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READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 946-4368
The week in random review By Ben Olson Reader Staff
10
The number of cents that the average U.S. price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline dropped over the past two weeks, down to $4.27 per gallon, which is still up $1.32 from what it was a year ago.
‘If you turn back, we have an order to kill you.’
— Helena Gladkaya from Kyiv, Ukraine, recounting a quote said to her by Russian soldiers when she fled her war-torn country on March 9. (Spokesman-Review)
www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ben Olson, Bill Borders, Otto Kitsinger Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Clark Corbin, Emily Erickson, Devin Bodkin, Ranel Hanson, Ed Ohlweiler Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID Subscription Price: $155 per year
Gilbert Gottfried, 1955-2022 The famed comedian passed away April 12 from a rare genetic muscle disorder called Type II myotonic dystrophy. Gottfried was known his brash style and unique voice, and roles in such films as Beverly Hills Cop II, Problem Child and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
random thought of the week:
The hospital where you were born is the only building you left without entering.
Things my girlfriend does:
When my girlfriend orders pizza downtown and doesn’t finish it, but wants to keep drinking at the bar, she’ll put it in what she calls a “pizza locker.” This is one of those free newspaper boxes scattered throughout the downtown corridor. After finishing at the bar, she’ll open the pizza locker and take the pizza home. This doesn’t work so well in the summer, but in the winter it’s like a public fridge.
Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.
Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics. Requirements: –No more than 300 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers. Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook.
joke of the week:
A ham sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.” April 14, 2022 /
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NEWS
Bonner County COVID disaster terminated Emergency ended because coronavirus ‘no longer a threat to life and property’
By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously April 12 to terminate the local disaster emergency the board declared on March 16, 2020, putting an end to the county’s formal acknowledgement of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Emergency Management Director Bob Howard presented the resolution to the commissioners, which states that because “there is no longer a threat to life and property in Bonner County regarding [the] COVID-19 pandemic,” the disaster declaration should be terminated. Resident Dan Rose, during the public comment portion of the item’s discussion, asked if the commissioners were ending their emergency declaration “because the governor said so or because we said so.” Idaho Gov. Brad Little is set to end the state’s COVID emergency on Friday, April 15. Howard and the commissioners affirmed that Tuesday’s move
had nothing to do with decisions at the state level. “It was just something we hadn’t wrapped up,” said Commissioner Dan McDonald. “We needed to wrap it up. It kind of fell through the cracks.” Rose pressed the commissioners on whether it was “the board’s position that the emergency existed all the way up … until this time.” “Last week, the week before, the month before that — there was still an emergency?” Rose asked. “Not that we believe, no,” McDonald said. Bonner County commissioners have been frequent opponents of anti-pandemic measures since March 2020. In November 2020, Commissioner Steve Bradshaw proposed a resolution to pull funding from the Panhandle Health District in retaliation for the public health authority’s multi-county mask mandate. The measure did not come to a vote after county counsel determined it unlawful. Bradshaw proposed a resolution in August 2021 declaring
Bonner County a “Constitutional County” opposed to any and all mandates — specifically, mandates related to virus mitigation. The resolution required heavy editing in order to fall under the board’s legal purview, but was ultimately passed in October, cementing the county’s position against mandating masks or vaccines. Bradshaw, who is running for Idaho governor in the Tuesday, May 17 Republican primary election, called the anti-mandate resolution a testament to what the
board could “achieve” when its members used “teamwork.” McDonald said that the move simply expressed the board’s “official opinion and position.” Commissioner Jeff Connolly, who initially opposed the resolution and called it a “political stunt” by gubernatorial candidate Bradshaw, ended up voting in favor of the pareddown version. Still, he called it a “waste of time.” Commissioners voted unanimously to end the COVID disaster declaration on April 12. In response to a question from
The Bonner County Administration Building in Sandpoint. Courtesy photo. the public, McDonald said another COVID emergency could be declared should cases of the virus again rise in the county, noting that government bodies often declare disasters so that they “can access other funding if we need to,” such as money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “That’s the only reason to declare them,” he said.
BoCo to reconsider 700-acre rezone April 20 By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff
Bonner County commissioners will reconsider the rezone of more than 700 acres in the Selle Valley at a hearing Wednesday, April 20, marking the latest development in an issue that has sparked vocal opposition throughout the process — a process that included a recommendation of denial from the Planning and Zoning Commission in November but approval from the county commissioners in February. The land — owned by the Skinner and Otis families, known jointly on their June 2021 4 /
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rezone application as Pack River Partners, LLC — is currently zoned in 20-acre parcels. Pack River Partners is requesting that designation be changed to 10 acres — a move that many neighbors see as the first step to future development of the property, which is made up mostly of pasture and timberland. While landowner Don Skinner has testified at prior hearings that he has no plans to develop the property, the zone change application lists “landowner flexibility” and the need for “housing for expected population growth” as reasons for the shift from a 20- to 10-acre parcel minimum. The P&Z Commission recommended denial of the file in No-
vember 2021 on the grounds that surrounding infrastructure could not support a major housing project in the area. Despite this, commissioners voted 2-1 in February to approve the rezone, with Commissioners Dan McDonald and Jeff Connolly arguing that any concerns about infrastructure should be addressed during the subdivision process, should the landowners choose to go that route. However, when commissioners took up the reconsideration request on March 22, new information came to light regarding when the board should begin to consider possible impacts of development. In reviewing the reconsid-
eration request — signed by Dave Bowman, chairman of Keep Bonner County Rural, and Kristina Kingsland, on behalf of nearly 30 neighbors — Deputy Prosecutor Bill Wilson told commissioners that one piece of the request, regarding the state’s Local Land Use Planning Act, would be worth reconsidering. In short, according to Wilson, LLUPA may require governing bodies to consider potential impacts of development as early as the rezone stage. “That is probably different than how we’ve handled some rezones in the past, and it kind of requires us also to get into hypotheticals because we don’t know what the development will
be,” Wilson said March 22. “But we still have to try to honor the language in the state statute.” Commissioners voted unanimously to reconsider the file, paying particular attention to whether “consideration has been given to the effects of the proposed zone change on the delivery of services by any political subdivision providing public services, including school districts,” according to the motion. The reconsideration hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building, located at 1500 Highway 2 in Sandpoint.
NEWS
Idaho Supreme Court temporarily blocks implementation of new abortion law Planned Parenthood has asked the court to find the law unconstitutional
By Clark Corbin Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Supreme Court issued an order April 8 temporarily blocking the implementation of a new Texas-style abortion law, as the court prepares to review a legal challenge to Idaho’s law. Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan signed the order that stayed implementation of Senate Bill 1309, which would allow relatives to sue a medical professional who performs an abortion after cardiac activity is detected, for a minimum of $20,000. The law is modeled after a Texas abortion law and expands on Idaho’s existing Fetal Heartbeat Preborn Child Protection Act, which the Idaho Legislature passed via House Bill 366 in 2021. The Idaho Attorney General’s Office issued an opinion saying the law would likely prohibit almost all abortions in Idaho and would likely be found unconstitutional if challenged in court. Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1309 into law on March 23 after writing that he supports
the pro-life policy of the bill but worried it would “be proven both unconstitutional and unwise.” Days later, on March 29, Planned Parenthood Great Northwest filed a petition with the Idaho Supreme Court seeking to block the law’s implementation and have it thrown out and declared unconstitutional. The law’s supporters say Senate Bill 1309 would reduce the number of abortions. But in its legal petition, Planned Parenthood argued the bill is an unprecedented power grab that would wreak havoc on the lives of Idahoans and their rights. “SB 1309’s enforcement mechanism and substance are blatantly unconstitutional, so much so that Idaho’s Attorney General’s Office released an opinion to this effect, and the governor emphasized similar concerns upon signing,” Planned Parenthood’s attorneys wrote. “Even setting aside the fundamental right to privacy in making intimate familial decisions guaranteed by Idaho’s Constitution, the bill’s flaws are flagrant and many: It violates the separation of powers doctrine (Art. II, §
1); Idaho’s prohibition on special legislation (Art. III, § 19); the due process clause’s prohibition on excessive and vague penalties (Art. I, § 13); the guarantee of informational privacy (Art. I, §§ 1, 2, 17, 21); and the equal protection clause (Art. I, §§ 1, 2). SB 1309 should be invalidated for any of these independent reasons alone. Yet it goes one step further, effectively banning abortions before viability in Idaho, in violation of Petitioners’ patients’ rights under nearly fifty years of precedent.” Reached on April 8, Little’s press secretary, Marissa Morrison-Hyer, said the governor does not comment on pending litigation. Planned Parenthood leaders issued a statement welcoming the Idaho Supreme Court’s order. “Patients across Idaho can breathe a sigh of relief tonight,” Rebecca Gibron, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, said in a written statement. “We are thrilled that abortion will remain accessible in the state for now, but our fight to ensure that Idahoans can fully access their constitutionally pro-
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found “clear patterns of IHL [international humanitarian law] violations by the Russian forces.” The team of human rights experts, composed of legal scholars from Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, was directed by 45 of the 57 member states in the OSCE to investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. In particular, the report highlighted Russian attacks on a hospital and theater in Mariupol as war crimes. While the observers also found evidence of humanitarian law violations by Ukrainian fighters — particularly against prisoners of war — the report made clear that not all violations of IHL rise to the level of “war crimes.”
Regardless, the totality of Russia’s transgressions amounted to a “catalog of inhumanity,” according to Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the OSCE. Information gathered by the mission is to be forwarded to international tribunals, according to Reuters, which noted that Russia’s representatives to the OSCE condemned the report as “propaganda.” According to BCHRTF Co-President Linda Navarre, the peace vigils have included SHS students, members of the Quaker and Presbyterian faith communities, and BCHRTF attendees. Plans are to continue similar gatherings at the same location from 1-2 p.m. every Sunday “for the foreseeable future.” “Lots of honks and thumbs up,” Navarre told the Reader in an email.
tected rights is far from over. Anti-abortion lawmakers have made clear that they will stop at nothing to control our lives, our bodies and our futures. Planned Parenthood will continue fighting for every person’s ability to access basic health care, no matter their race, ZIP code or economic status. We look forward to our day in court.” The law would have become effective April 22 without the Idaho Supreme Court’s new order temporarily blocking its implementation while the court reviews the law.
The Idaho Supreme Court Building in Boise Photo courtesy Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun. This story was produced by the Idaho Capital Sun, a Boise-based independent, nonprofit online news organization delivering indepth coverage from veteran Idaho reporters on state government and policy. The Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit funded by tax-free donations in 22 states. Learn more and follow daily updates at idahocapitalsun.com and statesnewsroom.com.
Series of local vigils planned for peace in Ukraine
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Between 30 and 35 area residents gathered April 10 along Highway 2 for a peace vigil centered on the conflict in Ukraine, which Russian troops triggered in February with an unprovoked invasion. Organized by Sandpoint High School sophomore Grace Rookey, with help from the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, the gatherings have been ongoing since early March. From its initial assault, Russian military forces have engaged in an escalating campaign of violence and terror focused on a broad range of civilian targets. In a report on conditions in Ukraine released April 13, observers with
Area residents gather to support Ukraine at a recent vigil in Sandpoint. Courtesy photo. April 14, 2022 /
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NEWS
Construction begins at Bridge Street intersection
By Reader Staff Construction work began April 11 at the northeast corner of Bridge Street and First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint, where a hole has sat in place of a number of buildings destroyed by fire in February 2019. Crews are now replacing the shoring supporting the rightof-way, where sidewalks and the roadway are retained by the foundation walls left by burned buildings. According to the city of Sandpoint, a new sidewalk will be poured, which will ultimately be widened as a part of the Phase 3 Downtown Revitalization project anticipated to begin in fall 2023. Construction at Bridge and First will continue through the rest of April and into the first week of May between 8 a.m and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Officials cautioned that the work will require occasional lane closures on Bridge Street, controlled by flaggers. The two on-street parking stalls on First Avenue will also be closed. Pedestrian detours adjacent to the work zone will be in place to enable removal and temporary replacement of the
The corner of First Ave. and Bridge St. in Sandpoint before crews began work on the site. Courtesy photo. sidewalk. During construction, there may be times of loud noises as the new sheet walls are installed. Speculation and rumors have run high about what might replace the former structures at the site, and the city noted that it has not received the permit application for the new building to be constructed at Bridge and First, but it is expected within the next few months. Meanwhile, the property owner and the city have coordinated to expedite the rightof-way work to ensure no impacts to pedestrians or traffic beginning with the Lost in the ’50s weekend through Labor Day.
