Alpine Wines closed for good
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expansion has not equated more growth within the company. Furthermore, Powers recognized The solitary venue for live their monopolizing growth in a music in Driggs is closing its small town, but said that having doors for good. Denis duNann options is a good thing. has kept a money-losing venture While Brad Bischoff, Brouafloat for two and a half years in lim’s store manager in Driggs, a town of transients and infant- declined to comment on ecorestricted families who bought nomic competition or reasons their wine from Broulim’s rather for expanding product, he did than the local specialty shop, he note that it had been two years said. After a break in communi- since they expanded their wine cation between duNann and the selection and have since been state and a bit of chagrin, Alpine scaling back their stock, recentWines is closed. ly taking one full The applicarack off the floor. tion to renew the In Driggs they Driggs is in Alpine Wines’ LLC are also expandtrouble. We was rerouted back ing their store have a Wal-Mart to Boise before it into the space that here; it’s called reached duNaan. currently houses Broulim’s. As From the state’s Cocoa Grove. long as Broulim’s perspective, Alpine Cocoa Grove maintains this Wines had already O w ner Cori ambitious growth, closed, meaning Dahl is closing they will be they no longer the doors to her putting out local needed a beer and current location business. wine license. When Sunday, Nov. 3, __________________ duNann’s wine disbut her plan is to Denis duNann, tributors informed partner with Brouowner of Alpine him his wine could Wintes lim’s by moving no longer be delivinto the grocery ered, rather than store’s current fight the state, the customer service post office or his distributors, station. Although she remains duNann decided the best option optimistic about her new partwas to close the bistro. nership, Dahl’s long-term goal duNann went on to assert that is to open another coffee shop entrepreneurship is the key to with internet access and a similar new employment. The issue he ambience to her current venture. sees is that in a small town like “It’s hard,” said Dahl. “What I Driggs, the market is cornered. have is a proven business model “Driggs is in trouble,” said in a proven location, and I’m duNann. “We have a Wal-Mart moving into an unproven locahere; it’s called Broulim’s. As long tion, and I’m basically starting as Broulim’s maintains this ambi- over.” tious growth, they will be putting By next summer Broulim’s will out local business.” further advance their options for Mayor Dan Powers said he local and organic produce. sees that there are a number “That is going to happen,” said of closed storefronts in Driggs, Bischoff. but purports that Broulim’s local
Teton Valley News - October 24, 2013 - Page A3
Jason Suder TVN Staff
TVN Photo/Jason Suder
Denis duNaan walks through the excess supplies of Alpine Wines after he decided to keep the bistro closed permanently.
TVN Photo/Jason Suder
Alpine Wines closed its doors for the last time leaving another Driggs’ storefront empty.
Bischoff redirected further questions to Broulim’s Vice President Mark Oswald, who was unavailable for comment. duNann, the hungry entrepreneur, conceded in a respectable manner. He might be bitter about a venture failed, but he does not complain. Instead he continues to brainstorm how to bring economic expansion to Driggs. He sits as a commissioner for the Driggs’ Urban Renewal Agency, and was the lead voice behind the “New Faithful” urban development project, which would have built a downtown park that
housed a fountain comparable to Yellowstone’s Old Faithful and grow tourism in the process. What he sees lacking in Driggs is an open venue for musicians, and that was what he intended to be the real purpose of his “New Faithful.” “We could, in this town, create an original songwriters’ forum for them to perform, because we have so much talent,” told duNann. “I just want to do something, get rid of the fountain. Let’s build the park…Without that I see no growth occurring from the tourist side.” For now, duNann is in talks with a couple about buying the former wine market, but that deal is as yet open. While his first venture into retail was a loss, his head is still afloat. duNann told the Teton Valley News that with Alpine Wines no longer occupying the bulk of his entrepreneurial mind, he can turn all of his focus to his burgeoning project Hyperfund. Through Hyperfund, duNann wants to put young entrepreneurs from Jackson and the valley in touch with private equity firms who can supply the much needed funds the entrepreneurs consistently seem to lack. “If you have a good idea, and if you’ve exhausted your friends and family, where are you going to go?” asked duNann. “This is a way to put business in front of millions of investors and hold back big boxes.”
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You can’t read that Parents challenge required reading, ‘Bless Me, Ultima’ suspended at Teton High
The English department Jason Suder TVN staff unanimously selected to eachers of the Teton include this piece on the High School Engsophomores’ required readlish department sat ing list, a decision endorsed timidly discussing the fate by High School Principal of their classroom freedoms Frank Mello. Since Sunday, Tuesday afternoon. The preNov. 3, fierce debate has vious night, at the Novemenshrouded this decision ber school board meeting, that began with a Facebook Superintendant Monte post by Shaylee Kearsley. Woolstenhulme decided to Kearsley’s post read, suspend the novel “Bless Me, “Those parents that have Ultima” from the required sophomores in Mrs. Pence’s reading list for sophomores class, they are reading a teruntil further research is conrible book called Bless Me, ducted. Ultima. Please scan through The classic Chicano comthe book, ask your child. It is ing-of-age story centers on a a terrible book and my son young boy’s growth through will not read another page his family influence and his of it. This is a mandatory understanding of good and read. They are half way done evil. Since its publication, it with it. We will be talking to has become the seminal ficthe principal and Mrs. Pence tion in the Chicano literary tomorrow about banning the canon. book.(ed.)” English Teacher Jason Ruff noted that this While a protocol does exist for raising grievtext was part of his summer reading program for ances against controversial teaching, the school ten years while he taught in Bakersfield, Calif. board has put teaching the book on hold until The English department built a list of reasons the December board meeting. In the interim for selecting the novel. The tenth point reads, “The novel can fit thematically into several class- period they will review the novel, giving the room units: search for identity, good versus evil, school board a chance to read the novel. Curcoming of age, nature, faith, the supernatural, rently, students can check the novel out in the the environment, Chicano literature, ethnic lit- library or continue reading the book through their independent reading list. erature, myth.” “I think the whole thing was handled badly,” However, the novel’s use of expletives, specifiMary Madsen, elementary teacher and mother cally the “f” word and premarital sex, have been of two at Teton High School, told the TVN. met with a grievous backlash by the community. “I think this is a valuable book with valuable “There are specific protocol for complaints … and lessons and our English department would not I feel like the teaching should continue until the have chosen it if it weren’t,” said sophomore grievances, that process, were handled properly.” In a 40-minute meeting between the English English teacher Susan Pence. Bless Me continued on A10
