27 February 2018 by The Weekly Sun

THE WEEKLY SUN RESPONSIBLE LOCAL JOURNALISM. • BELLEVUE • CAREY • HAILEY • KETCHUM • PICABO • SUN VALLEY • WHAT TO KNOW. WHERE TO BE.

F R E E | FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018 | V O L . 1 1 - N O . 9 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Education News Schools Discuss Safety Protocols

Community News Valley Woman Earns Stripes As Grassroots Organizer

Education News Student Skier Recruited To SVSEF Big Mountain Team

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” ~Maya Angelou

For information about this image, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Photo courtesy of Dawn Peterson

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FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018

NEWS EDUCATION

SAFETY OF STUDENTS KEEPS ALL AGENCIES ALERT Valley Schools Use Standard Response Protocol

BY DANA DUGAN

n the aftermath of a Feb. 14 mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School, in Parkland, Fla., school superintendents and administrators are reviewing their own security measures. All the schools in Blaine County are working to respond and be prepared as efficiently as possible. GwenCarol Holmes, the Blaine County School District superintendent, addressed these issues in an online post on the district’s website last week. The Plant Facilities Levy provides the security system in all seven of the district’s schools. This is the same levy that’s on a ballot measure to be voted upon by the county’s citizens on Tuesday, March 13. The ballot measure is to vote on a two-year supplemental levy that would require the district to reduce the Plant Facilities Levy it currently collects by an equal amount. The purpose of the supplemental levy would be to increase the amount of funds available in the general fund, which enables the district to keep small class sizes, educational offerings and services that benefit students. The Plant Facilities Levy funds a number of things “related to school safety, including surveillance cameras, panic buttons and communication systems, new entry systems for WRMS and WRHS, and improved door hardware,” said Heather Crocker, director of communications for the school district. Crocker added that while these items will need updating and maintenance, there will still be enough money even if the Plant Facilitates Levy reduction is approved. However, when these become obsolete and need replacement, “we’ll have to go back to the voters in two more years and say here’s an ongoing list that we need,” she said. “That’ll be another conversation with the community.” There are two resource officers, Brad Gelskey, at the Wood River Middle School, and the newly hired Shauna Wallace, at Wood River High School and Silver Creek High School. Both Hailey police officers, Gelskey and Wallace work in partnership with the school district and are available at any of the other schools, as needed, Crocker said. “If there was a known active shooter, the resource officers would respond accordingly; they go toward the threat, and stop the threat,” said Steve England, Hailey Police lieutenant. “All agencies in the area would be ‘all hands on deck,’ regardless of what school it is. We’re

all on alert, even more so right now. You don’t want a copycat situation, so we ask, is there something else we can do in our response to help us stop the threat even quicker?” Both officers are armed, but no school in the district has any guns, as per state law. However, that law does allow local school boards to implement firearm policies as “an appropriate part of a program, an event, activity or other circumstance.” Garden Valley, Salmon River and Mountain View school districts allow school staff to conceal and carry their own guns on campus. These rural districts said slow response time from police and first responders predicated the unusual policy. Safety protocol also includes secure entries to all the schools with a check-in and -out system, ID badges for all staff, and reminders to staff and students to speak up if they see something amiss. The schools practice using safety systems and there are “emergency drills for lockdown, lockout, evacuate and shelter in place,” Holmes wrote in her post. As well, all staff are trained in Incident Command 100, a system developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Holmes said at least 60 percent of the district’s staff is trained in Youth Mental First-Aid, which enables staff to recognize and intervene when youth appear to be under “extreme duress.” The goal is to train the entire staff in this regard. The district also uses a Standard Response Protocol, as does the Community School in Sun Valley. “Our emergency response protocol is governed by an extensive handbook, reviewed and updated annually, which outlines detailed responses to events ranging from wildlife on our campus to natural and weather events to lockdown scenarios,” said Ben Pettit, Community School head of school. “We drill these procedures multiple times each year with our faculty, administration and students, in cooperation with local emergency responders. Our lockdown, lockout, evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols are in accordance with the K-12 Standard Response Protocol developed by the ‘I Love U Guys’ Foundation. We appreciate very much our partnership with local authorities and our joint commitment to keeping our students safe.” The Standard Response Protocol uses four specific actions that can be performed during an incident. Lockout is used to safeguard students and staff within the building.

Lockdown is used to secure individual rooms and keep students quiet, hidden behind a masonry wall or in a closet. Evacuate is always followed by a location, and is used to move students and staff from one location to a different location in or out of the building. Shelter is used for group and self-protection. Wood River Middle School Principal Fritz Peters said there is constant attention being paid to security and safety within the schools. Because of that, he was careful about how much he was willing to relay. Most shooters are familiar with their place of attack and know of inherent safety protocols, Peters said. “We’re ensuring our own protocols aren’t being used against us,” he said. “We have some strategies in place. The highest priority is to limit access to students and staff. “As we see trends and patterns develop from incidents around the country, we have to be proactive in our response. Every second counts. That’s the mantra we work by. The district is working on more safety infrastructure to give us more time to respond to a potential threat.” In order to have “more eyes” on any situation, Blaine County now allows any teacher to call in a lockdown for the entire district, Peters said. “Let’s say someone is walking toward campus [armed], and can be seen from a window. Anyone can call that in. That’s a great feature, and much more secure.” Peters, who had an experience in a lockdown situation when he was in Santa Fe in the 1990s, said there is something to learn from every situation. “Kids should never be on their cellphones during a lockdown,” he said. “It causes panic in the perimeter. They should never come to the site of an incident. They should go to a reunification center.” Holmes wrote in the post she welcomes “dialogue, conversation and questions regarding the district’s efforts to ensure the emotional and physical safety of our students and staff.” She added that if parents have concerns or if they hear something on social media, they should contact the principal at their child’s school. There is an Emergency Information Guide for Parents available on each school’s homepage, embedded within Holmes’ letter, at blaineschools.org.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Rape Defendants Both Plead Not Guilty

Represented by attorney Joshua Stanek, Klaus Nico Gomez-Alas, 22, pled not guilty in Blaine County District Court on Monday, Feb. 26, to rape charges stemming from an alledged incident on Dec. 25, 2017, in the Sun Valley dorms. He was charged with one count of rape, a felony under Idaho Code 186101 (7)(a)(b), and one count of an infamous crime against nature, a felony under Idaho Code 18-6605. The first code refers to a situation in which the victim is at the time unconscious or asleep, and unaware that the act is occurring. The second charge refers, in this case, to the defendant allegedly performing oral sex on the victim “against that person’s will to-wit.” A pretrial conference has been set for June 26, and a jury trial has been set for July 17. Represented by attorney Doug Nelson, Marco Antonio MartinezReyes, 20, also pled not guilty in Blaine County District Court on Monday, Feb. 26, to an alledged incident at the Carey hot springs on Jan. 14. He has been charged with one count felony rape, Idaho Code 186101. His pretrial conference has been set for May 14, with a jury trial scheduled for June 12.