Forums offered for county, legislative candidates By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Reader, sandpointonline. com and KRFY 88.5 FM will host two candidates’ forums in early May to help better inform voters before the Tuesday, May 17 primary election. The first forum will take place Monday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint High School auditorium (410 S. Division Ave.). This night will feature candidates from contested races for Bonner County commissioner District 2 and District 3, as well as candidates in the Bonner County assessor’s race. While candidates from uncontested Bonner County races have also been invited, only those from contested races will participate in the question-and-answer session. Those running unopposed can give an opening statement if they choose to attend. The second forum will be Tuesday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m., also at the Sandpoint High School auditorium. This night will feature legislative candidates from the Idaho Senate District 1 race, as well as those running in the Idaho House District 1 Seat A and B races. 6 /
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All candidates in the abovementioned contests have been invited to attend. The forum will begin with opening statements from candidates and will be followed by a question-and-answer session during which audience members will be invited to submit questions they’d like to be asked of the field. Moderators will keep the pace (and the peace), and answers will be timed so that the night keeps moving efficiently and ends on time by 7:30 p.m., following closing statements. Those who would like to attend in person can arrive at the SHS auditorium by 5:30 p.m., but the forum will also be broadcast on krfy.org and available via Zoom. Check the Thursday, April 28 edition of the Reader or social media pages for a direct link to the virtual forum. Audio from the event will be available to listen to on krfy.org. The Reader, sandpointonline.com and KRFY promote an open and inclusive forum in which constituents have the opportunity to hear how candidates feel about the issues. No public outbursts or otherwise disruptive behavior will be tolerated.
Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond
East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling: President Joe Biden’s 2023 budget proposal for $5.8 trillion asks for tax increases on the wealthy and corporations — which were cut under ex-President Donald Trump — and an early end to 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy. Columnist and historian Heather C. Richardson said it would increase the tax interest on stocks and bonds, which currently are not taxed until those assets are sold, yet wage earners pay “full freight” on their incomes. Under Biden’s plan households worth more than $100 million would pay a tax rate of at least 20% on their income as well as on gains from unsold stocks and bonds. The corporate tax rate that was cut from 35% to 21% under Trump would be raised to 28% under Biden’s plan. That could raise $1.5 trillion over the next decade, according to the White House. Those new funds would go to paying down the deficit and supporting public housing, scientific research, police departments, climate change reduction, education, pandemic preparedness and increases for the military. Under Trump the national debt increased from $19.9 trillion when he took office to $23.2 trillion by the end of 2019. Saying voters deserve to know where his party stands — the GOP does not currently have a platform — Republican Sen. Rick Scott’s “11-Point Plan to Rescue America’’ calls for an income tax on those who don’t earn enough to be taxed. It also calls for sunsetting all laws after five years, which would include Social Security and Medicare. According to CNN, the plan includes abolishing the Department of Education, finishing the southern border wall, cutting IRS funding by 50% and minimizing efforts to address climate change. A recent Gallup poll: A minority of 17% are satisfied with how it’s going in the U.S., yet satisfaction with their own lives is up 85%. Researchers in Malaysia looked at 490 COVID-19 patients who were 50 or older and considered high risk due to both age and underlying health. Half were given Ivermectin for five days and the other half received fever-reducing medications. Two percent of the Ivermectin group needed ICU care as compared to 3% of the control group. But the Ivermec-
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist
tin group had more side effects, including heart attacks and anemia, The Week reported. A study co-author said Ivermectin does not reduce risk of deterioration to severe disease. After a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, Philadelphia has become the first major U.S. city to reinstate indoor masking, The National Review reported. Last week Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to become the first Black female United States Supreme Court justice in a bipartisan 53-47 vote. It’s suspected Jackson will primarily be involved with writing dissents, since the court’s dominant hardline conservative members will be hearing cases brought against abortion, gay rights, business regulation, limitations on the EPA’s ability to address climate change and voting rights, according to The New York Times. Jackson will be seated in October. Headlines from the Russia-Ukraine situation: “Biden administration imposes new sanctions on Putin’s daughters and Russian banks”; “The world was shocked by Russian atrocities in Bucha. ABC found new horrors in Berestyanka”; “UN suspends Russia from Human Rights Council”; “Congress votes to strip Russia’s trade status, ban its oil”; “Europe freezes $32 billion of oligarchs’ assets”; “Putin’s former chief economic adviser says Russia would likely halt the Ukraine war ‘within a month or two’ if the West slapped a full embargo on Russian oil and gas”; and, “U.S. doubts new Russian war chief can end Moscow’s floundering.” The Emmet Till Anti-Lynching law has been signed, making lynching a federal hate crime — 67 years after the abduction, torture and murder of the Black teenager who is now the namesake of the legislation. Blast from the past: This month, 157 years ago, Confederate General Robert E. Lee sent a message to Union General Ulysses S. Grant saying he wanted to meet for the purpose of surrender. Grant had been suffering from a migraine, “but the instant I saw the contents of the note I was cured,” Grant recalled. Once surrender papers were signed, Lee asked for food for 25,000 starving Confederate soldiers, to which Grant quickly agreed. Four years earlier, secessionist leaders had stated they would be able to prevail in the Civil War after just one battle.
PERSPECTIVES
Emily Articulated
A column by and about Millennials
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist
I’ve always loved children’s books. Their sweet simplicity can condense all the wonder of life into a few uncomplicated pages, weaving wisdom between rhythmic lines and whimsical illustrations. The messiness of the world gets right-sized into a spooky wood, an unwanted chores list or an unexpected storm cloud, surmountable with a positive outlook, a changed perspective and a trusted (often furry) companion. Although there seem to be a lot of terrible kids’ books, there are others that are timeless — both in the way that they still ring true decades after they were written (Winnie the Pooh, Charlotte’s Web and The Velveteen Rabbit), and in the way they remain significant across the stages of life (Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?; Oh, The Places You’ll Go!; and Elmer). I was recently gifted a book that came at the exact right time — a beam of pure moonlight in my personal stormy night sky. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by Charlie Mackesy, follows the journey of a curious, lonely boy; a kind, cake-obsessed Mole; a quiet, world-weary fox; and a giant, gentle horse. Every page is saturated with big feelings and important lessons, all captured in a few inky strokes and even
Emily Erickson.
fewer words. As the characters meet one another, learn about their environment and discover themselves, they remind readers that living in a community is both full of nuance and the most basic thing we’ll ever do. The book begins with an introduction: “‘I’m so small,’ said the mole. ‘Yes,’ said the boy. ‘But you can make a huge difference.’” That opening is hard to accept at face value. The world feels enormous, controlled by big forces with grand agendas. These forces are untouchable, at once so far away, yet pervasive to the point of suffocation. But when thinking about the effect the mole will have on the boy’s life, and our own ability to affect everyone with whom we come into contact, our power to make a difference — on both personal and collective levels — is reimagined as huge. The next introduction the book offers is the fox. The mole and the boy come across him caught in a snare. “‘I’m
not afraid,’ said the mole. ‘If I wasn’t caught in this snare, I’d kill you,’ said the fox. ‘If you stay in that snare you will die,’ said the mole. So the mole chewed through the wire with his tiny teeth.” This act of doing something loving for someone, despite them giving you reasons not to love them, is another lesson that’s hard to accept. Human nature is in perpetual conflict — one part demanding to survive and thrive while others suffer (even at their expense), while another part calls for empathy, acceptance, vulnerability and companionship. We’re terrified of being duped or being exploited; we’re also hardwired to look out for one another — to both need, and need to offer, help. When we’re staring into the jaws of someone else’s suffering, regardless of the circumstances that brought them there or their behavior while in distress, our reaction can be as simple as choosing kindness. The final introduction in the book is the horse, an instant connection to round out the group. A series of vignettes involving a lot of laughter and play gives way to a snapshot of the boy riding through deep water on the horse’s back. “‘Everyone is a bit scared,’ said the horse. ‘But we are less scared, together.’” So much of our lives are dictated by fear, both external and internal. We’re inundated with things to be afraid
of, an endless cycle of bad news at our fingertips and a cacophony of divisive narratives “teaching” us about the people among whom we live. Our insecurities are marketed to and the measuring tape of success — of being enough — is designed to stretch just beyond our grasp. But, knowing that our fear is not unique to us, and that
safety can be found in connection and community, means being “all in this together” is an OK place to be. Emily Erickson is a writer and business owner with an affinity for black coffee and playing in the mountains. Connect with her online at www.bigbluehat.studio.
Retroactive
By BO
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The truth matters…
Bouquets: • Every time we publish a candidate questionnaire before a primary or general election, there always seems to be at least one candidate who doesn’t send their information on time. Much to my pleasant surprise, all Bonner County candidates sent their answers to our questions by deadline, which makes our job so much easier when it comes to laying out the pages. I really appreciate everyone who participated. We’ll have District 1 candidates for the Legislature in next week’s edition. Barbs: • I’ve got to say, I’m not impressed after reading news of President Joe Biden’s press secretery Jen Psaki’s upcoming departure to work for MSNBC. I think Psaki has done a great job speaking plainly and informatively to Americans (a relief after such blustering idiocy from President Trump’s press secreteries), but for her to accept a job with a news outlet while still speaking for the president is unethical quicksand. I believe firmly in the deliberate separation of government and media, and frankly this move reeks of something that would’ve occurred during Trump’s regime. • I’d like to introduce some of you to bit.ly. From time to time, we’ll get press releases from local organizations with long URLs (or web links) that work great when clicking directly on a computer screen, but in print, it would take someone ten minutes to correctly type out the link in their browser. At bitly.com, you enter a long URL and it spits out a smaller link that people can type out easier from a print story. Give it a shot. It’s free to use and really helpful. You can even customize the link so it’s easier to type. Plus, you’ll save us poor ink-stained wretches the time it takes to make our own bit.ly link from your long URL. 8 /
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Dear editor, In an election year the truth is especially important. So let’s look at just a couple of truths involving our current state senator from District 1, Jim Woodward. Jim’s opponent claims Jim voted against HB 666 (the so-called “library bill” involving harmful materials) when it came up for a vote in the Idaho Senate during the recent legislative session. The truth? Jim never voted against that bill because HB 666 never came up for a vote in the Senate! Another example: Jim’s opponent has claimed that Sen. Woodward voted to issue driver licenses to illegal immigrants by supporting SCR 107 last year. SCR 107 was actually a Senate resolution that called for a study regarding granting driver licenses to illegal immigrants. There is no Idaho law — Jim simply chose the prudent option to study the matter. Like I said, truth matters. Please remember that when you go to the polls this spring. Thank you. Robin Lundgren Bonners Ferry
Wolf trapping, while legal, is inhumane… Dear editor, Eric Wieland’s Opinion in the March 31 Reader [Opinion, “Trapping is a legal, useful tool to manage wolf populations”] made me angry that these marvelous, intelligent, social and family-oriented creatures still are persecuted in this state. Bounties that drove them nearly to extinction are back with $1,500 per dead wolf paid to members of the euphemistically named Foundation for Wildlife Management. Thanks to Idaho legislators who support the work of F4WM, it is operating lawfully. That doesn’t make it ethical or morally right. I had a Hereford/red angus cattle ranch and know that many cattle and sheep die from diseases and other problems related to herding livestock on vast public lands. When wolves kill livestock, it’s to survive, not for “sport.” As to claims F4WM is protecting herds from extinction, every late summer, hundreds of elk gather in the valley off the road to the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge as they make their way to wintering grounds. Most of every year, local deer munch their way through my flower beds and vegetable garden. I post
deterrents and cover the most expensive plants and shrubs instead of killing them. Those who have cried foul since the government relocated Canadian packs of gray wolves to our state in the ’90s, ignore that the wolves were here when Native Americans occupied these lands. Back then, humans and wolves respected one another and nature was in balance. Now, individual wolves that don’t die from vehicles and trains most often are killed by hunters and poachers. Now, people claiming to be “sportsmen” use high-powered rifles and cruel traps. Mr. Wieland claims in his piece not to be a “wolf hater,” but his enthusiastic descriptions of the inhumane business of trapping show how little regard he and his buddies from F4WM have for our natural world. Clarice McKenney Bonner County
Harter is the ‘liberty-conservative’ choice for District 3 commissioner… Dear editor, As a foreign war veteran, retired lawman, elected hospital district trustee and without reservation, I wholeheartedly support the nineyear volunteer Clark Fork fireman, four-year fire chief, former 19911994 Army artillery serviceman, 4-H leader, martial arts instructor and devoted defender of Christian, community and Constitutional principles, HarterforBonnerCounty.org. Rich Harter’s significant business and personnel management experience is best suited to fill the void in Commissioner McDonald’s departure. Harter is neither Ron, North Idaho Way’s (McDonald) candidate, nor Dave, Sheriff Wheeler’s candidate, nor Luke, North Idaho Voters’ (Keough) candidate. Although subtle, NIV Director Keough’s support of Luke is highly concerning should Asia Williams not also win election in the District 2 commissioner race. McDonald, Wheeler and Keough are engaged in proxy empire building efforts. Bonner County is best served having a commissioner without attachment and association to the “establishment.” Harter lives the traditional, rural Bonner County culture, being a self-sustaining farm owner and proud father of a recent high school graduate. Harter understands the equilibrium between housing and employment, and land-use zoning amongst neighbors, across all resident ages. Luke’s liberal associations and Ron’s loose-cannon activism each lend concern to effective conserva-
tive governance. Further, Dave’s votes in Seattle on 3/2021 and 11/2021 conflict with his BCRCC forum answer that, “COVID-19 prevented his voter registration” until 12/2021. Dave forfeited an obligation to vote locally in a contested Northside Fire District Trustee election, yet he wants you to trust that he’s loyal to conservative county voters? Rich Harter is the proven liberty-conservative candidate for District 3 commissioner, HarterforBonnerCounty.org. Dan Rose Samuels