T
Health insurance benefits mixed bag Bridget Ryder TVN staff The effects of the We’re just small Affordable Care Act, also enough that we don’t known as Obamacare, on get the clout in numhealth insurance plans and premiums is a mixed bag bers to get the rates of fortunes in Teton Valley. that our employees Valley Advocates for would like to have Responsible Development is a well-known land conand that our hospital servation advocacy group in can afford to pay. the valley, but the employ___________________ ees of the non-profit may Anne Loyola, have had good reason to Teton Valley Health Care advocate for health care reforms. Going into 2014 their insurance premiums will drop, if only for one reason—insurance companies can no longer factor gender into their premiums. All three full-time employees, for which the organization provides a group health care plan, are females in their 30s. According to Stacey Frisk, VARD’s executive director, she and her two female co-workers had premiums two to three times higher than the average for males in the same age group. Frisk expected their rates to go up this year, but their premiums went down, and Frisk found even lower premiums for comparable individual coverage on the state health exchange. However, the county’s staff, according to county clerk Marly Lou Hansen, had been expecting a 15 percent jump in premiums, but ended up with only a 6 percent increase. According to Hansen, a 6 percent increase is pretty normal. In her six years working for the county she has seen increases as high as 15 percent in one year. Teton Valley Health Care has decided to drop its corporate health insurance plan. The hospital faced a 24 percent increase in its premiums for 2014 because of overall high utilization. “We’re just small enough that we don’t get the clout in numbers to get the rates that our employees would like to have and that our hospital can afford to pay,” Loyola said. The hospital based its decision on research. The hospital doesn’t know or want to know the total family incomes of its employees, but it ran the salaries it does pay employees through several analysis and each showed that employees would be able to get better coverage at a better price through private insurance or the state health exchange. Insurance continued on A10
Drictor is Stock’d for ski Season
TVN Photo/Jason Suder
Lucas and Felix Stock relax with their ski team teammate McKenna between exercises on Monday, Nov. 11.
citizen since she was ten, didn’t grow up too far from Jason Suder TVN staff Opportunity abounds in small towns without the ski racing herself. Her father was the race director at Ski metropolitan distractions, and in true Horatio Alger, Windham in New York. With the shared passion, their boys Lucas and Felix the American Dream is alive and well in Teton Valley. A tightknit, Austrian family of four has found their were bound to ensue. They tried public school, but with a nitch teaching ski racing with the strict discipline of the focus on ski racing, they began missing too much school old country and a new world perspective centering on fun. and this became a bullying point for the boys. Now, Markus and Dagi Stock came to the valley in 2007, under strict parental scrutiny, they are educated remotely bringing their infant boys and only a few euros along through the Boise-based Inspire Connections Academy. Every morning they wake up to Markus checking with them. Markus grew up with racing in his blood; their reposed pace, and then they get scooted out of the his cousin Leonhard Stock took the gold in downhill skiing at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Dagi, a dual Stock family continued on A10 I n d e x Weather....................... A3
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Bless me continued from A1______________________________________________________________________________________________________ department, Principal Mello and SuperThere is an alternative novel to intendant Woolstenhulme, Woolsten“Bless Me, Ultima,” but students optI don’t ever want hulme noted that he could not support ing to read the alternative would not to be in a position the use of that book as required reading have in-class discussions or the same with such profanity. in-depth analysis of the text. The where I have to However, Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” alternate proposed was Emily Bronte’s take a book out of and Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn,” two “Wuthering Heights.” novels with extensive profane language, “As a department,” said Pence, “we a child’s hand like utilizing blasphemy, subversion and the chose “Wuthering Heights” because I did yesterday “n” word, remain on reading lists at Teton it was a classic novel that we didn’t High. think anyone would raise an objection and today. During the public comments section to reading.” ______________ of Monday’s school board meeting, two Diane Green, another English Susan Pence, parents expressed their concern about teacher at Teton High, elaborated THS English teacher future censorship. saying it is, “fair to say it’s clean. Is Alluding to the school district’s that the standard we want to use for mission statement, a local father, Tim selecting literature?” Weiner noted, “banning books is neither For the time being, teachers are relevant or progressive.” finding difficulty foreseeing how their Sue Berkenfield also stood at the meeting and cau- curriculum will remain in their hands. One parent at tioned the school board about the precedent banning Monday’s school board meeting argued that by enrolla book might set. ing her children in Teton School District she is tacitly
giving permission for teachers to decide how best to teach the common core state standards. Principal Mello mailed letters to parents of sophomore students informing that, as it currently stands, the book will not be finished and teachers will move forward with other curriculum while administrators review the book and its appropriateness in the school’s policies and procedures. “I don’t ever want to be in a position where I have to take a book out of a child’s hand like I did yesterday and today,” said Pence. TVN en Español En la reunión de la junta escolar en noviembre, Superintendente Monte Woolstenhulme decidió suspender de la lista de lectura obligatoria para estudiantes la novela Bless Me, Ultima hasta que más investigación se lleva a cabo. Una madres quejaron de que el libro uso palabritas y tiene un escena explicito del sexo. El clásico Chicano se centra en un joven muchacho madurando a través de su influencia familiar y su comprensión del bien y mal. Desde su publicación, se ha convertido en la ficción seminal en el canon literario Chicano.