T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Sun Valley Summer Symphony Benefit Will Feature Trumpeter Chris Botti

The Sun Valley Summer Symphony will host Grammy Award-winning artist Chris Botti, who will perform for the 2018 Gala Concert at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Monday, Aug. 6. Botti’s creative expression has firm roots in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Botti performs worldwide and has sold more than 4 million albums. His 2018 Sun Valley performance occurs during the artist’s current world tour, which includes performances in Melbourne, Hong Kong and Seoul. Thoroughly established as one of the premiere innovative figures of the contemporary music world, Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban and Yo-Yo Ma, among others. He has performed with some of the finest orchestras and in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, like Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House and the Teatro di San Carlo in Italy. Reserved ticket prices range from $75 to $1,000 depending on seat location in the Pavilion. The $1,000 Gala Sponsor tickets and $500 and $250 tickets include a pre-concert cocktail reception. Gala Sponsor tickets also include personal concierge services and a post-concert dinner with an opportunity to meet Botti. General admission lawn tickets are available for $75, and the concert will be broadcast live on the Pavilion lawn’s 25-foot LED screen. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 4 at 9 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online at svsummersymphony.org or by calling (208) 622-5607. Gala Sponsor tickets are only available by phone. General admission lawn tickets will be available online only.

BY DANA DUGAN

olly Page is the girl next door, and maybe that’s why her door-knocking has been so successful. Right now, the Hailey resident can be found roaming the streets of several counties urging Idaho residents to sign a petition to place Medicaid for Idaho on the ballot in November. Page and her husband Tom and their two children moved to the Valley 10 years ago, from Vail, Colo. Tom was—and continues to be—a vocal participant in civic matters. “It wasn’t until after the 2016 election that I was compelled to act,” Molly Page said. Just after the inauguration, Page and fellow Hailey resident Mary Fauth started Indivisible Blaine County. A national grassroots organization, Indivisible was started by a group of former congressional staffers who had been on the front lines during the rise of the Tea Party. The 550-member group in Blaine County began by gathering to write postcards, exchange ideas and attend marches. “People who had never been involved politically were suddenly activists,” Page said. “We have committees working on issues such as healthcare, women’s rights, education, immigration, the environment, and elections.” She said the involvement has somewhat abated as time goes by. “It’s tough to always be against something,” she said. “We quickly learned it’s better to be for something.” With that in mind, last spring Page joined forces with Luke Mayville, Garrett Strizich and their grassroots campaign, Reclaim Idaho, which seeks to restore balance to the Idaho Legislature by electing candidates who believe in strengthening public schools, protecting public lands, and extending healthcare to working families. Page is now a county leader and district leader in the fight to bring Medicaid to those people who fall in the Medicaid gap. In order for the expansion to be on the ballot in November, the team has gathered thousands of signatures across the state in favor of the ballot measure. Reclaim Idaho cites a report by the Idaho Workgroup on Medicaid Redesign, commissioned by Gov. Butch Otter, predicting that Medicaid expansion would support more than14,000 jobs and generate $46 million per year in new revenue. The expansion would cover about 78,000 low-wageearning Idahoans who have no health coverage. The gap is created because they make less than $16,000 as a single person, or $22,000 as a family. “These Idahoans make too much for Medicaid, but not enough for subsidies on the state health exchange,” Page said. People often ask how this expansion would be paid for. Good question. Taxpayers already pay into Medicaid though federal tax dollars. In fact, according to the Center for American Progress, when a state such as Idaho forgoes expansion, it doesn’t receive the extra funding from the federal government. This means residents’ federal tax dollars will go toward the Medicaid expansion in the other 32 states where the expansion has been implemented but not in their own. According to Reclaim Idaho, in the first year, Medicaid expansion would bring more than $720

NEWS IN BRIEF

Molly Page is co-founder of Indivisible Blaine and a volunteer with Reclaim Idaho. Photo courtesy of Molly Page

million of tax dollars back into Idaho. Because Page had lots of contacts with grassroots organizations due to her involvement in Indivisible, she was able to help Mayville and Strizich expand their outreach to communities across the southern part of Idaho. Over the summer, they set out in an old green camper van to reach people directly. A community canvass event to gather more signatures will be held from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3 starting at Black Owl Coffee and moving to Wiseguy Pizza in Hailey. Muffy Davis, who is running for the State Legislature, will also be on hand. Page isn’t ready to take a break, even if Medicaid for Idaho is put on the ballot. She’s gearing up next to work on voter registration for the mid-term elections, in November. “We want to engage people who don’t already turn out,” she said. In a moment, as she chose her words carefully, it seemed she was describing her own journey. “People have woken up and are eager to make a difference,” she said. “It’s about engaging people, channeling energy toward solutions. It’s a better long-term strategy than always being against things. We can find common ground. Never underestimate the power of one person.” Page is fond of referring to an op-ed piece in The New York Times, published May 5, 2017, by the Democratic governor from Montana, Steve Bullock. “I think about his words almost every day,” Page said. Bullock wrote: “National reporters have asked me whether Montana Democrats have a secret recipe. I tell them, yes, we do. Above all, spend time in places where people disagree with you. Reach out. Show up and make your argument. People will appreciate it, even if they are not inclined to vote for you.” As an aside, the red state of Montana expanded its Medicaid last year to cover 70,000 low-income Montanans. Not everyone has time or the wherewithal to jump into grassroots efforts in their state. And not everyone can make clear arguments, especially to a crowd of dissenters. “People are busy,” Page said. “They just need someone to help channel those efforts in a meaningful way.” Everybody, even the girl next door, has a calling. And she shows up. tws

Ketchum To Screen New Climate Documentary, ‘Saving Snow’

“Saving Snow,” a 53-minute documentary on the heartbreaking story of our winters on life support, will be shown in Ketchum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, in the Limelight Hotel’s Silver Creek Room. The screening is free to the public. “With all of my films, the goal is to make climate change concrete,” said filmmaker Diogo Castro Freire. “I try to find specific examples of communities that are being affected—and also show how they are responding.” A disappearing snow season is more than just a disappointment for winter sports enthusiasts. It means lost income for the many towns and small businesses that depend on winter tourism and recreation to stay afloat. “Saving Snow” focuses on people coming to terms with these changes. But it also presents solutions. The film highlights individuals and organizations working to reduce their communities’ impacts on the environment and raise awareness of the need for action.

