Newport Miner Newspaper October 23, 2013

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THE VOICE OF PEND OREILLE COUNT Y SINCE 1901

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

www.pendoreillerivervalley.com

75¢

Volume 110, Number 38 | 2 Sections, 20 Pages

Tom Foley leaves county legacy Credited with significant assistance to the county from building roads to paper mills BY THE MINER STAFF

NEWPORT – After three decades of distinguished public service, former Washington State Congressman and 57th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas S. Foley leaves a powerful legacy in public policy and education throughout Washington, nationwide and Pend Oreille County. Widely admired for his quiet commitment to respectful leadership, Foley died Friday, Oct. 18, at age 84 at his home on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., of complications of a stroke. A native of Spokane, Foley was a Democratic representative of the 5th Washington Congressional District from 1965 to 1995 and House speaker from 1989 to 1995. He later served as U.S. ambassador to Japan (1997-2001). During his 30 years in Congress, Foley built a reputation for not only responding actively to his constituents’ concerns but also skillfully bringing Democrats and Republicans to the table to resolve issues of the day, according to officials at the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service. Foley was beloved by many in his district. “He was a neat guy,” Newport resident Gary Hunt said, who used to own Newport Concrete before he retired. He said he voted for Foley, “every chance I got.” Former PUD commissioner John Middleton had a lot of admiration for Foley. “I have nothing but respect for

FILE PHOTO

Ponderay Newsprint Company’s first manager Bill Meany, left, helps Congressman Tom Foley and Gov. Booth Gardner cut the ribbon dedicating the newsprint mill on June 8, 1990. Foley played a major role in getting the mill to locate in Pend Oreille County.

Newport celebrates Capitol tree Events and tree viewing set for Nov. 1 BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

COURTESY PHOTO|KANDI GENTIS

Wayne Antcliff, owner of Concept Cable, was among the volunteers stringing Christmas lights in trees along Washington Avenue last week. The volunteers were assisting the city this year so the lights would get up early. Newport is gearing up to host the Capitol Christmas Tree Friday, Nov. 1.

NEWPORT – The city of Newport is celebrating the arrival of the Washington D.C. Capitol Christmas Tree, Friday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Washington Street, closing Highway 2 from 2-8 p.m. for the celebration. “It’s a gift from the state of Washington and the Colville National Forest to the people of the United States,” said Franklin Pemberton, Forest Service Public Affairs Officer. “Sharing Washington’s Good Nature” is the theme this year and Newport is the host city for the Capitol Christmas Tree. The tree is being cut from the

|| Return prescription drugs Saturday

NEWPORT – People can drop off unwanted prescription drugs Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office at 331 S. Garden Ave. in Newport during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. There is a drop off box located in the main entrance foyer. People are asked to bring prescription drugs only. No syringes will be accepted. Pend Oreille County Sheriff Alan Botzheim said that each of the last two years the program has been in place here, more than 30 pounds of drugs were turned in. Last year 371 tons of drugs were turned in nationwide during National Prescription Drug Take-

Newport/Sullivan Lake Ranger District at 9 a.m. on Middle Fork and Westside Calispell Road. The county will be closing the roads leading to the tree during the cutting. Everything except the wages of the Forest Service personnel have been donated regarding the cutting and moving the tree to Washington D.C. Pemberton said shuttle service may be offered by the Forest Service for people wishing to see the tree being cut. The shuttles will leave from Dalkena and 49° North Ski Resort around 7:30 a.m. “The goal is to not have folks drive up there in personal vehicles,” Pemberton said. Pemberton said the cutting of SEE TREE, 9A