Insurance continued from A1_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Loyola is a good example. She recently signed up available on the government health exchange. One for insurance on the Wyoming state health exchange plan offers a no deductible policy for around $98 a and was pleasantly surprised at the price. month. But what’s available at what price depends on Loyola suffers from systemic lupus, and, while income. Ballard also warns buyers to consider careshe and her family have been insured fully before purchasing. One plan, through the hospital’s corporate covfor example, offers great benefits at a erage since she started working there, great price, but according to Ballard, The insurance she has looked into private insurance. Teton Valley residents won’t find a For herself alone, premiums on indidoctor that works with it. Ballard system used vidual policies came in around $1,400 recommends shopping the exchange to discriminate dollars a month. On the state health and then seeing an insurance broker exchange she found coverage for herbefore purchasing. Working with a against women, self, her husband and two teenage broker comes at no extra cost. Loyalo, the chronically ill children for less than $700 a month. too, sought professional advice as But the hospital will still help she considers exactly which plan to and elderly. Now its employees pay their premiums. purchase. single people and Employees can bring their insurFundamentally, the Affordable ance premium bills to the accounting Care Act is a flip-flop according to empty nesters are Ballard. The insurance system used department every month and receive watching their a reimbursement based on their salto discriminate against women, the ary. The percentages are still being chronically ill and elderly. Now single premiums rise. worked out. people and empty nesters are watchTeton County, on the other hand, ing their premiums rise. is keeping its group insurance plan Loyola said at the TVCH queswith a rise in premiums. Though the tion and answer forum that many 6 percent increase is normal, more of have found the premiums on the state the higher premium price does come health exchange high before being directly from the Affordable Care Act. Four percent reduced by federal subsidies. Changes that level of the increase is to pay a new premium tax that helps premiums between men and women and eliminate fund the federal subsidies provided for low-income maximums and consideration of preexisting condifamilies and individuals who buy insurance through tions are a risk for both the government and insurance government-run health exchanges. Other require- companies. Hopes are set on the young and healthy ments of ACA, such as no maximums and limits of called “the invincibles,” buying health insurance. If pre-existing conditions, also affected the premiums enough of Teton Valley’s healthy retirees, liftees and rate. Next year the county will have to add pediatric ski bums get insurance, the principle is that it might vision to its policy. balance out the market. However, insurance agent Travis Argyle is see- TVN en Español ing those with individual plans losing the coverage Un unida familia austríaca de cuatro ha encontrado su they like because it does not provide the 10 essential nitch. Markus y Dagi Stock vinieron al valle en 2007, trabenefits required by the ACA. According to Argyle, yendo sus bebés y sólo unos pocos euros. Markus creció these clients have to buy coverage they don’t want con carreras en su sangre; su primo Leonhard Stock llevó for higher premiums. el oro en esquí alpino en los Juegos Olímpicos de Lake “They are getting more for more money,” insur- Placid 1980. Dagi, un ciudadano con doble nacionalidad desde que tenía 10 años, no creció demasiado lejos de ance broker Randy Ballard said. According to Ballard those with incomes between carreras de esquí. Su padre era el director de la carrera de 100 percent and 250 percent of the poverty level esquí en Windham en Nueva York. Ahora sus hijos, Lucas and Felix, entrenen para esquiar. are benefiting most from the policies and subsidies
Healthcare facts • Deadline to register for Healthcare Exchange is Dec. 15, if you want to retain coverage by Jan. 1. Old plan will become defunct Jan. 1 if it does not meet minimum requirements. • Starting Jan. 1, health care providers will no longer be able to use pre-existing conditions to disqualify you or increase your premium. Major factors in determining premiums are based on ZIP code, age, and status as a smoker. • Subsidies are available through exchange based on gross income. Cost sharing assistance are available for gold and silver exchange options only; premiums assistance is available for all exchange options. Subsidies can be calculated at <http://kff. org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/>, and must be annually recalculated. • Open season for registration is Oct. 1 – March 31. You will be penalized if you are uninsured after March 31. Payment is due by Jan. 1. • Penalty will be 1 percent of gross adjusted annual income or $95, whichever is higher. • Penalty will be realized while filing 2014 taxes, and will increase each subsequent year. • You can also be penalized $300-2,500 for income miscalculation. • In-Person Assistors (nationally: navigators) will be available, six at Teton Valley Health Care, to answer questions about private and Exchange options. They cannot make recommendations, but insurance brokers can. • Check your network as some Idaho plans do not extend to Wyoming. For example, Wyoming and Montana are out-of-network Regence Blue Shield of Idaho plans, but Utah, Colorado and Oregon are in-network plans with Regence. • Teton Valley Health Care is not changing their coverage network.
Stock family continued from A1____________________________________________________________________________________________________ house for a one-mile warm-up run, after a nutrient rich breakfast. Their pulse is measured again and they hit the virtual books, Dagi’s department. She stays tough on their grades, both parents do. If their cumulative grades in any subject drop below 85 percent, they cannot train, they cannot race, they cannot play until raising them. This is not a matter or harsh discipline, it is the Stocks holistic approach to teaching their boys. Skiing is the philosophical focal point of their children’s upbringing. To the Stocks, being a polyglot is essential, considering English is the universal language, and German is the universal skier’s language, but furthermore, they have instilled a global view, a duality
within western cultures, into their boys. Lucas and Felix are dual Austrian and American citizens, and their education is a rounded one. Following their studies, they meet their father in the basement for a training regiment of military precision, including creative slack-lining for their balance and posture, trampoline exercises for their endurance and small weights for strength. It is a wonder to see nine- and 10-yearold boys laugh and joke with each other, especially in two languages, as they sweat and pant. These are normal kids. They laugh, push each other, wrestle when their father isn’t looking, play Wii and, if they’re good enough, they get to wake up at 4 a.m.
to watch European soccer matches with their father. Rather than bantering about the different misadventures of cartoons, they discuss Wladimir Klitschko’s rise to heavyweight champion and Bill Johnson’s emotional fall. Then they ask about your favorite superhero. Markus and Dagi have embraced American culture, without ever letting go of the drive and discipline common to their Austrian upbringing. This dedication has been instilled in their boys, who play just as hard as they work, training to someday take Olympic gold medals in skiing. If that goal changes, Markus and Dagi smile and note that the doors of the world are open to boys with as varied and honed skills as theirs.
