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If you missed the Semi-Annual Bonneville County Republican Town Hall on January 25, you can watch it HERE now! To get Bonneville GOP event info, be sure to sign up for our blog HERE.

Reporter:  B1 01/30/2024 This was a presentation given by 2 private individuals Erika Mittermaier and Jeremiah Pink This is a way for private individuals to help refugee asylum seekers to be able to enter the United States through private donations. They form a private sponsorship group. It is overseen by the Dept of State and the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. It has become necessary for private sponsorships since the government has become overwhelmed especially due to Afghanistan pull out and Ukraine. The current refugees needing help are from the sub-Sahara area. These are fully vetted refugees that are escaping war, persecution, natural disasters, etc. There are 7 refugees in this program in Idaho Falls so far. They came through the Welcome Corps program and Bridge Builders. They are doing extremely well with employment and education. Sponsors are paired with refugees who have opted into the program. The function of the sponsors is to provide finance and employment, housing and transportation, benefits and healthcare, clothing, ESL, groceries, school supplies, etc. It is estimated that $2425 is needed per refugee and that in 90 days they will become self-sufficient. Sponsors will have a background check and need to complete an essential training program. Websites for further information: www.idahorefugees.org/resettlement-process html. www.idahorefugees.com www.refugeewelcome.org/state-resources welcomecorps.org bridgebuilders

Idaho Falls City Council Meeting 25 January 2024; 7:30 p.m. Reporter: F3 The agenda was as follows: 1.0    Call to Order 2.0    Pledge of Allegiance 3.0    Consent of Agenda 4.0    Public Comment:  None presented at this time. 5.0    Office of the Mayor Agenda: 5.1    Mayoral appointments to committees and commissions pursuant to law.  No discussion 5.2    Extension of Downtown Parking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Downtown Development Corp. and the City.  No discussion. 5.3    Purchase of disconnect switches for York Substation Upgrade.  Approved with no discussion. 5.4    Bid award for Meppen Canal Trail on 25th East.  No discussion. 5.5    Treasurers report and November bank reconciliation summary.  No discussion. 6.0   Regular Agenda: 6.1   Purchase of main line water materials and parts for  Public Works for $ 1.2 million .  No discussion. 6.2   City of Idaho Falls four- stop elevator that meets  ADA requirements in the City Hall Building on west side of the building.  Resin Architecture to provide design and other professional services as they have experience with historical building requirements.  Construction bid package has been issued.  Lowest bid provided by Ormond Construction for $964,800.  Discussion centered on providing handicap access to that side of the building being very appropriate and overdue. 6.3   Signature of Right-of-Way plat for Holmes Ave and John Adams parkway.  Plat was approved.  No discussion. 6.4   MOU for Strategic Initiatives Grant with Idaho DOT for improvements to Pancheri Bridge.  The grant was for $3.45 million to include girder repair, beam seats, and deck rehabilitation.  Approved with some discussion about maintaining traffic flow across the bridge while under construction. 6.5  Final Plat and Development approval for Stone Creek Estates Division 4.  No discussion. 6.6   Final Plat and Development Agreement for Barnwood Estates Townhomes.  Planning and Zoning has recommended approval.  Approved with no discussion. 6.7   Final Plat and Quasi-Judicial Hearing for Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Falcon Crest Estates.  Current City PUD’s call for “…efficient use of land space…”  and …”limiting sprawl…”  Approved with an amendment to include eight foot perimeter fences instead of six foot perimeter fences.  No extensive discussion beyond the fence.  The final plat and development agreement for Falcon States Estates also approved. 6.8  Public Hearing on annexation and initial zoning  for 0.258 acres in the SE ¼ Section of Section 23, Township 2 North, Range 37 East. Planning and Zoning has already approved.  Parcel is to be used to widen Pioneer Road.  Approval with no discussion. 7.0   Consent Agenda: No items.