T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

“Date Night!”

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Caritas Chorale To Present Two Concerts

Caritas Chorale will present two concerts in early March featuring John Rutter’s “Gloria,” accompanied by brass, percussion and organ. Additional music will include “O Clap Your Hands,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, pieces by Joseph M. Martin, Mary McDonald, Z. Randall Strope and an arrangement of “This Little Light of Mine,” by Mark Hayes. The unusual orchestration carries through with variations—something new and different. “There’s something about brass and percussion and the power of the organ,” R.L. Rowsey, director of Caritas Chorale, said. “Combined, they give us a mighty platform to stand on as we sing these thrilling pieces. It might be hard to keep your feet on the floor as these wonderful songs waft over you.” The Chorale is always looking for new members and had a burst of growth for December’s Holiday Concert. The concerts will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4. All concerts are free and accessible but donations encouraged. For more information visit caritaschorale.org or call Linda Bergerson at (208) 726-4846.

22 YEARS OF THEATRICAL EXCELLENCE | AWARD-WINNING THEATRE IN THE HEART OF IDAHO

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Micah Austin, Ketchum’s Planning And Building Chief, Accepts Post In Ammon

Micah Austin, the head of Ketchum’s Planning and Building Department, will leave his post to tackle a new set of career challenges as the top administrator with the City of Ammon, in eastern Idaho. Austin began working for Ketchum in January 2015. He will begin his new job in Ammon on March 29. “Micah’s leadership, energy and ideas were on display throughout his tenure here,” said Neil Bradshaw, Ketchum mayor, “from his role in helping rewrite the city’s zoning code to his steady hand during the flooding of 2017.” Bradshaw said a process is underway to identify an interim and long-term solution to the vacancy. Before coming to Ketchum, Austin served as community development director for the City of Hailey. In 2015, Austin began Phase 1 of rewriting the city’s zoning code, eliminating more than 200 pages of the code and modernizing the structure and layout of the ordinance. Those efforts were recognized by the Association of Idaho Cities, which awarded Ketchum with the best zoning rewrite of 2016. In October 2017, the City of Ketchum was designated an International Dark Sky Community. Austin supervised and guided the application process for this designation, which helped Ketchum and its partners obtain designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Austin also led the drafting of zoning regulations dealing with design review, floodplain, snow storage, signage and gas stations— changes that have helped to enhance economic development opportunities and bring regulations into alignment with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and values. During his tenure, the Planning and Building Department issued 424 building permits totaling more than $186 million in property value and processed 442 planning applications.

Students Plan Walkout And Rally In Boise

People For Unity, the group of Boise high school students who organized the Boise Women’s March in January 2017, will host a student walkout and rally to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, called “Enough is Enough.” Everyone is welcome to join the rally. “We, as students, are concerned about our futures and our safety in school,” said organizer Colette Raptosh. “We feel that the school shootings across the nation, such as the Florida school shooting, are proof that there must be real action taken by students, parents, teachers, but, most importantly, our Congress.” There will be speakers, booths and chants. Students can go back to school after lunch if they don’t want to miss the full day. “We need Congress to pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship,” Raptosh said. There will be student representation from all Boise public high schools and many others in the Valley.

Boise Man Files To Run Against Simpson

Boisean Aaron Swisher announced Monday that he has filed paperwork with the Idaho Secretary of State to run for Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District seat currently occupied by Rep. Mike Simpson. “Idaho needs and deserves a candidate who will fight to give working families a better deal,” said Swisher. Campaign treasurer Richard Stallings stated, “Aaron is working hard to take his message directly to voters across the 2nd District by holding small house parties and events across the district and plans to visit every county by the end of the race.” Swisher has already made stops in recent weeks in Pocatello, Hailey, Idaho Falls, Salmon, Gooding, and Stanley to meet with Idahoans from across the state to hear their concerns about the direction of the country. In the coming weeks, Swisher has scheduled visits to Victor, Driggs, Rexburg, and the Wood River Valley, as well as other stops throughout the region. “Listening to voters, all the voters, is the only way to keep in touch with the needs of a congressional district,” Swisher said. For additional information, visit SwisherforIdaho.com or follow Swisher for Idaho on Facebook.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Crisis Hotline To Offer Intervention Training

Crisis Hotline, a Valley-based nonprofit, seeks volunteers for crisis intervention. By donating two days a month, particpants can make a difference, learn new skills and be part of a team of volunteer crisis intervention telephone counselors. Most of the work involves supportive communication with people who are struggling with difficult life transitions or situations. Participation in the training is free of charge, and is open to anyone in the community interested in developing listening skills (including listening to youth), and learning about the dynamics of crises, such as suicide, substance abuse, trauma, depression, family violence, bullying, mental illness, and more. The sessions will be given by professional healthcare specialists. Those involved in the training will also find out about the many services within our community that offer support. No previous experience is necessary. The training program will run from 6-8 p.m. March 20 to April 19 every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Crisis Hotline office, at 221 South River Street, first floor, Suite 1A, in Hailey For more information or to sign up, contact Sher Foster at the Crisis Hotline office: (208) 7880735.

