28 September 2016 by The Weekly Sun

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

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SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2 0 1 6 | V O L . 9 - N O . 3 9 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Environment News Rock Creek To Be Revived

Arts News Symphony Director Reflects On Her First Season

Education News School Board Divided Over Appointment

“No man ever steps in the same river twice for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.” – Heraclitus

St. Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley Invite you to attend the

Annual Blessing of the Animals

St. Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley Light shines through a maple leaf that has not yet changed into its autumn colors in front of a sea of red leaves... For more information on this photo, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Photo by Jennifer Simpson

St. Thomas Episcopal of Church & Animal Shelter ofRiver the Wood Valley River Invite youValley to attend the Animal Shelter the Wood

Sunday, October 2nd @ 12:30 P.M.

Invite you to attend the

Annual Blessing of the Animals Annual Blessing of the Animals sing of the Animals Invite you to attend the

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd., Sun Valley

All creatures large and small are welcome.

The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle with the public.

Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle with the public.

All creatures large and small are welcome.

Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of theAnimals Wood River Valley e you toSt.attend theBlessing Annual of the

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Sunday, October 2nd @ 12:30 P.M. 2ndSun @ Valley 12:30 Rd., P.M.Sun Valley St. ThomasSunday, EpiscopalOctober Church, 201 St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Sun Valley For more information, seeRd., page 6

All creatures large and small are welcome.

The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to All creatures large and small are welcome. St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle with the public. The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

THE WEEKLY SUN CONTENTS

Economic Summit “The Intersection of Housing & Talent Attraction” On Oct. 6, learn, network and engage with Sun Valley Economic Development (SVED) at its fifth annual economic summit. For a story, see page 12.

THIS WEEK S E P T E M B E R 2 8 - O C T O B E R 4 , 2016 | VOL. 9 NO. 39

Candidate Profile Dale Ewersen Runs For Idaho Senate

The Weekly Sun’s Calendar Stay In The Loop On Where To Be

Community Bulletin Board Find A Job, Sell Stuff, Odds & Ends

ON THE COVER Continued from page 1: … taken Tuesday in Deerfield Park in Hailey. Photo by Jennifer Simpson Local artists & photographers interested in seeing their art on our cover page should email submissions to: mandi@theweeklysun.com (photos should be high resolution and include caption info such as who or what is in the photo, date and location).

Wood River Jewish Community HIGH HOLY DAYS SERVICES

All services are held at St Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Road These Days of Awe will be held by Rabbi James Mirel Cantor Judy Schiff accompanied by Jim Watkinson, Music Director

Rosh Hashanah

Sunday, October 2 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Evening Service Monday, October 3 10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Day Service followed by Tashlich Tuesday, October 3 10:00 a.m. 2nd Rosh Hashanah and Shofar Service

Yom Kippur

Tuesday, October 11 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur Evening Service Wednesday, October 12 10:00 a.m. Morning Service 5:00 p.m. Afternoon Service/Yizkor and Neilah 7:00 p.m. Community Break the Fast

Wood River Jewish Community • 471 Leadville Avenue • Ketchum wrjc.org • wrjc@wrjc.org • Phone 208-726-1183

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

NEWS ENVIRONMENT

City of Ketchum Small Town, Big Life

Adams Gulch Bridge Closure Oct. 4 Large tree removal Tuesday, Oct. 4. Adams Gulch Bridge will be closed from approximately 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Atkinson Park Tennis Courts Closed til Spring Construction begins Oct. 3 on four public tennis courts at Atkinson Park. New courts will be ready for play by spring.

Seeking Janitorial Services for City Buildings Visit ketchumidaho.org/rfp for scope and submittal procedure.

Monthly Utility Billing Begins Look for an explanation of your charges and information about online payment options with xpressbillpay.com in your next utility bill. Sign up at ketchumidaho.org/watersmart to view historic water usage, compare usage to similar sized properties and for tips on reducing your water bill.

Craters of the Moon Sculptures Move to Ketchum Installation ceremony for John Grade sculpture, Spur, at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Wood River Trail fork, south of Serenade Lane. Jason Middlebrook sculpture moves to Little Park.

Public Meetings at Ketchum City Hall Monday, Oct. 3, at 5:30 p.m. – Helios Development requests extension of Warm Springs Ranch development agreement. Friday, Oct. 21, at noon – Community Housing Workshop. The public is encouraged to attend.

Public Meetings CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday • Oct. 3 • 5:30 pm • City Hall PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING Monday • Oct. 10 • 5:30 pm • City Hall

Keep Up With City News Visit ketchumidaho.org to sign up for email notifications, the City eNewsletter and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Email questions and comments to participate@ketchumidaho.org.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Former city attorney Adam King settles with Sun Valley over invoices

An Idaho State Bar arbitration panel ruled in favor of former Sun Valley city attorney Adam King last week. The dispute concerned legal fees charged to the City of Sun Valley while King served as its city attorney from 2011 to 2015. The pay issue arose in spring 2015, when council president Keith Saks questioned why King was billing at $230 an hour, when his contract was reportedly for $205 an hour. King said former Mayor Wayne Willich had upped his pay to the higher rate in 2011, and the city paid bills for years without objection. Willich appeared before the council to confirm that he had indeed given King a raise. Willich remembers the occasion clearly. “During summer of 2011, we were getting ready for budget discussions. While waiting, (former councilman) Nils Ribi mentioned that we should review Adam King’s rate. (Former councilman) Bob Youngman agreed. Dewayne Briscoe, who was then council president, nodded,” Willich said. Subsequently, King did a review on hourly rates in the Valley and showed the data to Mayor Willich. “I agreed that a 12 percent increase might be appropriate. His first invoice with that amount was on Oct 11.” Willich said that in 2012 he spoke about the sequence with the council. “They had every opportunity to look into rates,” he said, “but they didn’t. We paid him that rate for three years. That’s what is known as within the ‘course of business.’ I have no idea what motivated Saks to peel off this old scab. It’s a done deal. Move on. They forced King to resign.” Nevertheless, the City of Sun Valley pressed its case after King resigned in January 2016, and the matter went to an Idaho State Bar panel on Sept. 8 in Twin Falls. King won’t have to refund the city $36,000 in legal fees. “I am very pleased by the decision of the arbitration panel,” King said. “The arbitration panel unanimously ruled that all of my billings were proper and approved, as I always maintained. I am delighted that this matter is favorably put to rest. I am very grateful to my attorney, Fritz Haemmerle, for his excellent representation.”