Take advantage of adding your voice! MASTER PLAN PUBLIC MEETING #3 Idaho Falls Regional Airport Master Plan IN-PERSON MEETING February 7, 2024 TIME: Open House: 4 p.m. — 6 p.m.Presentation: 6 p.m. — 6:30 p.m.Q&A Session: 6:30 p.m. — 8 p.m. LOCATION: Idaho Falls Activity Center1575 N. Skyline Dr.Idaho Falls, ID 83402 ONLINE MEETING Master plan materials will be available online as part of a self-guided online meeting. Participants can view the materials and submit comments here. Comments are due by March 1, 2024.

January 27, 2024 Cheryl Papke What great support shown by out community. I could not resist showing off the cows (above). Hot Chocolate provided by Wiki-licious Idaho Falls, Chic Filet had free cookies and a surprise gift card to whoever got a cookie. Thanks to all the citizens who came to support Reeds and show their love! BEE the DJ had great music, fun games like "Mooing Contest", Dancing Cows joined in on the dance time, and a spur of the moment double date with Kelly and James Porter over yummy grilled cheese sandwiches to complete our morning at Reeds. Great fun, I met new people heard great stories of Reeds Dairy and their place in our community.

January 26 Cheryl Papke We have all heard the sad news of the fire at Reeds Dairy. I'm proud to say that buisnesses across our county and citizens are coming together Saturday 9:30am to 10:30am to support Reeds Dairy. I love our community that pulls together to help one another in times of tragedy. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their best "Cow", I will have to work on that one :) See you all there! Here is the full story :) Reeds Dairy Support https://www.postregister.com/news/local/community-members-invited-to-support-reeds-dairy-after-fire/article_9b58c2d6-b96e-11ee-add4-bbff1e094017.html Signs locally and in the world on Farmers https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/nofarmersnofood-5390883?ea_src=author_manual&ea_med=related_stories

Cheryl Papke January 18, 2024 Local Government Committee is here to inform Citizens of Bonneville County of Legislation, issues, and meetings taking place across the County. This article in entirety is to answer the question regarding the Oath taken at Idaho Falls City Council January 11. Let's begin the conversation. Post your comments. Published at 11:28 am, November 16, 2017  | Updated at 8:33 am, November 28, 2017 Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com This week’s Good Question comes from an EastIdahoNews.com user who wanted to know why the phrase “So help you God” or “Under God” is not included in the oath of office for the swearing in of Idaho Falls police officers. I checked, and he’s right. “So help me God” is included when officers take the oath in Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello and Boise. But not in Rigby, and not in Idaho Falls. Here’s the oath Idaho Falls officers take: I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Idaho, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of ____________________ of the City of ____________________ according to the best of my ability. After sending us the oath, Idaho Falls city spokeswoman Kerry Hammon wrote in an email, “The wording of the oath that the city uses comes from the state, so you will need to contact the state to see if there have been any changes.” So I contacted Eric Glover, a legislative librarian in Boise. I asked if there had ever been a change, and if so, why? He got back to me several hours later with this response: “This is quite a confusing issue.” According to Glover, there was a change to the state code in 1983, removing any reference to God. The original law was ruled unconstitutional by a federal court in 1965 due to confusing language. But the language that was deemed confusing was not in reference to Deity, so it’s unclear why those words were removed. “It was for all public officers,” Glover told me. A federal lawsuit against the state of Idaho in 1965, Heckler vs. Shepherd, defined what is meant by public officers: “Public ‘officer’ and ‘employee’ includes every officer and employee of the state, University of Idaho, Idaho State College, every other college and every county, city, school district, and authority, including any department, division, bureau, board, commission, agency, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing.” Does this apply to law enforcement? “No. There was a case that said this did not apply to police officers,” Glover said. “The case said if you’re a city cop, and the city of Boise wants you to take an oath, then they come up with their own oath.” So while it’s fine for cities to use the state oath verbatim, the evidence suggests that there is wiggle room for cities to develop and adapt the oath to their officers. In Idaho Falls, Hammon told us that if an officer wants to include the phrase “So help me God” when he or she is sworn in, they can. Prayer in city hall But that got me wondering – do city council meetings in east Idaho begin with prayer? In Pocatello, the city invites members of all faiths (or no faith) to give the invocation, according to spokesman Logan McDougall. “An email is sent twice a year to different organizations inviting them to give the invocation. For example, city council meetings have seen the invocation given by Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans and atheists,” McDougall said in an email. Rigby and Rexburg City Council meetings begin with a prayer, and in Boise, Council meetings start with a moment of silence rather than a formal prayer. Prayers are not offered at Council meetings in Blackfoot and Idaho Falls. “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” And, with the holiday season approaching, I checked whether cities have any policies or recommendations about employees saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” Boise, Rexburg, Rigby, Blackfoot and Pocatello all told us that they have no official statement on either term. In Idaho Falls, Hammon said, “I am not aware of a policy that exists pertaining to the use of that exact language – ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Christmas.’ However, it is recommended that city staff use the terminology ‘Happy Holidays’ while at the workplace or when communicating on behalf of the city because it is all-inclusive, non-discriminatory and consistent with the City’s discrimination policy.” In a follow up message, city attorney Randy Fife said: The City doesn’t regulate or opine on personal interactions between its employees. They can refer to their beliefs and opinions with one another in conversation and can personally express themselves in a variety of ways, as long it does not lead to or constitute a hostile work environment or disrupt or interfere with the work that taxpayers and community members expect from City staff. The City itself refrains from City-sponsored, -organized, or -generated actions or activities that may make its employees uncomfortable, feel left out, embarrassed, unappreciated, or not included. The City, as a government and an organization that seeks to remain accessible and responsive to those it represents, does not make the assumptions that City employees agree with all religious practices or expression. For those reasons and based upon case law and precedent, the City does not agree that City parties that highlight or support particular religious beliefs are appropriate. So with that, I say Lord bless you, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Thanksgiving, Happy Holidays, Best Wishes and God be with you until next week’s Good Question. https://www.eastidahonews.com/2017/11/good-question-god-allowed-city-hall/

