BAYVIEW BOAT FIRE

Shortly after 2:00 pm I looked up and saw a giant plume of smoke coming out of Scenic Bay just off MacDonald's Resort. After reporting it to 911 dispatch, two fire boats arrived, but the fire had likely consumed most of the fuel.

EMT its were heard in the distance. An 8 year old boy and a 70 year old man were severely burned, with extensive second degree burns  below the waist along with hand and arm burns.

Life Flight was dispatched for a helicopter pickup.  I have no current info on the size of the boat or the names of the injured.

FEDERAL RESERVE THEFT

As I understand it, the Federal Reserve is not a taxing agency. Ergo, where does their money come from? Just days ago, The Fed announced that they had to date purchased Three Trillion dollars worth of T-Bills and would be continuing that practice for the foreseeable future.

The fed announces to the Treasury Department, that they were buying a billion dollars i treasury notes. (Bonds) The treasury then puts the money to use, running the government and it's reckless spending.

One thing wrong with this scenario though. The treasury doesn't have three trillion dollars or even one billion dollars. They euphemistically printed it via their computer. (Sure wish my computer could do that.)

The bottom line is that we have been flim-flamed into a three trillion debt. We the public. If you borrow money so that you can pay another debt off in such a way that misrepresents the end result, you are running a Ponzi Scheme.

Are we so uninformed or uncaring that we are not outraged? You are being stolen from ... By our own government. For the record our folks in Washington, D.C. should stop talking negatively about tyrants in other countries that are corrupt. We have our own right here. 

BAYVIEW BBQ

Please join the Bayview Community Center Foundation for its Annual BBQ on Saturday August 9^th from 6:30-8pm.  We will be featuring Texas Style Smoked Chicken or hamburgers, corn on the cob, coleslaw, soft drinks and dessert.  The cost is $10 for Adults and $5 for kids under 8. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Community Center’s operating budget.  So, come one, come all! Enjoy some good food and camaraderie while helping support a good cause.  The Center is located at 20298 Perimeter Rd. in Bayview.

CRY ME A RIVER

Cry me a River is the new theme song developed by Doug Miller and his cohorts at Hydromaniacs, (appropriate). Citing disloyalty, sabotage and other sundry excuses, the one at fault in the end was Doug Miller, the guy pointing a finger at most everyone else.

In a press release yesterday, which I believe was written by Steve Sheppard of Hydromaniacs, shots were scattered everywhere in an attempt to explain what was obvious. Instead of attending to minor issues such as site security, Miller spent most of the time rubbing elbows with the race drivers and owners in the pits.

Perhaps the worst sin was that of Dissing the leader of the sanctioning body, h-1.How in hell were they planning a 2015 race after cementing their demise by insulting the people need to sanction the next race. Miller's ego got in the way as he was offered, contrary to the press release, a buyout by others that realized Miller was a brilliant promoter, but incompetent as a manager. If you wanted to buy snake oil, Doug is your man.

It is obvious that a race is a popular idea. Sure, not everyone is a hydro fan. But then not everyone is a fan of Iron Man and other very popular events. It only takes about 20,000 spectators (that pay) to make a successful event of this magnitude work.  Last year's event had that many, but most of them were not controlled by ticket sales security.

There most likely will be a 2015 hydroplane race in Kootenai County next year. It will be a new group made up of responsible members, and most likely a non-profit event. The fine group of advisers from 2013 melted away like ice cubes in July heat after last year. The huge unpaid debt and mismanagement caused all of the previously involved to fade away.

To blame anyone else for your own failures is just whining. There is an old saying; "Lead, follow or get out of the way." Doug, I suggest you get out of the way.

These stats are not audited, but believed to be accurate.

INB  $130,000
 H1 still owed $70k
Durham Bus Company still owed $40k
Traffic Corp still owed $30k
Hite Crane still owed $11k
NW Tree still owed $11k
Kootenai Fire still owed $15k
Kootenai Landfill still owed $2500
Pat Stroud  $4000
The problem here is Mr Miller and his plan to make enought this year to pay last years bills and this years bills. All with less than 30 days to get enough volunteers to make it happen. Total unpaid debt in excess of $313,500. In addition are boat rides sold believed to be around $5000. Diamond Cup, LC has offered refunds. Good luck on that.

A DOG'S LIFE SPENT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8Njp-QC7KMQ

This is a video depicting the pickup that Arfie was in. As is obvious, the dog could have done no harm to anyone, since the window was only open far enough for ventilation. The bullet hole in the window offers proof positive that the officer was in no danger at all. He apparently shot because he was startled.

A law enforcement officer has a great burden when risking his own life while serving the public safety. Having said that, restraint is an absolute must. I immediately flashed to an image involving a person instead of a protective pet.

Recently there have been way too many incidents where shooting a suspect is the first choice, when they all carry mace and shock guns. Taking another's life is a decision that should be a last resort, not a first. This officer has shown an outrageous lack of judgement. To shoot through a window at either a dog or a person, when the officer is not threatened in any way, is murder.