Log on to tetonvalleynews.net to get an inside view of the Stock family. TVN en Español Los efectos de la Affordable Care Act, también conocida como Obama Care, en planes de seguro médico es un grupo heterogéneo de fortunas en el valle Teton. Según Ruby Ballard aquellos con ingresos de entre 100 y 250 por ciento del nivel de pobreza benefician de las políticas y subsidios disponibles en el mercado de salud del gobierno, pero la gente joven y sana tienen que pagar más para segur medico.
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A storm before the rainbow: The debate for equality in Driggs Jason Suder TVN Staff This is part one of a two-part series covering Eastern Idaho’s anti-discrimination ordinances.
A
s it stands in Idaho, being gay can mean disqualification from many civic liberties beyond just a marriage license. Housing, edu-
cational and employment opportunities, public accommodations, such as restaurants, and protections against hate-crimes can all be denied to an Idaho resident because of their”sexual preference” or “gender identity.” There is no state-wide legislation and there are only scattered local ordinances that offer protections from this
Grand Targhee opens for 45th ski season TVN staff Grand Targhee Resort will open Friday, Nov. 22, for their 45th ski season. All public access to the mountain is closed until Friday, in preparation for opening day. Avalanche mitigation work with explosives, slope grooming and winch cat grooming will be taking place. The Dreamcatcher high speed quad lift will definitely be spinning on opening day along with Shoshone beginner slope quad lift and the Papoose conveyer. Lifts are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Conditions are changing by the hour, Ken Rider, director of marketing at the resort said Wednesday morning. “We’re working very diligently to have as much of the mountain and terrain open as possible,” said Rider. “We’re working very hard to get Sac and Blackfoot open. It all depends on the snowfall. We’ve gone out and skied it already and there are still a few spots that we want to make sure are a little better.” As of Tuesday morning, Grand Targhee had received a total of 88 inches of snow so far this season and has a base of 40 inches. Rider said the early season coverage should make it one of the best openings in a number of years. “The snow is shaping up really great,” he said. “We’re really excited to get the game on.” Opening weekend ticket pricing and special will benefit the Teton Valley Food Bank Grand Targhee Resort ticket pricing will be at the early season rate through December 20, with adult single day lift Targhee continued on A14
sort of discrimination. On Oct. 2, 2012, the option arose for Driggs to become the second city in Idaho to adopt an ordinance11-14-13 protecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community from such discrimination; Sandpoint was the first. After three discussions in open city council meetings and subsequent watering down of the legislation, the council voted 3-1 not to study the issue to determine the benefit of including those words “sexual preference” and “gender identity” in the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance. With new city leaders set to take office after the beginning of the year, it is likely the issue will be revisited. Even if he
refuses to introduce it, incoming Mayor Hyrum Johnson expects this issue to arise after he and incoming city councilwoman August Christiansen take office. “I would be surprised if it didn’t come up again,” said Johnson. “It was put away too quickly.” It was Councilman Ralph Mossman who first introduced the discussion, using Sandpoint’s language as his template. “We need to speak out in favor of being tolerant,” said Mossman, who stills sits on the council. He does not have detailed plans to re-introduce the issue, because if the state passes protective legislation it would Equality continued on A12
Local man communicates relief to Philippines Bridget Ryder TVN staff Events in the Philippines have been keeping Denis Sumicad up late at night. Sumicad has been part of the effort to help his native land recover from an earthquake followed by the biggest typhoon on record, even from far away in the Tetons. “Aside from financial aid we’ve been assisting TVN Photo/Bridget Ryder the local rescue units with logistics,” he said. The Sumicad family sang the national anthem of the In the mystery of the World Wide Web and cell Philippines in Filipino at the International Night in Driggs phone signals, a text or email from Sumicad will on Monday. Dennis Sumicad has been helping coordinate often reach relief volunteers on the ground, even relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. when organizers in the Philippines haven’t been able to make contact. “Sometimes it’s easier to pass information through The brotherhood initially focused its efforts in me,” he said. Tacloban, the city that received the typhoon’s initial Sumicad also has two personal friends who are hit. However, three days into the relief work they still missing. switched their efforts to Cebu, a city hundreds of Sumicad’s messages tell volunteers from Alpha miles from Tacloban that was also in the typhoon’s Phi Omega where to take food and aid supplies. path. Alpha Phi Omega is a fraternity that started in the Sumicad has personal connection to that city. His United States and made its way to the Philippines. Sumicad was in the fraternity when he was in college. Philippines continued on A12
I n d e x Weather....................... A3
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Page A12 - November 21, 2013 - Teton Valley News
Equality
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continued from A1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
nullify the need for Driggs to pass an amendment. “There’s a good chance that if the state passes it off to the cities, I’ll probably introduce a similar resolution,” continued Mossman Speaking to active community members like Teton School District Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Carol Taylor, among others, many were unaware that the city council had even visited the issue. “Had I known that was on the agenda, I would have been there with rainbow banners,” said Taylor. “Many of my friends would have been there and many in my faith community.” According to the Driggs’ nondiscrimination policy, “The City of Driggs ... assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or retaliation as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (Public Law 100.259), and subsequent related acts, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.” “It’s already covered,” was Driggs City Councilman Colin Dye’s reason for voting against amending the Driggs’ city ordinance. “[It’s] more needless regulation when it’s already covered.” However, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not discuss LGBT protections until Title VII, which is not covered by the City of Driggs. Driggs City Attorney Steve Zollinger acts as the legal counsel during Driggs’ city council meetings, and further advised the city council that such an amendment was unnecessary. Considering the ordinance’s traditional protections of race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability, he felt that the LGBT community, was protected by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidelines. This will become the case if the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual preference or gender identity on the federal level for companies with 15 or more employee, which was approved by the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan 64-32 vote on Nov. 7, is approved by the Republican-led House of Representatives. If this happens, Zollinger and Dye’s assertions would coincide with the city’s protections. Six cities have joined Sandpoint in adopting non-discriminatory protections for the LGBT community including