January 11, 2024 Reporter F3 Idaho Falls City Council The agenda was as follows: 1.0    Call to Order 2.0    Pledge of Allegiance 3.0    Consent of Agenda 4.0    Public Comment:  None presented at this time. 5.0    Municipal Services: 5.1    Second Quarter Impact Fee Report; No discussion 5.2    Idaho Falls Power Board Meeting minutes from Dec 2023; No discussion. 5.3    City Clerk;  All current license applications have been approved.  No discussion. 6.0   Regular Agenda: 6.1   Mayors Choice Awards presentations for Community Enrichment; Education Award; Community Spirit; Community Service; Community Empowerment; and Community Contribution.  No discussion. 6.2  Installation of new Council Members and presentation of Certificates of Election 6.3   John Radford, and Michelle Ziel-Dingman were re-elected.  New member is Kirk Larsen.  All three were sworn in and given the option to include …” so help me God…”  at the end of their statements.  None of them did, which I found somewhat disturbing and disappointing. 6.4  Council reorganization and committee assignments were then completed.  New President of the Council is Lisa Burtenshaw, and the vote was unanimous. 6.5  Idaho Falls Power Peaking Plant-CAT Generators.  The city is soliciting bids for a new power plant to augment current power production.  The plant will burn natural gas, or can be retrofitted to burn Hydrogen.  There are three responses to the RFP.  The cost is $ 11 million dollars. Maintenance and service coverage for 60 months is also purchased.  The project was approved with no debate.  I was somewhat disappointed that nuclear options were not considered, and with the Administration’s war on fossil fuels, I am surprised that the plant is designed for natural gas.  The council recognized that based on the city’s growth, the additional power production will be critical. 6.6  A resolution was adopted for the Public Works to submit a WaterSmart Grand Application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to purchase and install 250 commercial water meters in the city.  Private home owner metering can’t be far behind.   Discussion centered around the assumption that metering normally encourages conservation, and the area can no longer assume unlimited supplies of water. 6.7   Approval of an easement vacation in Lot 4, Block 5 of the amended plat for Channing Way addition No.5. 6.8  Approval of easement vacation for Lots1-3, 6 and 7, Block 1, of the Hodson Division 7.0   Consent Agenda: 7.1  Approval of the airport terminal renovation and expansion construction documents and schematics.  Approved with no discussion. 7.2  Idaho Falls Power, three items:  (1)  Underground Locating Services bid sheet;  (2)   Street Light Pole Inventory by D & S Electric bid;  (3)  Fiber Aerial Encloser Inventory.  All three were passed with no discussion 8.0   Municipal Services: 8.1  Bid award for two Freightliner 114SD Side Discharge Spreader for Public Works.  No discussion. 8.2  Appointments to City boards, committees pursuant to Idaho Statute by the mayor;  no discussions. 8.3  Approval for Idaho DOT  grant of $20,000 for Airport improvements in IF.  Runway improvements and snow removal equipment will be purchased.  No discussion. 8.4  Approval of Idaho First Funding Grant with Idaho DOT of 1 million dollars for the current terminal expansion project.  No discussion. 8.5  Approval of fleet vehicle lease agreement with United Fleet Services for five years for 1.5 million dollars to support vehicle needs for the IF Police Force.  No discussion.  This item uses federal money, but the nature and amount were not discussed.