The view north from within Rock Creek Ranch. Photo by John Finnell, courtesy of Wood River Land Trust

ROCK CREEK REVIVAL

Local ranch and stream are being restored and studied BY MIKE MCKENNA FOR THE WEEKLY SUN

omething special is happening in Hailey and Bellevue’s backyard. Just to the west of the Wood River Valley, on the other side of the ridgeline that’s home to Della Mountain, is where Rock Creek runs. The small stream is easy to overlook and has long been all but ignored by just about everyone except for hunters, snowmobilers and cattle ranchers. Being so close to the wonders of the Wood River Valley, however, Rock Creek and the large ranch at its southern end have been appealing to developers. That’s why the Wood River Land Trust and the Idaho chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) were thrilled in 2014 when the Rinker family generously sold the property to the two nonprofits so that the ranch could be preserved and its creek restored. “North-south valleys are really important for animal migrations. Rock Creek in particular is one of the last undeveloped valleys in the area,” Dana Gross, of TNC, told the Blaine County Commissioners last week. “A lot of animals that once used the Wood River Valley now use Rock Creek. It’s important open space.” But Rock Creek is more than just important open space. The Rock Creek Ranch easement now covers 10,400 acres, which includes water that is a main tributary to the Big Wood River and Magic Reservoir, as well as high-desert grasslands that offer critical habitat to all kinds of animals, from moose and elk to pronghorn and sage grouse. And, as of earlier this summer, Rock Creek is now home to what could become a landmark facility for studying the impacts of cattle grazing on public and private lands in the

West. In June, the University of Idaho (UI) Rangeland Center signed on to use the ranch as an education facility. There are now 150 head of cattle being studied and managed by UI at Rock Creek. There is a lot excitement – including coverage in The Washington Times – about the work Idaho’s flagship university is doing locally. There really isn’t another study about the interface between cattle grazing and public lands being done anywhere else in the state, or region, for that matter. Like much of the high-desert West, more than 50 percent of the land in Idaho is considered to be impacted by cattle from ranches just like Rock Creek. “It’s a very exciting project for a lot of reasons,” Scott Boettger, executive director of WRLT, said. “This is a unique opportunity to not only protect over 10,000 acres, but it also allows us an opportunity to study the impacts of cattle grazing on public and private lands, an interface found throughout the Intermountain West.” In addition to the educational components, Boettger described Rock Creek Ranch as having a “triple benefit. Our work there improves the stream and fishery, which improves irrigation and production, which also enhances the wildlife habitat,” he said. It’s work that will continue to move forward, thanks to the Blaine County Commissioners giving conceptual approval of nearly $137,000 in grant money last week from the Land, Water and Wildlife (LAB) levy fund. The commissioners approved funding for three projects, including a tributary assessment, weed control, and to do two main channel restoration projects. As commissioner Jacob Greenberg noted, there is still $305,265 earmarked for the

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project once plans for the restoration and other work are completed. “This is important,” he said. While much of the funds to purchase and do the work at Rock Creek Ranch have been – and continue to be – raised by the Land Trust and the other nonprofits, the LAB funding is crucial to keep the work moving forward. “We are excited to have approval for these projects and look forward to returning to the LAB with refined plans for the other elements of the project,” said Keri York, director of conservation for the WRLT. The local office of Trout Unlimited has also become involved, including overseeing a recent electrofish study on the creek. A total of 706 fish were recorded from five different sites. Although just a few of the fish were trout, and all were fairly small, there is hope that once Rock Creek’s eroding stream banks and irrigation channels are restored, that it can once again be a productive tributary for salmonids, especially during spawning season. “It’s a really incredible place and we’re fortunate to be involved. The Land Trust and TNC are the best possible partners you can have for a project like this,” Chad Chorney, of Trout Unlimited, said. “It’s pretty exciting what’s going on out there.” “This is just the beginning,” York told the commissioners about the work being done at Rock Creek, which has been listed by the state as an “impaired” or 303D stream. “It’s coming back.” To find out more about what’s happening at Rock Creek Ranch, visit UI’s new webpage uidaho.edu/cnr/rangeland-center/projects/rock-creek, or call the Wood River Land Trust at (208) 788-3947.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

NEWS EDUCATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS EXPLAIN THEIR VOTES Divided board could not agree on trustee appointment BY JEAN JACQUES BOHL

he Blaine County School District Board of Trustees was unable to appoint a replacement to fill in vacant Zone 3. The board interviewed four candidates on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The candidates are Irene Healy, Ellen Mandeville, Pam Plowman and Kaz Thea, all of Hailey. At the meeting, Trustee Cami Bustos made a motion to appoint Thea, but it was defeated by a tie vote, 2 to 2. Trustee Rob Clayton then nominated Healy, but that motion was also defeated by a tie vote. The Weekly Sun contacted the four board members, Liz Corker, Shawn Bennion, Bustos and Clayton, and asked them to explain the reasoning behind their votes. The Weekly Sun: On Tuesday evening you cast two votes. Would you please explain your votes. Clayton: I nominated and voted for Irene Healy because I felt she was the best prepared, most articulate on the issues, passionate about serving the students of Blaine County and independent in her thinking. Irene has an extensive background in education and an intimate knowledge of the BCSD system. She brought overwhelming support through the petitioned endorsements she received from her zone. The supporters signing her petition outnumbered the total of votes it took to be elected from her zone in the last contested election. To me, this is a mandate from her constituency that she is the appropriate appointee. She made it very clear that she has no hidden agenda and that she is willing to tackle the tough issues such as administrator compensation. I was unable to vote for Kaz Thea after Chairman Bennion pointed out that her last interaction with the BCSD ended with her leaving the strategic planning committee she had volunteered for before the project was completed. After further looking into her statement that these meetings conflicted with her daily work, I discovered that the meetings were held in the eve-

NEWS IN BRIEF

ning, with dinner served to the volunteers. In regards to the other two candidates, I appreciate their coming forward, but felt that I had nominated and voted for the most qualified candidate. There were other trustees who did not nominate anyone and had the opportunity to put either of the remaining candidates up for a vote. Corker: I voted for Kaz Thea for three reasons. First, she seemed to have a clear understanding that the job of the board is to represent the values of the community. She stated this at least five times: “I will clearly represent the citizens the board stands for.” “This job, you have to represent your community.” “You’re representing the community as an elected board member.” “The board represents the entire community.” “Policies have to be in line with the community.” Second, Thea seemed to have a firm grasp on the main issues that concern the community. She stated that, first, the public feels that the board could be a better custodian of the public’s money, and second, that “class size” is a priority issue. This aligns with what I hear every day. Healy stated that a major issue she has heard is that the board needs to have “a sense of collaboration with the superintendent.” Citizens I hear from think that the board needs a better sense of connection first with parents, teachers and community members. Third, Healy’s view of the job seemed to be more passive than Thea’s. She stated that she views the job as “appraisal” of district outcomes. Thea viewed the job more proactively, as representing the community's values in setting the vision for the school district. Bennion and Bustos did not respond to The Weekly Sun's request by press deadline. The board will open the vacancy to district residents during the next regular meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 12. If unable to appoint a candidate by Nov. 12, the three county commissioners will make the decision on whom to appoint to the vacancy. tws