Boise, Ketchum, Moscow, Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello and, most recently, Idaho Falls. However, each ordinance varies, specifically with the Idaho Falls ordinance not extending protections to public accommodations, and with no clear and succinct way for the Idaho Human Rights Commission to handle complaints of homosexual discrimination, it becomes difficult to apply protections. “The issue of gender identity and sexual preference is we can deal with it under sexual orientation,” said The Idaho Human Rights Commission Administrator Pamela Parks, “but, it’s not a good way to go about it.” Every year for the past seven years, advocates have presented notes to the Idaho Congress to add the words “sexual preference” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act, but each year the issue has been denied without a hearing, leaving each city to decide how to add such protections. “Someone will have to turn it into something other than a choice,” said Zollinger in regard to the national derision over whether homosexuality is a choice or innate, although he believes it to be the latter. “This isn’t something they chose; this is something they are.” He continued by citing the first amendment as a means to deter secularizing a particular group of people saying, “law cannot regulate every distasteful bias.” According to Zollinger, he further advised the Driggs City Council that passing such an amendment would cause valley freedoms to suffer considering that LGBT community would have more protections than the heterosexual one. In his eyes, introducing such a law has the potential for abuse and at the time is unnecessary in Teton Valley. “No provision in law to protect dirty people [from being] evicted from homo... The need to protect [LGBT] is not as dramatic as the need to protect slovenly people … my guess is more slovenly people have been evicted,” continued Zollinger. “I’m not impugning that gays or lesbians are dirty or slovenly.” Watershed amendments like these are sweeping the country. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which resulted in granting federal benefits to same-sex couples in many states across the country. Idaho was not one of those states. Idaho is one of the remaining 34 states to uphold a ban on same-sex marriage, having amended the state constitution in 2006 to include a provision recognizing marriage only between a man and a
woman. With Illinois and Hawaii’s recent passage of legislation allowing same-sex marriage, Idaho is rapidly approaching the minority. One in 3 Americans now live in states that allow same-sex-marriage, and recently, four lesbian couples from Boise brought a federal lawsuit against the State of Idaho challenging the state’s prohibition. On Nov. 8, two lesbian couples who were married outside of Idaho and two others who want to be wed in their home state brought a suit against Gov. “Butch” Otter and Ada County Clerk Chris Rich for denying them a marriage license. Marriages undermines the plaintiff couple’s ability to achieve their life goals and dreams, disadvantages them financially and denies them ‘dignity and status of immense import,’” reads their lawsuit. Marriage still dons a certain religious connotation, and theocratic beliefs make its traditional heterosexual practice sacrosanct. Idaho has seen these beliefs spill into its sister subject of discrimination. “I can’t force people to change their beliefs,” said Mossman, who recognizes this as a movement in the valley with slow support. Barely a week before the aforementioned lawsuit was filed, former Republican Gov. Phil Batt took a hardline stance against discrimination based on sexual preference. While receiving the first Idaho Human Rights Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Rights Commission on Oct. 29, Gov. Batt gave his endorsement of the consistently defeated “add the words” campaign, which would amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to extend protections based on “sexual preference” and “gender identity.” As Batt put it, “A homosexual who can’t rent a room or get a job because of his orientation doesn’t make any sense to anybody. Why some of the politicians are not more sensitive than that—more sensible, I should say, than that—beats me.” These laws extend beyond the rights of LGBT to rent a home, eat out at a restaurant or gain employment. Idaho’s children catch the residual affects of these laws. Carol Taylor has lived in the valley for many years and can remember when her friend Theron McGriff, who now works for the diversity advocates and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention group Breaking Boundaries, was denied visitation rights with his children because he lived with his same-sex partner. In a 2004 landmark case, the Idaho Supreme court ruled that, so long as McGriff lived with his same-sex partner,
with whom he shared ownership of a home in Idaho Falls, the court would not grant him custody. As a result of the decision, his partner moved out the following day. Taylor has done work with at-risk youths and noted that harassment and discrimination of the LGBT community in southeast Idaho is a strong contributing factor to youth suicide. “The most primal need is to be heard,” epitomized Taylor. “What happens when we’re not heard? What happens when those teens with sexual identity questions are not heard? … When teens struggling with identity, including sexual identity, when they are not heard, they withdraw. They shame, they blame, they judge, and they devalue who they are. That often leads to depression, isolation, no self worth and questioning the value of existence.” Although neither the Sheriff’s Office nor Teton Valley Health Care can remember instances of sexual preference-based harassment that have necessitated their service, Teton High School can and sees it regularly. TVN en Español Actualmente no hay protecciones legales para libertades civiles si eres homosexual. encontrar vivienda, conseguir un trabajo, protecciones contra crímenes de odio y ni siquiera acceso a lugares públicos pueden ser negada si eres gay. Driggs podría haber modificado la ordenanza municipal para la no discriminación en el 02 de octubre de 2012, pero el Concejo Municipal votó 3-1 contra extender las protecciones mediante la adición de las palabras “preferencia sexual” y “identidad de género” a la ordenanza. Ahora, hay cuatro parejas lesbianas presentadas una demanda contra Idaho sobre el derecho a tener su matrimonio homosexual reconocido. Esta fue una semana después de ex gobernador Batt endosó la adición de las palabras “preferencia sexual” y “identidad de género” al Acto de Derechos humanos del estado. Trabajadora Social Licenciada Carol Taylor recuerda cuando su amigo fue negado derechos de visita a su hijas porque él vivió con su pareja homosexual. “La necesidad más primaria es ser oído,” dijo Taylor. “¿Qué pasa cuando no estamos escuchamos? ¿Qué sucede cuando los adolescentes con la identidad sexual no se escuchan preguntas? … Cuando los adolescentes luchando con identidad, incluida la identidad sexual, cuando no se oyeron, se retiran. Vergüenza, culpan, juzgan, y ellos que son devaluación. A menudo conduce a la depresión, aislamiento, sin autoestima y cuestionar el valor de la existencia.”
