without legal authorization where Lewiston now sits. —part of the Nez Perce reservation. Nez Perce pleas to remove the trespassers went unanswered. Soon thousands of miners flooded the reservation.

The U.S. government’s solution: force a new treaty on the Nez Perce with trickery and deceit mainly so their gold could help finance the Civil War. The Treaty of 1863 further reduced Nez Perce holdings by 90%, while leaving most of the other language of the 1855 treaty intact and control in the hands of the Nez Perce.

The Nez Perce War of 1877 hardly qualifies as a war. Only some of the Nez Perce participated and most of the non-combatants continued to live on the reservation. As easterners learned of the mistreatment of the Indians, many became critical and the U.S. Army hoped the truth of how the Nez Perce had been provoked into battle would just go away. And it did, unless you were Nez Perce.

There had been no declaration of war in 1877 and there were no peace accords or new treaties at its conclusion. Nez Perce sovereignty remained as the U.S. Government soon violated even the terms of surrender. So, please tell me again why the Nez Perce should be silent?

Current mega-load mover, Omega Morgan, probably doesn’t know or care about the long history of broken promises to the Nez Perce Nation. Omega Morgan probably doesn’t know or care that, if the Nez Perce had not generously assisted the starving early 19th century Corps of Discovery, all lands north of the Columbia River (most of Washington) would likely have been claimed by England and would be part of Canada today.

Omega Morgan probably doesn’t know or care that the Nez Perce people have always attempted to get along with non-Natives, providing assistance that saved many early day travelers. Omega Morgan probably doesn’t know or care that it was the Nez Perce’ gold that helped support the Union during the Civil War but cost the Nez Perce their homeland.

Omega Morgan probably doesn’t know or care about all that ancient but relevant history or the ongoing tribal contributions to area schools, youth programs and infrastructure projects of today.

Omega Morgan probably doesn’t know or care about the ignorance with which they are equated in view of the damage they have inflicted upon the effort to build better relationships between non-native residents and the Nez Perce Tribe where there is common ground, bridge building, respect, and decisions are shared that affect all local people.

Omega Morgan has the might and money of GE, Exxon, and other mega-corporations behind them. This proved irresistible to Idaho officials and local business interests. Omega Morgan executives must be puzzled that the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Council was not similarly persuaded, so it simply swept aside their treaty rights while thumbing their noses at a U.S. federal agency and federal law.

Omega Morgan is yet another outsider whose motives are profit and exploitation of the earth’s riches, and like Lewis and Clark over 200 years ago and the miners in 1860, have imposed upon the hospitality of our Nez Perce neighbors.

The next time a mega-load tries to pass through their reservation without so much as tribal consultation and federal due process, the Nez Perce will likely protest. If they do it is their right, an acknowledgement of a painful history and an exercise of their legacy as the first stewards of this land. If there are those who cannot be respectful and understand, perhaps it is they who would do well to take their own advice. 

For: By Charlie Pottenger, Lewiston

America achieved greatness because the principles upon which it was founded released the creativeness to develop ideas which resulted in products and services we all enjoy. As people started farms and businesses which produce products which we all need and enjoy it became necessary to develop transportation systems to move these goods from producers to users. As a result we the people supported the creation of road systems, waterways, and airways to enhance the commerce which is the source of the jobs we all need to support our families.

U. S. Highway 12 was built to facilitate the movement of products from this region and the east of the mountains areas of Montana and Dakotas. Those products then economically could interface with westbound water traffic to the Far East, either at Lewiston or other West Coast ports. The use of the Highway by residents and tourists is a by-product of the basic purpose, which is to promote job related, job essential commerce.

I drive Highway 12 almost daily and after numerous megaload shipments cannot see any evidence of damage to road or environment. The risk of environmental damage is a carefully created myth designed to create unwarranted fears. The megaload trucks carry no more fuel than standard trucks and have a lower tire loading than standard rigs.

If we cannot support the use of highways for commerce we are killing jobs and increasing our cost of living. More oil anywhere in the world, available to the world's users, will lower prices everywhere. More oil in North America will create North American jobs and lower energy prices. If we oppose megaloads we are guaranteeing we shall have fewer jobs and higher prices for all goods, as energy is a key cost factor in all products and services.

I, for one, support safe utilization of our highways for all users and entrust the regulation to the Idaho Department of Transportation. If the anti-Megaload faction have their way the American economy will continue its decline and jobs will be destroyed.

Nothing more than a story of Divine Providence

Bill Bosse stands at the press he will be using in Tanzania to help spread the gospel in Africa.

