'Capitol for a Day' program a success

By TOM GREENE and

KATHY NUSSBERGER

Staff writers

As the first city selected for Gov. Butch Otter's 'Capitol for a Day' program, several local residents and even those from Bonner County came forward to discuss various issues with the Governor.

Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby spent the day at City Hall with the governor and several representatives from various state entities.

"The issues that citizens came forward to talk about ranged from smoking in public places to safety on Highway 95, to Kootenai River flood issues, domestic elk farming regulations and even high-speed Internet access for the County," Kerby explained. "Gov. Otter was absolutely energized and extremely excited about how well the day went in Bonners Ferry. He was impressed with the level of civility and professionalism presented by every member of the public as well as the representatives of the state agencies."

Kerby added that Gov. Otter said the bar has been set pretty high by the Boundary County community and hopes the rest of the 'Capitol for a Day' programs he plans to hold around the rest of Idaho are half as productive.

"The First Lady, Laura Otter, was equally impressed with the classroom visits she conducted at each of the elementary schools," Kerby said. "When we went to pick up the First Lady and take her to the Boundary County Airport, she was in the basement of the Boundary County Library, siting in a small chair, wearing a floppy paper hat and reading to the children who were thoroughly enthralled with her storytelling ability."

On behalf of the local community, Mayor Kerby presented a gift to Gov. Otter and the First Lady, Laura Otter, to show the community's appreciation and honor to be selected as the first 'Capitol for a Day."

"The gift was a painting by local artist Diana Botkin of an outdoor scene near Cow Creek and framed by Sharon Holmes of Hibernia Studios," Kerby added.

Christine Callison, coordinator for the North Idaho College Bonners Ferry Center, said access to high-speed Internet was a problem for students in the area. In some places in Boundary County, Callison said, "You can't even get dial-up."

Otter said the state suffered from "tough geography" when it came to high-speed Internet and that could take some time. He said about 90 percent of the state was already set up for high-speed Internet.

"That last 10 percent is the most expensive and hardest to get because you have to travel the furthest to reach the fewest people," Otter said.

When asked about the education corridor in Coeur d'Alene, Otter said he was approached earlier this month by a "delegation" of city and college officials.

"I don't know if we have $10 million we can offer up, but it goes deeper than that," Otter said. "Once you take that money off the tax rolls, then Kootenai County and Coeur d'Alene isn't going to get any of that tax money at all. There's a lot cheaper ground around."

Hope resident Trecy Carpenter handed her tax information for the last three years straight to Gov. Butch Otter Tuesday.

Carpenter has some issues with how her property tax assessment has been handled in Bonner County and Otter's "Capitol for a Day," program — with Bonners Ferry as the first host city — served as a perfect venue to make her voice heard at the highest state level.

"To me, it's amazing to be able to talk to the governor like this face to face," said Carpenter after the morning townhall meeting of about 35 people at City Hall.

Each month, Otter plans to make one city the Capitol of the state for a day throughout the year. Various state agency heads will be on hand to answer questions and, ultimately, find solutions. The next stop will probably be in Magic Valley, said Otter's spokesman Mark Compton, but the governor is staying flexible.

At the end of the day, Gov. Otter said that he appreciated the public turnout for the 'Capitol for a Day' program, and appreciated the fact that although many residents brought in issues of concern, they also presented possible solutions to those issues that he could take back to the Capitol.'