Don’t pretend that wolf trapping is to protect ungulates… Dear Editor, In a March 31 column [Opinion, “Trapping is a legal, useful tool to manage wolf populations”], Eric Wieland wrote, “Idaho’s ungulate populations desperately need effective wolf management. Trapping is one of several key tools needed to get ungulate populations back to a healthy number.” According to a recent Idaho Department of Fish and Game news release, the elk population is approximately 120,000, which is a very satisfactory number. It has been in this general range for years. Most elk management units are at or above objective levels. Hunter harvest has been sustained relatively unchanged for the past 10 years. Deer populations (with the exceptions of diseased areas) have also been holding up to normal numbers. How does this all fit in with “desperate need”? Wolves could be managed well with the type of management used with the other apex predators: cougars and bears. Trapping is used rarely, if at all, in managing these species. Even though wolf trapping is not useful, it is legal, so trappers can continue trapping and collecting generous bounty money from wolf haters. But please, for the sake of reality, refrain from claiming you are the saviors of our ungulates. Del Pierce Sagle
Hard history lessons are worthwhile… Dear editor, Adolf Hitler was primarily responsible for the Holocaust — the systematic and state-sponsored murder of millions of human beings. But he could not have done it by himself. Many of the German people
were willing to follow him, many were coerced and many were apathetic. Now, decades later, we wonder how a country comes to grips with its past. How does Germany teach the Holocaust? After World War II, Germany was in shambles, totally defeated and bankrupt physically, economically and morally. Germany was divided into two separate countries and it took several decades for Germany to recover from the tremendous trauma of World War II. Germany became one country again when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and, over time, the German people realized they needed to take responsibility for the horrendous atrocities their country had committed decades before. The German movement for national atonement helped to reestablish Germany as a reliable and credible member of the international community. Throughout the next decades and continuing to today the German youth are taught about the Holocaust in both primary and secondary schools. In addition to honest and comprehensive classroom lessons, students are taken on field trips to the multitude of Holocaust memorials and even to the sites of the death camps. The acceptance by the German people of the horrific crimes their country had committed has helped Germany recover from the devastation of World War II. Interestingly enough, much of the catalyst for these remembrances comes from the children and grandchildren of the Germans who were alive during World War II and the Holocaust. The German people have decided “never again” is much more than just a slogan. They have realized that history must be taught in a truthful manner that makes a country and its people stronger, not weaker. Steve Johnson Sagle
Thanks to Parks and Rec. and the city of Sandpoint… Dear editor, We’ve really appreciated being able to walk our dog around the city parks this winter. Thanks so much for making that concession. From my perspective, the dog walkers have been good stewards by following the rules and cleaning up. Don Helander Sandpoint
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Mad about Science:
Brought to you by:
seasonal allergies By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist
Spring is in the air, and so is a misty cloud of mucus and spittle after a vicious sneeze. Has the pandemic taught us nothing? Allergens come in many forms. While we might curse the trees and flowers for producing pollen, we should really be cursing our bodies for being so darn imperfect. Over a billion years of evolution on Earth has created a number of weird genetic traits, ranging from the formation of your appendix to our cells treating grains of pollen like some kind of hostile invader, while virtually ignoring things like HIV. Allergies are the result of our immune system attacking what it perceives to be a threat with extreme force. In most cases, our immune system acts like a tactical strike team with surgical precision and efficiency. When it comes to things we’re allergic to, our body instead opts to throw wave after wave of soldiers at the problem until only ruin remains. This scorched-earth policy enacted by our immune system causes damage to surrounding tissue, which causes the tissue to swell. Swelling in places like our sinuses causes all sorts of irritating effects, such as pressure on our tear ducts, which makes our eyes water and flush out alien particles, or difficulty breathing as parts of your airway start to close up — known as anaphylaxis. Most of the time, it’s just annoying and causes coughing and sneezing, which is our body’s attempt at forcefully evacuating the airways of any potential threat. Allergic reactions are most commonly found in areas where bacteria can directly enter our bodies. Seemingly the most com10 /
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mon of these are seasonal allergies, caused by airborne particles released by trees, flowers and mold entering the nose and throat. However, we can be allergic to food as well. Certain genes can be activated at birth that can cause potentially lethal allergic reactions throughout your entire lifetime. Celiac disease is the result of two active genes called HLA DQ2 and DQ8. You can look this up or ask a librarian, but it basically means that your body was programmed to perceive the gluten protein found in wheat, rye and barley to be an extreme threat to be destroyed with maximum force. While Celiac disease isn’t directly lethal, things like tree nut allergies or shellfish allergies can be. I can pick up a loaf of bread so long as I don’t eat it, but the act of simply touching a peanut or a prawn could send someone else into a spiral of anaphylaxis. It’s worth noting that humans aren’t the only creatures that suffer from allergies. Humanity’s best friend, the dog, is also susceptible to many types of allergens that can manifest in completely different ways than in humans. Food allergies in humans may cause diarrhea, an outbreak of hives or, in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock. Our four-legged friends may suffer from swelling and redness in their ears, which causes them to itch, or you may notice new black spots appearing all along their underbelly and anywhere you can see skin. If left untreated, their skin may become thick and leathery, similar to an elephant’s skin. This is called “lichenification,” and it’s a direct result of untreated allergies. These black spots of pigmentation are caused by a sudden growth of yeast that’s naturally present on your dog’s skin at all times. Normally, the growth is
managed by your dog’s immune system keeping everything in check, but if your dog is suffering from another allergy for a prolonged amount of time, their body sends a signal for reinforcements, which redirects their cells to the gut, allowing the yeast on their skin to reproduce and grow unhindered. Dogs, like humans, can be allergic to any number of proteins found in food. Unlike humans, dogs don’t know any better when it comes to eating, so it’s up to their owners to see the warning signs before it’s too late and change their food source. Untreated allergies in humans can also cause long-term adverse effects. Prolonged swelling causes cellular damage that can dramatically heighten our risk for cancer over time. We can even suffer from other allergies presenting more dramatically if the primary allergy isn’t being dealt with for a prolonged period of time. An example of this would be that if someone continues to eat wheat products regularly while suffering from Celiac disease, a bee sting could develop into a more serious allergic reaction. It’s worth noting that, as virtually anything involving complex genetic interactions, this isn’t always the case. Airborne allergies are annoying. Even though we refer to them as seasonal allergies, sometimes it feels like we’re perpetually suffering, no matter the season. The most likely reason for this is that your body is actually allergic to different things. Certain trees and flowers will produce pollen in late spring through summer while days are warm and nights are cool, while others will produce pollen from August until November and general temperature trends downward.
suffering from perpetual allergies, you may want to speak with an allergist — if there is an underlying problem that’s worsening your allergies, they may be able to help with medication or lifestyle changes that can improve your overall health and soften the sting of that seasonal sneeze. Stay curious, 7B.
Pollen isn’t the only culprit for these supposed seasonal allergies. Mold spores will commonly agitate allergies without a seasonal requirement. Mold only needs two things to really flourish: warmth and water. If you have a relatively stable temperature in your house but a tiny drip somewhere, that’s enough to keep mold propagating all year long. Treating allergies can be tricky business. If you feel you’re
This topic was suggested by Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey. Thanks, Lyndsie!
Random Corner ernational space station?
Don’t know much about the Int • The International Space Station was constructed between 1998 and 2011. Some modules were created by the U.S., and others came from Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada throughout the ’90s and early 2000s. • The first crew members to live aboard the ISS were shipped there on the Russian-built Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft as Expedition 1 in November 2000. The three-person crew consisted of two Russian cosmonauts, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei K. Krikalev, and an American astronaut, Bill Shepherd, acting as the mission’s commander. • The ISS is constantly evolving. By 2011, the space station had accumulated more than 150 different components and 14 pressurized modules, with astronauts clocking more than 1,000 hours in space, connecting all the pieces. Five more modules were added in the following 11 years, with more modules already in the works. • Astronauts aboard the ISS have to do intense daily exercises.
We can help!
One of the most significant negative effects on the human body of living in space is the near-absence of gravity, which can cause an astronaut’s bones to lose density and make their muscles slowly atrophy. • The crew aboard the ISS can see the sunrise and set 16 times in 24 hours. This happens because the ISS orbits the Earth once every 1.5 hours. • Most research conducted aboard the ISS focuses on living in space. Experiments include trying to grow plants in microgravity, testing how well microbes can survive in space, studying how space affects DNA and even whether normal human reproduction is possible. • The ISS is likely the single most expensive object ever built. By 2010 the total cost had already reached $150 billion, with the U.S. contributing $58.7 billion, $12 billion from Russia, $5 billion from Japan and Europe, and $2 billion from Canada.
COMMUNITY
The bunny’s loot
Local egg hunts and other events to enjoy this Easter weekend
By Reader Staff North Idaho weather may have a hard time making up its mind between winter and spring this time of year, but no matter Mother Nature’s temperament over this coming weekend, the Easter Bunny is rumored to be making drops at several locations. Here’s a smattering of local egg hunts happening in and around the Sandpoint area. Saturday, April 16 Annual Sandpoint Lions Club egg hunt Lakeview Park, 901 Ontario St., Sandpoint The egg hunt will commence at 9 a.m. sharp, so arrive early. Starbucks will provide hot coffee, Kaniksu Dental will offer toothbrushes and the Lions are facilitating a bike giveaway for each age group — just in time for perfect bike-riding weather.
Ponderay Easter parade and egg hunt Corner of Fifth and Birch streets, Ponderay The city of Ponderay will host an Easter parade kicking off at 9:45 a.m. followed by an egg hunt in Triangle Park at 10 a.m. Visit cityofponderay.org for more information. Annual Clark Fork egg hunt Veterans Memorial Field, Clark Fork The hunt for 4,000 candy-filled eggs begins promptly at noon, so arrive early to line up. Easter Jam Cedar Hills Church, 227 McGhee Road, Sandpoint Cedar Hills Church promises an Easter celebration “big enough for the whole family” with this event, slated for 4-5 p.m. There will be games and an egg hunt.
Sunday, April 17 Idaho Club Easter egg hunt and brunch 216 Clubhouse Way, Sandpoint Bring a basket and get ready for an egg hunt at 9 a.m. Brunch to follow from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with a family photographer available from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Idaho Club recommends making a reservation prior to Sunday by calling 208-600-0510 or emailing restaurant@theidahoclub.com. The Assembly Sandpoint Easter egg hunt 423 N. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint Children ages 2-12 are invited to hunt for 6,000 Easter eggs at this event, which begins at 11:45 a.m.
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FEATURE
80-year-old war veteran takes on the Idaho Freedom Foundation By Devin Bodkin IdahoEdNews.org Jim Jones was an Idaho farm boy who went from the trenches of Vietnam to a prominent state attorney before leading Idaho’s highest court. On the verge of his 80th birthday, the former judge is retired, but he’s not slowing down. For months, Jones has been battling the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a bold conservative lobbying group under scrutiny for its tactics and influence. He’s also a leading voice of a new group bent on challenging lawmakers who do the Freedom Foundation’s bidding at the Statehouse. It’s a fight Jones refuses to sit out because, for him, it’s about preserving education and democracy. And as he sees it, retiring has opened the way for saying things he kept “bottled up” for years as a judge. “I’m damn tired of it… sick and tired of it,” he told EdNews of the Freedom Foundation’s tactics and influence at the Idaho Capitol. ‘A bolt of lightning’ Growing up on a farm in Eden in the 1950s, Jones reflected on his future at a young age. By middle school, he knew what he wanted — or thought he did. Hearing his Uncle Randy, an engineer and an “ideal” figure for Jones, tell of his time building bridges in Afghanistan, Jones decided to follow suit. It felt “exotic” and it felt right, he recalled. Plus, he was good at math, so engineering made sense. After high school, he enrolled in an engineering program at Idaho State College in Pocatello. Then he heard John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech, which changed everything. Jones recalled the date, Jan. 20, 1961, and the president’s famous appeal for Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” “It was like a bolt of light12 /
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ning,” Jones recalled. Kennedy’s request put Jones on a different path. Instead of building bridges in Afghanistan, his pursuits would take him to Vietnam and a career in public service in Idaho. But he had other plans first. The would-be senator Reflecting on Kennedy’s life, Jones noticed themes. The president was a lawyer and a prior U.S. senator. His election opponent, Richard Nixon, had followed a similar career path. Jones didn’t want to be president, so he set his sights on the U.S. Senate. There was another theme in Kennedy’s life: military service. While at Idaho State, Jones applied for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, which was then a requirement for young men. But a car crash in high school had left both of his legs broken — and one inches shorter than the other. The injury barred him from joining. Disheartened but undeterred, he again changed course, dropping engineering for the University of Oregon’s political science program — a better fit for law school, he thought, and, maybe, a second swing at ROTC membership. He walked into the Eugene, Ore.-based campus’s ROTC office and signed up, this time keeping the accident and his injury under wraps. That Senate seat felt one step closer. Changing views Jones earned his political science degree in 1964 and enrolled in law school at Northwestern University. He had changed. Time on both campuses was politically eye opening, he said, recalling an “embarrassing moment” when a University of Oregon professor criticized a speech he gave on disgraced former Army Gen. Edwin Walker. “I was spewing out a lot of right-wing crap,” said Jones,
of service, rather than the two needed for artillery. “I wanted to get military experience, not make a life out of it,” said Jones. Still, Vietnam changed his life. He went on to publish a book, Vietnam, Can’t Get You Out of My Head, which recounted his 407day tour flying over the province, calling in artillery on suspected Viet Cong operations, living and working with South Vietnamese forces and helping at a churchrun orphanage that communists shuttered after the war. There were high points. Jones recalled a Christmas party for orphans, where he handed out umbrellas for local women. He reunited with one woman who remembered him as “the guy with the umbrellas,” in 2018. His work at the orphanage earned him an Army Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged as a captain in August of 1969. The war would also play a part in his eventual departure from the Republican Party.