Make-A-Wish grantee to attend Trailing of the Sheep

Make-A-Wish Foundationparticipant, Shelby Huff, 20, of South Dakota, will attend the Trailing of the Sheep Festival next week. An animal lover, Huff found the Festival online while researching her wish choice. Her wish to attend the Festival is a first for Make-AWish Idaho and the Festival. Huff became eligible to receive a wish due to complications with aplastic anemia (a bone marrow failure disease). She will travel to the Wood River Valley with her mother, sister and grandparents. She was originally scheduled to come a couple of years ago but, due to her health, was unable to make it until this year. Huff’s initial public welcome will be held at the Festival’s headquarters at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6. Throughout the Festival’s many events, Huff will be welcomed as a VIP guest, including the Sheep Folklife Fair, For Love of Lamb Foodie Fest, Sheepdog Trials, Wool Fest fiber arts classes, Sheep Tales Gathering, Sheepherder’s Ball and the Trailing of the Sheep Parade.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

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NEWS ELECTION

“SOUL SEARING & CORE SHAKING”

SEP 28–OCT 15 Liberty Theatre, Hailey Dale Ewersen. Photo courtesy of Dale Ewersen

By George Brant

“A scorching sharp-eyed, timely script…lets no one off easy…clap all you want at the end of the play—and you’ll want to clap a lot—but the game stays with you.” —Time Out New York

Tickets and information at:

208.578.9122 sunvalleycenter.org Company of Fools’ 21st Season Sponsors: Ali Long/The Springcreek Foundation, High Country Fusion, Ken Lewis, Priscilla Pittiglio, Mary Ann & John Underwood, The Shubert Foundation,Linda & Bob Edwards, Arrow R Storage, Scott Miley Roofing and media sponsor The Weekly Sun.

NEWS IN BRIEF

School District to host coffee with the community

Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes will host “Coffee with the Community” the first Friday of each month in a variety of locations in Blaine County, from Carey to Ketchum. The first was held in September. The next one is scheduled for 8-9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 7, at Starbucks, 491 Sun Valley Rd., in Ketchum. The events are informal opportunities for conversation with the superintendent. There are no agendas or formal presentations. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions and comments and come and go whenever their schedules allow.

Wolf expert to speak at Community Library

The Community Library will host wolf expert and author Carter Niemeyer at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. The talk is sponsored by Living with Wolves, a locally based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Niemeyer, who retired in 2006 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where he was the wolf recovery coordinator for Idaho, will speak about how wolves are doing 20 years after their reintroduction into Yellowstone and Central Idaho. Carter’s dramatic evolution from a professional trapper for the USDA Wildlife Services, to a wolf recovery specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, to a wolf conservationist and author, gives him a truly unique and insightful understanding of the issues wolves face today. Niemeyer will sign copies of his most recent memoir, “Wolf Land,” after the talk. For more information visit, comlib.org and click on the calendar of events, or Scott Burton at (208) 806-2621 or sburton@comlib.org.

Live broadcasts to begin from the New York Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera will premier its live broadcasts Saturday, Oct. 8, in a new production of “Tristan und Isolde” at Bigwood4 Cinemas in Hailey. Doors will open at 9 a.m. with mimosas and muffins to celebrate the new season. There will be a pre-opera lecture given by Dick Brown. The broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the theatre at any time, for $16. Students and teachers should contact Sun Valley Opera at (208) 726-0991 in advance if they plan to attend.

Temporary trail closures on Bald Mountain

Sun Valley Resort announced temporary trail and ski run closures on Bald Mountain for cat winch mowing, started Monday, Sept. 26. The trail access restrictions are being implemented for the safety off all mountain users. This is the first year the steeper ski runs can be mowed, due to a new custom-built mower attachment fixed on the front of a winter winch cat. The new attachment will allow Sun Valley Resort to maintain terrain that was too steep to mow efficiently and quickly with earlier equipment setups. Mowing is beneficial as it allows runs to be opened earlier and closed later. Trails being impacted during the cat winch mowing will follow in sequential order. Closures will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the next three to four weeks. This will happen in seven stages in the following order: Greyhawk, Hemingway, Cozy, Race Arena, Limelight, Flying Squirrel and Graduate. Updates and status of each phase will be posted at the trailheads and base areas of River Run and Warm Springs, along with posts to Sun Valley’s Facebook page and website.

DALE EWERSEN SEEKS TO UNSEAT INCUMBENT

and federal bureaucracy. This act should be repealed. ale Ewersen has lived “I also support establishing in Bellevue for 43 years and funding a separate Water where he has served as Defense Fund, to protect Idaho’s mayor and member of the city water from out-of-state interests council. Ewersen is running as and the EPA’s proposed new defia Republican against Democrat nition of water under the Clean incumbent Michelle Stennett to Water Act. represent District 26 in the Idaho “One-half of the state’s budSenate in the November election. geting (including federal funds) Ewersen challenged Stennett in is spent on education. Education 2014 and lost when Stennett tal- funding is prioritized in restorlied 58.7 percent of the votes. ing the recession-era cuts and is Ewersen told The Weekly Sun now in line with state revenue. I that he is running again because support the education spending “if I win, I can make a difference for the current fiscal year, includin the majority caucus in Boise ing the career ladder for teacher and I think I can win because of pay. Parents must continue to be the local contacts I’ve made in proactive in their children’s eduthe past two years.” cation.” Ewersen has been active in the When asked whether busiIdaho Republican Party since nessman and reality television 2000. personality Donald Trump winEwersen feels that govern- ning the Presidency of the Unitment regulation should be kept ed States would be good for the to a minimum. “The state should state of Idaho, Ewersen replied, not increase the minimum wage: “Yes, I believe so. Trump is that’s up to the private sector,” pro-business and Idaho is an enhis website states. He is also in trepreneurial state. Trump will favor of improving the vetting implement tax policies that will process for all immigrants, es- lead to increased payrolls for the pecially those from the Middle working man.” East. Ewersen was born and raised AsEpiscopal well, Ewersen is concerned St. Thomas Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley in Port Clinton on the shore of about the rights of citizens to de- Lake Erie in Ohio. His father was Invite you to attend the fend themselves. a carpenter. His mother taught “As government passes Annual Blessing ofmore the Animals in the public school system her gun regulations, this basic right entire career. After high school, is eroded,” hisSt.website states. Ewersen andRivera Valley friend moved Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood “I am not advocating the sale to attend the University of Invite you west to attend the ofSt.federal lands, because title to Idaho, where Dale graduated in Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley Annual Blessing of the the land is not as important as 1972 withAnimals a bachelor of science Invite you to attend the practicing sound management degree in forestry with a major Annual Blessing the Animals principles, including the of multiin wildlife management. He has ple-use concept… been married to his wife, Jeanne, “The Patient Protection and for 35 years and they have one Affordable Care Act will eventu- daughter and twin granddaughally collapse under the weight of ters, who all live in Bellevue. subsidies, substandard risk pools tws BY DICK DORWORTH

St. Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley

Sunday, October 2nd @ 12:30 P.M.