BY YANNA LANTZ

ood River High School and Middle School drama departments will present a collaborative production of “Little Women,” adapted by playwright and author Thomas Hischak and based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Performance times are 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, and Thursday, March 1; 7 p.m. on Friday March 2; and 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. All shows will take place at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater at the Community Campus in Hailey. Alcott’s “Little Women” is an epic story that is familiar to nearly every American. Set during the Civil War, the plot revolves around the lives of the four March daughters—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy— and follows their triumphs and tragedies as they grow up, fall in love and face the hardships of life. Hischak’s script captures the richness and depth of her beautiful characters and story. “I think American audiences love this story, but recognize that Alcott was a bit ahead of her time,” said Karl Nordstrom, high school drama teacher, who is co-directing the production alongside middle school drama teacher Christine Leslie. “This story is still very relevant today, especially in light of recent events exposing unfair and criminal treatment that has defined gender, societal and power relations for so long.” Nearly 40 student actors and stagehands will be featured in the production, including Jessica Timmons as Meg March, Guadalupe Frias as Beth March, Hunter Ervin as Amy March and Annabelle Lewis as Jo March. “The theme I have seen the students really grasp is the conflict that arises when growing up, specifically from childhood ideas to adult responsibilities,” Nordstrom said. “The sacrifices that we all are forced to accept as we grow—intellectually and spiritually—is naturally being explored by the actors.” Nordstrom has seen tremendous growth in the student actors throughout the six-week rehearsal process. “Because we have middle school children and freshmen performing for the first time, acting with veterans like senior Annabelle Lewis and junior Taylor Telford, it has been a challenge to balance each scene,” Nordstrom said. “But I am most proud of the way our upper-class students have accepted a mentoring role working with the younger group—there has been a ton of growth. This has been Christine’s and my favorite part of directing the play.” The set for “Little Women” was designed and built by the beginning drama class and the advanced performing arts class. Students will also run the slides, sound and lights for the production. Winky McCray has donated period costumes for use in the piece, collected and fitted by Cathy Reinheimer. “I would love to mention some people who helped on the show— without their help it would not have happened,” Nordstrom said. “Hilary Biggers and Angie Telford helped organize the costumes, mended and altered them, and were and remain to be vital in this production; Rhett Jones helped me stage manage the rehearsal process; and, of course, all the students who sacrificed so much time to make this happen and their parents and guardians who supported because they know the value of a theatrical experience.” Tickets for “Little Women” may be purchased at the door and are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, veterans and high school students, $3 for middle school students and $1 for children. tws

Left to right, Jessica Timmons as Meg March, Guadalupe Frias as Beth March, Hunter Ervin as Amy March and Annabelle Lewis as Jo March. Courtesy photo by Kelly Martin

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018

NEWS EDUCATION

presents

Joy Paris Pratt shows off medals won in ski competitions. Photo courtesy of Paris Pratt

COMPETING AND STUDYING ON A BIG MOUNTAIN

SVSEF sophomore shines in athletics and academics BY FAYE PREKEGES

INTERN FOR THE WEEKLY SUN

un Valley Ski Education Foundation athletes face a hectic program of balancing their academics with their intense traveling schedules during the winter months. Community School sophomore Paris Pratt is a SVSEF athlete who stands out in the eyes of her teachers and coaches for her ability to do both well. This year is Pratt’s first in the SVSEF program. A boarding student from Boise, she skis with SVSEF’s inaugural Big Mountain team and in Skier Cross. For four years, she split her time between Salt Lake City and Boise while competing. But she wanted to bring her training closer to home. After receiving a call from Jonna Mendes, Sun Valley Ski Academy program director, about the new Big Mountain team, Pratt decided to join SVSEF. Big Mountain, a new SVSEF discipline, is for very experienced freeride skiers. The object is to get down a difficult terrain in an interesting way, with big air, tricks and a fluid line. Pratt’s traveling schedule means she is off-campus during the winter term Wednesday through Friday every other week during competition season. On average, she misses about a month of school during the winter. However, in her two disciplines, Pratt performs phenomenally well. “When you’re a student athlete, like me, who has such a passion for both academics and athletics, you just manage to make time for both,” Pratt said. “You can always find time for the things you’re passionate about and the things you really want. I think if the student is motivated enough, anything is possible.” Pratt is currently ranked second in the region in her age group for Big Mountain skiing, and first in the nation for Skier Cross. Last year, she finished fifth nationally in Skier Cross and 10th in North America for Big Mountain. This year, Pratt came in fourth at the first national Big Mountain competition of the season, held at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo. Her teachers say that despite the amount of time she travels, Pratt produces great work. She is taking five classes this term and carries a 3.9 GPA. Next year, Pratt will use Community School’s summer program to receive credits for her junior year. Students in summer school receive credits for classes that can be used to lighten their course loads as they travel in the winter. “One thing that stood out to me when I first met Paris is her laser focus,” said Scott Runkel, Community School chemistry teacher. “She’s one of those students who you feel is hanging on to your every word. I think it’s that focus she approaches everything with that helps her succeed.” In addition to teachers and coaches, Pratt says her parents and teammates motivate her to do well in both academics and skiing. tws

F e at u r i n g J o h n r u t t e r ’ s g l o r i a with brass, percussion and organ

s at u r day , M a rc h 3 | 7:00 p M s u n day , M a rc h 4 | 3:00 p M our lady of the snows 206 su n va l l e y r d sun va l l e y , i da h o w w w . c a r i ta s c h o r a l e . o r g NEWS IN BRIEF

Kent Thompson To Take Reins At Company Of Fools

The Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Company of Fools announced that R.L. Rowsey will be joined by producer, director and theatre consultant Kent Thompson as COF’s interim producing director for the next six months. Thompson will replace Ilana Becker, who joined COF in January 2017, serving for several months in an interim leadership capacity following the death of artistic director John Glenn. Rowsey returned this season to serve as COF’s season producer. He will work part-time over the next several months to execute the remainder of COF’s 22nd theatre season and help guide the Company’s 23rd season, which includes productions that begin this summer and run through the spring of 2019. Thompson’s background includes a wide variety of leadership and management roles at theatre organizations across the country. He most recently served as producing artistic director of Denver Center Theater Company, where he spent the past 12 seasons. Prior to his tenure in Denver, Thompson was producing artistic director at Alabama Shakespeare Company and served for eight years on the board of directors of Theater Communications Group, the national organization for the professional nonprofit theatre, of which Company of Fools was the first theatre in Idaho to be awarded Constituent Theatre status.

