WIXLIB

Wednesday, November 16, 2011Page 3Marsing Elementary receives 5,773 to purchase booksMacy’s Be Book Smart promotionbenefits RIF program; only school inthe state to receive awardEvery year, Marsing ElementarySchool distributes nearly 2,000books to its students who participatein a national reading program. Thisyear, buying those books hasbecome a little bit easier with a 5,773 check from a departmentstore promotion.For the past 11 years, Marsinghas participated in the ReadingIs Fundamental (RIF) program tohelp equip the elementary schoolreaders with books they can takehome, enabling them to becomebetter readers, 21st Century Programcoordinator Ken Price said.“The purpose of RIF is to getbooks in the hands of children thatwouldn’t otherwise have them,”Price said. “It provides them anopportunity to keep the booksand helps build family literacyby getting parents involved in thechild’s reading.”This year — along with the twopast years — Marsing has been theonly school district in the state toreceive funding through the Macy’s“Be Book Smart” promotion. Thepromotion, which runs from theend of June through the end of July,allows shoppers to donate 3 to theprogram and receive 10 off a 50purchase.Price said the elementary schoolreceived the money from peoplewho donated at all Macy’s locationsthroughout the state.Throughout the past three years,Marsing has pulled quite a bit offunding through the program. In2009, Macy’s raised over 6.5million nationally, and Marsingpicked up 7,459. Last year,the school was awarded 3,500that was used for the elementaryschool’s Dr. Seuss Birthday Partycelebration.“The big thing we did last yearwith the Macy’s money was the Dr.Seuss party,” Price said. “All thebooks that we bought along withthe arts and crafts were purchasedwith that money. The party wasplanned to coincide with a RIFdistribution night, which added theamount of books we gave out.”During the year, the school willplan several different nights todistribute books to the children.On average Price said they usuallypurchase 1,800 to 2,000 booksthe students get to keep and passdown to siblings, keeping them inthe family.“The RIF program is primarilydone at the elementary-schoollevel because that is where youget the most bang for your buck,”Price said. “The earlier you getthem reading, the better. We buyadditional books with the moneywe have received through theMacy’s program along with themoney we are allocated by the RIFprogram.”Although Price isn’t sure whattype of “fun reading night” theywill plan this year, he hopes that itwill be as successful as last year’sDr. Seuss party that attractedhundreds of students and parents.— JLZDodge pickups to be added to sheriff’s office motor poolCommissioners maintainedintentions to pare the OwyheeCounty Sheriff’s Office patrol fleetwhile approving new vehicles.The two vehicles approvedunanimously during a Nov. 7meeting represent the scheduledrotation of two older Ford pickupsout of service in fiscal year 2012.But in comments to sheriff’sSgt. Slade Heeb, District 2Commissioner Kelly Aberasturimade it clear that the BOCCwon’t stand for a stable of sheriff’svehicles, the number of which hasgrown to 17 during Sheriff DarylCrandall’s term in office.The total price for two newDodge ST four-door pickups,including equipment, is about 52,500, Heeb said. The onlyadditional expense will be decaling,which Heeb estimated wouldcost 500. The commissionersallocated 53,000 for vehiclepurchases in FY 2012.Heeb said that, according tothe state bid price of 23,459, theDodges were about 500 cheaperthan GMC models and nearly 2,000 less than Fords.Commissioners still plan tojettison four pickups through asurplus auction, probably in thespring, with an eye toward updatingthe fleet with the proceeds.“As we discussed earlier on,if we ended up coming up withenough money out of thosevehicles, we might be able topurchase a third one by eliminatingsome of these excesses that wehave,” Aberasturi said. “And thenagain we could have another onethat we could get rid of.“I don’t see where we need 17vehicles. All three commissionersare on board with that. We knowwe need a couple, but we alsobelieve that we don’t need to havefour extra.”Heeb presented several detailsof his research into the availabilityof patrol trucks — both new andused — and said he will personallyremove the equipment from thevehicles tagged for surplus to keepoutfitting costs down.