More Bayview W & S

I do not know the source of this artical but am publishing it for your information. I do not attest to it's accuracy.

 

NOTICE TO BAYVIEW SEWER CUSTOMERS -

Let it be known that the new board has voted to terminate the last remaining employee, who possess current licenses to operate all aspects of wastewater collection, treatment and land application as well as water distribution.

The BW & S board has now contracted with a water management company who does not hold licenses to operate the wastewater treatment site, and as such, this operation has been shut down months early and all waste water is being diverted to the leach fields, intended only for winter usage. The Department of Environmental Quality intervened, since the district was out of compliance with licensure requirements.

If you are concerned with this action, please come to the district Budget Hearing special meeting this Thursday at 3:30, Community Center.

Disembowled Bayview W & S

I was shocked yesterday when I learned that the longtime manager of the Sewer District quit his job about four months ago. Where was the news. It certainly rated a story in Bylines. Is it possible that only news that the writer agrees with is published?

Then on top of that, The only qualified person left, Reed, was dumped in favor of bringing in an outsider that has no knowledge of the infrastructure here.

I, at this point feel the board of directors are out of control. I deeply regret my vote and the backing of the two recent candidates. If there is a valid reason for this action, almost doubling the salary that Reed received, for a stranger, we need to hear  about it and right now. This appears to be power run amok.

Political Insanity

Political insanity is evident, or is it. Either the far left and the typically leftist media has totally lost it, or it is a deliberate attempt to disrupt this country.

Don Lemon of CNN claimed President Trump is trying to create a new Civil War. At what point is opinion legitimate and incitement to riot cross.

Yesterday, in a typical political rally, the obviously pro trump crowd ate up his every word. One issue that he raised, was the championing of the veteran's choice program. Unfortunately, he was not informed by his VA director, that funding for the very successful program had just ran out of funds and has been suspended.

The horror though, was when the rally broke up and guests began to depart, they were violently attacked by leftist thugs. Perhaps we are on the cusp of a new civil war. But if we are, credit the radical media for pouring gas on the embers.

I called three of Labrador's offices. Coeur d'Alene, Meridian and Washington, D. C. Nobody was home at any of them. I finally called our other U.S.representative's office. Simpson's office was not aware of the lack of funding in the Choice program, and though I am not in his district, they were thankful for the heads up.

I will have more in the coming days.

USS Zumwalt

http://www.verizoninternet.com/bookmark/uss-zumwalt/

The death throws of the Spokesman-Review

During the retirement party at the Fort Ground Grill, DFO told me of a total of ten buyouts, all long term quality writers. Landers is gone along with Greg Lee who covered local North Idaho prep sports.

Gone is the iconic Clark and Huckleberries on line with Dave Oliveria. All of these so called volunteer early retirements suggests rats leaving a sinking ship. Get out whole while there are still options left.

The blogging community of which I am one is going to fly apart without Hucks as the glue that held it together.

I don't have the names of the rest, but you can draw a line under long term staff. I think Betsy will leave as well. It turns out Curly wasn't hired as an editor but as a funeral director as the S/R guts itself. Perhaps they will trek on with correspondents like editor Smith tried to do a few years ago or maybe they will just shut down. The once icon daily is in a death spiral.

Farragut History

Tuesday, August 1 was the fiftieth anniversary of the Boy Scout World Jamboree, held at Farragut State Park. 40 to 50 visitors gathered in celebration of the event where some of the original scouts came together along with current scouts and leaders. One such was a retired man from Australia who traveled from down under all the way to North Idaho for the original Jamboree, then came back this year for the reunion.

In recent years the park is undergoing a face lift, but the venerable brig, or navy for jail is the only structure left from World War 11. It was turned into a museum which is constantly evolving. A new wing commemorating local history and the scouts was opened a year ago and new exhibits abound in all areas. Erin Bair, park ranger and mother hen over the museum is still in fine form.