This officer should immediately be fired as unsuitable for carrying a weapon of any kind. A hair trigger response is not responsible, especially in a law enforcement officer. There simply isn't an excuse in this case that will wash. Down the road.

He needs to work in a non-violent job like McDonald's or ... Wait,  did say non-violent. OK, so a fast food job might be too much responsibility.  Try something, anything that doesn't involve good judgement, if there is such a thing.

TOO HOT? TRY BAYVIEW

If you live in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene or even next door and up the hill in Athol, you are going to experience weather that is tickling triple digits in the next week. Not so in Bayview.

The lower temperature of Lake Pend Oreille tends to keep the air temperatures cooler, much like an air conditioner. Our temps will register closer to ten degrees below the above mentioned communities. That along with our air conditioned restaurants offer an alternative to staying home and cooking over a hot stove in an even hotter house.

Unlike the Bayview Daze weekend, there are Very few people in town this week and plenty of space in our eating places. The temps also cool off quickly in the evenings here. So Y'all come on down,

LEGAL VS STREET STUFF

Much has been written about Washington's  new Marijuana law. I decided to do the math. At $25.00 per gram 3.5 grams (one eighth ounce) the price is $87.50. On the street you can buy an eighth for $40.00.

Somehow I don't think the state is going to kill off the black market. In fact it is possible that they have set the bar higher for illegal pot. One of the ironies is that you can buy an ounce from a drug dealer for about $300 and the minute it hits your pocket it is untraceable from the legal which would have cost $700.00.

When I was a young man, I remember all gambling except bingo was illegal, immoral and was reputed to break up families. Then the state found a way to tax it. Suddenly all of the preaching about the evils went away.

Now we have legal pot. While the federal government hasn't come to their collective sense, they are ignoring the issue in states that have legalized it. With 25% taxes levied against the grower, then another 25% against the processor and again against the retail sale, the tax which is compounded, is actually $95.31% Now do you all understand that pot is no longer bad for you?

It would seem that government greed knows no boundaries. Legal $700, illegal $300.00. If the new law was designed to attack drug lords, they missed by a mile. The moral of this story is ... What? 

YOU CAN HEAR A PIN DROP

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were hectic days with the Holiday events during Bayview Daze. Today, it is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. The loudest noise in town is the fish swimming by. This is typical for the day after.

No lines at the Bayview Mercantile, the restaurants or anywhere. Parking is available everywhere. The carnival that played during the weekend sits forlornly packed up waiting for departure for the next destination.

Yesterday the RV parks were full. Today empty. All is well except my phone won't work. My Time-Warner package quit on me over the week-end. I took the modem back and exchanged it for a new one. The trouble began with the new one not being anything like the old one. Where there was only one phone jack there are now two. Where there was only one Ethernet connection there are now four.

As you can see, I finally got my Internet working, but my phone just sits there ignoring my efforts to get it turned on. There are two jacks. Neither work. I would call tech support, but then you have to have a phone to do that. If anyone out there is acquainted with this type of equipment, I'd appreciate some enlightenment.

PS: Tuesday noon my phone rang. Apparently they sent Internet to the new modem and forgot the phone. Fortunately, 24 hours later it works. Now all I have to do is figure out how to set up WiFi. It mentioned a gateway without an instructions on how to set it up. How is an old fart like me that learned to type on a Manuel Underwood, supposed to know this stuff. Oh well, maybe there is a 12 year old living close by.

BAYVIEW ENTERTAINMENT

The big week-end is almost upon us. Entertainment galore. But wait, there's more. This year, thanks to Chan Karupiah, owner of five Bayview Marinas, the kids will have their venue as well. Chan has arranged to have a carnival which is being set up in the large parking lot across from the newly opened Bayview Mercantile.

Adult entertainment as usual, will be provided by local bars. At JD's, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, The Wilsons will perform. The evening entertainment will be provided by Dave Green and the sidemen. For Sunday morning survivors, bloody mary's and red beer will be mercifully provided.

The Captain's Wheel just finished the largest stage in town which will feature the Gill Rivas Jam, outside Saturday. Friday evening will feature the "Usual Suspects," followed Saturday night with Last Chance performing inside.

The Floating Patio at the boat Launch will feature rock & roll with "Three Piece Suit" entertaining Friday and Saturday nights, 8:00 pm to midnight.

As previously reported, the usual fireworks display which is coordinated by the Bayview Chamber, but financed by you. Please note the donation cans located throughout Bayview businesses and provide for next year's festivities. A lighted boat parade will kick things off Saturday evening about 9:00 pm, followed by north Idaho's best fireworks show at 10:00 pm.

Come on down for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Oops, I almost forgot. Friday am, the 4th will be a red, white and blue pancake breakfast with blueberry and strawberry toppings smothered in whipped cream, plus sausages. Donations are appropriate. It will be held from 8:30 am to 11:00 am at the Bayview Community Center.