“I like the plan. I really do,”Aberasturi told Heeb. “You’vedone your homework.”The two vehicles slated forrotation are an unmarked brownFord F-150 with a camper shellwith 140,000 miles and Heeb’scurrent patrol vehicle, which has184,000 miles, Heeb said.County Clerk Charlotte Sherburnpointed out that there are patrolvehicles in service that “lookbad” because they have brokenwindows and dings and dents.Heeb said that he understood thatCrandall — who was out of townlast week — gave Chief DeputyKenny Hoagland “marchingorders” about repairing damageto one vehicle and that the onlyother patrol unit that Heeb knewhad damage was the truck drivenby waterways deputies.LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER)0.&%"-& t ."34*/( ! " QUICK FIT DIAMONDCABLE LINK TIRE CHAINSThey take the work and frustration out of using tire chains. They go on and off quicklyand fit right to provide excellent tractionduring tough winter driving conditions.PASSENGER STARTING AT '' " & '( " & "! "(( (&) ')* " Average batterylife per region: 9%!23 9%!23 3EB3 5 @ @63 756@ 0/@@3 D 4 D A50 (SHIMS INCLUDED) &# & "! "( ' "')& (( & " " " ( & ! " " 9OU LL SAVE MORE THAN EACH TIME YOU HAVE YOUR SNOW TIRESINSTALLED IN THE WINTER OR REMOVED IN THE SPRING BY ELIMINATINGDISMOUNT MOUNTING AND BALANCING CHARGES WITH EACH CHANGEover. 9%!23MONTH WARRANTY "! "(7ITH A SET OF FOUR NEW ,ES 3CHWAB SNOW WHEELS WITH TIRESmounted you can save time and money. 9%!2350 MONTH ( &)'( "! "(XTREME POWER84MONTH WARRANTYXHD72MONTH WARRANTY ?8 4 / & (( &- ,ES 3CHWAB SNOW WHEELS THEY RE A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEYand get back on the road.“The damage should be reportedwhen it happens so we can turnit into our insurance,” Sherburnsaid.Bills questioned, OK’dCommissioners approved a 650 expenditure for a AppleiPhone after Heeb explained whythe device was needed.District 3 Commissioner JoeMerrick originally presented amotion to set aside two OCSOrelated bills when the board tookcare of expenditures early in thebusiness meeting.But the phone expenditurewas allowed after Heeb told thecommissioners that it was the leastexpensive smartphone available at 50 cheaper than the phones thatCrandall and Hoagland use forcounty business.Heeb said the phone wouldmake his job fighting narcoticscrime easier because he would beable to obtain pertinent backgroundinformation and files on suspectsimmediately whenever he’s in thefield doing surveillance.He also said the phone allowshim to stay in contact withconfidential informants withoutgiving out his personal number.A second invoice submitted bythe sheriff regarding a Nov. 28-30training in Las Vegas for courthousesecurity guard Pat McCormick waspartially approved.The board unanimouslyapproved most of expenditure,but disallowed a request for about 200 in per diem cash. The totalexpenditure approved was 481for training and lodging.The commissioners pointed outthat cash advances for per diemisn’t a county policy and thatMcCormick could use a countycredit card for meals during thetraining.Sherburn said McCormick willuse a county vehicle and a countygas card on the trip.— JPB

Wednesday, November 16, 2011Page 4Former HHS student gives backLocal contractor providesdecorative stone for frontageArt Solis didn’t graduate fromHomedale High School, but hefelt compelled to give back tothe place.The owner of ASC Inc.General Contractors presentedthe school with a large rocksculpture earlier this month.The 10,000-pound piece,which stands about eight feet tallis engraved with a Trojans head,the school’s name and the yearof its inception — 1940.Solis attended Homedaleschools from 1959 to 1964.He transferred to Parma HighSchool for his senior year andgraduated in 1965.But the natural rivalry betweenthe Panthers and the Trojansdoesn’t create a dilemma forSolis, who played basketballfor the Trojans and recalled animportant and exciting onepoint comeback victory overMiddleton played inside the oldHHS gym.He also pointed out that heis on the wall at the FrostyPalace as part of the 1963 HHSbasketball team photo in oneof the Idaho Avenue eatery’snostalgic displays.