Jim Jones. Photo courtesy Idaho Ed. News. adding that he still left Eugene a Republican, despite more moderate views and a pledge to consider issues more broadly. His grasp on the U.S. Senate and the divisiveness of American politics was also emerging. The summer before law school, he interned for U.S. Sen. Len B. Jordan and helped with Jordan’s “hotand-heavy” political campaign. “I knew he wasn’t telling the truth,” Jones said of campaign rhetoric from then-Congressman Ralph Harding, a Democrat challenging Jordan’s Senate seat by attacking his campaign finances. Jones ran an op-ed in the Twin Falls Times-News defending Jordan — and garnered an unexpected response. A full-spread ad in the paper soon after painted Jones as a paid “political lackey” lying for Jordan. Jones flashed a photo of the ad, which he keeps in a file
at home and on his cell phone. Jordan regained his Senate seat, but Jones would have to wait years for his own run. He finished law school in 1967, went on active duty in the Army and volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam’s Tây Ninh province, where he worked as an administrative officer in aerial artillery, mostly “pushing papers.” He had a law degree, but his military focus was on big guns. He recalled the hydraulic lift needed to load the 200-pound bullets that ripped through the jungle. “I’ve had hearing problems ever since,” he said, pointing to his ear. Two things drove his path toward artillery, despite having a law degree: he was “good at math” and the military program for lawyers, Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), required four years
From AG to judge After another stint in Washington, D.C., assisting Sen. Jordan, Jones moved back to Idaho in 1973 to practice law in Jerome and prep for his long-awaited Senate run. It came in 1990, but he lost to then-U.S. Rep. Larry Craig. Congressional election failures had by then plagued Jones, who lost two prior runs for the U.S. House in 1978 and 1980. He ran for Idaho attorney general in 1982, and won. He was AG for eight years. It wasn’t Congress, but issues of the time were potent, and marked some of his most notable work, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court shortly after his election and leading a landmark settlement with Idaho Power that shaped use of the state’s water resources for decades to come. The water battle brought Jones back to his prior political work for
< see JONES, page 13 >
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Sen. Jordan. Teaming up with Idaho Falls native Bruce Newcomb, who would later become Idaho’s House speaker, he led an effort to unseat lawmakers who supported Idaho Power. “Our message was if you support the power company, we’re coming after you,” Jones said, casting the approach as a precursor to his latest efforts with Newcomb to rid the GOP of the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Statehouse “acolytes.” After two terms as AG, Jones returned to his private practice in Boise for 15 years before gaining a seat on the Idaho Supreme Court in 2005. He ran unopposed in 2010 and became chief justice in August 2015 by a vote of his peer justices. He retired in 2016. “I figured 12 years was enough,” he said of his time on the bench. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two weeks later. ‘Take Back Idaho’ Five years later, Jones says he’s cancer free — and ready to take on the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and its “assault on education.” Along with Newcomb, Jones and other former Republican office holders recently formed Take Back Idaho, which aims to redirect Idaho’s GOP from the “sad state of affairs of a once-admired party.” Jones spearheaded the effort last year by organizing a Zoom meeting with several leaders who share a distaste for the Freedom Foundation’s influence. “[Jones] is like the Energizer Bunny,” said Jennifer Ellis, a Republican, Blackfoot rancher and the group’s newly named president. Other notable names have since joined the ranks: • Former state Senate leader Bob Geddes • Former Secretary of State Ben Ysursa • Former State Treasurer Lydia Justice-Edwards • Former school Superintendent Jerry Evans Public education is a main focus for the group and for Jones, who described his efforts as “saving the schools” from the Freedom Foundation, which has ramped up its criticism of public education in recent years, decrying public educators as peddlers of social justice indoctrination and critical race theory. In 2019, Freedom Foundation president Wayne Hoffman argued that government shouldn’t be in the education business. Last year, Republican lawmakers who often echo the Freedom Foundation’s talking points at the Statehouse led the way in tanking a $6 million federal early childhood education grant that would have helped cover preschool costs in communities across the state and given child-care relief to working parents.
Jones last month jumped headfirst into the debate, publishing a column introducing Take Back Idaho and blasting the Freedom Foundation for the “sorry state of Idaho politics.” “By coddling receptive legislators and punishing those who don’t heed its orders, IFF has established a firm grip over the votes of too many GOP legislators,” he wrote. Ellis told EdNews that Take Back Idaho is still gauging candidates to support — and oppose — with a historic May primary capable of reshaping the state’s political landscape approaching. “There are tons of candidates, so we’re still assessing,” she said, emphasizing the group’s eye on defeating those in line with the Freedom Foundation. Jones keyed in on one lawmaker. In a recent interview with EdNews, he pointed to Rep. Ron Nate, a Rexburg Republican who this session tried to cut more than $1.3 million from the state’s higher education budget, citing nearly dollar-for-dollar breakdowns and language compiled by the Freedom Foundation. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Nate down. Meanwhile, Freedom Foundation leaders have hit back at Jones and his group. The day after Jones’ February column ran, Hoffman accused him of lying. “Isn’t it interesting how leftists will straight up lie to you about issues you care about in order to win popular support?” Hoffman wrote. The Freedom Foundation does not respond to media inquiries, but other attacks on Jones have surfaced. Freedom Foundation board member and Bonneville County Republican Committeeman Doyle Beck lumped Jones into a list of Take Back Idaho “RINOs” — Republicans in Name Only. Jones doesn’t hide his disassociation with the Republican Party. He remembers the year, month and reason for breaking ranks. It was August of 2002, following false claims from Republican leaders of weapons of mass destruction as a justification for the Iraq war. His time in Vietnam, and justifications for war there, contributed to his decision to leave the party, he said. Jones, who now calls himself an Independent, dismissed Hoffman’s column, but found amusement in it. “If you provoke Wayne, you’re liable to get some really wonderful Gems,” he said with a smile. EdNews assistant editor and reporter Devin Bodkin is a former high school English teacher who specializes in stories about charter schools and educating students who live in poverty. He lives and works in East Idaho. Follow Devin on Twitter @dsbodkin. He can be reached by email at dbodkin@idahoednews.org. This article originally appeared March 28 at idahoednews.org. April 14, 2022 /
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OUTDOORS
Dirt-y Secrets
Tips and tricks for a beautiful spring
By Ranel Hanson Reader Columnist
“In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” —Margaret Atwood Spring has finally arrived. The snow is melting at lower elevations, the soil is warming, daylight lasts longer, crocuses are blooming their little hearts out and tulips, daffodils and irises are not far behind. What a glorious time of year! The birds are busy setting up house. The swallows are back and ready to thin your mosquito population, too. Remember to empty any standing water, because that is where mosquitoes lay their eggs. There will be plenty for the birds, anyway. Are your hummingbird feeders out? These amazing birds
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will be arriving soon and they will be hungry after their long journey. Until flowers and fruit trees are blooming, hummers will appreciate our sugar water. No need for red dye or commercial hummingbird food — both are harmful because they contain toxic chemicals. All hummingbirds need is water and sugar mixed to a 4-to-1 ratio. I saw my first honey bees on March 24. They were busily pollinating crocuses, as that is all that is blooming in my yard. I am expecting dandelions soon, which the bees will need in order to sustain themselves, at least for a while. When trees blossom, you can dig the dandelions out or spray them with straight vinegar if you want to get rid of them. Please, don’t use weed killer. Roundup and other poisons stay in the environment for such a
long time and they kill birds and insects, too. They don’t do humans any good either. However, now is a good time to go after those first weeds. Get ‘em while they are new and don’t yet have a down-to-China hold. Hoe ‘em, dig ‘em, spray ‘em — whatever it takes (except weed killer). New growth is appearing on roses, clematis, trees and more. If they need a trim, don’t go crazy. A drastic pruning will affect their growth and flowers. If your clematis is out of hand, go ahead and give it a trim, but go easy. Earthworms are coming out of the ground and robins are feasting. The more earthworms in your garden, the better. Be sure to add organic matter to encourage them. Now is a good time to practice an “old school” trick my elderly Italian friends taught me. Dig a deep, narrow hole right in your
garden. Throw in kitchen scraps (no meat) and cover with a shovel full of dirt. When full, dig another hole. Next year, you will have more fertile soil as well as more earthworms (and their castings, which makes great fertilizer). It is still too early to plant, but you can be planning and collecting seeds and starts (keep them where they won’t freeze). Watch the weather and aim for early May to plant. Old timers will tell you June is safer, but I am too eager to wait. I plant earlier and have frost cloth at the ready. I learned that sunflower seed hulls are toxic to deer if in large quantities. I leave a few low to the ground for the squirrels and keep the rest up high in hanging feeders and plants. Deer are hungry this time of year, but you should not feed them. Their digestive systems are delicate and they get the right nutrients when they forage. Especially with fawns coming soon, we want to keep them healthy. “Deer corn” is not good either. They do love
tulips, so plant them where deer can’t reach — and they can reach further than you think. As for bats, put up a bat house, facing south, and you can at least thin the herd of mosquitoes heading our way. Swallows do their part, too, so some houses for them will be helpful. Bats eat some mosquitos, but moths and spiders make up most of their diet. Still, giving these skeeter predators homes is a good idea. I repeat, be sure to rid your property of standing water as much as possible. Mosquitos breed in water, so empty all pot saucers, garbage can lids, etc. One last note: Let’s plant sunflowers to show solidarity for Ukraine. Lots of sunflowers for all to see. It is a small gesture and won’t actually do anything but bring awareness to this horrifying situation. Seeds are cheap, they grow practically anywhere, they are beautiful and they feed the birds. In addition, they let everyone know that Ukraine is in our hearts and minds.
COMMUNITY
KNPS program: ‘Plant Foods of Past Pend Oreille Valley Peoples’
By Reader Staff
Meals are not just about filling up, but are also places and times in which people get together to share company, ideas and create meaningful relationships. Exploring that idea, the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society program “Plant Foods of Past Pend Oreille Valley Peoples” will feature a presentation by Dr. Molly Carney from Washington State University on Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m., at the East Bonner County Library’s main branch (1407 Cedar St., in Sandpoint), as well as on Zoom. The free public presentation will focus on the Kalispel people, who have lived in the greater Pend Oreille region since time immemorial, and consumed a wide variety of plant foods in the past during their shared mealtimes. Archaeologists with the Kalispel Natural Resources Department and Washington State University are working together to understand the numerous plant foods that were integral parts of past diets and lifeways. For instance, camas — an edible bulb common throughout the region — was a major staple for the Kalispel. But there were many other plant foods that were harvested and consumed, including glacier lily, nodding onion, huckleberries, raspberries, chokecher-
Ponderay Rotary Club’s annual scholarship drive aims to help local students manage the high cost of higher education. Many times, a scholarship can help alleviate financial need, so deserving students can stay in school and complete their education. The club is asking the community to consider donating to its scholarship fund, which has distributed more than $142,000 to graduating seniors and residents who are continuing their education. Any donation or sponsorship is welcome, with sponsor levels and benefits available at ponderayrotaryclub.com. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 813, Ponderay, ID 83852, or paid through the website. Underscoring the need for scholarship support, Ponderay Rotary noted that student loan debt in the U.S. grows six times faster than the nation’s economy. It is now the second highest consumer debt category — behind mortgage debt — and higher than both credit cards and auto loans. With nearly a 9% increase over last year, U.S. student debt is at a record high, hitting $1.73 trillion in 2021. About 45 million students borrow to pay for college, with the average undergrad borrowing about $38,000. The average public university graduate bor-
By Reader Staff
ries, pine nuts and even kinnikinnick. People in the past engaged with those plants specifically to increase availability and abundance, shaping the region for their subsistence goals. The program will cover some of the edible plant foods of the region with deep-time uses, cultural considerations and even touch on ways to prepare these foods today. The collaborative research is also part of ongoing restoration plans. Carney is an environmental archaeologist and postdoctoral fellow with Washington State University and the Washington Research Foundation. Her main projects focus on the plants and soils of the past, with an emphasis on how people managed or stewarded their plant resources and associated landscapes. She has worked in collaboration with the Kalispel Tribe for more than eight years and is working with the tribe on numerous projects related to food security, restoration ecology and cultural heritage. Coffee and treats will be available at the presentation starting at 9:30 a.m. for in-person attendees. The program will also be recorded for later viewing on the KNPS YouTube channel and is co-sponsored by the East Bonner County Library District and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation. Registration is required to attend the program by Zoom. To register, visit: bit.ly/ KNPS-Carney.