Between 2009 and 2015, a state of the art sewer system was built which allowed much expansion from when septic systems limited how much growth could occur. This five million dollar project brought forth many changes now in the works in many areas of the park. Two new dump stations which were made available to the public were installed. These dump stations are located near Gilmore and Snowberry Campgrounds.

Gilmore Campground now holds fifty camp areas with partial hookups. This is out for bit to enlarge to 100, double it's current capacity, with the new sites having full hookups. Scott Field, a group campground will soon host up to 600 campers. A new access off of Monagham will shorten the way in.

Sunrise day use area has had remodels of shelters as well as guest cabins re roofed recently.

The newest expansion will be started this fall when Tree to Tree, Idaho will start construction on an obstetrical course at Locust Grove. Among other attractions if will feature a zip line for easy aerial travel. This will be the second for profit concession ever at the park. (Currently, River Odyssey West is operating guided bike rides within Farragut, booked out of Coeur d'Alene)

Several favorite places in the park are Buttonhook Bay, a protected area at the extreme south end of Lake Pend Oreille and Beaver Bay, a swimming area.

 

After the U.S. Government deeded the former naval training base to the state of Idaho, it still hadn't been dedicated as a park until the hurried plan for a huge Girl Scout Jamboree for 1965 was developed. This followed by the world jamboree of boy scouts in 1967.

A four mile former railroad right of way formed another state park between Howard Road and the western park boundary. This Railroad brought recruits from Athol to the training station and was torn out after the nay closed the base. Ironically, a different railway was deactivated just four year earlier when the Lime kilns in Bayview closed down in 1938.

Today the park is managed and staffed with the best crew in years. They rightfully should take pride in the work they do and the attitudes of welcome that prevail.

Stunned

I was stunned by the sudden news that we only have one week left for our North Idaho blog, Huckleberries. It isn't just a blog site, it is the glue that holds our blogging community together.

Only time will tell, but I think many of our blogs will bite the dust when Huckleberries central gos away. DFO got me started blogging when I barely knew how to turn on my computer.

That in turn led to my 5 year stint as a correspondent for the Spokesman-Review. Now we will hear the sound of one hand clapping.

I grieve. 

Boy Scout Reunion

August 1, 1967 marked the First World Jamboree in Idaho for the international Scouting movement. Between 40 and 50 attended this celebration, many who attended the first one in 1967. There were also many current Boy Scouts along with many in scouting leadership.

I met a former scout that traveled all the way from Australia for the first Jamboree, and returned for the reunion.

1:00 pm saw a flag raising, with the Friendship Tower in the background. There are actually two of the awesome towers, but one has been gobbled up by a spreading forest.

Aging

Much about aging sucks. The only saving grace is that you didn't die young. Having said that, as I grow older, (79) I acquire more aches and pains. Since my three siblings all have sleep apnea, I decided to get checked out. Sure enough I have it too.during my sleep study, the technician told me I stopped breathing 29 times out of an hour.

So, I ordered a CPAP machine which gives positive air flow during sleep. It does however, make one look like a Martian. Naturally, as soon as I donned the mask, my nose itched and I couldn't scratch it.

Other than that, I passed my annual physical with flying colors yesterday.

Bonner County Embarrassed

It would appear that the failure of Bonner County's equipment to find John Key's body has resulted in embarrassment for not seeking help from Kootenai County, who may have more sophisticated equipment that would help with the search.

Said help was requested and was granted by sheriff Ben Wolfinger recently, according to a blurb in the paper.

Without a declaration of death by authorities, his widow and family would have to wait seven years for a death certificate to be issued. In the mean time, the family is going to suffer severe financial difficulties in addition to the horror of loosing this fine man and father/husband.

I recommend that his closest friends start a "go fund me" account to help out.

We can only hope that the intensified effort will find the body, even if it isn't recoverable, which could lead to a declaration of death, triggering social security benefits.