Valley Dancers Named To National Honor Society For Dance Arts

Hilarie Neely, director of Footlight Dance Centre, announced six dancers have been recognized and inducted as Dance Scholars in National Honor Society For Dance Arts, a part of the National Dance Educators Organization and an approved student program from the Secondary School’s Principals. The dancers are Anika Lyon, a senior at The Sage School; Dylan Porth, a senior at Silver Creek High School; Isabella Cronin, a junior at The Sage School; Abbie Heaphy, a junior at Wood River High School; Emelia Morgan, a junior at WRHS; and Laine Whittier, a junior at The Sage School. All dancers have been dancing since they were 4 years old. They were recognized for outstanding artistic merit, leadership and academic achievement in students studying dance at the high school level. The new WRHS chapter is one of over 300 chapters across the U.S. that supports excellence in the dance arts, academic achievement and leadership. The WRHS faculty advisor is Joyce Pratt, with Neely administering the program. Nineteen dancers from both Footlight Dance and Sun Valley Ballet participate in this chapter.

sun T HE WEEK LY 8

T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

the weekly

Sun Valley resident Hilary Knight, fourth from left (number 21—holding up one finger), poses with USA’s Olympic female hockey team after the players edged out Canada in a shootout during the final game on Thursday, Feb., 22, to win gold 3-2 at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The American females have placed second to the Canadians since USA won in 1998. Photo by Jeff Cable, courtesy of USA Hockey

Lee Anderson, owner of USA Grappling Academy in Bellevue—standing in back—poses with h Grappling Industries jiu-jitsu tournament on Feb. 10 at Fairmont Junior High School in Boise. their divisions,” said Anderson. The team took home three golds, six silvers and two bronzes. are already preparing for their next tournament in April. Photo courtesy of USA Grappling Ac

Knight, 28, shoots on goal during the final women’s Olympic hockey game. Knight scored one of three goals the Americans slipped past Canadian goalie Jocelyne Larocque. Photo by Jeff Cable, courtesy of USA Hockey

Students and faculty members from The Sage School compete at the annual “Sage Cup” broo ter and a week of off-campus field studies at Camp Perkins, about 40 miles north of Ketchum

GUEST COMMENTARY DONAHUE & WINTROW

Give Idaho Law Enforcement The Tools To Keep Domestic Abuse Victims Safe

BY CANYON COUNTY SHERIFF KIERAN DONAHUE

& REP. MELISSA WINTROW (D-BOISE)

n 2015, Laura and Judy Diaz’s father shot and killed their mother at their home in Wilder. It’s a horrific story made even worse by a simple fact: he shouldn’t have had the gun in the first place. Years earlier, he was arrested for hitting their mother. After spending 90 days in jail, the judge returned his guns to him, even though federal law prohibited him from having them. This wasn’t the judge’s fault—it was a fault in Idaho law. Thanks to a loophole, our laws did not require the judge to keep the guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. He had no choice but to give them back to the man who abused his wife and would eventually kill her. Domestic violence is one of the most serious public safety and health risks in our nation. Every month, 50 women are shot and killed in the United States by a current or former spouse. Nearly 1 million American women alive today have been shot, or shot at, by an intimate partner. And gun violence towards women doesn’t stop at the death count—abusers use guns to threaten their victim even if they never pull the trigger. Approximately 4.5 million American women alive today have been threatened with a gun by an intimate partner. We can’t help what goes on in other states, but we can change the laws in Idaho to make sure we don’t add to the statistics. That’s why we joined forces to introduce HB 585. The legislation is geared toward keeping guns out of the

hands of those convicted of abusing women and children. For law enforcement officers, responding to domestic abuse calls is one of the most dangerous aspects of the job. Seeing families torn apart by abuse is heartbreaking, but if we can pass legislation that helps keep guns out of the hands of abusers, even for a while, we know it can save lives. The bill applies to people who are already prohibited by federal law from having guns. It empowers Idaho law enforcement to protect victims from violent abusers. This is good, life-saving policy that has bipartisan support across the country. Twenty-eight states—including places as diverse as Alabama, Texas, New York and Indiana—and the District of Columbia, have laws on the books prohibiting people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from buying or possessing guns. But it’s not just a good policy from a data perspective. Policies like this affect real Idahoans’ lives. We know the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed. That’s why federal law prohibits certain abusers from buying or possessing guns. Idaho is no exception from these disturbing national trends. In 2016, the Idaho State Police reported 6,084 incidents of violence between spouses, ex-spouses, and those in dating relationships. Each day in Idaho more than 850 domestic violence victims and their children seek safety and services from community-based domestic violence programs.

Momentum is building. Over just the past five years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have enacted bills that strengthen the laws keeping guns away from domestic abusers. These measures have been taken up by statehouses in every region of the country—they have passed almost uniformly with bipartisan majorities, and have been signed into law by governors of both parties, including Republicans like Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Robert Bentley, Gary Herbert, and Brian Sandoval. Last year, in Utah, legislators passed a similar measure aimed at protecting women from domestic abusers. The bill, HB206, was co-sponsored by Republican Senator Deidre Henderson and passed the House unanimously. We know Idahoans respect the Second Amendment. They expect their leaders to respect it, too. Polling shows Idahoans overwhelmingly support giving law enforcement the tools it needs to protect domestic violence victims. In fact, when asked, two in three Idahoans support prohibiting anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or subject to a protective order from buying a gun. Idaho needs to take action to give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect our communities, prevent convicted abusers from having access to guns, and stand up for victims (women, children, and men) in our state. We urge our Idaho legislators to pass this common-sense measure to protect all of our citizens. Support HB 585, and help save lives.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

SPONSORED FEATURE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Arika Gourley. Courtesy photo by Jessica Jean Collins

ARIKA GOURLEY BY JOELLEN COLLINS

his students of “Team Assassin” at “All our athletes placed in the top four in . The Academy’s more than 20 athletes cademy

A USA Grappling Academy “Team Assassin” member takes on his opponent at Grappling Industries jiu-jitsu tournament in Boise. Photo courtesy of USA Grappling Academy

omball tournament at Campion Ice House in Hailey on Friday, Feb. 23. The event culminates the school’s winter trimesm. Photo by Kirsten Shultz, courtesy of The Sage School