Twenty county residents needed at fair board meeting CUSICK – The annual meeting of the Pend Oreille County Fair is Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Pend Oreille County Fair Office in Cusick. The presence of at least 20 corporation members, which are Pend Oreille County residents, is required to validate the election of board members. Board members with terms expiring are Barb Cordes of Cusick, Patti Cutshall of Usk, David Graves of Newport and Lori Hanson of Elk. Nominees are Chuck

times and the needs of native Americans everywhere showed the depth of his integrity as a statesmen. “One bright memory for the Kalispel Tribe was Foley’s dedication to Indian Country demonstrated by his efforts to help the northwest inland tribes to acquire and build the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations, whose objective is to serve our youth as a treatment W H AT ’S N E X T: center. A MEMORIAL SERVICE Our for Tom Foley is schedthoughts uled for next Tuesday are with afternoon at the U.S. his family Capitol. His wife, and all of Heather Foley, said a us who Spokane memorial is called also being planned for him Nov. 1, but the time friend,” for that service is not the state- yet set. ment read. Todd Woodard was a Foley aide and now director of marketing and public relations for Spokane International Airport. He visited Foley in Washington D.C. this summer and found him ill but mentally lucid and his old self with a phenomenal memory, especially about world history. “I think he had a special feeling for Pend Oreille County,” Woodard said. “He understood the hardships people endured with the ups and downs of a resource based economy like Pend Oreille’s. He had a feeling for the blue-collar worker. He worked to help improve the economy. There was always an open door policy for Pend Oreille SEE FOLEY, 2A

Water, sewer system expansion nearly complete BY MICHELLE NEDVED OF THE MINER

B R I E F LY

Back Day. People can drop off drugs year round at the sheriff’s office, no questions asked.

Tom Foley, both as a man and as a legislator,” Middleton said. When he was a PUD commissioner in the late 80s or early 90s, Middleton was part of a group that made a trip to Washington D.C. to try to head off the sale of the Bonneville Power Administration. Foley was in favor of the sale initially, Middleton remembers. “He argued with us,” Middleton said. In the end Foley came to see it their way. “He said ‘if that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll get,’” Middleton said. Pend Oreille County Prosecutor Tom Metzger has fond memories of Foley. “I remember way back when sitting at (former county commissioner) Harley Young’s house sitting on the couch talking,” Metzger said. “(Foley) was off duty so to speak, and it was nice to have a conversation where nobody wanted anything.” Metzger said one of the biggest things Foley ever did for the county was to get a tax bill extended for the original owners of Ponderay Newsprint mill that helped push the project towards reality. “That would not have happened without him,” Metzger said. Foley was a friend to the Kalispel Tribe, which got federal authority to establish the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights and other projects while Foley was in office. Tribal leadership issued this statement about Foley. “Congressman Foley was a great servant for all of us in the region, state, and nation. His wisdom and compassion served us immeasurably and his respect and concern for our Tribe during some very hard

OLDTOWN – The Oldtown water and sewer system expansion is winding down for the winter, with major components complete, including water and sewer lines that run under the Pend Oreille River, connecting the

new infrastructure to their old counterparts. The system expansion is to accommodate the 400 acres annexed into the city of Oldtown in 2009. Project manager Mike Boeck said water and sewer mains that run under the Pend Oreille River SEE WATER, 9A

City finishes street project $32,000 under budget BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The city of Newport completed a 12-year street project more than $32,898 under

budget, completing sidewalks, curb additions and lowering a street two feet. The project started more than SEE STREET, 9A

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Armstrong of Usk, Cordes, Cutshall, Graves, Hanson, Sarah McDaniel of Newport and Debbie Tesdahl. The opportunity for nominations from the floor will be provided at the meeting.

Get spooked at Rotary haunted house OLDTOWN – The Newport/Priest River Interact Club, the youth organization associated with the Rotary Club, is sponsoring the second annual haunted house at Oldtown Rotary Park Saturday, Oct. 26. Get spooked from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Save $1 by bringing in a canned food item for the local food bank. All proceeds will go towards the Senior Citizen Christmas

bags project.

Group helps pass M and O levies NEWPORT – Citizens Actively Supporting Schools (CAPS) will have an organizational meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Golden China Restaurant, to help the Newport School District pass its maintenance and operation levy. The school levies support programs and staff positions that the state does not cover under basic education. With a replacement levy due to run later this year, the organization is planning a start-up meeting to discuss time lines and strategies. All community members are welcome to attend.

SPORTS 1B-3B - RECORD 5B - POLICE 5B - OPINION 4A - CLASSIFIEDS6B-10B - PUBLIC NOTICES 8B-10B - DOWN RIVER 9A - LIFE 4B - OBITUARIES 5B


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