By Elizabeth Morgan

For the past 30 years, offset printing was the bread and butter for Valley Graphics. The business was started in Kamiah by Larry and Karen Schlieper. They opened the business in Orofino in 1983. Bill Bosse has pretty much worked for them the entire time. That’s how he came into the industry.

It’s just been in the last eight to 10 years, that the business began to feel the competition of digital photography. It has revolutionized the business of printing, as it has in many fields of work. In the past two to three years, there has been a dramatic decrease in the demand for offset printing.

“It wasn’t that long ago that when someone walked in the door for a business card, it would traditionally take around six hours from start to finish. With the new setup, I can do the entire job in roughly 30 minutes. I don’t even have to leave my chair…”

“Currently the only thing I use the press for is printing envelopes. This is most likely happening with every little print shop in America.” Bill observed.

“Over the years, I’ve worked with Lewiston Printing owned by Helen Snyder. Fifteen years ago, they bought themselves a $50,000 printing press. It’s the envy of mine – a beautiful press.” said Bosse.

In the last five or six years Lewiston Printing had to let go of their press operator because they were not earning enough money to justify having him. So last year the Snyder’s asked Bill Bosse if he’d be interested in buying their press. “I just kinda laughed and told Helen that there was just no way that I could afford it. She said, “I’ll take $2,500 for it.” I told her at that price she was giving it away. Mrs. Snyder told him that she had put the press on the market but hadn’t received any offers for it.

Yet, Bill still wasn’t sure. He asked if he could take a week to think and pray about it.

After giving the matter a lot of thought he went back to Helen and told her that he would really like the press but he still didn’t have the $2,500. She told him it was okay, that they would worry about that later, just to please get it out of there.

“Larry Schlieper and I went and picked up the press. It sat idle here for about six months, before I realized that I don’t need it or have any use for it. So I’m beginning to kick myself for having taken on the burden of the press. I still hadn’t given Helen a dime for it yet.

“One weekend I took my granddaughter to a Christian youth conference in Montana. While we were at the conference I was seated across the table from a woman and we began talking, which for me is very unusual, I am normally very quiet and shy. She asked me what I did and I told her I owned a print shop.” said Bill.

The woman told him that her husband and she were responsible for setting up a print shop in Africa and were looking for a press. That’s when the lights went on in his head and he told her “Well, I think I may be able to help you with that.”

Next, the woman called her husband and he confirmed that it sounded perfect and that it would be an answer to the prayers of those in Africa. The couple then came to Orofino to look at the press. They were in complete disbelief of their good fortune of finding such an incredible piece of machinery! The press is in immaculate condition and has had only one operator. It was purchased new.

Bill stated that he knew that before going any further, he really needed to connect with the owner, Helen Snyder, and let her know what was going on.

While she and her husband were reading the letter Bill had received from the people in Tanzania, the next question came to mind. “Helen, he asked, “would you consider donating the press to the mission?” She answered with another question, “Do they need a plate maker too?” (A plate maker runs anywhere from five to six thousand dollars.) “What if we donate the print maker and the press?” she asked. The Snyders were willing to do that.

Again, Bill was in contact with the coordinator, who was elated beyond words. A week went by and Bill was lying in bed trying to fall asleep. when he asked himself “Am I missing something? Am I not seeing an opportunity here?”

Bill said he felt like he wasn’t accomplishing anything and not making any money. “These people in Africa are going to need more than a printmaker and a press.” he thought.

Bill went back to the coordinator “The Lord has laid it upon my heart to donate all of my equipment and my services.” he offered. As one can imagine, the deal was already over the top for the Christian compound. They answered immediately that they were only too happy to have him.

So that was the catalyst in the closing of Valley Graphics. “I feel good that there were so many indicators of divine intervention at work. That’s just the way it works with God. If you give your control to God, things miraculously fall into place.

“There are still obstacles that I have to overcome before leaving. My closing date is Aug. 30 and people are starting to come in with last minute orders. I feel bad about that. It’s been a struggle. I've got to give credit where credit is due, it’s been by God’s Grace that we’ve been able to make it this long, as we have barely been able to make it from month to month.

Originally from Connecticut, Bill moved out west about 38 years ago. He’s never been overseas but he thinks he’ll adapt to his new life fairly well. He did say that one of the biggest challenges of the compound is the lack of electricity. Generators are used to run everything.