Ponderay Rotary announces scholarship drive rows more than $30,000. “We, the Ponderay Rotary Club members, work hard to support both high school graduates as well as students of all ages wishing to continue their education, no matter the type. It has been a pleasure watching our scholarship recipients go on to success after graduating from college and trade schools,” said Rotary Scholarships Chair Nanci Jenkins, who added that the goal this year is to distribute more than $20,000 to deserving students. Club scholarships can be used for a variety of educational purposes, including college, tech school, beauty school, continuing education and more. “We are trying to help close the gap between cost and the ability to get an education for local students. We want to ensure greater social mobility for future generations, and to encourage these students to do the same for others later,” said Ponderay Rotary President Kari Saccomanno. Ponderay Rotary will host its annual Celebrate the Scholars Breakfast in June, when the club honors students’ successes with sponsors. “This work and its positive results would not be possible without generous donations from our community,” said Jenkins. “Thank you for contributing to our scholarship fund at any level. Your donation will be used to help a deserving student move forward on their career path.”
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ELECTION
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE 2022 primary Election
Ahead of the Tuesday, May 17 primary election, the Reader is presenting a limited series of election guides featuring questions and answers with candidates for a range of state and local offices.
This week focuses on candidates running in contested races for one Bonner County commissioner seat each in Districts 2 and 3, and for Bonner County assessor. A subsequent guide will focus on candidates seeking state
legislative seats for District 1. Save the date Monday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. for a forum featuring Bonner County candidates at the Sandpoint High School Auditorium (410 S. Division St.). Virtual attendance will also be offered via
Zoom. The forum will be presented by the Reader, sandpointonline. com and KRFY 88.5 FM. Only contested primary races will be featured in the candidate questionnaires. For more information on candidates — includ-
ing those running unopposed — in the primary election, visit Election Central on sandpointonline.com. For all other election-related information, visit Bonner County Elections at bonnercountyid.gov.
Bonner County commissioner — Republican 1. Why are you running for Bonner County commissioner? 2. What would be your top three priorities if elected? 3. County planning and land use have become prominent issues over the past couple of years. As Bonner County prepares to update its Comprehensive Plan, how would you like to see development addressed? 4. Despite legal counsel determining in February that spending American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would not obligate the county to enforce any federal mask or vaccine mandates, some constituents continue to voice their opposition to the money’s use. Where do you stand on this issue?
DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES Jeff Connolly (incumbent)
43 years, son Keith, Daughter Brittany, two granddaughters, two grandsons, dog Jax. 1. I am running for Bonner County commissioner because I am proud of the things I have accomplished over the last five years and wish to continue with projects and collaborations I have been working on. 2. Top three priorities: Dealing with Bonner County’s continued growth, revision of the Comprehensive Plan and strategic planning in every sense.
Age: 63 Birthplace: Born in Spokane, Wash.; resident of Priest River, Idaho for 63 years. Government service: 15 years Priest River City Council, five years county commissioner, several other advisory committees throughout the years. Profession: Logger for 40 years, now commissioner. Education: High school, life experiences. Family: Wife Kris married 16 /
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Randi Flaherty
3. Development needs to be addressed with collaboration. We need to stop screaming at each other and sit down and participate in civil discussions. The Comprehensive Plan needs to be developed in such a way that there is no room for misinterpretation. It is time to end the excessive litigation and develop the plan with that in mind. 4. I would like to move forward to come up with a plan to utilize this money in a cautious and fiscally responsible manner.
Age: 57 Birthplace and residence: Birth place: Everett, Wash. Residence: Priest River, Idaho. How many years lived in Bonner County: 30. Government service: Bonner County (county government), 18 years. Profession: Senior deputy recorder, 18 years. Education: High school grad, NREMT 2004-2010, RN-A Emergency Department 2007-2017. Family: Kelly Flaherty, husband of 33 years; one son, a daughter-in-law and two grown
1. For smart growth for Bonner County; to give back a voice to the people; to listen to the wants, needs and concerns of the people; and to create a plan for the future of the county and generations to come. To limit major development. To keep our county smalltown living.
is black-and-white and to have the Planning and Zoning commissioners all follow the same rules as laid out. To send that Comp Plan out to a third party with fresh eyes so we have no gray area or loopholes to fall into. No. 3: To be accountable and transparent in all aspects of county offices. To be a voice for the people of the county for which we serve.
2. No. 1: To have a plan for infrastructure and impact fees to help pay for roads, bridges, water (aquifers), development and schools when allowed. To alleviate taxes for the elderly and fixed income and make development absorb higher taxes. Currently we need to have the Legislature add schools to public facilities, as they are not currently. With over 300 subdivisions processed last year and this coming year, we will have no way to pay for new schools to facilitate incoming families and children without creating more tax levies to the taxpayers. To not have the property owners pay for the profits of big development. No. 2: To have a current Comp Plan that
4. I have concerns about the ARPA situation still being a line item of concern. The ARPA funds were kicked back and placed safely into a trust account with the Treasurer’s Office as per the request from the treasurer at a commissioner meeting. No money has been spent out of these
grandchildren; one grand-dog, and our own yellow lab Simms.
3. To slow the growth and create a plan, and to create impact fees for development and allocate funds to infrastructure plans. To bring P&Z back together as one group. Two people from each side of Planning and Zoning commissions have recently resigned as they can see big issues in the split that will negatively affect the county. This should be a red flag to all.
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< ELECTION, con’t from Page 16 > ARPA funds. Specific to ARPA there could be potential long-term negative attachments if we decide to spend. My opinion would be to send it back as we need to better vet all federal funds that come into the county.
Asia Williams
Age: 41. Birthplace and residence: Born Washington state. Reside in Blanchard, Idaho. How many years lived in Bonner County: Over a decade. Government service: If you are asking if I have worked for the government, yes. Profession: Quality risk management and process improvement, health care, communication and leadership. Education: MBA, B.A., SSBB (Six Sigma Black Belt ), LPN. Family: Yes.
reporting requirements that were not addressed. The opinion from the attorney says that we have a case to stand on to sue the federal government. Some of the concerning language that the press continues to ignore is: Respond to scale with respect to vaccinations … shall not contravene (oppose) … COVID-19 and the purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act … that agencies must show they were negatively impacted by COVID and that the expenditures will help the impact, to name a few issues. None of this was addressed and the above is not a comprehensive list. The focus of the attorney’s response was on vaccine mandates and masks. When asked about the lack of response regarding the other issues, no answer was or has been given to date. Outside of the language, the compliance requirements are also concerning and were not addressed, such as agreeing to grow government. *No Democratic candidates have been listed for District 2 Bonner County Commissioner race.
DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES Dave Bowman
1. To improve the overall function of county government through risk mitigation, management, communication, leadership and representation of Bonner County residents. 2. Restore representation to District 2, address the Comp Plan to include the critical habitat map and zoning map, transparency. 3. We don’t increase local government and density to accommodate developers at the expense of current residents. Education on the purpose and use of a Comp Plan (i.e. the description of the zone doesn’t mean every piece of land in the zone has to have the characteristics). Review of impact fees to address the impact to the infrastructure. 4. It is disingenuous to indicate that the issue was a mask/vaccine mandate. The legal opinion from the attorney did not address the concerns brought up. The ARPA document contains concerning language along with
Age: 65. Birthplace and residence: California/Selle Valley. How many years lived in Bonner County: 11 years homeowner, permanent resident since summer of 2020. Government service: None. Profession: Retired. Education: 37 years running a successful business that I started from nothing. Family: Married, two daughters, two stepsons. 1. The People’s voice is being ignored. I was recruited by longtime community residents because of my work as chairman of Keep Bonner County Rural, and the work I did in fighting the
flawed ice rink contract. I have the experience, qualifications and temperament to be one of your next county commissioners — for the People. 2. Fairness in land use: Respecting property rights for all, balancing the rights of individual property owners with those of the community. Your tax dollars: I have 37 years in business solving complex problems. This gives me the experience and know-how to responsibly manage budgets. Every dollar spent by the county comes from the People and must be accounted for with that in mind. Your county property: Commissioners manage all county-owned property. I will ensure that is done responsibly — no giveaways to private corporations or developers. 3. The Comprehensive Plan is the People’s vision of our county’s future. Our current Comprehensive Plan expresses that vision. The five Sub-Area Plans completed by the People over the last five years carry that vision forward and the updated Comprehensive Plan must honor the policies put forth in those plans. The People’s vision does not include unbridled irresponsible growth, but rather emphasizes maintaining the rural character of Bonner County. 4. Spending ARPA funds would require agreeing to abide by unnamed and unknown future mandates and executive orders. We cannot allow the county to be bound to agreements that are not yet determined. If elected I will vote to return ARPA funds, and will not accept any federal or state funds with strings attached.
Rich Harter
Age: 51 Birthplace and residence: Gary, Ind.; Clark Fork, Idaho. How many years lived in Bonner County: 10 years Government service: three
years U.S. Army, 10 years volunteer firefighter, five years fire chief. Profession: Retired entrepreneur. Education: High school. Family: Wife and two daughters. 1. There is a complete lack of transparency with our current county commissioners. I will make sure that the residents of Bonner County always know about all county business. I will make sure that all county business is posted to the website so that no matter where you live you can easily know what your county commissioners are doing. I will work with state legislators to restore our lands that have been taken over by the feds. I will never over-tax our people, I will make sure that the county operates within a lean budget, always putting the people before the government. 2. A. Planning and Zoning needs to be put back together and required to acknowledge the work the local area sub-committees have already done to protect our land and community. B. I would immediately have all county business posted to the website for easy access. I would also move the Tuesday business meeting to 5:30 p.m. so that people would not have to miss work to attend. We work for the people and we should respect that. C. The Board of Equalization needs to act equally for residents. I would make sure that people get a fair hearing when disputing the exceedingly high assessments we have seen lately. 3. I would put P&Z back together and have them work with the local area sub-committees to ensure that our land and culture are preserved. I would work to expand the number of residents that are notified when a proposed zone change is in their area. I would listen to the public instead of doing legal gymnastics to allow development free reign. I would balance all of this with residents’ private property rights. 4. ARPA would require Bonner County to sign a contract that would allow the federal government to change and/or alter the terms of the contract in any way they wanted in the future. If the feds wanted to add stipulations, reporting requirements or even vaccine mandates they could, and Bonner County would be required by law to comply. Or, we would
have to give the money back or pay to sue the federal government. With the 22 years of business experience I have, I have never seen a contract that was written where one side gets to change the contract at their own discretion. I would never sign such a contract.
Ron Korn
Age: 57. Birthplace and residence: California, Bonner County. How many years lived in Bonner County: 24. Government service: None. Profession: Self-employed 30+ years in construction. Education: High school. Family: Wife and three children. 1. I’m running for Bonner County commissioner because I want to give government back to the people. Our elected representatives seem to get into office then forget who they work for. Now more than ever it is crucial to elect representatives that will work for the People, and protect the People’s best interests, rights and liberties. We must defend ourselves from unconstitutional and unlawful mandates. I want my children’s and grandchildren’s liberties to be secured. 2. A. To look into our county’s property Comprehensive Plan and see where we can modify it to help preserve our rural community without compromising our inalienable rights, with the influx of new people moving here. It is important that we do not grow government, and that we don’t infringe on personal rights. B. To dig into the county budget, looking at department line items including the commissioners to find the fat to cut our overall yearly budget. C. To replace the maritime flag in the commissioners’ conference room, and others.
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< ELECTION, con’t from Page 17 > 3. I think we need to keep the higher density growth closer to the cities that have the infrastructure to handle it. If infrastructure needs upgrading due to the newer construction, then I believe the developers should have to pay for those upgrades. We need to look at sustainability issues such as water and sewer limitations. But our personal feelings should never trump our personal inalienable rights that are guaranteed to us by our Constitution. 4. Well there are over 1,400 pages of paperwork that comes with the ARPA money. I don’t believe the county attorney has read all 1,400 pages, as I haven’t. The federal government printed money out of thin air with the purpose of growing local and state government. I am against growing our local government. On the contrary, I want to shrink our local government. It’s time for leadership in our government, not just compliance and the same old status quo.
Luke Omodt
Age: 45. Birthplace and residence: Missoula, Mont.; Sandpoint, Idaho. How many years lived in Bonner County: 43, minus college and military service.