Philippines continued from A1_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ parents, who are in their 70s, live there. An earthquake shook the city and damaged homes just a week before Typhoon Haiyan swept through. Sumicad called his parents when he heard about the first disaster. His father is bed ridden and though they do have home health care, Sumicad’s mother was alone with her husband when their house started shaking. Unable to lift her husband out of bed alone, she told her son that she put a pillow over his head and lay on top of him so that if the roof fell in they would die together. “This is too much,” Sumicad said he told his mother. Kay Sumicad, Denis’ wife, has family iBohol, the epicenter of the earthquake, but “thanks to God,” Sumicad said, the only damage their immediate families suffered were cracks in their houses. About 90 percent of homes in the Philippines are made of concrete, according to Sumicad. The building material withstands typhoons well, but is less resistant to the force of earthquakes. However, besides the human suffering, Sumicad also said churches over four hundred years old, relics of the Spanish colonial period, crumbled in the quake. “That’s the sad thing,” he said of the loss of cultural heritage. However, he also sees history in the making. Tacloban is where General Douglas MacArthur landed in 1944 at his promised return that ousted Japanese forces from the Philippines during World War II. Last week, however, the American aircraft carrier the USS George Washington landed on the island of Leyte, not to fire weapons, but solely to bring humanitarian aid. Sumicad called it “the
second landing.” Given both the history and the present relationship of the two countries, Sumicad knew the Americans would come. “The Philippines is the only friend they have in Asia,” he said. The past presence of the United States has also been a help to American volunteers and military personnel in the country. It doesn’t surprise Sumicad to hear that the Philippines is easier to navigate than many Americans expected. Because of the past American rule, many signs are still in English and most Filipinos understand the language. Sumicad also has confidence in his country to rise again from the double disasters of the last two weeks. He said the Philippines has the “bayanihan” spirit. “It’s like helping each other out,” he said. “All the organizations back home were more prepared than the local government.” Working with smaller groups such as his fraternity, Sumicad has the confidence that the donations will make it those in need instead of being swallowed by the corruption still rampant in his homeland. More than anything, however, Sumicad wishes he could help more than by text message. “If I had the means to go back home, I would be on the first flight,” he said. “I wish I could go. I’ve done this before.” Sumicad has personally dealt with the aftermath of the many typhoons that pass over the islands annually.
He has both helped those suffering and struggled himself. He remembered the aftermath of one typhoon that struck when he was in his 20s. “There’s days when we were two or three days without food,” he said. Sumicad will content himself with helping through modern day technology. He said he would likely be up until the wee hours of the morning Monday night acting as a communications touch point both for the search for his friends and the fraternity’s relief efforts. “This is going to be ongoing,” he said of the recovery. Debris and bodies will continue to surface from the mud and every ounce of aid will be needed to provide the basics for those who lost homes. According to Sumicad, no donation is too small. “Five dollars goes along way,” he said. “It can get at least 10 bottles of water and food that will last two days. It can literally save a life.” You can donate at redcross.org. TVN en Español Denis Sumicad ha sido parte de un esfuerzo para ayudar a su tierra natal, los Filipinos, a recuperarse de un terremoto seguido por el tifón más grande en el registro a pesar de que está lejos de las isals. A través de la moderna tecnología de las telecomunicaciones, Sumicad está ayudando las unidades locales de rescate con logística. A veces un mensaje de text o un correo electrónico del celular de Sumicad puede llegar a los voluntarios en el campo aún cuando los organizadores en los Filipinos no pueden hacer contacto con ellos. La familia de Sumicad no sufrió daños grandes en los desastres, pero tiene dos amigos que desparecieron en el tifón.
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Da r k side of the R a inbow Jason Suder TVN Staff Editor’s note: This is part II in a series examining sexual preference-based discrimination in Idaho and Teton Valley. In this article we spoke to Teton High School’s VOICE class about their exposure to bullying and harassment. Each student is a minor, and to protect the students, we are withholding their names.
School administrators like principals Frank Mello and Steve Burch acknowledged they are less privy to sexuality-based harassment occurring within their schools, but those closer to the student body notice it on a daily basis. Abby Williams is in her third year teaching at Teton High School. After the inaugural year of the school’s VOICE program, Williams took over the class with the goal of giving every group in the high school a voice. Essentially, it is a school pro-
gram designed to spread awareness and advocate diversity. Speaking to students in the VOICE class, they uniformly agreed the gay population is the most ostracized in the school. From Williams to Counselor Mary Mello to student leaders, the marginalization of the LGBT community is seen covertly or behind students’ backs. At the most basic level, it is the consistent misuse of the word “gay” that plagues the halls of Teton High. “To LGBT students,” said Williams, “that is intensely offensive.” Teton Hish School has seen every openly gay male in their student body move away from the valley; two of which had their families relocate because of the open persecution, the students recalled. The third boy had not come out to his parents by the Dark side continued on A16
Bridget Ryder TVN staff Morning mic will stay, though it will be fifteen minutes shorter than usual. Kelly Park, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners also hopes it will have a different tone. At the request of Park, the commissioners discussed at their Nov. 25, meeting whether to change the policy or eliminate the forum all together. Open mic will now run from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the commissioners regular meetings. The commissioners will continue to host Town Hall meetings. “I want people to feel free. They can be confident; speak to the commission, but I want people to respect the commission,” Park said in an interview with the Teton Valley News. The chairman said people should be positive in there suggestions to the commissioners, “but we have people that say you shouldn’t be in there.” The BOCC instituted the open mic in January as part of their regular meetings to allow residents to freely address the board. County residents have taken to the podium to encourage and lecture the commissioners, as well as raise their concerns about county roads, signage, the work of contract planner Stephen Loosli and other topics. The commissioners have also hosted quarterly town hall meetings, which give residents an hour-and-a-half in the evening to address them on any topic. The highlights of the meetings have been loud exchanges about the meaning of community, a call for Commissioners Kelly Park and Sid Kunz to resign and verbal exchanges from Kunz to members
of the audience. Roads are the only subject that has made it to the commissioner’s agenda as a result of the pubic commenting session. “There are a few in our society that demand answers,” Park said expressing his frustration. “I don’t want to see it go away, but if some get carried away, then what do you do?” Commissioner Kathy Rinaldi suggested the forum be less of a free-for-all. “It’s just been a little bit of a cheering section, whether it’s supporters of him coming in and supporting him or supporters of me coming in and supporting me,” Rinaldi said. “I think if we had a little more structure around it, it would be really beneficial.” Rinaldi suggested that the open mic center on particular themes. At the meeting on Monday, Rinaldi and Park reiterated their positions. “There’s some pressures that come with morning mic,” Park said. Kunz supported the continuing of the forum but cautioned his fellow commissioners. “They have to have an avenue to discuss things with us,” he said. “As far as answering direct questions, we need to get better at saying I’ll get back to you later.” “I think what you’re saying is you don’t want the attack,” Rinaldi said in answer to Park’s concerns. Only two residents spoke at the open mic at the on Nov. 25, and presented their requests calmly. However, Parks’ frustration with the forum became evident at the previous meeting on Nov. 12. Park tried Open mic continued on A16
Buy the ticket, take the shot: Grizzly Bear season under serious discussion Jason Suder TVN Staff Grizzly bears might soon be removed from the threatened species list, which means discussions at the Idaho Fish and Game has begun about a potential grizzly bear hunting season. The grizzly was reclassified as a threatened species in 2009 and has stayed on the list even as their population recovery astounds those responsible for their management. “Mathematically, the bears have exceeded the recovery
goals,” said Gregg Losinski, chairman of Information and Education Subcommittee at Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. According to a report from the Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee ([YES/IGBC), grizzly and human conflicts were surprisingly low, although observances of unduplicated female grizzlies with cubs were at record levels. In 2009, 43 females with cubs were counted; this year they found 58. Even more promising is that there were sightings in each of the 18 bear management units.