“When I went to school inHomedale, those were probablythe best years of my life,” Solissaid. “I made a lot of friendshere, especially my basketballcoach, Dean Vance.”Homedale School Districtsuperintendent Tim Rosandickplaces the value of the five-tongift at 3,700 for the donatedrock and the engraving forwhich the school district paid.Rosandick said the district’srelationship with Solis grewduring the Local ImprovementDistrict project, which schooltrustees used as leverage torevamp the entire frontage of the71-year-old high school.“We think in the last few yearsthat we’ve improved the appealof this school, and this caps itoff,” Rosandick said of the ASCdonation.“We think it’s important thatwe communicate the value weput on kids’ education here.”— JPBHomedale High School student body president Lane Matteson, left,and HHS principal Luci Asumendi-Mereness, far right, stand with ASCInc. owner Art Solis and the eight-foot-tall engraved rock he donatedfor his old school.Academic Bowl comes toHomedale Middle SchoolThe Homedale Middle SchoolAcademic Bowl team will try toback up its early-season successat home today.The team, led by advisor JanSilva, plays host to the second 3ASnake River Valley conferenceAcademic Bowl of the school yearSwitch to usand waivemonthly checkingfees goodbye!today. The event begins at 4:15p.m. inside the HMS cafeteria.Teams will be quizzed on theirknowledge of math, science,language and social studiestopics.The Trojans won in Silva’s debutas advisor Oct. 12 in Weiser.CorrectionsAn article in last week’s edition of The Owyhee Avalanchemisidentified the director of the Bruneau Valley Library. She is ClaraMorris.The date of the Murphy-Reynolds-Wilson Fire Department chilicook-off held in conjunction with the Owyhee County HistoricalSociety’s Christmas Bazaar is Saturday, Dec. 3.P.O. BOX 97 HOMEDALE, ID 83628PHONE 208 / 337-4681 FAX 208 / 337-4867www.theowyheeavalanche.comU.S.P.S. NO. 416-340Copyright 2007–– ISSN #8750-6823Open a U.S. Bank checking account and see howeasy it is to waive the monthly maintenance fee.If you’re looking for great checkingaccounts, check with US! U.S. Bank isproud to offer Easy Checking, namedBest National Bank Checking accountby MONEY Magazine, as well as awide selection of banking Packages. Every account includes free U.S. BankATM transactions, free email and text alerts1, a U.S. Bank Visa Check Card,free Internet Banking, Internet Bill Pay and more. Bank at thousands ofbranches and ATMs, online and from your smartphone anytime, anywhere.Upgrade to a U.S. Bank Checking Package and receive additional discountsand bonuses. And, it’s easy to waive the monthly maintenance fee on aU.S. Bank Package; simply set-up a recurring direct deposit, keep a certainaccount balance or open other banking products or services that meet yourneeds. So say hello to U.S. Bank and waive your monthly checkingfees goodbye!JOE E. AMAN, publisherE-mail: joe@owyhee.comJON P. BROWN, managing editorE-mail: jon@owyheeavalanche.com; Ext.: 102JOHN ZSIRAY, reporterE-mail: john@owyheeavalanche.com; Ext.: 103JENNIFER STUTHEIT, officeE-mail: jennifer@owyheeavalanche.com; Ext.: 101ROBERT AMAN, compositionE-mail: rob@owyheeavalanche.com; Ext.: 105Published each week in Homedale, Idaho by Owyhee Avalanche, Inc. Entered asPeriodical, paid at the Post Office at Homedale, ID under the Act of March 3, 1879.POSTMASTER: send address changes to THE OWYHEE AVALANCHE, P.O. 97,Homedale, ID 83628.Annual Subscription Rates:Owyhee County. 31.80Canyon, Ada counties. 37.10Malheur County. 35.00Elsewhere in Idaho. 42.40Elsewhere (outside Idaho). 40.00DeadlinesDisplay advertisingClassifiedsMonday noon theweek of publicationcall 800-720-2265clickor stop byusbank.comPlease refer to the Consumer Pricing Information brochure for a full list of details and fees. Certain conditions apply to U.S. BankPackages. See banker for details. 1. You may be charged access fees by your carrier, dependent upon your personal plan. Checkwith your carrier for details. Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC 2011 U.S. Bancorp Allrights reserved.From MONEY Magazine, September 2011 2011 Time Inc. Used under license. MONEY is a registered trademark of Time, Inc. andis used under license. MONEY and Time Inc. are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of U.S. Bank. is usedunder license. MONEY and Time Inc. are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of U.S. Bank.Legal noticesFriday noon the weekprior to publicationFriday noon the weekprior to publicationInsertsFriday noon the weekprior to publicationLetters to the editorFriday noon the week prior to publication(Limit 300 words, signed, with day phone number.)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011Page 5E LECTION ’11Clerk: Lack of training contributed to poll troubleA lack of training for new pollworkers and the revamped protocolmandated by consolidated elections law contributed to confusionand controversy last week at theHomedale polling place, the countyclerk has acknowledged.Owyhee County Clerk CharlotteSherburn confirmed she replaced apoll worker about seven hours intothe Nov. 8 election after HomedaleMayor Harold Wilson complainedthat the worker had made what hecalled “a racial comment”. ButSherburn said the move was madebecause of a lack of training.“It was the poorest-run electionI ever seen,” Wilson said a dayafter losing his bid for a secondfour-year term. “There were otherthings going on which I’m not going to divulge.”Sherburn, who as county clerkoversees elections, said thatplanned training wasn’t carriedout. Busy with budgets and levies,Sherburn said she delegated election duties, including the training,to a deputy clerk.“These were new poll workers,”Sherburn said. “Two of them hadnever worked in the polls before,and they were not trained.”Sherburn said the situation wascompounded when some citizensobjected loudly to the legal requirement that they must re-register tovote if they have not participated inthe two most recent elections.The atmosphere was chargedenough that a first-year poll worker said she felt threatened andscared. She said five people werecomplaining about the voter IDrequirement.At one point, the worker turnedand asked herself under her breath,“Do I need to go get my mace?”Her fellow poll workers didn’thear what she said, but someoneapparently did.“It was during this process when(citizens) were asked to re-registerthat they got real boisterous andkind of noisy, and it’s my understanding that she mentioned maybeshe should get her can of mace.And that’s all I heard, but it wasenough for me to take her out ofthe polls,” Sherburn said.“I didn’t feel that if she made acomment that she had been properly trained, so I brought one inwho I know was.”Veteran elections chief MaxineStimmel joined the Homedale pollstaff at 3 p.m., about an hour afterevents unfolded.Wilson, who spent most of theHomedale cityday at City Hall adjacent to theMagistrate Courtroom pollingplace, said he called Sherburn inMurphy after getting wind of whathappened.“I had to get a gal fired from theelection board sitting here whomade a racial remark,” Wilsonsaid after Wednesday’s city councilmeeting.“She said, ‘Get the mace out.’ Ithink that’s a racial comment.”Wilson declined to identify thepoll worker, but said he knew whoshe was.Sherburn and the poll workerboth deny Wilson’s claim.“There was no racial commentmade from my poll worker,” Sherburn said.Wilson said he was in contactwith state officials about the election.“I have talked to the attorneygeneral’s office, they’ve got anelection division, but I won’t saywhat we discussed,” he said.The Secretary of State’s Officeoversees elections.“I didn’t talk to the AttorneyGeneral’s Office, just the Secretaryof State’s Office,” Sherburn said.“Tim Hurst (the chief deputy incharge of elections) said he didn’tget any complaints.”Nov. 8 marked the first city andtaxing district elections coordinated by county clerks under the newconsolidation law, and Sherburnsaid there was an adjustment periodfor many officials.“I’m taking the blame here, butthere are a lot of people confusedover consolidated elections,” Sherburn said. “The state needs to leaveit alone.”— JPBMarsingFink returns, Atkins arrives Incumbent, first-timerHe won by only 10 votes, butPaul Fink is ready to take overthe familiar seat as Homedalemayor.“It feels real good,” Fink said.