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Edition 86 l JANUARY 2022
CAUGHT IN THE ACT! Pg. 3 MEALS ON WHEELS BENEFITS FROM LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION Pg. 6
submitted photos
LOCAL FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $350,000 Pg. 8 JUSTSERVE-2021 YEAR REVIEW Pg. 13 Nimsi Cortez-Sams, Mitzi Harkins Cheldelin (Idaho Division of Veterans Services), Garrett Sams
LOCAL VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS BRING SOLDIER HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
by Chantele Hensel, Caldwell Perspective Owner/Publisher
For 8 years our children have walked the path of a child whose Dad has stage 4 renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). Throughout those eight years they have heard a multitude of things a child should never have to process. In the beginning of the diagnosis we as parents, tried to keep the kids sheltered and protected from all the bad news we would learn. It has been one heck of a roller coaster ride. One night Michael and I were sitting at the table at home with some friends, Michael had just learned that he would have to have his pancreas removed and we were sharing the news with our friends. In earshot of our daughter Paige (age 12). The next day Paige was mad, fueled by sadness. She expressed to us that she needs to hear what is going on with Dad from us, not a conversation she overhears. I was utterly disappointed in myself and she was absolutely right! We tried to maintain nor-
malcy, but we as a family were not normal. So from that moment good, bad and ugly we have shared the reports. Here we are eight years later and have been through so much, several surgeries, 4 rounds of interlukin 2 at Universary of Washington, immunotherapy for years and daily chemo. Michael is so strong; if ever a man has fought harder for his family I haven’t met him yet (and certainly not to discount anyone). The two past scans (every 3 month) have shown growth in the critical tumors by double. Throughout the years I have heard so many people lift me up by saying “Chantele I just don’t know how you do it. The paper, work at Dakan Funeral Chapel, take care of the kids and Michael.” My answer was, “you do what you have to do.” I reflect on that a lot lately and it was not until Michael went on palliative care that I acknowledged that those words were only my numbed truth and it was a lie; mostly to
myself. Sitting at the palliative doctor’s office I recognized my truth…all those years…it wasn’t that I was doing what I had to; I was blind and it was not real…until now. Going into the holiday season, this Christmas had to be great. It had to be as festive as it could be. I needed the kids all home as a family. When we learned when our son, Garretts (82nd Airborne) holiday time was tentatively blocked for; we began watching for airline tickets. In years past we have brought Garrett and his wife (our bonus daughter) Nimsi home for about $420 per round trip ticket. This year we watched and watched and the prices were $1,200 and up per person. I dreaded that this year as great as I wanted it to be would leave two empty chairs at the table. We were a month from the allotted time Garrett would have for the holidays and I humbled myself and called our friend from the Idaho Veterans Garden, Dan Pugmire
and his wife June. I explained that it wasn’t that I couldn’t figure it out and wanted to see if there were any resources that they knew of to help bring our soldiers home. Side note: active duty military personnel pay the same price as a civilian to travel only perk is they get a free checked bag; if you use certain airlines. Dan has sat at Michael’s bedside many times through the years and was Garretts mentor through his high school program; it was a last effort. Weeks went by and I was visited by the Idaho Veterans Garden, the Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall with contributions on behalf of their organizations. My heart was so full (yes, ugly face crying). One night while sitting at home looking at the tickets, ready to push the button. A woman called, Mitzi, the community resource coordinator at the Idaho Division of Veterans Services. She said she had received a message from Dan Pugmire sharing our story and the Idaho
The Changing of the Guard The Caldwell City Council held a special meeting on January 4 to swear in the new incumbents and say goodbye and thank-you to the former council members. Seat #1 which was formerly held by Mike Pollard is now well represented by Brad Doty. Seat #2 formerly held by Dennis Callsen now belongs to for-
mer councilman Chuck Staddock. Seat #3 transferred to Diane Register from Rob Hopper and the Mayors seat is occupied by Jarom Wagoner after longtime Mayor Garret Nancolas decided to not seek another term. Congratulations to the new incumbents and thank-you to the out going members for a job well done!
It’s a thankless job that neverthe-less requires full commitment and selfless dedication to the community and citizens you serve. The mayors race just completed is a prime example of the willingness of these citizens to conduct themselves in an honorable and righteous way. Even though the race
Division of Veteran Services were bringing our kids home to be with us for Christmas. My words cannot express the gratitude that my heart feels. We were able to sit together and share memories, the kids bantered one another, for the first time in 12 years we made it a priority to take family photos and we shared the best Christmas this family has ever had. Garrett and Nimsi got to meet the newest little blessing to this family, their niece and even shared that she will have a cousin in the coming year. The kids are home after delayed flights and spending the night at the Atlanta, Georgia airport, but as Garrett pointed out it was just a grand finale to the mantra of this trip, “making memories.” Thank you to Idaho Veterans Garden, The Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall and to The Idaho Division of Veteran Services for your kindness. My cup runneth over.
by Michael Hensel, Caldwell Perspective
was not decided at the poles and required a special election according to current law and regulations, Councilman John McGee did everything in his power to save the city money by conceding the race before the special election was held. Unfortunately, there was not a mechanism within the law to do so. The election was
held and Jarom Wagoner was awarded the seat for the next four years. His council seat will now be an appointed position until another election is held to determine the next elected holder of Seat #4. It seems the financial burden on the city could have been and should have been reduced significantly.