“We have spent time and money recovering the bear, and we need to move on,” said Losinski. According to Losinski, the final attribute barring their delisting is the myth that their diet depends on the whitebark pine tree [WBP], which is being decimated by the mountain pine beetle. “Our extensive analysis … has shown us that grizzly bears are resilient and resourceful in the face of changing food resources,” said Frank van Manen, team leader of Grizzly continued on A16
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104 YEARS
Dark side continued from A1__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ time he moved. “Guys think it’s weird,” noted one of the boys in the VOICE class. “It puts a target on your back and makes you seem less.” This high schooler continued by saying he puts distance between himself and homosexuals because that is the way he was raised. Another boy attributed his stance to his church, “it’s against my religion.” From the back of the VOICE class, a girl raised her hand and astutely pointed out that it is “hard to get past the thought of putting beliefs aside.” While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints remains consistent in its support of traditional marriage, their underlying foundation is that all people be treated with kindness and understanding. This extends to the LGBT community. It is not taught that homosexual behavior is an acceptable practice, but according to Brett Cooke, the second counselor in the Driggs’ Stake Presidency, neither is it condemned, and the LGBT community is not looked down upon. “Everyone has their own choice to do what they want,” said Cooke. “Some of my friends are homosexual, and that’s okay. That is their call, their choice.” Cooke emphasized that individual stakes do not make statements representing the church as a whole, because official positions come only from Salt Lake City. Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer of Victor, who own WRJ Designs, have been happily embraced by the valley and have had zero issues of discrimination in the three years they have lived here. However, Jenkins grew up in Idaho Falls, and it took him until he was 26 years old and finished with his Mormon mission to come out of the closet. He understands first hand the hardships that befall minorities in small communities. “It is really important in the valley for members of the church to listen to their leaders,” said Jenkins. “Love your gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. …Love thy neighbor; that’s where it should start.” According to the official LDS church stance, “The experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality … The
attraction itself is not a they attempt such a sin, but acting on it is. brazen act of defiance, The effects of those …With love and underwould be violent backthat are victim to it, standing, the church lash. reaches out to all God’s “We’d have our tires they feel extremely children, including our slashed,” sneered the misunderstood. gay and lesbian brothers same child. “They’d and sisters.” write ‘faggot’ all over People miss some of “It’s all about inteour windows” their other amazing gration into the mainThese feelings of stream, and you see that social alienation in a strengths just happening more and community with diffocusing on their more all the time,” said ficulty discussing these Jenkins issues creates a risk facsexuality. Of the roughly 400 tor for suicide, accord___________________ students at Teton High ing to Suicide PrevenAbby Williams School, only four stutive Action Network dents are homosexual, [SPAN] Executive THS VOICE Program at least openly, and Director Jeni Griffin. they are all girls. Afraid “[There is] a higher of the threatening incidence of suicide repercussions, some of ideation among LGBT them are unwilling to population, and more walk around town with their girlfriends attempts within that population, as well,” i affectionate embrace. Three of them said Griffin. spoke to the TVN in a whisper, as if their Based on studies by Thomas Joiner, subversive ideals toward the heterosexual Ph.D., who has worked extensively in norm would vanish like smoke under the psychology, neurobiology and treatment vox populi. of suicidal behavior, social alienation and They spoke of struggle, threats and perceived burdensomeness, that is the view vandalism. Each girl had their physical that one’s existence burdens family, friends well being threatened, and one girl had her and society, are directly linked to suicide car defaced with phallic impressions and ideation. Those with the actual propensity dented on the hood and roof; she is wor- to defy the natural order of preserving life ried the same fate will befall her new car. are the ones who have become numb and Their safety is a constant point of con- fearless to pain, injury and death. cern, whether it be verbal or physical. One “The few who can [commit suicide] girl was harassed by a group of college have developed a fearlessness … they students, old acquaintances, during Music acquire through the process of repeaton Main for holding another girl’s hand; edly experiencing painful and otherwise they were not dating. Now, for fear that provocative events,” observed Joiner. others might take more direct action, she Griffin told the TVN that the LGBT will not hold another girl’s hand in public. population has a much higher incidence She confessed she is worried a car would of alienation and lack of acceptance from intentionally swerve off the road to run family, community and schools. her down. “When you have a person in LGBT “We are scared to be ourselves, and population and they have a community that’s not fair,” emoted one girl. “It’s not that is not accepting they are going to feel fair that everyone else gets to be safe and isolated,” said Griffin. “Do you see how feel safe, when you’re sitting there in the that compounds that issue?” corner trying not to get beat up.” High school programs like the Positive The gay students laughed about the Behavior Intervention System offer posiprospect of hosting a pride parade in tive communication channels for student’s Driggs because they felt the reality, should who would otherwise feel like a burden
seeking emotional help. Further, SPAN has built an initiative to focus on 13-24 year-old at-risk youths. The Idaho Lives Project, through a $1.3 million federal grant from the Department of Education, will bring training and education to schools, clergies and communities to help identify suicidal risks, the warning signs and where to get appropriate treatment. SPANIdaho.org offers a list of warning signs and offers parental aid in discussing these issues with children. Jenkins, who knows first hand the difficulties of being gay in a small community, asserts that developing a strong support community is the most important thing any fringe youth can do. “The more you respect yourself and you are proud of who you are, the less you’ll allow being marginalized, and you will demand respect from [your] community,” attested Jenkins. Building on this sentiment, Williams felt that equality should extend beyond sexuality, noting that everybody should be afforded the same rights regardless of their sexuality. “The way bigger disadvantage is that people think [bullying] is normal behavior ... outside of the school,” said Williams. “The effects of those that are victim to it, they feel extremely misunderstood. People miss some of their other amazing strengths just focusing on their sexuality.”