Invite you to attend the St. Thomas Episcopal Church & Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd., Sun Valley Invite you to attend the Sunday, October 2nd @ 12:30 P.M. Annual Blessing of the Animals

Annual Blessing of the Animals St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd., Sun Valley

All creatures and small welcome. Sunday,large October 2nd @are 12:30 P.M.

The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to All creatures large and small are welcome. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun with Valley Sun Valley St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle theRd., public. The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle with the public.

All creatures large and small are welcome.

The Animal Shelter staff and volunteers will bring Shelter dogs and cats to St. Thomas to be blessed and to mingle with the public.

Sunday, October 2nd @ 12:30 P.M. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Rd., Sun Valley

All creatures large and small are welcome.

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Families invited to BLOCK Fest

Families are invited to learn about early math and science skills at BLOCK Fest, a free educational event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Community Campus, 1050 Fox Acres Road, in Hailey. The event is part of former First Lady Patricia Kempthorne’s Twiga Foundation, whose mission is to inspire, promote and maintain family consciousness in the family, workplace and community. Children ages 3 to 8 years are invited to participate in the event. Families will move through five different educational and hands-on activities, each designed to help children and parents understand how block play is related to later math competence, as well as exploring the physical world. According to organizers, “Block play supports other aspects of development, including language, as children talk about their structures with the adults and children around them. Blocks also provide opportunities for children’s social and emotional development as they build and share with others. In addition, children are challenged cognitively as they solve the problems that arise in the construction process.” Space is limited for the event and parents are encouraged to register in advance at blaineschools.org or by calling (208) 5785005. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. before the event. Register in advance at blaineschools.org under District News or call Heather Crocker at (208) 578-5005.

I have been a Wood River Insurance customer for over three years now. I was able to shop local, get better customer service and save money. WRI has supported me, plus they support our community and the Wood River Wolverines! – WRHS Football Coach Kevin Stilling

Rotarun to hold Ski Swap, seeks donations

Rotarun Ski Club, a 501(c)(3) organization, will host its annual Wood River Valley Ski Swap on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Community Campus in Hailey. The general public will be again be able to set up their own equipment and apparel sales stations outside on the grass for $15 and keep 100 percent of what they make from their sales. Rotarun’s “old school” yard sale helps families team up to sell gear they no longer use while providing others with great deals. Local shops that specialize in alpine, Nordic and backcountry skis, snowboards, footwear, eyewear and apparel will have stations inside the Community Campus, along with community groups and public agencies that will have information booths. Rotarun will have a donation drop-off center at Sturtos Hailey from Saturday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 21. Individuals who don’t want to set up and run their own booth during the swap, or just want to make a donation to Rotarun, may drop off gear any time during the day. Donations are tax deductible and help to raise funds for Rotarun’s affordable skiing and snowboarding programs that especially benefit local youth and families. The Sensational Silent Auction will include such “prizes” as a Sun Valley Challenger season pass, a Sun Valley 15-day pass, a Blaine County Recreation District Nordic season pass, a Sun Valley Trekking Winter Yurt Getaway, custom-fitted ski boots, a Dollar Mountain lift chair, a private dinner prepared by Michel Rudigoz and Michel’s Christiania executive chef Laurent Loubot, Rossignol classic Nordic skis, fine dining, spa and party packages, and more. Bidding starts on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Sturtos Hailey and continues until 1 p.m. on the day of the swap.

Blaine County School District assesses achievement data

The Blaine County School District is using multiple data points to confirm progress with academic achievement and identify areas for growth among all students. While all groups of students perform above state average in most areas, data consistently shows an achievement gap. A detailed report will be available in October on both the website and during the board of trustees meeting on Oct. 11. In math, the district uses the Idaho Standards Achievement Test and the STAR tests. In English language arts, the district uses ISAT, Idaho Reading Indicator, STAR and ACCESS tests. The district monitors growth in the number of students participating and succeeding in advanced opportunities such as Honors, Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses. Overall assessment of student achievement in reading shows slight growth. Student achievement in math is stronger at the secondary level than the elementary level in comparison to the state. In response to the sixth-grade data, teachers have revised the curriculum. Although BCSD students perform above the state average in most areas, the achievement gap among Blaine County students is larger than the state. “The achievement gap exists among students who have disabilities, are learning English as a second language, and come from poverty, which is 42 percent of our student population,” Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes said. “We’re proud of the fact that these students perform above state average, but it’s not acceptable that they don’t perform as well as their peers.” The data was shared with educators on Data Day, Friday, Sept. 13. “After a year using the new STAR Reading and STAR Math assessments, we now understand that there is a strong relationship between our students’ STAR scores and ISAT scores. This data allows us to monitor growth throughout the year and plan instruction accordingly.” Information is available at blaineschools.org under the Educate section of the Blaine County School District Strategic Plan, available at the bottom of the website. For more information contact Grabow at (208) 578-5411 or mgrabow@blaineschools.org.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

SPONSORED CHA

FIRST AWARENE

T Jenny Krueger takes center stage at the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. Photo courtesy Sun Valley Summer Symphony by Nils Ribi

SUMMER SYMPHONY’S NEW HEAD LOOKS MCKENNA NORRIS TO THE FUTURE

McKenna Norris shows championship form. Photo courtesy of McKenna Norris

BY JONATHAN KANE

cKenna Norris, a senior at Wood River High School carrying a 3.8 grade point average, vice president of the Spirit Club and a member of the Key Club, will be competing this week at the Equestrian U.S. Nationals in the Hunter Jumper discipline. “Riding horses is my main love in life,” Norris said. “It gives you the opportunity to have an unspoken relationship with an animal as well as giving you a means of communication with that animal. That communication is the main reason that I’m so passionate about the sport.” Norris grew up on a horse property outside of Seattle, where she started riding. Her family moved to the Wood River Valley when she was in sixth grade Her earliest memory is when she won a pony lead-line class when she was 6 years old. There was an article about her in her local newspaper. “It was amazing,” Norris said. “I was on cloud nine.” A big part of Hunter Jumper competition is based on the rider’s appearance, and how the rider presents herself to the judges. “I have recently switched my training to Santa Rosa, Calif.,” said Norris, “because there are so many more opportunities to ride and I felt I could go further in the sport.” Norris has proved that to be true by qualifying for the Nationals for the first time, which will be held this weekend in Maryland and Pennsylvania. “They are just really hard to qualify for,” she said. “I felt I

didn’t have enough shows and not enough points, but somehow the stars aligned. I’m just totally overjoyed. I never expected to go East for it after watching it on a live feed every year. It’s truly amazing.” At the competition, the riders and horses are judged on rhythm and form as they execute eight to 13 jumps. The events are not timed. “It’s called Hunter Jumper because it is derived from the traditional form of fox hunting,” Norris said. “What you are doing today is hunting the jumps.” The event will be one or two rounds and there will be 300 competitors. Norris feels her strength as a top competitor comes “from my thought process toward the sport. It’s how I prepare before I go in that really counts. Then I have to remember to always breathe and walk into the arena with confidence and then it’s just getting that first jump in.” The process of jumping only takes a few minutes. “But the Nationals will be a whole new world for me and nerves will be at an all-time high,” Norris said. “But what I really can’t get my head around is who I’ll be competing against. These girls are all my idols from back East and my inspiration. It’s hard to believe I’ll be going up against them.” 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 Jonathan Kane at jkjonkane@gmail.com. tws

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

Our Mission: To be a world-class, student focused, community of teaching and learning.

For the latest news and happenings at BCSD sign up to receive our BCSD Weekly Update on our website: www.blaineschools.org

“Like” us on Facebook and sign up for RSS Feeds from our home page and each school’s home page too. Go to “News” at www.blaineschools.org

BY DANA DUGAN

oming in fresh to an established organization can initiate a few different responses. Fear might be one of those feelings or, conversely, a sense that you are in the right place at the right time. The latter is, fortunately, the response of Jenny Krueger, who took over the reins of the county’s largest free summer symphony program in June, and is resolved to keep the stakes high for the coming season. The Sun Valley Summer Symphony ran from July 24 to Aug. 18 at the Holding Pavilion in Sun Valley. “When you put on a season like we just did, there’s tremendous pressure for next year,” Krueger said in her Ketchum office last week. The nonprofit organization is in final negotiations regarding contracts. The 2016 season was filled with highlights. It was the final year in the threeyear residency of the classically trained string trio, Time for Three. It marked a performance of the co-commissioned “Firebird,” with puppetry and dance by Handspring Puppetry Company, of Cape Town, South Africa. It had Joyce Yang as a guest star performing Prokofiev, and Mahler’s gigantic Symphony No. 3 finished out the season. “I learned – my first bird’s-eye view – we have an amazing music director in Alasdair Neale,” Krueger said. “He’s a brilliant person and he’s a master at scheduling the programs. It was a ride he conducted all the way to the end. His pace was perfection.” Krueger spent time in the orchestra seating, and on the lawn, during this past season to get a feel for the experience from every angle. In fact, Krueger headed out to the “cheap seats” on the lawn during Joyce Yang’s Prokofiev performance. “It’s not a well-known piece,” she said. “I worried how it was going to be received. With her last note, the lawn audience just stood up as one in applause. This audience is not typical; it’s a special audience. I was out there, too, for ‘Firebird’ – you could hear a pin drop.” The symphony’s biggest audience night was, as usual, Pops. This year, at 9,000, it was the largest audience the Sun Valley Summer Symphony has ever attracted. “The impact is that this audience shows up and, over the years, they’ve developed an ear and acquired tastes,” said Krueger. “It speaks a lot to our mission” – to bring music of this quality for free to everyone – “and we’re cultivating the next generation.” Another aspect that has amazed Krueger is how the entire communi-

ty seems to get behind the work of the Summer Symphony. “I loved the friends I made,” she said. “The audience, patrons, housing hosts, musicians, volunteers – just seeing people so regularly is extra special.” Many of the musicians use the term “camp” for their time in Sun Valley. It’s condensed quality time spent producing something remarkable. “We do in three-and-a-half weeks what part-time orchestras do in a year, which is part of the thrill,” Krueger said. “It’s so high caliber. It blows my mind.” Neale has an excellent term for what the symphony creates, both as an artistic organization and as a part of the community: “gross domestic happiness.” Krueger agrees with this concept. “It’s not just coming together and listening, or what the musicians and Alasdair is putting out. It’s positive and exhilarating and it comes back around. This is the responsibility we have. We owe it to our supporters. It’s reciprocal and we thrive on that. It’s very rewarding.” Immediately after the season was over, in August, the entire organization took a few days to recover and then, in the hopes of capturing that energy, began debriefing. “How do we make sure the formula for next year has the special ingredients that this one had,” said Krueger. “For one thing, our summer workshops will expand. We have a new initiative that’s very exciting. And we’ll end as big or bigger than last year. It will be a different ride, but end with a big finale.” “I don’t know,” I said, since I’d been hugely impressed with the Mahler finale. “How you can top it?” “Oh, but we will,” Krueger said with the assurance of one who has a delicious secret up her sleeve. Krueger will meet in San Francisco this week with Neale, and the entire personnel and production team, to begin plotting out the next season from a production standpoint. “They are a dream team, as well,” Krueger said. “We want to make sure they have all the resources they need.” One last thought from Kruger on her first season with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. Her musical highlight was August 11, when the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. “He’s one of my favorite composers, and I’ve played it a dozen or so times,” Krueger said. “But it was this interpretation, and the caliber of the musicians that were playing. “It’s an extraordinary blessing to be here right now, with all these people, doing what I’m doing.” tws

BY JEFF BACON

he Sun Valley Board altors Community dation started doi math regarding veterans li Blaine County and the n weren’t adding up. “According to the censu there are approximately veterans living in Blaine ty,” notes Amanda Ornela of the Foundation. “An al number of those vets are at or below the poverty le our board felt it was time t this information out to ou munity and find a way to This Saturday, Oct. 1, t Valley Board of Realtors munity Foundation will h first Fun Run and Walk to its new veterans housing tance program, 5B Realt Veterans. A first-of-its-kind prog the Wood River Valley, altors for Veterans will g percent of the proceeds ra sustainable housing for lo erans and their families. “Our board has already to pay all of the costs ass with putting on this event gives us the ability to u percent of the monies co during this event to go dir help our veterans that nee tance,” Amanda adds. Founded in 2004, the S ley Board of Realtors Com ty Foundation has a consi history in helping thro the Valley. Foundation pr include a scholarship for

This Chambe Corner is brought to you by the Hailey Chamb of Commerce

COLUMN MOVIE R

‘CAP

BY JONATHAN KANE

s modern American nurturing or debili That’s one of the questions posed by the n tertaining movie, “Capta tastic.” Written and direc actor Matt Ross, in a fine the film should have wide for an indie movie. The story centers on Mortensen as a father children that he is raising grid with his wife in the ic Northwest. In fact, the created their own Swiss Robinson, much to the c of family members. Wh story opens, Mortensen is in the hospital sufferin mental problems, leaving raise the brood, which h with strict physical traini strenuous book learning. One of many looming lems is the reality tha oldest son, an excellent

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2016

AMBER CORNER

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Brandee Smith and Amanda Ornelas pose in their office at Sun Valley Board of Realtors. Photo by The Chamber

County students, with more than $200,000 having been awarded to date. The Foundation’s annual Holiday Baskets provide food and gifts of warmth to over 400 Valley families each year. They also raised funds for local firefighters during the Castle Rock and Beaver Creek fires, totaling $67,000. “Whether it’s our Realtors for Air program or helping raise funds for a Habitat for Humanity project, the Foundation is all about finding ways to help our community in the Wood River Valley,” Amanda adds. “We’re excited to be able to bring an issue like housing assistance for veterans to a place where it’s better understood by our community and we’re offering them a way to help as well.” Saturday’s Fun Run and Walk starts at 9 a.m. in Lions Park in Hailey, next to the Draper Wood River Preserve. “Being able to use the Preserve for the starting

and finishing point for this event has been a great experience,” Amanda notes. “The leaves are starting to change color and there’s that great crisp feel in the air in the mornings. We’re looking forward to seeing all the families come out and enjoy the walk through a beautiful part of town and know they’re helping some of America’s heroes at the same time. Of course, dogs are welcome, too.” Grumpy’s is providing a postrace lunch, with tickets available for purchase during registration. Sawtooth Brewery is providing free beer and Toni’s is providing free ice cream. Registration for the event is available online at 5BVeterans.org. Jeff Bacon is The Chamber’s membership director. For more information, visit www.haileyidaho.com or call The Chamber at (208) 788-3484.

To find out about being featured here, or for information on Hailey Chamber of Commerce membership, please contact us at 788.3484 or info@haileyidaho.com

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REVIEW

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Off The Grid

MacKay, will soon be entering the real world, prepared for it or not. In a stirring opening sequence, MacKay successfully hunts and kills a deer, much to the delight of his two younger brothers and three younger sisters as sort of a rite of passage. When news comes that their mother has committed suicide and that her father plans a traditional burial, the family loads into the bus and heads to New Mexico, against orders, and tries to hijack the proceedings. It’s here that Mortensen comes face to face with American culture and everything that he has tried to shield the family from. Of course, the inevitable collision will have consequences. Although the movie gets a little sweet at the end, all in all it is a fine effort principally because of Mortensen’s lead performance. He has now firmly ascended to the top ranks of American film actors

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christina.tindle.ma@gmail.com and this is another don’t-miss performance. tws

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Trailing of the Sheep to celebrate next generation, partners with Mountain Rides

Now in its 20th year, the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival will bring to the Wood River Valley storytelling, sharing, listening, learning and preserving history from Oct. 5-9. Annually, the Festival celebrates the tradition of moving sheep from high mountain summer pastures down through the Valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. This year marks the conclusion of the Festival’s three-year Sheep Tales Gathering session project of “Celebrating Generations,” designed to share and save the memories of Western sheep-ranching families. Voices of the next generation will share their perspectives on how, and if, they can take up the dream from their great-grandparents and make it their own. Hal Cannon, musician and poet, will moderate the evening at nexStage Theatre on Friday, Oct.7.

Jonathon Kane is the producer and director of nexStage Theatre’s Play Reading Series.

Mountain Rides will provide additional public transportation during the weekend of events. It will operate its normal Valley Route connecting Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley and will also make a special stop at the Sheep Folklife Fair at McKercher Gateway Park in Hailey on Saturday. A one-way cash fare is $3, and a round-trip special rate is $5 during the Festival, payable to the driver. In addition on Saturday, a special shuttle will run from McKercher Park during the Folklife Fair to Quigley Canyon field and the Championship Sheepdog Trials every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a round-trip cost of $1 per person. For tickets, information and detailed schedule of events, visit trailingofthesheep.org.

COMME N TA RY

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

Fishing R epoRt

PET COLUMN NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR SEPT 28 - OCT 4 FROM PICABO ANGLER

ooling temperatures are beginning to close the daytime fishing windows. Expect a shift closer and closer to midday fishing as things continue to cool down. This doesn’t mean we will see a dropoff in fishing. In fact, we should see a true push away from the summer hatches, including the big Callibaetis hatches we have been experiencing, and a lot more of the Fall Baetis and Mahogany Duns. Silver Creek is truly special right now. I have been saying this for weeks, but if you want to see the Creek full of crystal-clear water, now is the time. If you want to see massive bull moose walking about and enjoy the evening ritual of bull elk bugling, now is the time. If you want to see the beginnings of the waterfowl migration, coupled with the migration of giant brown trout, now is the time. Plan on the fishing to start later and later in the day. Right now about 10 o’clock is plenty early and by week’s end 11 o’clock should suffice. Once the action begins, anglers can normally fish pretty close to dark this time of year. If you want to stay, this is the best time of year to target the biggest fish in the Creek with a Mouse pattern after dark. Take all your Silver Creek techniques if you head for the Big Wood this week. Fall Baetis and fish moving into the slick water tail-outs of the runs will force anglers to bring out the 6X tippets and a low profile as you approach. Patterns like Gulper Specials and Parachute Adams in a size 20 and 22 will work great. Fish small Orange Stimulators north of town to imitate the October Caddis and don’t forget a big size 12 H & L Variant when nothing else is working. The Upper Lost is beginning to quiet down for the season, but if you want solitude and some decent fishing, there is still some opportunity for adventurous anglers. The Lower Lost continues to fish well with Baetis and most red-colored nymphs like Copper Johns and San Juan Worms. The South Fork of the Boise should bust loose with Fall Baetis earlier in the day as the temperatures cool. The fishing has been good, but a late start has kept anglers away. Expect things to crank up around noon as we feel the air chill. Happy fishing, everyone!

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

DOGS & PUPPIES MOUTHING

BY FRAN JEWELL

n my job, I have spent thousands and thousands of hours socializing puppies and older dogs. One thing that people do all the time, especially with puppies, is stick their fingers in the puppy’s mouth and allow the pup to mouth or lightly bite on them. It doesn’t matter what breed the puppy is, they still stick their fingers in the puppy’s mouth. So, what is wrong with this? There are several reasons this is simply one of the worst things you can allow a puppy to do. First, puppies, as they become adults, will do the behaviors they learned first when they are stressed. If one of those behaviors is allowed to happen, especially during the first 16 weeks, then the puppy is so much more likely to put its mouth on someone when they are stressed – whether the stress is good or bad. This sets the puppy up for failure as an adult. When an adult dog decides to use its mouth (it doesn’t matter how gently or how hard), it can become a liability. Now, imagine you own a large-breed dog, maybe one that is known for protection, such as a Rottweiler, German shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Akita, giant Schnauzer, or even cattle dog. Someone who is afraid of dogs comes near or visits your home. The dog might, in greeting, put its mouth on that person simply because they have been allowed to. What you see as a friendly gesture is interpreted as an aggressive bite by the stranger. Now imagine you have a little dog – beagle, Westie, poodle, poodle-mix – it doesn’t matter what breed. The same thing happens. Now you find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit or a fine and your dog is labeled a vicious dog. It really doesn’t matter what breed you own. If a dog’s mouth is on someone, it can and most likely will be misinterpreted as aggression and a bite by someone. Secondly, a dog that is allowed to put its mouth on someone as a puppy will do that behavior in the midst of severe or even light stress. Imagine you take your dog to the vet

Teach puppies early that putting their mouth on people is not okay. It doesn’t matter what breed you own. Photo by Fran Jewell

and the dog is stressed because the vet needs to restrain it for an IV. What happens? Your dog if far more likely to use its mouth to resist and get what it wants – which is to be released. Then the vet muzzles your dog and your dog now has a bad experience with the vet. It’s an endless cycle. What does mouthing mean? Many times it is just play, as a dog would do with another dog. However, it is not respectful to a human. A dog should not play with a human as it would with another dog. Many people do not see the problem with this. People want to play with their dog. In that case, there are many other ways to play with a dog that do not involve a dog mouth on the human. Catching, retrieving, hunting for food in the grass, hunting for items like wallets, even short sessions of teaching obedience and

tricks can greatly enrich the owner/dog relationship and no mouthing is involved. I always ask people, “What if my 90-pound German shepherd put his mouth on you. How would you feel?” No one ever answers that they would like it. There is no difference in a German shepherd mouthing you or a tiny Pomeranian. Stop mouthing dead in its tracks and encourage other forms of play to keep your dog happy and safe throughout its life. 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 www.positivepuppy. com or call (208) 578-1565.

ACTIVE ART COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING

THE SCULPTURAL BEAUTY OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

BY LESLIE REGO

ast week I wrote about the Boulder Mountains, which are on the east side of Highway 75. This week I am showcasing the Smoky Mountains located on the west side of the Wood River Valley. Our beloved ski mountain, Baldy, is part of the Smoky Mountains, as well as Adams Gulch, Griffin Butte, and continuing north along Highway 75, some of the most popular kid-friendly hikes in the area such as Mill Lake, Baker Lake, Titus Lake and the Norton Lakes Loop. Unlike the better known and much lower Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, the Wood River Valley is home to nine peaks over 10,000 feet and a multitude of peaks over 9,000 feet. Perhaps best known within this mountain range are the many pristine lakes that dot the landscape and are a wonderful destination point for many hikes. The Smoky Mountains are sur-

rounded by the Boulder Mountains, the Pioneer Mountains and the Sawtooth Mountains, creating great views from almost any trail one chooses to hike. I like to take my sketchbook and stop at various points to draw panoramic scenes of the other mountain ranges. I particularly like to place a few trees from the Smoky Mountain trail in the foreground and then pan out to the distant views. I think the juxtaposition of the nearby pine trees pointing toward the distant mountains is very dramatic. Hiking along the trails in the Smoky Mountain range one sees many burnt trees from historic forest fires. The dark silver-black patterns on the bark of these trees create an eerie beauty, especially if the sun glints off of the burned areas. The trees themselves are sculptural with misshapen limbs and holes through which one can see the landscape. Recently, the wildflowers have been blooming with a vengeance, following the forest fires. The bright colors of the flowers against the black of

Leslie Rego, “Panoramic view from the Smoky Mountains,” pastel and charcoal on toned laid paper.

the trees are a beautiful study in contrasts. Since this mountain range is lower than the other ranges in the area, hiking extends well into the autumn season. There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy some of the famous trails within the Smoky Mountains.

Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit www.leslierego.com

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 28 - O C T O B E R 4, 2016

LETTER TO THE EDITOR BOB & KATE ROSSO

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ELLEN MANDEVILLE

My wife Kate and I just celebrated the 40th anniversary of our business, The Elephant’s Perch, here in Ketchum. From the early 1970s, making tourism a strong economic factor within the state of Idaho has always been a challenge. Hardworking citizens like Kathleen Eder know what it takes to make a community work for everyone. She was our postmaster in Hailey, and she is always working hard, whether it is at CK’s restaurant, or helping the kids within the Sun Valley Race Department… she has always stepped up to the challenge and gets things done. Kathleen Eder totally understands that promoting Idaho’s world-class recreation increases tourism and creates jobs. She will work hard to protect our public lands and access for fishing, hiking and other recreational activities. I admire her courage to step up to the job of House Seat 26A. Her opponent, the current representative in House Seat 26A, Steve Miller, just does not get it, and it is time for him to try something else, and for all of us to stand up and elect Kathleen Eder. She will work for us all and for the great state of Idaho. We are voting for Kathleen Eder for District 26A, and I ask you to do the same.

Regarding the interviews for the vacant Zone 3 School Board of Trustees seat, I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the process. Public education is one of the foundations of civil society. I would like to serve the students and residents of Blaine County. During their discussion, Trustee Corker remarked that all four candidates were qualified. Trustee Clayton emphasized the Board’s pressing need to fill the vacant Board seat. So when an impasse occurred for two candidates, I was shocked that none of the four trustees were willing to discuss the other two options sitting in front of them. Their actions belied their words. If they had retained the points distribution system in place when Trustee Bustos was appointed on Sept. 24, 2015, then a decision might have been reached. I encourage the trustees to reinstate the points distribution selection and tie-breaker process in place last year, to not abdicate their responsibility to the County Commissioners, and to fulfill their responsibility to the residents of Zone 3 to select a trustee from Zone 3. This would allow them to get back to the true business of the Board, which is to oversee the education of the students of Blaine County. The School Board Trustees have the right to schedule another special meeting before Oct. 12, 2016, in order to compromise on their first choices and discuss the possibility of appointing a second choice. The power and responsibility are theirs.

