The Courier
NEWS
Fall Hours at Hagerman Visitor Center
Hagerman Fossil Beds Visitor Center, located in downtown Hagerman, will be open on Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from now until December 5th, 2020. The visitor center will be closed Mondays through Thursdays. While at the visitor center, obtain information and brochures about the park, browse the bookstore, and discover fossil from the Pliocene, including the Hagerman Horse (Equus simplicidens). “You can enjoy a sampling of excavated fossils displayed in the visitor centersuch as camels, beavers, and ancient dogs,” said Hagerman Fossil Beds Superintendent Wade Vagias. “Park rangers are happy to answer any questions you may have about the fossils and the region.” The visitor center is located at 221 North State Street in Hagerman, Idaho. The trails at the monument are open from sunrise until sunset, seven days per week. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/hafo
‘Idaho Debates’ to Host Senate & Congressional Debates
This election season, the Idaho Debates on Idaho Public Television is temporarily shifting formats. Known for hosting live, in-person debates in the past, this election season — due to COVID-19 — The Idaho Debates will be comprised of pre-recorded Q & A sessions with the candidates conducted via video teleconference. Candidates for Idaho Congressional District 1, Congressional District 2, and U.S. Senate have been invited to participate. Each candidate will be asked the same questions on issues relevant to their congressional or senate race. Those answers will be edited together to give voters a clear picture of where the candidates stand. Each program will be broadcast on Idaho Public Television and available online at idahoptv. org/idahodebates on the following dates: Friday, October 9th - 8 p.m. The Idaho Congressional District 1 debate will feature Rep. Russ Fulcher, Rudy Soto and Joe Evans. The debate will be moderated by Marcia Franklin. Monday, October 12th - 8 p.m. The Idaho Congressional District 2 debate will feature Rep. Mike Simpson and Aaron Swisher. The debate will be moderated by Marcia Franklin. Friday, October 16th - 8 p.m. The United States Senate debate will feature Sen. Jim Risch, Paulette Jordan and Natalie Fleming. The debate will be moderated by Melissa Davlin. Though these are unusual times, the Idaho Debates is committed to bringing Idaho voters information about candidates in their own words. Find the most up-to-date schedule of virtual debates at: idahoptv.org/idahodebates
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
October 7, 2020
Vol 44 Num 41
Amendment Proposed For Idaho Constitution
This year’s election includes a proposal to amend Section 2, Article III, of the Idaho Constitution, permanently setting the number of legislative districts and senators at 35. One reason to do this is to simplify the redistricting process which takes place every 10 years after the census. The goal of redistricting is to balance the population of each legislative district as closely as possible without splitting up counties and communities. This can be a difficult process. One option in this balancing act is to change the number of districts. Idaho law permits as few as 30 and as many as 35 districts (currently we are at 35). While the amendment might take this one issue off the political table, it might make balancing populations more difficult. One argument in favor of this amendment is it would prevent the number of district (and legislators) from being reduced, and help keep urban and rural interests in balance. However, as urban areas grow in population, those districts will have to become smaller (geographically) or... rural districts will have to be enlarged. This means urban areas will continue to increase their representation in our state legislature. Truthfully, setting the number of district at 35 does nothing for rural Idaho because it is still based on population, not geographic areas. An alturnative solution to help rural Idaho maintain representation is to have one senator from each county. We could still have legislative districts (based on population) for our representatives, and this would bring our state more in line with the republic model of government that our nation is founded on. This too would require an amendment to the Idaho Consitution, and with any such changes, there is the posibility of litigation from those who don’t like the change. Regardless of whether this amendment is approved or not, our local legislative district (#26) will likely be enlarged during the next redistricting to balance our population with the growth happening in Boise and other urban areas. -- -- -REMEMBER... the general election will held on November 3rd. You can vote in-person or you can request an absentee ballot. Deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 23rd.