The mission compound encompasses 4,000 acres in central Tanzania. The compound has a large agricultural program, (they boast of harvesting the largest and finest avocados anywhere) there is also an education program and a medical facility. The mission’s goal is to meet the needs of the local people, provide them with a quality education and some kind of work experience.

The press will be used to help spread the gospel. “One of my functions will be to teach them how to operate the press and I’m looking forward to that.” added Bill. Once a person becomes familiar with the equipment, it takes years to fine tune. They’ll learn to troubleshoot with time and experience. They’ll learn to use their ears as well as their eyes to know when something is not right.

The departure date is not firmly established just yet. Bill knows that it will be as soon as Valley Graphics closes and he has completed his work here, he will focus on getting everything packed for the trip.

One of the most difficult tasks ahead will be transporting the approximately 3 foot wide and 8-10 feet long, 5 foot high printing press which weighs every bit as heavy as it looks. The press will be transported to either Portland or Seattle and crated before it is shipped by barge to Africa. Upon making it to Africa it still needs to be transported from the coast, a substantial distance (400 miles) over primitive roads to Tanzania. It will require a month or more for the press to get there.

The language spoken in Tanzania is Swahili, but Bill doesn’t think there will be much problem with communication. English is taught as a second language in the school on the compound and there will be many on hand proficient in both languages to help translate.

It appears that the most difficult part of all this is that Bill will greatly miss his family and especially the grandchildren with whom he is especially close. It is still to be determined how long Bill might be there. “I won’t be there to make money, it is understood that I will receive roughly $150 per month.” He believes that it will require a relatively short time to teach someone how to run the press, about six months.

“For all I have done here, I’ve never considered myself a business person; I could write a book about everything not to do. Money has never been a motivator or a priority. I figure if I wouldn’t pay this or that amount to have something done, why would anyone else?” he asked.

“But service is a priority. To help someone else – that’s what gives me satisfaction. I’ve heard that it is very easy to fall in love with the people there, they are known to be very open, honest and giving.”

“There’s plenty of stress in getting everything done,” Bill admitted, “but I’ve disciplined myself to just focus on what’s in front of me today. I’m not going to worry about tomorrow.”

On behalf of Orofino, The Clearwater Tribune thanks Valley Graphics for many years of fine service and wishes Bill a safe and successful journey.

Cyclists complete 1,900 mile-long ride for ALS

By Elizabeth Morgan

A few months ago, The Clearwater Tribune ran an article submitted by Dee Burgett of Lenore. In the article, her son, Eric Hyde, 42, and his friend, Jared Gibson, 31, both of Colorado Springs, CO, were just beginning their 1,900-mile journey, still in their first week of an anticipated three to four week bike ride from Colorado Springs to Edinboro, PA.

Their journey was to generate awareness and donations for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research. ALS is a progressive disease of the central nervous system which causes the gradual degeneration of nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.

In Sept. 2012, Hyde's stepfather, David M. Burgett, died from ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

In the last days of David Burgett’s fight with ALS, Eric Hyde had promised his step-father that he would somehow raise the public’s awareness, working toward finding a cure for others. And that’s exactly how the trip evolved.

Hyde and Gibson gave up their jobs to be able to make their journey. Hyde had been working in the electronics and wireless industry for the past 23 years. Gibson was in the insurance business.

The cyclists set off May 30 and spent the next 30 days en route to Edinboro, PA, where prior to living in Lenore, Burgett had been a longtime resident and served 25 years as a police officer.

Their route originated in Colorado Springs, traveling through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and finally to Pennsylvania. All but 500 miles of their 1,900 mile trip was along the Trans-America Trail. The Trans-America Trail begins in Astoria, OR, and ends 4,200 miles later in Yorktown, VA. By selecting their route along the trail, much of their trip spanned rural roads, allowing them to ride more safely and in less traffic.

At the end of each long day Hyde and Gibson would find themselves breaking out the two-man tent, camping in a park or perhaps sleeping in a church, fire hall or hostel. Only three nights along the way were spent in hotels to enable them to plan and prepare for the next portion of their trip and perhaps do a little laundry.

An average day may span a distance of 80 miles. It varied from day to day. One day they rode a distance of 130 miles another day they were only able to make 32 miles. the elements added to the challenge.

“The weather at times has been hard – hot, humid, pretty intense. The winds in Kansas were difficult,” claimed Hyde.

Apparently the hills in the Missouri Ozarks were no picnic. “The pitch and steepness of the hills combined with the heat and humidity were very taxing on us. We climbed nearly 15,000 feet in elevation in one day going up and down hills in the Ozarks,” added Hyde.