Government service: 25 years public school teacher and retired military. Profession: Government/economics teacher. Education: B.A. Secondary Education Social Studies, minor in Government. Family: Wife of 15 years Kami, daughters Sienna and Reagan. 1. I teach high school government and economics. I’m tired of watching Idaho kids voting with their feet and moving to areas with greater economic opportunity. Growth is here; if we want to protect the quality of life I experienced growing up here we need to prepare, plan and invest in our future. I recently retired from the Idaho Army National Guard after a 23-year career in the infantry and logistics to focus on local issues. Bonner County needs a plan and leadership that is prepared and capable to faithfully execute it. Bonner County isn’t broken, but it needs a tune up. 2. Managing growth — plan, prepare, execute; increase economic opportunity for all of Bonner County; limited and civil government. We are blessed to live in Bonner County. The sky is not falling. We need to work together if we want to protect our rural heritage and character. County government plays an extremely important role in the maintenance of our roads and bridges, the development of a Comprehensive Plan and its subsequent zoning, fire, police, EMS, taxes and much more. We need elected officials who are focused on practical solutions that respect private property rights and individual liberties. 3. Growth is here, change is here, and people are not going to stop moving to Bonner County. There is a whole lot of room in the middle between “pave it all” and
“no growth.” The Comprehensive Plan has been amended 33 times in the last two years, leading to pitchforks and torches at planning meetings, setting neighbor against neighbor. Development should occur in the incorporated areas where services are available. Zone changes should only occur if they benefit Bonner County. There should be multiple public workshops prior to public hearings. When the Comprehensive Plan update is complete the county commissioners and public must follow the plan without constant amendment. 4. ARPA funds should be used by Bonner County on one-time projects. An excellent use of these funds would be the construction of a new dispatch/EMS center on county property that would save local taxpayer dollars and improve public safety. Bonner County can use these funds to improve sewer and water systems protecting Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake while encouraging development in areas with public services. The national debt is atrocious. I’m not running for United States Congress. I want to serve Bonner County, and our infrastructure needs all the help it can get.
Brian Riley
Age: 48. Birthplace and residence: Born in Laguna Beach, Calif., spent several summers in Bonner
County and have now lived here for 37 years. Government service: [No answer.] Profession: In 1996 I began my career at Riley Creek Lumber/Idaho Forest Group, where I worked my way up from an entry level sawmill position to becoming the Laclede plant superintendent for the last five years prior to retiring from IFG in January 2021. Currently I operate my own small business, Riley Resources, which is a log hauling company. Education: Sandpoint High School, North Idaho College. Family: I have been married to Tania (Davis) Riley for 25 years and we have two sons, Thomas and Michael. 1. As a long-time resident with five generations of roots in Bonner County, I feel we need leaders who are experienced in leadership and have conservatively managed budgets and projects in the several-million-dollar range. Proper leadership will be able to collaborate between party lines and the 18 county departments that report to the board. Experience in budgets will allow smart decision making to maintain low property taxes resulting in opportunities for all income levels in Bonner County to have a home and participate in our economy. 2. First, I want to gain trust among county residents, businesses and county employees. There will always be issues that are disagreed upon, but being transparent and having integrity will allow all of the county to understand why decisions are made. Addressing the current status of infrastructure would begin immediately. Many are not aware that there are several hundred construction projects currently permitted that will need to have infrastructure in place. Lastly, all department heads under the BOCC should address their
goals for the next five years as is expected in large business, so all can be made aware. 3. Planning and land use is a very hot topic currently. It is easy to jump on a bandwagon for either side of this, but my thoughts are we need opportunities for sustainable growth in both business and population in order to, at a minimum, match current needs in our county. We need teachers, nurses, mechanics and other middle-income professionals in our communities. From experience in running a local business, these individuals will not relocate to Bonner County if all they can afford for a residence is an apartment or a travel trailer. Limited supply and demand drives costs up — period. 4. I support taking the ARPA funds and using them to improve our infrastructure and community services over the next three years. Several opinions from legal counsel support utilizing these funds without concern of mask and vaccines mandates. If we cannot rely on legal counsel to advise on these issues, we have a greater concern to address, which is also why an experienced leader is needed for our county. We currently listen to our legal counsel in receiving federal funds and grants which are not questioned, so will we now want all federal funds eliminated from our budgets only to force increased property taxes to make up the balance shortfall? *No Democratic candidates have been listed for District 3 Bonner County Commissioner race. ** Candidates in uncontested Bonner County races include: Bonner County Clerk — Republican (Michael Rosedale); Bonner County Coroner — Republican (Robert W. Beers); and Bonner County Treasurer — Republican (Clorrisa A. Koster).
don’t forget to VOTE May 17,2022 There will be a candidates’ forum at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2 for all those running in contested races for Bonner County Commissioner (District 2 and District 3) as well as the Bonner County Assessor’s race. There will be a second forum at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 for Idaho Legislative candidates running in District 1 (more about this in the April 21 Reader). The forum is presented by the Reader, sandpointonline.com and KRFY 88.5 FM. 18 /
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Bonner County assessor — Republican 1. What motivated you to join the race for Bonner County Assessor? 2. What, in your opinion, are the most important responsibilities of a county assessor? 3. In the face of increased growth in our region, what should be the priorities of the job moving forward? 4. What specific message would you like to send to your potential voters? Grant W. Dorman
Age: 51 Birthplace and residence: Born in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Currently reside in Selle Valley, Bonner County. How many years lived in Bonner County: We bought our home in 2015 and moved here in 2016. Government service: Air traffic controller, active duty in the U.S. Navy. Transportation surveyor and consultant for California Department of Transportation. Consultant to U.S. Navy. Profession: Professional land surveyor, business owner for 20 years, 30 employees, focusing on residential, commercial, public utilities, transportation and timber industries. Education: B.S., Geomatics Engineering (land surveying) from CSU Fresno, M.A. in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Family: Married 28 years, four Children (two married), one grandchild. 1. As a recently retired land surveyor having had my own business for 20 years, I will bring my leadership, administrative and technical experience to the Assessor’s Office. As a surveyor, I have advocated for land owners to advocate for their rights. I will bring that same customer-centric perspective to the office. The Assessor’s Office has a history of private property and privacy violations, as well as leaving Bonner
County citizens disenfranchised through the assessment process. 2. The primary duties of the assessor are: 1. to estimate the market value of real property, personal property and operating property for fair and equitable distribution of property taxes; 2. manage property exemptions, deferrals and reductions; 3. managing current land records (platting); and 4. manage the Department of Motor Vehicle Licensing as an agent/vendor of the Idaho Transportation Department. 3. The top three priorities are: 1. implement a zero trespass policy that assures the public that the Assessor’s Office will not be violating their privacy or property rights when conducting their property appraisals; 2. reduce employee turnover. The office is suffering from continual employee turnover, leading to wasted money in retraining new staff and losing institutional knowledge and talent; 3. update the valuation models, including the costing tables, so appraisals will be done accurately. The office presently is relying on antiquated valuation tables (costs per square foot, per acre, etc.) and yielding unreliable results (see number of state appeals below). 4. Last year, 46% of the residential assessment appeals heard in the state came from Bonner County alone. There are 44 counties in Idaho and we had almost twice as many as Ada County (Boise). In fact, over the last three years, Bonner County had 28 residential appeals compared to Kootenai County’s four and Boundary County’s one. Clearly, our landowners are not satisfied with the job being done, nor are they satisfied with the relief sought with the County Board of Equalization (BOE is our commissioners). We need an assessor who understands real estate, understands property rights and knows how to manage an organization. I will bring my business and professional experience as well as my knowledge of the real estate
industry to the office and will run it responsibly while maintaining a healthy, respectful independence of the BOE.
Donna Gow (incumbent)
tion of how taxes work regarding assessed values on the assessor’s web page. 4. Experience matters. My opponents bring up things in the past that have been corrected, such as property rights and exemptions. I will not spend taxpayer dollars on technology for things that do not work or are a waste of money.
Jessi Webster
Age: 70 Birthplace and residence: Redlands, Calif., and Hope, Idaho. How many years lived in Bonner County: 42. Government service: Assessor’s Office, 30 years. Profession: Bonner County assessor. Education: High school graduate, some college and over 500 hours of appraisal classes. Family: Married 48 years; two sons, youngest is a captain for the Selkirk Fire Department, oldest is a command chief in OSI in the Air Force, won two bronze stars for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan; and five grandsons. 1. I first decided to join the race in 2018, because I didn’t agree with some of the procedures that created inequity and the attitude that the property owners were the enemy. We have corrected those things, but we are still working to change some things done in the past that are not correct. 2. Making sure things are correct. This includes values, property owner names, exemptions and mapping. I do work with our mapping dept continually. 3. Communication. I put letters in the newspapers, letters with the assessed values and an explana-
that the Assessor’s Office has. Everything from customer service to larger issues, such as commercial assessments and exemptions, need to be addressed. Technology is lacking, which leads to inefficiency and process issues. There are multiple DMV issues on the horizon that are going to be dealt with swiftly and with an element of critical thinking. Overall, I am highly motivated to make impactful and positive changes to both the Assessor’s Office and DMV. 2. The main, and most important duty, is the accurate assessment of property. If property is not assessed accurately it has a domino effect on multiple levels. It is the assessor’s most important obligation to ensure accuracy for all of the taxpayers in Bonner County.
Age: 45 Birthplace and residence: San Bernardino, Calif.; Bonner County. How many years lived in Bonner County: Moved to Bonner County when I was 9 years old, grew up on Upper Pack River Road, left in 1997, moved back in 2010. Government service: Currently work for Bonner County, 6.5 years, including Commissioner’s Office, operations manager; Bonner County public information officer; and deputy clerk. Education: B.A. in English/ Secondary Education and Educational Technology Certificate from Boise State University. Family: Engaged to my better half, Patrick. We have been together for 12 years. Two Daughters, Baylee and Evelyn. Baylee and her husband Caiden live and work in Bonner County and Evelyn is a junior at San Diego State University.
3. Growth means more workload in the case of the Assessor’s Office. We need to develop or adopt processes that promote efficiency and accuracy, there should be no duplication of work. Staff will need to be cross trained to ensure that the best customer service is provided. Technology enhancements are a must. Another priority will be the development of a public outreach program. We need to ensure that all those that qualify for exemptions, which will assist them financially, are aware and assisted. 4. It is time for a change. We need to move away from the “that’s how we have always done it” motto and start to improve in every aspect. The Assessor’s Office needs a critical eye turned toward it, we need to correct the problems and implement positive change.
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FOOD & DRINK
A few words on Chartreuse This high-octane tipple is a springtime winner By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Often in winter the best policy is to pretend that you’ve died for as long as the living will allow. But spring is the season for living anew. Pardon the vague religio-spiritual language, but we’ve been drinking Chartreuse. Made by the Carthusian monks of La Grande Chartreuse, France, the exact recipe has been a secret since 1605. The bottle tells us that this grassygreen liqueur is concocted from 130 “alpine herbs” and “the only liqueur to have a color named after it.” At 43% proof, it’s hardly a lightweight tipple. There are a lot of great words on the back of a bottle of Chartreuse — monks by definition being wordy guys, even if they’ve taken a vow of silence — including, “unexpected,” “remarkably beguiling” and “unique.” It is all of these things, and famously inspires volubility. No less than Hunter S. Thompson incorporated it into his infamous daily routine, consuming the “remarkably beguiling” spirit at
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11 p.m., the hour before he started writing (at least according to Hunter: The Strange and Savage Life of Hunter S. Thompson, by E. Jean Carroll). Appropriate, then, that so many of the pre-Prohibition Era Chartreuse cocktails involve writing in their name. There’s the “The Written Word”: 3/4 ounces of gin, 3/4 oz. green Chartreuse, 3/4 oz. Cointreau 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, shaken on ice and served in a coupe or martini glass, then garnished with a cherry or lime (wedge or wheel, being dealer’s choice) on a toothpick. There’s also the most famous and accessible Chartreuse cocktail, titled, “The Last Word”: 3/4 oz. gin; 3/4 oz. green Chartreuse; 3/4 oz. maraschino liqueur; 3/4 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed; shaken on ice and served a la coupe, and garnished with a brandied cherry. A close reader might recognize some trends afoot with these recipes. For one, the frequent mention of “green” Chartreuse. That’s because there are two kinds of this liqueur:
the green variety — the only naturally green liquor — being the walloping 43% proof; the yellow variety clocking in at “only” about 40% alcohol by volume. The other trend is the presence of gin as a complement. Refreshing and herbal as these cocktails are, take note that nearly every ingredient in them is booze. Adding it all up, each of those cocktails is north of a double, and almost all of the constituent spirits are 80-proof and above. These are not to be trifled with. The final trend is the presence of either lime or cherry as a garnish. Limes are de rigueur in many cocktails, but cherries are pretty sparing in the cocktail books, reserved mostly for whiskey drinks. Yet, Chartreuse is such an “unexpected” amalgam of flavors and aromas that both the sweetness of a good cherry (Luxardo, not the red dye No. 40 abominations) or the tart fresh spritz of lime will serve to layer on the complexity. On a fine spring Saturday afternoon of puttering in the yard, we opened a fifth of green Chartreuse (a hefty $54.95), pint of New Amsterdam gin ($8.95), a bottle of low-shelf sparkling wine (about $12 at the local gas station) and some club soda for insurance. We couldn’t find any quality maraschino liqueur at the liquor store, and so just used a jar of the Luxardo cherries and their attendant juices. We tried to make a Written Word and Last Word with these ingredients, but lacking some critical components, such as Cointreau and maraschino liqueur, they came off pretty lame — for one thing, the color lent to the drink by the cherry juice brought to mind the toilette of someone in desperate need of several tall glasses of water. Color is a signifier for a lot of things; and, Chartreuse being the
only alcoholic drink with a color named after it, needs to retain its purity. No one wants to drink anything that looks like it came out of rusty pipes or failing kidneys. Necessity being the mother of invention, we went a little wide and came up with some fine substitutes, the first and best being a cocktail that is apparently enjoyed on the regular by Queen Elizabeth II: 1 oz. green Chartreuse topped with sparkling wine, served in a Champagne flute and garnished with a Luxardo cherry. We’ll call this one “The QEII.” The heft of the Chartreuse received a much-needed buttressing from the effervescence of the wine, while the sweetness of the cherry cut its medicinal qualities. Overall, it ended up being a less potent variant on most Chartreuse cocktails, and not so much refreshing as bracing. I suppose if you’re the longest
Photo by Zach Hagadone. reigning monarch in history — and still drinking stuff like this when you’re in your late-90s — you need a bit of bracing. Likewise, the utilitarian mix of 1 oz. of green Chartreuse, 1 oz. of gin, and Luxardo cherry built over ice in a highball glass and topped with club soda was an easy-sipping winner. Yet, The QEII took the field, with one taster stating, “The queen knows how to drink a drink.” Our “Final Word” on green Chartreuse is that it’s an elemental spirit, perfectly suited to spring, but requires a fair amount of finesse to handle. Better to eschew the various Wordy concoctions and mix with sparkling wine or carbonated water. Maybe that makes us low-brow, but the queen may beg to differ.