Sheriff Wolfinger is to be congratulated for his marine division offering help.

Drownings Revisited

By happenstance, as I was walking up the boat ramp in Bayview yesterday, I spotted a pickup with Bonner County Sheriff lettered on the side. I meandered over and asked the person who was not in uniform why they were not doing more to find Santa.

He introduced himself as the  officer in charge of the marine division in Bonner County. He went on to explain very patiently about cold water drownings. Bodies in the water go to the bottom rather quickly, unlike in warmer areas where they pop up before taking the plunge.

In other words there is no chance of recovery or discovery in water 1100 feet deep. Side scanning sonar is only effective in shallow water above 200 feet deep.

In the interest of accuracy and fairness I felt it necessary to retract the allegations I repeated about Bonner County.

Bad Santa

John Key, alias "Bad Santa wasn't really bad at all. He was loved by many, especially his two best friends, Anne DuPont and Chris Gormsen. None of us ever heard a bad word either from him or about him. Most that knew him well did not automatically assume he was drunk when he and his boat separated company off Cape Horn over last week-end. Many feel at age 67, he may have experienced a heart attack.

Personally I prefer that a huge fish dragged him into the water. What is terribly disappointing is the lack of cooperation from the authorities in Bonner County. According to Chris Gormsen, best friend and side kick, the Bonner County water cops told him first, they would stay out there until John was found.

Then made the excuse that their side view sonar was broke and they withdrew. Last weekend the community responded with over a dozen boaters scouting the shorelines looking for their friend. I called Sheriff Ben Wolfinger with a question. Did Bonner County ask to borrow the needed equipment that could discover where Santa's body is? " Ben replied, not that I recall, and I would have been told if they had."

The attitude sucks. One wonders why citizens that are not Bonner County residents are perhaps second class. Or maybe they treat their own that way too. Just be glad we live in Kootenai County where we have a government that cares, a sheriff's Department that pulls out the stops to support our citizens when in trouble.

We will always miss Bad Santa.  He was the real deal.

 "Please join us as we celebrate the life of John A. Key, A.K.A Bad Santa. The celebration will be held 7-15-17 at the Bayview Community Center located at 20298 E. Perimeter Rd. Bayview, Idaho 83803 from 2-5 pm. This will be a casual event with light snacks provided. Please feel free to share this post so we can celebrate with ALL who loved John."

Dangerous Heat

Us seasoned citizens (I'm 79) have to be very careful when the temps exceed 95 or so. Heat stroke, heart attacks and such can occur. This cannot be much fun.

For me, I'm going to hunker down with my air conditioner, which is now working just fine. I hope others taker care as well for safeties sake.

Have a great safe week end.

Restaurant Capacity

A couple of years ago the Captain's Wheel Restaurant received complaints about slow service. This was due to hundreds of visitors in town with only one full service restaurant open.

This could happen again this year with the Buttonhook closed. Limited menus are available at Ralph's and the Floating Patio, but I advise folks to dine early before the rush.

The unfortunate result with the Buttonhook, is a small group of anti-business left wing people who especially resent Chan Karupiah, owner of several marinas including the Buttonhook.

A recent hearing by the road district in response to an easement request by Karupiah, was faithfully attended by this anti-everything group. They are not just harming the Buttonhook, but also the community. The negative impact on tourism will soon be felt if we don't have enough dining facilities to handle the crowds. Without this easement connecting the Buttonhook with Harborview marina, no resort liquor license can be obtained.  

Summer Time

Many of you might wonder why the dearth of blog posts. It is simple. It's finally warm out and instead of writing I'm experiencing. Today and Monday we are supposed to exceed 90 degrees.

Bayview Daze is approaching fast. The parade, street fair and fireworks will be on July 1, Saturday. Come on down. This year the combat veterans will be honored.

Kick back and enjoy.