Eric Hyde set a goal of raising $2,000 along his journey for ALS and has made almost twice that amount when he and Gibson rode into Edinboro on June 29.

True to his word, Hyde gave of himself once again to help his family. In 2004, he donated one of his kidneys to his brother, Peter, who is doing well.

Hyde thanks the hospitality, support and generosity of all the many folks along the way. The end of the journey, he said was bittersweet. “Being away from normal society and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life has been good.”

A very fine tribute indeed, to Dave Burgett, as well as hope to those still waiting for a solution.

Business as usual, and plenty of it, at Orofino City Council meeting

By Elizabeth Morgan

At the City Council meeting held July 23, amendments to the agenda, minutes of the regular council meeting held July 9, bills, both regular and additional, and payroll ending July 13 were approved.

The next item on the agenda pertained to the adoption of the Tentative Budget for the Fiscal Year of 2014, City Administrator Rick Laam noted recent adjustments to the budget made since the last City Council meeting. They include a slight adjustment in the Police maintenance line item (anticipated cost of tires for police vehicles) and a 2.5% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which was removed from the last budget overview to help minimize carryover but was added back in for Council consideration. All other reductions and decreases in the last budget have not changed. The total dollar difference between the budget presented July 9 and the Tentative Budget is $30,360.

The proposed 2014 Tentative Budget once adopted cannot be increased but can be decreased during the final adoption set for Aug. 27, 2013.

Petitions, Applications, Appeals and Communications

Kim Browning on behalf of the chamber of Commerce requested that the downtown parking issue be presented at the next regular meeting due to some last minute changes.

The Special Use Application submitted by Joey Vaughn to convert the second story of the former Stone Mountain Archery building into two separate apartments was approved by the board, with special conditions, The commercial building located on Hwy. 12 is currently zoned C-2 (Commercial) which prohibits residential living.

The Board recommends the following conditions: the applicant follows all building codes, provides storage and permanently assigned parking spaces for tenants. The space on the ground floor can not be utilized for a business which might impose hazardous conditions for the tenants living above, such as welding, which was discussed initially in the request, but has changed according to the owner since.

A letter from Rebecca J. Vaage, the City’s Civil Attorney, explains that her contract with the City expired the end of May. The current contract is slightly higher to reflect the rising costs in her practice. The Board approved to accept the change to the contract.

In June the US Army corps of Engineers conducted a Continuing Eligibility Inspection of the Orofino Flood reduction Project. The purpose of this inspection was to ensure that the city’s projects continue to meet the requirements for Corps’ rehabilitation assistance should they become damaged as a result of an unusual flood event.

Public Works Supervisor John Barton reported that the Orofino Flood Reduction Project is rated “Minimally Acceptable.”

There is a small area of the flood wall that has collapsed. This is at the base of the wall, just downstream of the curve at the confluence of the Orofino Creek and the Clearwater River. This area is identified in this year’s report as in previous reports. The Army Corps Levee Safety Officer recommends this area be repaired before additional deterioration introduces the need for more difficult and expensive rehabilitation.

The vegetation along the levee does not meet the Corps requirements and was rated “Unacceptable.” During the inspection one particular tree was identified for removal because it was located just behind the grouted stone wall. 

Committee Reports

The Street committee passed the second reading of Traffic Ordinance 10.5.19 in their July meeting.

The Community Beautification Committee met July 16 to discuss the judging of the 2013 Curb Appeal Contest. Councilman Gardner reported that a winner was selected and will be announced in the near future. There were a total of five applicants for this years contest.

Departmental Reports

Administrator Laam mentioned that the city was still interested in taking a look at the Health and Welfare building in consideration for the future site to house City Hall. Plans to do so were still under way.

Treasurer Pam McGuffie presented several reports including Monthly Expenditures and Payroll, and asked for questions. She noted that figures in the Revenue Recap from Avista were usually higher; her guess was that like everyone else - it is just taking longer to collect from the customers.

Building Official Perry had several items to discuss before the Council. In his yearly review of Special Use permit for Mandy Barlow to keep a single horse on Dworshak Rd., he found the facility clean, free of manure, with access to adequate shelter, food and water.

An unannounced visit to Sisterly Love Daycare confirmed adequate child to staff ratio. The center was clean and the visit was during lunchtime which can be a rather chaotic, but all children were happy, and well supervised.

Shaun Riley received notice of an expired business permit for small engine repair on Bartlett St. Permit must be renewed in order to continue business.