COMMUNITY
Women Honoring Women awards Patti Speelmon By Reader Staff The Women Honoring Women committee recently announced Patti Speelmon will receive the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her as “a doer, a leader, a giver, and an individual who never seems to run out of energy and enthusiasm. She never hesitates to give assistance where needed without seeking acknowledgment.” Speelmon has been a member of Bonner County and the Clark Fork community for more than 50 years, including at the Bonner County Extension Office, where she collaborated with 4-H leaders to ensure participants had all the necessary information and materials they needed to be successful. She also brought her vision for the annual fair event to life. Speelmon can be found at almost every Clark Fork home sporting event, taking tickets, keeping score, or cooking or baking for bake sales, fundraisers and team meals. She supports the local soup kitchen each Monday, including delivering meals to many homes. For many years Speelmon volunteered as an EMT for Clark Fork Fire and Ambulance. She also served on Search and Rescue.
She is an expert quilter, creating special pieces for Sandpoint High School and Clark Fork High School graduates, newborns in hospitals across the country, coworkers, friends, family and anyone who else walks into her life. Speelmon and her husband of 55 years, Lewis, raised two children — Melvin and Wendi. They also have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her nominators have repeatedly mentioned how strong she is from battling and overcoming cancer to handling the loss of their son too young in life. According to her nomination letters, Speelmon is a true Woman of Wisdom and deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award. According to Women Honoring Women, Speelmon “possesses vision and achieves goals through collaboration. She exhibits a love of learning through the pursuit of knowledge by study or experience. She shows a commitment to the Bonner County community and its members, and has had a positive impact, such as in the areas of art, music, theater, dance, sports, education and service. She demonstrates dedicated leadership that results in admiration and respect
from others. “She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women,” the committee added. “She faces life’s challenges with grace and courage, and lives with dignity, integrity and honor.” The gala luncheon honoring the Women of Wisdom is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, May 7 at the Ponderay Event Center (401 Bonner Mall Way). For reservations — which will be accepted until Thursday, April 28 — contact Diane Stockton at 208-290-6362 or stockton_diane@yahoo. com. Tickets are $30, including the meal and a program introducing the 2022 Women of Wisdom to celebrate their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Right: Patti Speelmon was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Courtesy photo.
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events April 14-21, 2022
THURSDAY, april 14
Live from 525 Concert: Thom & Coley and Sam Leyde 7:30pm @ Festival at Sandpoint Office An intimate venue at the Festival’s office (525 Pine St.) with acclaimed country singer-songwriters Thom & Coley, plus IN-CMA award winning singer-songwriter Sam Leyde. Doors open at 5pm
Cornhole at MickDuff’s 6pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall $10 entry with a 6-game guarantee Land Use Planning 101 webinar 11:30am-1pm @ bit.ly/3Dr4Y0U Presented by Project 7B and the GNAR initiative. Expert speakers will help increase local understanding of the purpose and opportunities of the county and city comprehensive land use plan updates. Free
FriDAY, april 15
Live Music w/ Devon Wade 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Sandpoint country artist Mixed & Mingled by POAC 5-7pm @ Columbia Bank Com. Plaza A varied collection of mixed-media artwork by POAC artist members. All ages
Live Music w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Live Music w/ Benny Baker 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 7-9pm @ The Back Door
SATURDAY, april 16 Live Music w/ Marty and Doug 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Sandpoint mandolin and guitar duo Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Justyn Priest Band 9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge Nitty gritty rock with plenty of soul Live Music w/ Chris Paradis 7-9pm @ The Back Door
Sandpoint Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt 9am @ Lakeview Park City of Ponderay Easter parade 9:35am @ Corner of 5th and Birch Egg hunt follows at 10am in Triangle Park Live Music w/ Jona Gallegos 6-9pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Spokane singer-songwriter (folk, oldies)
SunDAY, april 17
Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am
Easter Egg Hunt (2-12 years old) 11:45am @ The Assembly Sandpoint
Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt 9am @ The Idaho Club Egg hunt begins at 9am, brunch from 10am-2pm, family photographer 10am-1pm
monDAY, april 18
Group Run @ Outdoor Experience 6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome, beer after
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Auditions for Rumplestiltskin 3:30-7pm @ Forrest Bird Charter School 60 kids from K-12 will be selected for this Missoula Children’s Theatre performance
tuesDAY, april 19 Sip & Shop for Lost in the ’50s 4-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Bonner Partners in Care Free Clinic 5:30pm @ BPICC (2101 Pine St.) Clinic for the uninsured
wednesDAY, april 20
Live Music w/ Steven Wayne 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Live Piano Music w/ Peter Lucht 3-5pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Max Mendez Voice Master Class 6-8pm @ Music Conservatory of Sandpoint Max Mendez is a professor of Music and Director of Choirs at North Idaho College 22 /
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Young Life Sandpoint Community Mtg. 7pm @ Mountain Springs Church Learn more about Young Life and how you can support the launch of a new ministry in the greater Sandpoint area. Questions: 206595-9563 or rengstorfbill@gmail.com
STAGE & SCREEN
The world’s a stage By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff Looking back on the highlights of my childhood, I’d definitely have to list the time that I ruled a kingdom. There was also the time I lived in the woods with a handful of fellow magical dwarves, and the time I joined a pack of wolves. Honestly, my best childhood memory would have to be my stint as a singing mermaid — er, singing merboy, technically. None of these things happened in reality, of course, but on stage. I was fortunate to participate in several theater productions during my elementary years, most of which were brought to North Idaho by Missoula Children’s Theatre, a Montana-based program that brings opportunities in the performing arts to communities far and wide. These productions pop up locally several times a year, including an upcoming performance of Rumpelstiltskin brought to Sandpoint by the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Auditions for 50-60 roles
will take place at Forrest Bird Charter School on Monday, April 18, and all local students in grades K-12 are encouraged to try out. What MCT did for Hope Elementary in my childhood seemed nothing short of magic. MCT personnel (usually two people) would arrive on Monday and facilitate auditions after school. The memories are fuzzy, but I believe every student was asked to perform a series of small tasks meant to determine their ability to memorize lines, sing along and be generally expressive. By the end of the evening, each student would have a part in the upcoming play. By Saturday, after a week of after-school rehearsals, we would be performing it — twice — for our families. How we made it from clueless kids on Monday to costumed thespians putting on an entire production on Saturday remains a testament to the hard work and dedication of MCT’s touring staff. Those adults were some of my favorite people during my formative years. With their help, I became an obnoxious
Auditions set for POAC presentation of Rumpelstiltskin by Missoula Children’s Theatre
queen, a magical and nerdy dwarf, a sly wolf, a shy merboy with a singing solo and so much more. Those of us who grow up in small communities are not always given the opportunity to be fullblown theater kids in the widely understood sense. Had I grown up somewhere else, I have no doubt I would have been a Wicked-loving, lead-part-covetting youth performer. As life would have it, my chance to be that person only came once a year, and I lived for it. Through MCT, my explosive enthusiasm (often deemed to be “too much” for everyday life) was given a literal spotlight. I wasn’t too loud — I was an example for the other kids of how to project your voice to the audience. I wasn’t too dramatic — I was owning my role and trying my best. My appetite for the perfect combination of hard work and silliness was fulfilled on Saturday night as the lights went down and the applause commenced. As kids, we are constantly pretending. It starts as imaginative
play, but evolves into a broader sense of pretend. We pretend that we know what we’re doing, who our friends are, who we are. The uncertainty of growing up lends itself perfectly to acting — acting like it isn’t hard and awkward and scary, when it most certainly is. I will forever be thankful for those weeks of fun, learning and emotional solace with Missoula Children’s Theatre, and I’m glad to know that other Bonner County kids are still able to access that joy. Auditions for Rumpelstiltskin, an MCT production brought to Sandpoint by the Pend Oreille Arts Council, will take place on Monday, April 18 at Forrest Bird Charter School from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Those auditioning should arrive by 3:15 p.m. and stay for the full two hours. Some cast members may be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition. Performances of Rumpel-
The author, left, poses with her sisters and fellow thespians after a performance of Rumpelstiltskin at Hope Elementary School sometime in the aughts. Courtesy photo. stiltskin will happen Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $5 for youth and $15 for adults. Buy tickets at the door or online at panida.org. For more information, email poactivities@gmail.com.
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OUTDOORS
The extraordinary and brief life of Bob Marshall By Ed Ohlweiler Reader Contributor
Just who was this luminary comet of a man? This figure whose heart failed at the young age of 38 and yet at different times was a forester, philosopher, adventurer, athlete, arctic explorer, activist, labor spokesman, environmentalist, writer, romantic and jester? This man who, to quote one acquaintance, “never rested”? And where did he get his massive reserves of energy? Reading about the life of Bob Marshall — the Bob behind “the Bob” Wilderness Area in western Montana — you can’t help wondering if he predicted his own demise. His brother George, who knew him better than anyone, dispelled this as myth, but many have jumped to this same conclusion because of the enormity of his life. “Living life fully” is something he promoted, and yet it seems he surpassed the boundaries of what a “full life“ normally entails. Born in 1901 and the son of a constitutional lawyer, conservationist and civil rights advocate, Bob spent summers in the Adirondack Mountains where he fostered a love of nature and, along with his brothers, became the first to climb all 46 peaks over 4,000 feet. While he was always smart, he initially seemed to thrive more in the woods, seeking solace from school or social functions. Certainly the crucible of his love for wild places, a progressive father, a sense of responsibility coming from being born to privilege and his boundless energy formed the basis of what we know about his life. But there are things — just as intriguing — that we’ll never know. What we do know is that he was a visionary ahead of his time, pushing for wilderness legislation almost 40 years before the birth of the Wilderness Act in 1964. He saw wilderness access as a basic human right for every person at a time when massive amounts of land were being gobbled up by individuals and corporations. Marshall came to thrive in the western U.S., and even spent a year in the 24 /
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A young Bob Marshall in the natural environment he loved so much. Courtesy photo. Arctic Circle documenting the people, plants and geology of a remote Alaskan outpost for his book Arctic Village. He was often remembered for his excessive hiking, sometimes 35 to 40 miles per day. If he had it in his mind to hike 40 miles and only did 35, he could be seen walking around his neighborhood to get the final mileage for the day. Long before the popularity of ultrarunning, he was rumored to have covered up to 70 miles in a day by running and hiking. Marshall worked Out West as a
researcher, forester and plant physiologist. Interestingly enough, while stationed in Missoula, Mont., he spent time at the Forest Service research station outside of Priest River. It was Bonner County where he worked on his first forest fire. There are colorful tales of these experiences and the roughshod group he worked with, but he was also starting to become active in the plight of the American worker and speaking out against the poor working conditions of the loggers, miners and firefighters. In between working for the Bureau
of Indian Affairs, the Forest Service and the Park Service, he managed to go Back East and earn advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in plant physiology. He also visited D.C. to meet with government leaders and petition for wilderness legislation or talk about the rights of minorities and/or workers. He founded The Wilderness Society. He was a best-selling author and poet, but a list of his accomplishments does not begin to paint a picture of the man. It would be easy to assume he was incessantly driven and serious, but this would discount Bob the jester. It seems many of his achievements were accompanied by playfulness, humor and his trademark easy smile. Children reportedly flocked to him, mothers mothered him and his research often stretched into goofy subject areas, like the number of times Supreme Court justices held their head in their hands in a single session, the reduced tree growth during election years or the number of eggs eaten/curses expelled by individual firefighters. (“Gosh darn” was the extent of his vitriol.) He enjoyed debate and could hold court with anyone, entertaining the likes of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Gifford Pinchot and Stephen Mather at dinner parties. But mostly he would wait for the end of the party to dance — apparently he was as tireless at dancing as he was at hiking. What we don’t know is how this recluse who escaped into the woods grew into a gregarious socialite and conversationalist. In fact, despite all his writings, there is still a lot unknown about Marshall owing to all the time spent in the woods and remote places. And then there was his secrecy regarding his love life. After overcoming his initial shyness, women found him affable, even attractive. There was at least one woman we know he wanted to marry, and others who wanted to marry him, but his relationships never fully blossomed into wedlock. Marshall espoused the life of a romantic, but often his romance was with the land — or with life itself.