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) TVN Espanol La TVN habla con la clase VOICE de Teton High School, un programa conducido por Abby Williams que intenta dar cada uno de los grupos en la escuela una voz. Hablo con los estudiantes, están de acuerdo en que la población gay es el más marginado en la escuela y acosada. Cada estudiante homosexual ha sido amenazada, y una chica tenía su coche destrozado. “Tenemos miedo de ser nosotros mismos, y eso no es justo”, dijo una niña lesbiana. “No es justo que todo el mundo llega a ser seguro y sentirse seguros cuando estás ahí sentado en la esquina tratando de no conseguir superar.”
Grizzly continued from A1_________________________________________________________________________ the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team in the IGBC food synthesis report. “Our findings indicate that the decline in WBP … is not a major threat to the future of the Yellowstone grizzly bear population.” The IGBST will meet in Missoula, Mont., Dec. 11-12, to vote on the grizzlies’ reclassification. If approved, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will open the discussion to public comment before legislation is enacted to amend the Endangered Species Act. “If delisting were to occur, it wouldn’t be until later in 2014,” said Recovery Coordinator Chris Servheen. Even still, they would continue close monitoring and management. The Yellowstone Grizzly population is the most studied bear population in the world. If and when the grizzly becomes delisted, federal funding allocated to manage the bear will decrease for five years until that well dries, at which point Idaho will have to cover the $60,000-100,000 spent on their management. Wyoming will be responsible for what costs them upwards of $2 million. Montana, Wyoming and Idaho have all proposed controlled hunting as part of their management plans for TVN Photo/Stock photo recovered species. Based on the size of Idaho’s grizzly population, two tags would be issued under the proposed As the grizzly poplulation rebounds, a hunting season is being considered. plan, and the revenue from selling grizzly tags would likely invite lawsuits from conservation groups, similar to the action cover the cost of their management. “We would utilize hunting as a way to manage the rest of taken when the grey wolf was reclassified. It would first take delisting and overcoming these legal the bear population,” said Losinski. “We do the same with obstacles for a heavily restricted hunting season to open, and bighorn sheep.” Trophy hunters have advised Idaho Fish and Game that the that would likely take years. But, to Losinski and his team, “We just want to move on to cost of one tag could exceed $100,000, and with the accumulated application fees and price of the other tag, they would have the manage other species that need our attention.” funding to support the rest of the population. TVN en Español This year, only 26 grizzlies were removed from the popula- Los administradores de la Caza y Pesca Idaho están hablando de que tion, a euphemism for necessity killing of a threatened species, el oso pardo de la lista de especies en vías de extinción. El haber which is a record low for the aggressive behemoth. The previous sido “en peligro” desde el año 2009, pero los rangers consideran year saw twice as many mortalities. que la especie se ha recuperado. La única cosa que les mantiene de “There are going to be bears that get into trouble,” said la reclasificación es la idea de que su dieta depende de los moribunLosinski. “There are going to be bears that need to be removed dos whitebark pino, pero Caza y Pesca está a punto de votar para cambiar eso. Y si lo hacen, abriría el grizzly para una temporada de from the population.” The grizzly is a longstanding symbol, an iconic figure of the caza posible, como en el plan de manejo de Montana, Wyoming y Idaho. Si eso sucede, dos etiquetas en Idaho se venderían por Mountain West, and as Regional Conservation officer Doug más $100,000, lo suficiente para financiar la gestión del resto de la Petersen notes, delisting the fierce animal would inevitably población de osos.
Open mic continued from A1__________ to limit the time of the last person speaking, Anna Trentadue, the staff attorney for Valley Advocates for Responsible Development. Kunz and Rinaldi, however, protested the move as unfair since Park had not limited the time of previous speakers. Rinaldi, too, addressed the need for a modified attitude at the town hall meeting on Oct. 15, after county resident Mark Ricks said that trust had been lost in the community. “If we’re going to have a town hall meeting that’s going to go somewhere and not just ‘blah, blah, blah.’ What is it going to take to get the trust back?” Rinaldi said. TVN en Español Permanecerá, el micrófono abierto, aunque será más corta de los quince minutos habituales. Kelly Park, presidente de la Junta de Comisionados del Condado también espera que tendrá un tono diferente. A petición del Park, los comisionados discutieron en su reunión el día 25 de noviembre, si se debe cambiar la política del micrófono abierto o eliminar el foro. Desde ahora, el micrófono abierto funcionará de 9 a.m. a 9:15 a.m. en las reuniones regulares de los comisionados. Los comisionados también continuará los reuniones públicos, Town Hall Meetings.