January 8, 2024 Boise, ID — In response to the Governor’s State of the State Address this afternoon, IDGOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon issued the following statement: Like many of you, I watched Governor Brad Little’s State of the State address this afternoon hoping to hear him promote smaller government and fiscal responsibility, values that conservative Republicans hold dear. I regret to say that I was left mostly disappointed. Governor Little began his speech with how Idaho has become one of the best states in the nation, boasting a strong economy, low unemployment, and relatively safe cities and streets. He also shared how Idaho banned critical race theory in public schools, protected women’s sports from biological men who pretend to be women, outlawed diversity statements in university hiring, and stood up to China by preventing belligerent foreign nations from buying property in our state. These are all great accomplishments, and I applaud the Governor for bringing attention to these milestones. However, I am once again concerned with the amount of spending the Governor has proposed in his new budget. He continues to use the word “investment” for what really should be described as “spending,” as in spending our tax dollars for projects that might be better suited for local government or even the private sector. The Governor has proposed an additional $2 billion for public school infrastructure, $800 million for transportation, doubled funding for school advisors, and more. Despite this, he claimed that his new budget cuts $200 million from last year and is the most fiscally conservative budget since the Great Recession. Now, I don’t know how that math works out, but I’m skeptical. As with prior years, this address was all about how much of your money the Governor wants to spend (or invest) throughout the state. While I’m sure the state agencies and special interests who stand to benefit from that spending were happy, I will continue to advocate for the forgotten people of Idaho who are yet again asked to foot the bill.

BCRCC Meeting Report Meeting attended: IF Public Library Meeting Reporter: H1 Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024 Went through the meeting agenda items. Board stated how they were impressed with the staff reports—gave high praise. There was a representative from city council, and she explained to the public how they are involved in the library, budget only, they don’t approve books being removed (example she gave). Meeting went fairly quickly-no action items discussed. Additional notes: There was not a large public turn out (5 total) I once again found it difficult to hear when certain individuals spoke-specifically the library staff. It appeared other public members did as well—we were leaning forward to listen. I will suggest at the next meeting that they speak louder and I will try to seat as close to their table as possible.

by: Cheryl Papke passing on good things in Bonneville IF YOU KNOW A YOUNG MOTHER LET HER KNOW! Every Tuesday and Friday from 9am-11am When it's cold outside and the kids are bored, bring them to the play group at the Recreation Center on Tuesday and Friday mornings. It's only a dollar a kid and they can play in a big indoor space. We have mats on the floor with balls of all sizes, hula hoops, a slide, sit n spin, hippity hops, tunnels and more. The kids love it. Parents can sit on the side lines or join their kids and play. It's a good activity for the kids during these cold winter months. If you are in need of using the ramp for large strollers please feel free to call us at 208-612-8580 and we will be willing to let you in/out the side doors to better accommodate your needs. Details Days: Tuesdays and Fridays Time: 9 - 11 a.m. Age: 6 and Under Location: Recreation Center (520 Memorial Drive) Fee: $1 per child/per day This program begins Tuesday, October 17, 2023 and runs through Friday, April 26, 2024There will be no Pre-school gym on December 22nd, 26th, 29th, and January 2nd.