Other news from Perry indicated that the Planning and Zoning Committee held July 16, discussed the zoning of the old Jr. High School building. New ownership has raised the question of as to how the property should be zoned. Lastly, a trailer home had been posted unsafe for habitation on July 18.

Public Works Supervisor John Barton stated that routine maintenance rounds were just completed for Highways 7 and 12; The county had just completed dust abatement with the exception of Dawson. Crews have spent a lot of time down at the park with a busy schedule there. They are having a difficult time keeping everything green due to shutting off the sprinklers three to four days at a time for events.

Public work crews assisted OPD with traffic control, during last week’s fire.

Paving of the streets on Riverside were completed by Herco. Barton was pleased with the quality of work performed.

Police Chief Jeff Wilson reported bigger cases and more service calls to be among the reasons his officers stay so busy. The department is currently investigating the distribution of counterfeit bills. Only two bills have been discovered, but more are likely to surface in the coming weeks.

Supervisor Mike Martin reported for Water/Wastewater Department and gave an update on the water plant as well as the divers who arrived to clean and inspect the water reservoir on Canada Hill as well as the one on Adams Rd. The company made a brief video while in each of the tanks, depicting cleaning and offering recommendations for future maintenance.

Supervisor Martin shared about five minutes of one video at the council meeting. In each tank approximately three-quarters of an inch of sediment was vacuumed off the bottom floor. Divers pointed out areas of concern. The reservoir on Canada Hill is worse of the two and older. It was built in the early 70’s and re-lined in the late 90’s. The reservoir on Adams Rd was in better shape having been constructed in 1999.

Martin also hoped to have a presentation on the progress of the water plant put together by the next meeting.

Fire Chief Mike Lee gave a brief recap of the fire in Orofino last week. “We were extremely lucky to have hit it with the equipment we did.” he said of the five helicopters, five airplanes, four fire districts, C-PTPA, The Department of Lands, and the Forest Service who all worked together to extinguish the fire. Twelve residents were evacuated, and no structures were lost. One firefighter was hit with a rock and that seemed to be the only injury associated with the fire.

The fire that took place at Tri-Pro on Monday, July 22, was “a log loader, it was engulfed pretty much destroyed by the time fire crews got there. It continued to burn. Fortunately, it wasn’t parked near a logging deck or we’d still be fighting fire.” claimed Lee.

In the first 15 minutes, 4,500 gallons of water were used to try and put the fire out.

Mayor Smathers thanked everyone involved for their help and thought the efforts of all were outstanding.

Amendment to Traffic Ordinance No. 744

The second reading of the Amendment to Traffic Ordinance No. 744, Section 10-5-19 passed.

Council comments included Councilmember McLaughlin’s praise to the Public Works Department for maintaining the City Park so nicely with all the events that take place throughout the summer. Mayor Smathers commented “Just this week there were two tournaments, two weddings, two reunions, Dworshak’s anniversary and a cook-off.” The success can be attributed to the city staff, involved with the events, on a volunteer basis.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at 6 p.m., in the Council Chambers located at 217 First St.

Bill West celebrates 90th birthday at Warhawk Air Musem

Friday, the thirteenth was a great day for Bill West as he was born on that day in 1923. Officially named Raymond William West, his family has always called him Bill.

On Saturday, July 13, Bill’s family joined him to celebrate his 90th birthday. His children gave him a party, and pulled together his military memorabilia for the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Lou Bauman, volunteer extraordinaire, created a wonderful display showing Bill’s 25-year Naval aviation career in which he served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Joining Bill for the dedication of the museum case were 22 members of his family from CA, IA, MN, NV, OR, TX and WA.

Bill moved from Lenore to Meridian in August 2012. Local family members are James and Barbara-Lee Jordan of Lenore, and Terri Webley of Orofino.

 

Pictured (l to r) are: back row, Lisa (West) Sisson (niece) , Bill West (son), Catherine West (niece), Ashley Barry(great grand-daughter), Shandra Anderson, Erica West (granddaughter), Wil Anderson (grandson), Raymond W. (Bill) West, Kaye Hughes (sister), James Jordan, Roger Hughes (nephew), Mary Lee Coleman (cousin), Gary Coleman, Karen Di Lalla (sister), Tony Di Lalla, Russell Hughes (nephew); seated, Audrey West and Barbara-Lee Jordan (daughter). In attendance but not pictured were Beverly West-Anderson (daughter), Harold Anderson, and Terri Webley (daughter). 

 

Bill West’s military memorabilia at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa.