Oktoberfish 2010

There are many Oktoberfests in many locations, but there is only one Oktoberfish. Organized by Ralph Jones of Ralph's Coffee House in Bayview six years ago, it is a great hit with fishermen and women in the area.

September and October are recognized on Lake Pend Oreille as prime fishing conditions. Coming up the week-end of October 2 and 3 is Oktoberfish. Which is a Lake Pend Oreille South Enders Derby. Now in it's sixth year, this derby with 100% payout has become quite popular in Bayview. It's not just Bayviewites though, fisher persons come from many areas surrounding including many from Spokane.

This year as last, Idaho Fish & Game is still paying a bounty on Rainbow Trout and Mackinaw as well. Either of these are worth $15.00 from IF&G if they are a minimum 12inches long. In addition, there is no catch limit on either. Just be careful about confusing Bull trout, which are protected, and Macs which are very similar in appearance.

Here's the way it works. Entry fee is $25.00 per person and you must hold a valid Idaho fishing license. The 100% payout is based on proceeds from entry fees and funds from the auction which will take place Friday, October 1 at Rusty's Buttonhook Restaurant. The derby is being sponsored by the following Bayview businesses: Ralph's Coffee House, The Floating Patio, Bayview Mercantile, Rusty's Buttonhook Inn, Brad's List and Tobler Marine.

Ralph Jones, the organizer tells us, “Come on down to Rusty's Buttonhook for the fisherman's auction. 6:00 pm, Friday, October 1. We'll auction off donated goods, including fishing gear and other valuable stuff.. Bring your goods, services and gift certificates for auction and/or raffle. A 50/50 raffle will take place with tickets available at the auction.” Derby tickets are available now at Ralph's Coffee House, or you can purchase them at the auction. After entry fees are compiled along with proceeds from the auction and raffle, a total is arrived at.
The division of prizes are as follows:

First place wins 50% for the largest Rainbow Trout. (Gerard). Second prize is worth 30% of proceeds, with 20% for the third largest Rainbow. $350 and $150 are the prizes for first and second place for a two day aggravate weight Mackinaw total. In addition, a $100 prize will be awarded for the first Rainbow weighing in larger than last year's which was 15 pounds, 7 ounces. Floating buoy prizes as well, with up to $50.00 values.

Come on down without having dinner first, because a free German feed will be available for ticket holders. T-shirts, hats, hoodies will be sold as well.
Last year, 102 entrants participated in the derby with some real nice fish caught. Oh and of course many stories about the ones that got away. Any time fishermen and women get together one can expect stories of immense proportions that some suggest stretches credibility to the limit. Enter the derby and claim the travelin' trophy.

For ticket or derby information, call Ralph at 208-683-2218 or e-mail: bayviewralph@yahoo.com.

Timberlake Recall Election

Well, it is official. With 468 or so signatures on a recall petition, the status of Commissioners, Fish and Rudebaugh becomes shaky. The key in this election issue is why people signed the petition. If as some claim, it was due to a false accusation of violations of the open meeting laws, then their jobs are probably safe.

My take on this though, is that the public is stirred up and righteously indignant over the transfer of management to another larger fire district. In our area, people are pretty conservative when it comes to local control. Even if it makes fiscal sense, the management contract puts control of assets and training into the hands of a department that is answerable to taxpayers from another area. This issue is going to bite the district in the butt, unless they promptly draw new district lines, allowing the higher population areas the proper amount of representation. We have a fresh census to draw on and accurate planning would go a long way toward equality.

While I have not taken a position on the recall, I certainly believe strongly that a move of that magnitude needed to go before the voters. Simply laying out what the per $1000 increase in taxes would entail in real money, rather than generalizations presented by the board of commissioners, would have been useful. While nothing can be done this year, I suspect that the commission, of whatever makeup, will let the voters choose their poison next time around.

Another related issue, is that Bayview, probably the largest venue in assessed valuation in Timberlake fire district, no longer has a commissioner. At the resignation of Kirk Quillan, a person from little blacktail, an enclave of maybe 30 families, if that,and even in another county, has been given that seat. While the law requires representation of the minority county membership, it doesn't intend to disenfranchise a population of the size of Bayview, including Cape Horn. I predict that this issue, once people become aware of it, will over shadow the other issue of management.

At this point the sides are drawn up pretty much with Bayview and Athol facing each other across a line of scrimmage, with issues that strongly differ from each other. This, of course will eventually play out, but not before a lot of blood is spilled, (figuratively, of course) Then there is the issue, of who would serve, knowing the can of worms that they would inherit. Unfortunately in these situations, thinking, principled candidates avoid, and power hungry individuals triumph through default.

The results of the November election will be very interesting. I wish the district well, but have strong reservations as to the purposes and goals of the serving commissioners.

Farragut Navy Reunion 2010

64 years ago, in 1946, Farragut Naval Training Depot was closed and deactivated. By war’s end, 293,381 recruits passed through the base. It was in fact the second largest naval training base in the country. Tomorrow, we once again honor them at the reunion of those that have survived since the wars end.

What many don't know about Farragut, was that in addition to basic training, several technical training battalions were operated from the base, as well as a camp dedicated to returning wounded. The hospital at the Base was the second largest in the country, rivaling even Washington D.C. With it's Bethesda Naval Hospital. One of the more prominent schools was that of the hospital, which trained corpsmen. The Marine Corps doesn't have their own medics and rely on the Navy for those skills.

Accompanying the first wave in the island assaults throughout the pacific, were those corpsmen. Of the many graduates that served, two were awarded the medal of honor and one, the navy cross, second highest award for valor. Fred Faulkner Lester also attended Naval Medical Corps Basic Training at Farragut, Idaho, graduating in December 1943.
Lester was a Navy medical corpsman during the Battle of Okinawa where he earned the Medal of Honor in June 1945. He trained with Company 954 at Camp Ward.

CITATION:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with an Assault Rifle Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, June 8, 1945. Quick to spot a wounded marine lying in an open field beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic Japanese hill position, LESTER unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty under a concentrated barrage from hostile machine guns, rifles, and grenades. Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before he reached cover, he exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded himself to administer aid, he instructed two of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued marine. Realizing that his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused medical attention for himself and, gathering his fast waning strength with calm determination, coolly and expertly directed his men in the treatment of two other wounded marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, LESTER, by his indomitable spirit, outstanding valor and competent direction of others, had saved the life of one who otherwise must have perished and had contributed to the safety of countless others. LESTER’s heroic fortitude in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
/S/ Harry S. Truman

Robert E. Bush attended Naval Medical Corps Basic Training at Farragut, Idaho, graduating in February 1944. He then continued his training at Farragut, graduating from the Hospital Corps School on or about April 28, 1944.

Bush was a Navy medical corpsman during the Battle of Okinawa and at the age of 18, was the youngest sailor to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.

These are but a few of the heroic sailors that went forth to do battle for what was the survival of this country. Those still living, and they are getting fewer each year, as most are in their late 80's or even 90's. Those that are with us will join together once again at the annual reunion tomorrow, Saturday, September 11. Ironically, this date has a meaning much like that of WW11's pearl harbor. 9-11 also is a day remembered in infamy.

Veterans and other interested parties are invited to attend the flag raising ceremony at 9:00 am followed by the traditional visit and picnic at Sunrise Day Use
Camp at approximately 10:00 am.

Fall Is Here

It doesn't take a pronouncement from me to tell you that fall has arrived. Fortunately for the celebrants at the Centennial country Fair, in excess of 200 people arrived and departed throughout the afternoon. Games, the registration tent blowing away, Ski entering the best leg contest, sack races, we had it all, thanks to an untiring effort by the Centennial committee who worked tirelessly throughout the year, fund raising, promoting events and then executing them.

We had the dedication of the monument entering town, Bayview Daze events including the sale of calendars, picture history books of Bayview's past and of course yours truly through the Spokesman-Review, with a four part history of Bayview. That history only touched the high points and didn't cover the whole area as Linda Hackbarth's publications do, but with space restrictions, the S/R generously donated about 6000 words carefully structured and at least struck the high points.

Like all historical works, it was a living documentary as old truths gave way to new information as always. Linda Hackbarth, unstintingly gave and then gave some more, never hesitating to donate information and pictures that enabled this chronicle to happen.

Our town is quiet today. The splatter of a few rain drops, interrupting the total absence of noise as the tourist season winds down and the town of Bayview becomes, once again, ours. This isn't to say that visitors are not still welcome. With lowered expectations regarding daytime temperatures, September can be the best month of all.

Local businesses are segueing into off season hours, but so far only minor changes. The Buttonhook, with the departure of families has reduced their hours to Friday-Saturday and Sunday, opening at 4:00 pm. The Patio is opening at 10:00 am, instead of the summertime 7:00 am. Ralph's Internet Cafe is still operating at full capacity as well as the Bay Cafe. Updates to these hours and schedules will be posted as necessary. Oops. The Bay Cafe is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Have a great Autumn, hunting season and fall fishing. Speaking of which, the annual Oktober fish tournament will kick off October first as always. More on that later. Organized by Ralph Jones and sponsored by local merchants, this is always a popular time for liars, er' fishermen and women to get together and trade stories about the monsters that somehow got away. (Each year the size tends to multiply.) For more on the derby, call Ralph at 208-683-2218.

Labor Day Fun & Games

One last day of centennial celebration will occur with a Country Fair Saturday, September 4. Held at the community Center from 1-6 pm, games will go on most of the day. A cakewalk will take place every half hour, as well as a new bingo game as well. Prizes and various contests will go on all afternoon, followed by the cutting of the Bayview birthday cake at 3:45. An old fashioned street dance will follow.

In Bayview, any excuse for a party is a good one. Come one, come all. It's the last splash of the season, where Summer appears to be rapidly sliding away.

Vicious Cycles

Law enforcement is stymied these days. I can only speak for my local area, Kootenai County, Idaho. Currently, Sheriff Rocky Watson is suing the County for additional funding to support an ever growing crime rate. Fines that accrue from arrests, both criminal and traffic, go to the state, not the county that collects them. This gives responsibility without the funding to go with it. Sounds like government, doesn't it?

Several factors are creating this logjam. First and most obviously, we are in a deep recession, perhaps even a depression. The idea that the fed fears a double dip is ludicrous. There was never a recovery from the first one. Just an artificial period whereby the federal government threw billions of dollars into the economy. They called it "Stimulus." It worked. It artificially stimulated the economy for a while, then the money was all used up and employment was still high.

Here and now, in the second phase of financial breakdown, we find ourselves fighting increasing crime brought on by people being broke. Many people are shop lifting, burglarizing homes and businesses and then there are the hard drug users that can't keep up financially with their addictions. Sheriff Watson is faced with increasing need for enforcement, while his budget is being reduced. There are only two untouchables in government funding. Law enforcement and fire protection. Everything after that is luxury, with the possible exception of education. The problem with education is once a two or three year reduction in educational productivity happens, those students going through the pipeline at that time will never get the missed wisdom back.

For starters, it is time for the state of Idaho to return the bulk of fines to the counties earmarked specifically for law enforcement and jail maintenance. This will take legislation that should have been presented many years ago. It is understandable to an extent that direct retention of fines tend to mirror the legendary stereotypical sheriffs in the deep South with their speed traps and other revenue producing scams.

These can be regulated by one, not returning all of the monies, and two, by carefully watching cause and effect. The other proactive thing the state legislators could do is to modify misdemeanor penalties that do not need incarceration. Arrests for driving without a valid drivers licence is not a violent crime and the perpetrators need not be separated from the general populous. Other such crimes are; arrests for small portions of Marijuana and or the paraphernalia that goes with it. Suspending drivers licences for those driving without a licence perpetuates the crime, since in our rural area, if you want to work and still have the opportunity to do so, you have to drive. Closer enforcement at the source of drunk driving starts at the bar that is over serving their obviously drunk clientele. Start fining bartenders and bar owners. People that drink at home don't get caught driving under the influence, nor do they go out and kill other, innocent motorists.

We need to tie serving the public to those at the fringes of society that most need help staying out of trouble. Our judges are not accomplishing that. Perhaps because of unfunded mandates from the legislature, but never the less, Idaho public records show a continuous list of 180 day sentences for failure to purchase a drivers license. The term of imprisonment for that is overkill and cruel and unusual punishment.

There are men that beat their wives that don't get six months.This whole scenario needs to be revisited, and soon. I don't believe we are coming out of this recession any time soon and when we do, inflation from the money thrown at the economy will be rampant, causing another downturn. This next decade is not looking good and we will have to either fund law enforcement or barricade ourselves in our homes, triple locked much like New York City.