GUEST COMMENTARY JEANNE LISTON, THE HUNGER COALITION

Hunger Coalition Opposes Federal Cuts For Food Assistance

BY JEANNE LISTON, THE HUNGER COALITION

t The Hunger Coalition, our mission over the past 15 years has been to provide wholesome food to low-income families and to promote olutions to the underlying causes of food insecurity hrough collaboration, education and advocacy. In support of our mission and on behalf of the ommunity we serve, The Hunger Coalition strongy opposes the steep budget cuts and program reisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance rogram (SNAP) proposed by the Trump Administraion. If enacted as proposed by President Trump, fedral food assistance support would decrease by 30 perent—a deep and devastating cut to many hundreds of ur friends and neighbors in Blaine County who curently rely on SNAP benefits to help feed themselves nd their families. This is no time to cut SNAP benefits. The lines at ur food distribution centers are longer than ever this winter, making clear that current SNAP funding is aleady inadequate to meet the nutritional needs of many members of our community. Based on research in the 2015 Blaine County Community Food Assessment, a family of four has to pend $225 each week to meet their minimum nutrition eeds and current SNAP benefits cover only a portion f those expenses. These limited SNAP benefits are he only way many people are able to afford to live and

work in Blaine County. Virtually all SNAP recipients are seniors, disabled, or working people making insufficient wages—and, of course, many, many children. SNAP is a vital part of our community’s safety net. Many people who suffer a financial setback due to an unexpected illness or accident, irregular income from seasonal employment, or the like, usually access SNAP benefits (and/or visit The Hunger Coalition) just until they can get back on their feet. Severe cuts to SNAP of the type proposed by the Trump Administration will certainly make such recovery much more difficult and time-consuming. When the opportunity for a more quick recovery is available, our whole community benefits not just in improved lives but also in increased economic vitality. As generous as our community has been in support of The Hunger Coalition, we will never have the capacity to make up the difference if federal food assistance funding is decreased, as the President has proposed. Many of our friends and neighbors whom we all rely upon to make our Sun Valley area special will suffer. Congress will soon be deciding next year’s SNAP budget. Please contact our Congressman Mike Simpson and ask him to reject the Administration’s budget proposal and support traditional full funding for SNAP. You can send a message to Congressman Simpson by calling his office at 202-225-5531 or emailing him through his website at simpson.house.gov.

rika Gourley, Wood River High School senior, says she’s grateful for the opportunities the school and community have given her to immerse herself in music studies. Gourley has maintained a 3.5 GPA while practicing and performing many hours a week with her violin. “In addition to the instruction I enjoy for developing my music skills, I appreciate the wide number of academic options at school, especially for AP classes,” Gourley said. “This access is probably the best thing about Wood River High. Our school strives for greatness.” Probably her favorite class is AP Literature, where students discuss and write about many kinds of masterpieces. “My most memorable study was of Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations,’” Gourley said. “I understood the characters and their era and could relate it to today’s society.” Gourley, described by friends as creative and talented, is also known for her kindness. “I am a teen advocate at The Advocates for victims of domestic violence, attending a meeting every Sunday, helping out in the community, and planning events like ‘What is Love’ set for March 10. I also work two to three hours every Tuesday afternoon with fourth- and fifth-graders, learning string instruments.” From a musical family of five, including brother Kade and sister Ava, musical talent surrounds her. “My mother, Rebecca Martin, conducts the orchestra at both the middle and high schools, and my stepfather plays guitar along with my mother and her violin in a band,” Gourley said. Gourley attributes her passion for music to instruction she be-

gan in the fifth grade with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony workshops. “I have been so fortunate to work with these gifted musicians and this is where I first met Ellen Sanders who, as our quartet coach, has been such a positive influence,” Gourley said. “Now that she is working here at the high school, we all can benefit from her expertise and guidance. “As a freshman, I began to expand my violin techniques. That was when I became a member of the Harriman Quartet, along with three other students, working with the professional artists Time for Three. How lucky I have been to be able to develop relationships with my fellow students and these amazing musicians. Because of being challenged out of my comfort zone, I have continued to see growth I might have not have had otherwise.” Gourley and other musicians from the high school have won many awards, including the Harriman First in State for Quartets (under the auspices of the Idaho Music Association) and several top prizes at the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, Calif., where she and other members of the group won the Maestro Award. “I am planning on a musical life,” Gourley said. “I will first attend the College of Southern Idaho, where I hope to play with the Magic Valley Symphony and continue lessons with my coaches up here, and then pursue options at the University of Idaho or other institutions with fine music programs.” Editor’s Note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact JoEllen Collins at joellencollins1@gmail.com. tws

This Student Spotlight brought to you by the Blaine County School District

Our mission is to inspire, engage, educate, and empower every student.

BLAINESCHOOLS.ORG

COMME N TA RY

T H E W E E K LY S U N • F E B R U A R Y 28 - M A R C H 6, 2018

Fishing R epoRt

COLUMN NO BONES ABOUT IT

MARIAH’S PUPPY JOURNEY

THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, FROM PICABO ANGLER

ilver Creek is closed at the end of the day on Wednesday, the 28th of February. That gives us a month left to fish the Big Wood before it, too, closes for spawning. The good news is, we get to fish the Big Lost River all year now. This has been the case the past few seasons, and it’s really nice to have this fallback fishery, especially with the decreased steelhead runs the past few springs. If you head to the Big Wood, get excited! March is one of the best months to fish this river, and the catch rates are certainly as good as it gets most winters. Keep an eye on the foam lines and back eddies for massive amounts of Midges and rainbow heads breaking the surface to eat them. Fish Griffiths Gnats in tandem with Tie-Down Midges if you are on the surface targeting rising fish. If they won’t come to the top, use two Zebra Nymphs fished in tandem under a strike indicator. Red and black are the normal colors we use. If they don’t want that setup, then fish a Bugger in black or olive. We are in the Little Black Stonefly season, as well. You will see these wingless insects running about the snow surface most days. If you see them, try larger Nymph patterns like Girdle Bugs in black, or Prince Nymphs. Hares Ears, with black backs, are also a great choice. Fish these either under a strike indicator or swing them from bank to bank, paying careful attention to the tight line as it nears the bank. These little bugs crawl out of the water, so the areas within a foot or so of the bank have the largest congregation of them and the fish know it. If you decide to travel to the Big Lost River or the South Fork of the Boise, take the same winter fly selection we listed for the Big Wood River. The insects in the winter are pretty much the same from river to river, so a big selection is not necessary. Keep an eye on the weather report if you decide to make the two-hour journey to either of these rivers, and, like we always preach, be sure to have a change of clothes, a full tank of gas, a fully charged phone and some food and water should you have to spend a wintery night next to a river. Be sure to tell a friend where you are going, as well! Happy fishing, everyone!

Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com

Run, Puppy, Run!

BY FRAN JEWELL

he puppies are now almost five weeks old and the best way to describe them is fast. They eat fast, they run fast, they escape fast and they learn fast. Every day I am chasing them as they try to escape from their giant exercise pen in the house to chase Mariah. They are now being weaned by Mariah because they have teeth that are incredibly sharp; she no longer wants them to nurse and hasn’t for the past week. She is still determined to spend time with them, but they chase her down and use those sharp teeth. It is amazing to watch her correct them with a “maternal correction” where she puts her mouth over the top of their muzzles to let them know she doesn’t like it. She even growls at them sometimes, and she will cry out loud to get them to stop, as well. Their appetites far exceed what she can give them by nursing and, honestly, they are too big to even fit on her. It is critical in their development that Mariah is able to teach them about having a soft mouth. While I highly recommend a slow weaning process so the mother can teach the puppies what that means, it is extremely difficult to balance that with Mariah’s comfort. It is critical right now that they be in their litter

together and with their mother to learn what “bite inhibition” is. When puppies leave the litter at six or seven weeks old, they have not finished this important piece of growing up. I do not “redirect” their biting on me because I see giving them a new toy for biting as a reward. Instead, I remove my affection from them, or give it to another puppy. When they stop trying to bite me, then I reward that with soft petting. Right now, they are thoroughly enjoying pets on their tummies. It is so rewarding to see them roll over to get pets on their tummies. For puppies and dogs, being on their backs can be vulnerable for them, but these puppies feel safe and confident enough that they are willing to do that. There are also times they will roll over on their backs to submit to another puppy. The art of play, as well as dominating and submitting, is another critical development at this age. Now that they are physically able to do so many things, I expose them to something new every day—simple new things like a paper towel roll, plastic spoons, and especially things that make noise and things they can move and bite. I am challenged to keep adding new items for them to explore. Huge learning is going on right

Kalidor gently nudges his son during this very special time the pups need to socialize with dogs other than their mother. Photo by Fran Jewell

now. I don’t reward biting, nor do I reward jumping with petting or attention. They do love to cuddle and I embrace that. It sure makes my blood pressure go down! This is also a time that I am introducing them to my “pack.” New-dog exposure is another developmental process that occurs at this time in their lives. It can be difficult to find dogs that Mariah accepts and that are healthy and kind to puppies. The pups have been introduced to their father, Kalidor, who has touched them with many of the duties Mariah is unable to do now because of their biting. Kalidor gently licks them clean and will play with them. If

they bite, he too will give them gentle discipline. Raising a litter of puppies is huge work. It is so important that breeders are there to observe and understand each phase of growth and provide learning opportunities so that a litter may blend into their new homes easily. Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy. com or call (208) 578-1565.

COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING

EMBRACING WONDERMENT

BY LESLIE REGO

hen I am in “the field,” I like to ask myself a lot of questions. Some I can answer, others I investigate when I arrive home. I sketch characteristics, curiosities, little things that catch my eye. By questioning, I observe more deeply; by sketching, I remember more intimately. A few days ago I watched mallard ducks grouped together in couples. I realized I did not know if they stayed in pairs all year, so I made a quick notation to remind myself to look it up when I got home. My first question was, “Why are the ducks in pairs in February?” Once home, I learned that the female and male ducks form pairs in the autumn and will stay as a pair until the end of the breeding season, which can be anywhere from early March to late May. This fact will stay with me because I made the observation first and then did the research. The male mallard, referred to as the drake, has a beautiful emerald purple head. The females, called hens, are quite drab in comparison, with a mottled brown coloring. Observing, I noticed that, at most angles, the iridescent feathers on the head of the drake appeared emerald green, but when he swam away from me, the feathers appeared to be a deep purple. I came to realize that when the drake swam between the sun and me, he appeared a deep purple. When his head turned to a 90-degree angle, the color shifted to emerald green. That is a common characteristic of iridescense, which is affected by the angle from which it is viewed. Iridescent feathers will appear dark when placed between the viewer and the light source. My next question was why do some blue birds have iridescent feathers and others appear solid blue? Again, I looked up the an-

Leslie Rego, “Mallard Ducks, Sketches,” pencil, watercolor.

swer when I arrived home. If the feathers are smooth, like on a bluebird, the blue pigment will dominate the light’s reflection. If the feathers are rough, the texture will absorb and reflect light in many different ways, creating a luster (iridescence) that changes color depending on the angles of the feathers to the sun. Next, I began to dissect how the head of a mallard, male or female, tucks into the body when resting or sleeping, forming all kinds of funny shapes and bulges. The duck no lon-

ger has the typical duck-like shape, but becomes a weird assortment of blobs. Trying to draw and make sense of these blobs became quite a challenge, capturing my attention as I did one quick sketch after another. I find I see more and learn more if I embrace wonderment while observing nature. Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit leslierego.com

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018

COLUMN LIVING WELL UI-BLAINE EXTENSION TIPS

KNOW YOUR GOVERNMENT

BY SARAH BUSDON

now Your Government (KYG) is held each Presidents’ Day weekend in Boise while the Legislature is in session. The theme for 2018 is “Celebrating 30 Years of Impact.” The conference is designed for students in grades eight and nine to: • Learn how state government decision-making works • Influence state government • Learn how the state judicial system works • Find out how cases are brought to court • Observe the legislative process in action • Share ideas with legislators, judges and other elected officials • Have breakfast with legislators and judges • Meet teens from across the state

Blaine County 4-H sponsored nine Blaine County teens to attend the KYG conference. Teens participated in legislative workshops and learned about the state government decision-making process by participating in mock committee meetings with guidance from legislators at the Capitol and then participating in a mock legislative session. Teens participating in the judicial workshops learned about the Idaho court system, how laws affect teenagers, and participated in mock trials held at the Ada County Courthouse. They took a tour of the Supreme Court building and visited with and were mentored by judges and attorneys. KYG strengthens the connection between youth and political and social networks through education, experience, application and inspiration. Previous conference attendee Lauren Busdon stated, “Attending KYG gave me an advantage

over my peers in high school while taking government, a required class for all high school students. I already had a good foundation of understanding of the judicial and legislative process from attending KYG and it inspired me to pursue an interest in the legislative process and lobbying for special interests now that I am in college. I’ve had the opportunity to speak on the House floor and had a comfort level doing so that was obtained from my KYG conference experiences.” If you or someone you know would like more information on KYG or would be interested in participating in the conference in 2019, contact Kathi Kimball at kkimball@uidaho.edu. Sarah Busdon is an administrative assistant with University of Idaho’s Blaine County Extension office. For more information, visit extension. uidaho.edu/blaine or call (208) 788-5585.

COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE

A raccoon on the snowy ice sniffs the tracks of another raccoon. Adobe Stock photo

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

BY HANNES THUM

see winding up and down ridgelines in a certain drainage in the mid-Valley. And the mountain lion tracks that I have only seen rarely. The sight of these tracks stands out to me so much that I remember every place I have seen them. There are the fox tracks—relatively common but also special because there is something about the foxes that makes me want to root for them (rumor has it that they are recovering in numbers after many years of population decline). The fox tracks are more direct than the looping tracks of the cottontails, and it seems like they have more of a sense of places to be. It is a common refrain in biology that we need to be careful of “anthropomorphizing” animals. That is to say, it’s a sticky wicket for any of us to think that we can (or that we deserve to) put ourselves in the shoes of animals and try to describe what they are thinking, what they want. I try to let the tracks be the tracks. But, on occasion, I find myself kneeling down in the snow near them and I see the animal itself, picturing the feet that made the prints and the legs that placed the feet and the body that moved the legs and the head above that. Sharp, wild eyes focused on a distant movement in the winter woods.

love seeing animal tracks in the snow in the winter. Maybe it’s because they serve as a reminder that plenty of creatures are plenty mobile and active, even during the harsh, seemingly barren months of winter. Or maybe it’s because the tracks often invite the viewer to imagine what a certain animal was up to on its wanderings across the landscape. There are the distinctive small-feet-then-bigfeet tracks of the cottontails that are seemingly everywhere at times, especially after a recent snowfall (it always seems to me that bunnies are the first creatures to venture out after a storm). There are the bounding, double-footprint tracks of the ermines (who, like the bunnies, seem to be early risers when venturing out in new snow). There are tracks from grouse, which make me laugh because I can picture the waddling bird that made them. The three-toed prints are almost always headed, faithfully and ploddingly, straight uphill toward a big tree, where they might end. I recently walked up to one of these trees and the ground was littered in grouse droppings. I peered for several long minutes into the branches to try to spot one of the birds. But, as anybody knows who has tried to find a grouse in a tree, the endeavor is Hannes Thum is a Wood River Valley native utterly, and beautifully, hopeless. and has spent most of his life exploring what There are the tracks that snatch my breath be- our local ecosystems have to offer. He currently cause they are so rare and so striking to me, such teaches science at Community School. as the bobcat tracks that, every once in a while, I

LETTER TO THE EDITOR KENNETH LEWIS

Truth Matters

I am writing in support of the March 13 Blaine County School District ballot measure. This is an important election and TRUTHFUL FACTS MATTER. I have heard opponents articulate FALSE FACTS, and that is the reason I am writing this letter. Fact 1: An “In Favor” vote on this measure will not cause taxes to increase. Opponents are spreading the opposite false fact. Fact 2: The salaries of the superintendent and the teachers are not greater than those in comparable mountain resort districts (details at: www.putkidsfirst.net/the-facts). Opponents are spreading the opposite false fact. Fact 3: An “In Favor” vote on this measure will not cause an increase in the salary of the school superintendent. Opponents are spreading the opposite false fact. There is nothing more important that we can do for the children in our society than provide them with a good education. The students in our public schools are the voters, business owners, inventors, leaders and taxpayers of the future. A good education is the passport to this future for these children of today. Good schools play an important role in making Blaine County what it is today: a place where people want to live, raise families, start businesses, work, and vacation. National trends show decreasing federal and state funding for education. As a state, Idaho ranks second to last nationally in per-student spending. Support for good public schools increasingly depends on choices made at the local level. An “In Favor” vote will help maintain the variety of opportunities provided to the students in our schools, including small class sizes. I urge all voters to learn more about this ballot measure and its importance to our community. When you do, I am confident you will vote “In Favor.” Kenneth Lewis Ketchum resident

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RENEE SHAPIRO

The Path To A Sustainable Future

Growing up in Hailey, the habitual drive up Highway 75 to Baldy was characterized by hills enveloped in sugary Sun Valley snow. This ski season, with a whopping total snowfall of 39 inches, resembles nothing of the winters of my childhood. The 2017/2018 ski season has paled in comparison to the quintessential light, ample powder that typically characterizes Sun Valley and the shocking snowpack can be attributed to climate change correlated with the undeniable increase in greenhouse gas emissions emitted from burning fossil fuels. This is not news to residents of Blaine County, as the Yale Climate Opinion Maps cite that 74 percent of Blaine County residents believe that global warming is happening and 56 percent believe that it is man-made. Our mountain economy is reliant upon tourism, and the current conditions, unfortunately, forecast a less lucrative year for Sun Valley. Fortunately, thee mounting environmental and economic problems have solutions. A shift to clean, renewable electricity is one of the answers to the current climate crisis. There is a growing movement of mountain communities shifting toward a smarter future. With help from organizations like The Climate Reality Project, founded and chaired by Al Gore, communities all over the country can make the shift to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity through the 100% Committed campaign. Sun Valley can join this growing movement with the support of city council officials, local businesses and active community members. The City of Ketchum Energy Conservation Goals currently has the objectives to achieve a 50 percent per-capita reduction in energy, 50 percent local renewable generation, and a 75 percent greenhouse gas reduction. City operations hope for a 75 percent reduction of energy and 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. Once these strong goals must be taken to the forefront of community conversation, the path to a sustainable future can go from becoming a plan, to reality. Renee Shapiro University of Colorado Boulder student and Hailey native

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 6, 2018