“I appreciate the people havingenough confidence in me to putme back in one more time.“It’s always an honor. It turnsout to be a job, but I enjoy it.”Fink received 45.3 percent ofthe vote Nov. 8 for 124 votes andedged incumbent Harold Wilson,who had 114 votes.The 74-year-old Fink begins hissixth four-year term in January.Council members Steve Atkinsand Aaron Tines also will startfour-year terms.“I just like to be able to workwith the council and all the cityemployees, and I think that’s theway you get the job done.”Atkins, 39, received the mostvotes of any council candidate,147, and will replace EinoHendrickson, who lost his reelection bid.“I was pretty surprised when Ifound out the results the followingday after the election,” Atkinssaid. “I’m really glad to have theopportunity to get involved andhopefully make a difference.”Atkins said he plans to attendthe upcoming training for newlyelected officials later this month.The 29-year-old Tines was reelected to another four-year term,garnering 129 votes and beatingchallenger Vonnie Harkins by 24votes for the second of the twopositions available.“It’s a great feeling to knowthat those who you have servedbefore still have the confidencein you and feel that you havethe city’s best interest at heart,”Tines said.“It’s a huge honor to know thatthe people of the community willtake the time to come out and votefor you. It means a lot to me toknow this.”Tines welcomed the addition ofAtkins and the return of Fink, wholeft office after his fifth term whenhe lost to Wilson in 2008.“There’s going to be anacclimation period for thenew members, and we need tohelp guide them into their newpositions,” Tines said.“I would like to see continuedtransparency within the city sothat the people know what thecity is doing as well as see anincrease in (council meeting)attendance. I am not sure if peoplerealize how valuable their insightand opinions are to the decisionsthat are being made. The moreinput that we have, the better thedecisions will be.”Tines also reminded citizensthat they can communicate withany council member and restassured that “their concerns willbe addressed with the utmostimportance.”Per the new consolidatedelection mandate, the Board ofCounty Commissioners canvassedthe ballots during its Mondaymeeting in Murphy.Any challenges to vote totalsmust be filed with the AttorneyGeneral’s Office within 20 daysof the canvass.Wilson lost by only 10 votesin an election in which 274ballots were cast, but he said hewasn’t sure if he would ask for arecount.“The people have spoken,” hesaid.The third man in the mayoralrace, Samuel Page, picked up 36votes.The result from a three-waymayoral election four years agowas nearly a polar opposite to lastweek’s Fink-Wilson rematch withWilson winning by 21 votes in2007.— JPBHomedale FireWoodburn to succeed Hyer on boardOne retiree will replace another on the Homedale RuralFire Protection District board ofcommissioners.Mick Woodburn, who in2009 retired after 25 years as aHomedale volunteer fireman,begins a new challenge in Januarywhen he replaces Wendell Hyer asSubdistrict 1 commissioner.Woodburn, 52, won a fouryear term by beating 68-year-oldChuck Maxwell in a rare fire commissioner race on Nov. 8.“I am very happy on the outcome of the election and feel thevoters chose the right candidate,”Woodburn said. “I will stay intouch with the other commissioners more and will start attendingthe upcoming board meetings.”Fire commissioners conductbusiness for both the fire department and ambulance service.They meet at noon on the secondMonday of each month in the banquet room at Owyhee Lanes andRestaurant, 18 N. 1st St. W.Woodburn received 218 votesto Maxwell’s 175, taking controlin the Owyhee County votingin which Woodburn captured198 votes to Maxwell’s 139. ABoard of County Commissionerscanvass revealed Woodburn hadreceived fiv

AHS volleyball 0-2 at state Page 12 Subscribe today Get the news source of the Owyhees delivered directly to you each Wednesday Only 31.80 in Owyhee County Call 337-4681 VOL. 26, NO. 46 75 CENTS HOMEDALE, OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO WEDNESDAY, VOL. 26, NO. 46 75 CENTS HOMEDALE, OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO WEDNESDAY, NNOVEMBER 16, 2011OVEMBER 16, 2011 .