Horrible News Coverage

As I went on line this morning, I found it fascinating that the news media couldn't let go to the shooting at the Congressional baseball practice. Sure it was newsworthy, but not for three news cycles.

Before noon today, it was announced only on Accu-weather, did the story of a blimp crashing into the golf course at the U.S Open. Rather than depart from the mock congressional baseball game, they ignored it.

Finally, around 7:00 pm a runner, below the main story, mentioned that this happened.   What should have been a headline news story got  erased by another political one.

In this day and age, I suspect the Hindenburg disaster would be ignored, if an juicy political story was unfolding. God, where is 24 hour news when you need them.

Double Standards

As I watched coverage of the Gay Pride Parade, It got me to thinking of the irony. First, why take pride in deviant  behavior that up until a few years ago was criminal.Sodomy probably still is in many places.

What would the media do if we heterosexuals organized a straight parade. Certainly, since we provide though our guy/girl orientation, the wherewithal to repopulate our country.

How about the Congressional Black Caucus. Again, the media would have a stroke if a white congressional caucus emerged.

The last straw was the new commercial by  Jack-in-the box, using a gay wedding to sell burgers.

While you revisionists are probably blinded by your reverse racism, and your promoting a gay life style over heterosexuals. Nevertheless, Neither you nor they are right.

Sodomy is the root cause of the Aids epidemic. Sure it can be transmitted by normal sex, that is not why it raced to epidemic status. It is past time that we call a spade a spade and not be afraid to speak the truth for fear that inevitably we will be branded heretics and worse, political correctness is a   term and philosophy that was developed by the media and nurtured by them.

Our country is being torn apart by denying our heritage and Christian standards. So go ahead. Call me names all you want. I would rather care about the majority of us that still follow the rules.

Paris Accord

If  we look back over the last twenty years, we find that an unelected group headed by the Sierra Club has taken over a large segment of our economy.

In the name of fighting pollution, preserving water and ceasing the use of fossil fuels, they, not elected to represent anyone, have negatively influenced our economy.

The Obama administration and their fellow travelers, have in every way they can think of, stifled industry.  What once was the industrial heartland of this country is now referred to as the rust belt.

We have caved in to every nonsense ruling since the spotted owl controversy. The courts have taken over legislation, rather than interpreting existing law.

Hopefully, the Trump administration will find a balance between intelligent conservation and extremism. Many court decisions will have to be appealed, but thank God, we preserved the rule of law by appointing a conservative justice.

Sometimes it takes a jolt of reality to realize how far left we have gone. Detroit shouldn't be a ghost town like it is today. Some think President Trump is insane. Not me. He is the hope of middle America and the rest of us in reversing this judicial overreach.

Restart

Tomorrow marks the return to writing for me. My first monthly column in the Coeur d'Alene Press will debut in 41 North.

The subject will be a flashback to Yvonne Wallis's trials and tribulations following the horrible hammer attack back in 2010. The crime which saw Yvonne's near death experience and her daughter-in-law's death from that attack which was perpetuated by Larry Cragun.

Future columns will feature expansion at Farragut State Park and of course the proposed shopping center planned for Athol.

***Oops, my editor got confused. He now predicts the 41 North insert next Wednesday.

Pejoratives

It seems to me that pejoratives have become more vicious lately than in the past. Name calling is the new emphases rather than logical arguments.

Two very egregious ones are Racist and Fascist. Mostly anytime an Afro-American disagrees with a Caucasian, the alleged offender is labeled a racist.

If you are a conservative, even not extreme right, you are then a fascist.

I doubt that either term is accurate more than one percent of the time. I wonder who gets hurt the most? The object of the curse or the extremists that hurl the labels with abandon.

Fortunately, at my age I don't get excited enough to throw epitaphs around at people I don't agree with. Or maybe I just grew up.

I would like to see some decorum return to political debates and retire some of the screamers like Maxine Waters and others to whom objectivity is not in their vocabulary.