Vote For Eder She Knows Our Economy

Respectfully, Bob & Kate Rosso Hailey residents

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RICK FLICKINGER

50 Percent Of School Board Is Obstructive & Divisive

Anyone attending the Tuesday, Sept. 20, School Board meeting must have walked away bewildered. Those watching the live webcast must have felt the same. The board has been without a fifth member to represent Zone 3 for over 90 days, since Carol Freund was forced to resign due to health concerns. For reasons unknown, the board chose to delay opening up Carol’s position for more than 30 days following her resignation and then wait (as Idaho Statute 33-504 allows) until the 90-day maximum time permitted to appoint a replacement, nearly expired. During that 90-day period, I attended several board meetings and listened to presentations by a myriad of Irene Healy supporters, the then only applicant for the job. These presentations were concise and informative and over and over discussed Irene’s uncanny knowledge and understanding of not only the problems facing our School District, but her solutions able to be implemented immediately upon her appointment. The general theme in all cases was Irene’s integrity and her 30-plus years of working in the School District as a chemistry teacher as well as in various positions in decision-making capacities for the district, which made her an ideal, if not perfect, candidate for the trustee position. In observing what took place at the board level during this 90-day period, it was instinctively obvious to me – and to many others, I might add – that two very astute members of the board, Rob Clayton and Shawn Bennion, understood this about Irene and appeared to cherish the idea of her joining them on the board. The remaining two, on the other hand, obviously feared the intelligence and decision-making ability of Irene as well as the sense of order that she would bring to the board. Their divisive attitude and overwhelming desire to collaboratively stonewall ideas and decisions that Rob Clayton and Shawn Bennion had so desperately attempted to implement was, and still is, despicable. With Irene’s addition to the team, their ability to disrupt and stonewall could now be diminished, if not eliminated altogether. While Shawn and Rob consistently exuded professionalism and a true desire to get things done, the dismissive, divisive and disruptive display of personal power plays by the remaining two trustees permeated every meeting that I attended and created an extreme feeling of dysfunctionality not only among constituents but among Board members as well. All this being said, what gave me hope was my knowing that in a little over three weeks, over 500 petition signatures had been gathered and delivered to the board members requesting that Irene be appointed at Tuesday’s meeting. With the knowledge of Irene Healy being able to add an intelligent and forward-thinking voice and spirit to the board, I so looked forward to last Tuesday’s board meeting. I felt confident that intelligence and a feeling of what is good for our children, teachers, administrators and constituents would prevail and Irene Healy would be appointed to the board so we could move forward. Never in my wildest imagination could I envision this sense of personal power and stonewall tactics to perpetuate between the two divisive board trustees at the expense of their constituents, our children and our entire community. Unfortunately, and to my wild bewilderment, I was mistaken. Not only was Irene Healy (in my opinion the most qualified candidate) not appointed, but none of the candidates were. Both Shawn Bennion and Rob Clayton, prior to nominating Irene, spoke endlessly about her attributes and their desire to have her as a new board trustee, while at the same time cautioning the other two board members of the major consequences of not appointing a replacement trustee at this meeting. Again, it didn’t seem possible to me that any of the trustees would desire to perpetuate this situation and, hence, turn the appointment decision over to the County Commissioners. Yet that is exactly what transpired. So now we wait for another 30-90 days before an outside agency takes it out of the hands of our School Board and decides who will become our new trustee. I can only hope that both Shawn Bennion and Rob Clayton can weather the storm until our County Commissioners make the right decision and appoint Irene Healy to that position. As Rob Clayton voiced, as he expressed his frustration at the end of the meeting, “we as board members have failed a pretty big test in the eyes of the public.” Please hang in there, Shawn and Rob, as we wade through this dilemma together. I feel certain that the County Commissioners, after reviewing the list of over 500 petition signatures, will see the light, as you did, and appoint Irene Healy to join you in your tireless and selfless efforts to support our academic community. In that way we can collectively move on with intelligent decisions on behalf of those already mentioned… in spite of the negative faction you must, for the time being, endure. For those interested in viewing the entire webcast of the meeting (or portions thereof) go to: blaineschools.org/page/1794 and click on Board Webcasts on the left of the page. I think you will be astonished at what transpired. Rick Flickinger Ketchum resident

School Board, Not Commissioners, Should Appoint New Trustee

Sincerely, Ellen Mandeville Hailey resident

LETTER TO THE EDITOR LYNN FLICKINGER

Appalling

Appalling! That accurately describes the actions of Elizabeth Corker and Cami Bustos at the Blaine County School Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at interviews of candidates for the Zone 3 position. It is appalling that they chose to ignore the fact that Irene Healy was the best-qualified candidate after listening to her answer questions that demonstrated that she is knowledgeable, prepared and able to be an outstanding Trustee. It is appalling that they chose to ignore the fact that over 500 constituents signed a letter of support for Irene Healy. Hundreds of the signatures were from Bustos’ and Corker’s constituents. It is appalling that they chose to ignore all those that came forward at the Sept. 13 Board meeting to speak in favor of Irene Healy. It is appalling that they chose to ignore the many emails and phone calls that were made in favor of Irene Healy. It is appalling that they let their personal agendas get in the way of making the decision to vote for highly qualified Irene Healy so that the district will now remain without a representative for Zone 3 until, perhaps, December. Because of their obstructionist attitude and divisive actions, the Board will continue to be dysfunctional and Elizabeth Corker will continue to need more time to make decisions on every important and controversial item because she is not prepared to do her job properly. The work of the Blaine County School Board has an effect on every student in our school system. Watch the interviews and voting on https://blaineschools.eduvision.tv/defaultaspx. It is a long recording but listening to the interviews will simply reinforce the fact that Irene Healy is the best candidate, by far. Listening to the last half hour will demonstrate the obstructionist attitude of both Bustos and Corker. After watching the webcast, if you agree that Irene Healy should have been appointed, please go to www. change.org and sign Irene’s letter of support. Chair Shawn Bennion and Trustee Rob Clayton came to the meeting prepared with a full understanding of their responsibilities and I applaud them for that. There is an old cliché, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,” that is very applicable in this situation. The evening ended with a comment from Trustee Clayton that they had “failed a pretty big test in the eyes of the public.” Trustee Clayton and Trustee Bennion were professional and in no way failed. This appointment is about more than Irene Healy. This decision will have an effect on all of Blaine County. When election of trustees comes around, I do hope that their constituents will remember that Bustos and Corker failed the test. Unfortunately, this important assignment will, most likely, be put in the hands of the County Commissioners, which is unprecedented in the state of Idaho. As a Trustee of Blaine County School District for nine years and chairman for five of those years, I am appalled that a candidate of Irene Healy’s caliber was not immediately put to work for the good of the district, all the students and every taxpayer in Blaine County. Respectfully, Lynn Flickinger Ketchum resident Editor’s Note: The Weekly Sun welcomes and encourages submissions of letters to the editor. Letters do not necessarily express the opinion of The Weekly Sun or Idaho Sunshine Media, LLC. Letters are not selected based on opinion; the goal is to provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas in Blaine County. Email letters to editor@theweeklysun.com.

Clarification

In an article published Wednesday, Sept. 21, on trees in the Wood River Valley, called Speak for the Trees, there was a misstatement regarding what kinds of trees may be cut for firewood. Sawtooth National Forest zone forester Nelson Miles said, in fact, woodcutters are allowed to gather wood from dead trees that were burned or beetle killed in the past except for whitebark pine. “Whitebark pine grows at high elevations and is identifiable by clusters of five needles on very flexible branches,” Miles said. “Dead aspen, spruce, and subalpine fir are authorized for firewood cutting as well as lodgepole pine and Douglas fir as long as the woodcutter is gathering in an area identified as open on the woodcutting map.”

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2016

SUN CALENDAR THE WEEKLY

EVENT FEATURES

This year, the Sun Valley Economic Development (SVED) summit will explore “The Intersection of Housing and Talent Attraction” as its theme. Graphic by Matt Gorby

EXPLORING ‘HOUSING & TALENT ATTRACTION’ SVED economic summit 2016