MUSIC Festival at Sandpoint announces more in the 2022 lineup
Lindsey Stirling, Chris Janson with LOCASH and Mt. Joy will play under the big white tent
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Another week, another trio of stellar acts announced for the 2022 Festival at Sandpoint concert series. The nonprofit announced Lindsey Stirling would be performing Saturday, Aug. 6. Since the release of Stirling’s 2012 self-titled debut album, the electronic music impresario, violinist, dancer and artist quietly and humbly became one of the 21st century’s most innovative stars by clinging to her groundbreaking vision of cinematic violin-driven electronic music. Reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Album Chart, Stirling held the No. 1 on the Classical Album Chart for 21 consecutive weeks, also receiving a Billboard Music Award for “Top Dance/Electronic Album.” Stirling’s sophomore effort Shatter Me would earn a RIAA Gold certification and two Bill-
board Music Awards. Stirling continues to build an impressive fan base that stretches across all demographics, co-heading a U.S. Tour with Evanescence, which was named as one of Live Nation’s 10 best-selling amphitheater tours of the 2018 summer. Tickets are available for $59.95 at festivalatsandpoint. com. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m. The Festival also announced breakout country star Chris Janson with LOCASH on Friday, July 29. Platinum-selling recording artist Janson is a high-octane entertainer, a multi-instrumentalist and an award-winning singer-songwriter, named by radio DJ Bobby Bones as among the six greatest live performers in country music. People Magazine hailed Janson’s “crazy harmonica skill and … riveting stage style,” while The Tennessean dubbed him an “undeniable star.” Joining Janson will be LO-
CASH, composed of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas playing the Woods and Water Tour. With their signature sound that fuses modern country and classic heartland rock with edgy vocals, the country music duo of singer-songwriters is widely known for mixing backwoods pride and big-picture positivity. Tickets for Chris Janson with LOCASH are $69.95 for general admission. Gates will open at 6 pm. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. Finally, the Festival is pleased to announce indie-rock darlings Mt. Joy on Saturday, July 30. Mt. Joy channels bright, bold and brilliant energy in their music. The Philadelphia fivepiece includes Matt Quinn, Sam Cooper, Sotiris Eliopoulos, Jackie Miclau and Michael Byrnes. The band has steadily evolved since forming k in 2016, releasing their self-titled debut album yielded
Lindsey Stirling, left; Mt. Joy, center; and Chris Janson, right. Courtesy photos. songs like “Silver Lining,” which has earned more than 100 million Spotify streams and counting, and the critically acclaimed “Strangers.” Atwood Magazine called the album, “an ambitious triumph embracing their signature sound while plunging headfirst into the deep end of life.” The dynamic quintet has sold out such venues as Red Rocks Amphitheater in addition to gracing the bills of festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Lollapalooza, Made in America and more. General admission tickets are $49.95. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information about these or other shows at the Festival at Sandpoint, visit festivalatsandpoint.com or email info@festivalatsandpoint.com.
Jona Gallegos, Matchwood Brewing, April 16 In a world full of singer-songwriters, it is easy to forget the power that one person with a guitar can wield when they do so with passion and care. For anyone in need of a reminder of that power, there is a simple answer: Jona Gallegos. The Spokane-based folk artist has been hard at work for the past several years releasing music available across popular streaming platforms and playing gigs around the region — just a man and his guitar, sharing stories of heartache, perseverance and friendship. Through his recorded works,
Gallegos has the unique ability to reach through the speakers and sing directly to his listener, like a confidant with an important message to convey. His gentle vocals and heartfelt songwriting are a winning combination sure to make his live performance stand out. — Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey 6-9 p.m., FREE. Matchwood Brewing Company, 513 Oak St., 208-718-2739, matchwoodbrewing.com. Listen to Gallegos on Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube.
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
READ
Everyone can benefit from learning how to invest their money intelligently. While the internet is always an easy resource, it’s often difficult to find the right voices to listen to. One book that helped me sort through the volumes of information is The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. This book will help teach about the philosophy of value investing and how to develop long-term strategies used by the most successful investors in the world.
LISTEN
Portland, Ore.-based indie rock band STRFKR began in 2007 as a solo project by lead man Joshua Hodges. He chose the name because he was hanging out with people who bragged about sleeping with celebrities and he wanted nothing to do with that life. I can appreciate their anti-fashion style and ethos as a band, but their music is fun, dark and catchy all at once. Their 2013 release Miracle Mile is my favorite album.
WATCH
When the going gets tough, sometimes the best thing to do is laugh. Late night shows provided a steady diet of mirth during the four years of the Trump presidency, and they continue to lighten the mood during Biden’s time in office. While filled with jokes and comedic ramblings, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver also includes smart, well-researched commentary on important issues that sometimes go overlooked. It’s the perfect blending of comedy and tragedy. I learn something every time I watch on Sunday night. And I laugh. A lot. Here’s to never forgetting to laugh — either at ourselves or with others. April 14, 2022 /
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BACK OF THE BOOK
Farewell Mr. Marker One teacher really can change a life From Northern Idaho News, April 16, 1912
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
It’s common for people to point to “that one teacher” who made a big impact on them when they were young. I’ve been lucky to have many: Shannon Delewese, Jan Waldrup and Tim Hanna at Sagle Elementary School; John Hankle and Kevin Collins at Sandpoint Middle School; Barbara Tibbs, Mike McNulty, Deb McShane, Ray Miller and Terry Iverson at Sandpoint High School. There are more, of course, including NITRO-GLYCERINE EXPLODES through undergraduate and graduate school, IN OVEN CAUSING SERIOUS but George Marker probably played a more INJURIES TO WM. CORCORAN direct role in the trajectory of my life than any other. William J. Corcoran, who resides I don’t know if he knew it; I never told on Derr’s Island near Clarks Fork, him and I won’t have a chance to do so. came near losing his life as a result Mr. Marker died Feb. 22 at the age of 72 of placing dynamite in a cook stove at home in Kootenai. He “got his first and to thaw. last job at Sandpoint Senior High,” accordCorcoran, who is a homesteader, ing to his obituary, beginning in 1971 and was engaged in clearing his land retiring in 2005. with the use of dynamite. Saturday I met him during my junior year at SHS, forenoon he allowed the fire to go 1997-’98, and it was with some trepidation. out and while the heat was still in It was well known around the school that the oven placed several sticks of Mr. Marker was “tough.” That’s a euphedynamite in the oven to thaw. Later mism. His specialty was political science in the day he took the powder from and history. He taught the latter, infused it the oven and used it during the with the former and presented it with what I afternoon. In the evening, while can only describe as “authority.” getting supper, the stove exploded When I heard in early March that he’d and Corcoran was badly injured, passed, I wrote on a local Facebook forum being cut and bruised all over his that Mr. Marker “could be gruff, tough and body, the most serious injury being bone-dry with his sarcasm (and didn’t suffer confined to the knee cap, which was fools), all of which made me respect him shattered badly. Corcoran was also even more.” injured internally. I took his Advanced Placement history After the accident the injured man class — a program that he introduced to regained consciousness and walked SHS. It was probably the hardest class I had to the home of a neighbor where he in high school, and laid the foundation for was taken care of for the night. my studies up to and including a Master’s Dr. Stackhouse of this city was summoned and arrived at the bedside of the injured man Sunday morning. Dr. Stackhouse states that the man was in a deplorable condition but will survive if complications do not set in. It is supposed that the nitro-glycerine in the powder run onto the bottom of the oven and the heat and a slight jar caused the explosion. Corcoran was a young man and was making preparations to leave for the east next week where he was to meet his mother and bring her to Bonner county to live.
THAWS DYNAMITE; IS SERIOUSLY INJURED
STR8TS Solution
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degree in history. ble, which made me better He nominated me at reading people. He had for Boy’s State, which high standards, which I attended (along with made me a better worker. Reader Publisher He was wry and knowing, Ben Olson), and it a little snarky and cynical, introduced me to state but always patient and politics and the capital completely committed to in Boise. He went out his students. of his way to ensure I There was no way for attended then-Albertme to know it 25 or so son College of Idaho years ago, but the brief in Caldwell, which I time I spent as one of did and where I douthose students would in George Marker. Courtesy photo. ble majored in history profound ways determine and political economy (just like he did at the direction of my entire adult life. If that’s the University of Idaho). There I met a few not a portrait of a truly great teacher, I don’t other life-altering teachers. know what is. I wouldn’t have become a journalist and Per Mr. Marker’s wishes, please donate wouldn’t have spent a total of 12 years livto Bonner County Hospice. I would also ing and working in the Boise area if not for add that as much support for our communiMr. Marker. More importantly, I wouldn’t ty’s teachers and their work should be given have met my wife, with whom I fell in love whenever and however it is possible. Read at first sight on the second day of classes his full obituary at lakeviewfuneral.com/ at ACI, and we wouldn’t have our children obituaries/george-marker/442. nor our 15 years of marriage. If not for Mr. Marker, it’s an absolute fact that I would not have met my original Reader partners John Reuter and Chris DeCleur at ACI, and therefore would not have started this newspaper. I wouldn’t be writing these words about him on this page if not for him. My love for history and politics predated my time in Mr. Marker’s class, but he sharpened both, recognized where my passions lay and (with quiet authority) nudged me into the life I now have. I wish I’d known him better. We were never “buddies.” He was tough on my papers, which made me a better writer. He was critical of my arguments, which made me a better thinker. He was pretty inscruta-
Crossword Solution
Sudoku Solution
When you go ice-skating, try not to swing your arms too much, because that really annoys me.
Solution on page 26
Solution on page 26
misnomer
Woorf tdhe Week
By Bill Borders
/mis-NOH-mer/
[noun] 1. a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.
“The disease ringworm is actually a misnomer, as it’s a fungal infection that causes the tell-tale ring on the skin, not a worm.” Corrections: Couple of dumb mistakes in last week’s Reader: 1) in the “Random Corner,” we forgot to include the actual subject of the column, which was “spring.” 2) there was a repeated phrase in Brenden Bobby’s “Mad About Science” column. 3) We misidentified the Sandpoint city clerk in the April 7 edition. Our clerk is Melissa Ward. Sorry Melissa — we don’t know what came over us!
Copyright www.mirroreyes.com
Laughing Matter
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Hard close-grained wood 6. Drunkards 10. Camber 14. Potato state 15. Hint 16. Smell 17. Relating to a fetus 18. Liturgy 19. Not yours 20. Fussy 22. Docile 23. Not brilliant 24. Regarding 26. Thingamajig 30. Hemmed and ____ 32. Priory 33. Omissions 37. Violent disturbance 38. Rural area (British) 39. Curved molding 40. Forever 42. Soviet space shuttle 43. Auspices 44. Abandon 45. Cravat 47. Bleat 48. Blockhead 49. Picaroon 56. Hindu princess 57. Colored part of an eye 58. Accustom 59. Therefore 60. Solitary 61. Twangy, as a voice
Solution on page 26 62. Biblical garden 63. Smudge 64. Bold
DOWN 1. Clout 2. Bright thought 3. Rodents 4. Gossip 5. Day off 6. A firm open-weave fabric 7. Hodgepodge 8. Ballet attire 9. Tottered 10. Large and roomy
11. French farewell 12. A nine-piece musical group 13. Journey 21. Accomplished 25. Wager 26. Venture 27. Death notice 28. Double-reed woodwind 29. Disparagement 30. Makes well 31. Helper 33. Sandwich shop 34. Monster 35. Close 36. Dispatched
38. Certain birds with very long tails 41. “The Matrix” hero 42. Drubbing 44. One of the tribes of Israel 45. Honor 46. Burn slightly 47. Assail 48. Tall woody plant 50. Let go 51. Italian for “Wine” 52. Two-toed sloth 53. Iron oxide 54. Historical periods 55. Depend April 14, 2021 /
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