The Courier
News Gooding ~ Tree City USA
Arbor Day Foundation Names Gooding Tree City USA Gooding, Idaho, was named a 2013 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Gooding achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements; a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the
Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. “Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Gooding make smart investments in urban forests,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.” Cleaner air, im-
proved storm water management, energy savings and increased property values and commercial activity are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities. More information on the program is available at arbordayorg/TreeCityUSA. ––––– The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
8th Annual Hagerman
Cowboy Musician’s & Poet’s Gatherin’ Friday, March 21st & Saturday, March 22nd Day Shows: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Pre-Show: 6:30 p.m. ~ Main Show: 7:00 p.m.
Community Breakfast at Hagerman Senior Center Saturday: 7 to 10 a.m.
March 19
,2014
Volume 38 ~ Number 12 News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
CourierNews.webs.com
Wendell School Bond Fails A majority (252 to 219) of the voters in Wendell were in favor of the $3.1 million bond election held last Tuesday for the Wendell School District. Unfortunately, bond elections require a two third majority to pass. The turnout for this election was reletively good, with nearly 30% of the registered voters filling out a ballot. That means the school district will have to do a better job of selling the idea, if they decide to put this before the voters again. Levy elections only require a simple majority to pass, but they are limited in how much money can be appropriated and must be voted at least every two years. Big projects, such as Wendell is wanting to do, need long term stable financing. ––––– In Lincoln County, the Supplemental Levy Election for the Shoshone School District passed with 98 YES votes to 37 NO votes. Of 1100 registered voters eligable to vote in this election, only 12% of them turned out. ––––– In Gooding, School District #231 will be holding a recall election on May 20th for Zone 3 Board Member, David Reeves. Because of the low turnout in the 2011 election for Zone 3 (only 32 votes were cast), the recall petition only needed sixteen signatures which is less than 4% of the registered voters in that zone.