Well, we are just three weeks away from the election. I don’t know about you, but this election cycle seems to have gone on forever. I think it has something to do with this year being about a decade or two long — so far. My hope and prayer for the country is to be able to start coming together after the election, no matter what the outcome. It is hard to imagine how we can keep being divided as we are and remain a country. As a country, we have got to start seeing people who disagree with us as people again.
Whichever way you lean this political year — right, left, center, up, down, forward, or backward –whatever you do, VOTE!
Several citizens are requesting me to impose a mandate on wearing masks. While this is difficult to do without a statewide effort, it does show that many of our citizens are very concerned for their safety when they go into a public setting and see a significant portion of the population not wearing masks or distancing. It is hard to express how distressing this is for people who are vulnerable. It means needing to stay home more at a time in life when getting out can be difficult anyway. It means that many people do not care if older people contract this horrible virus. It means feeling more isolated and disconnected than ever.
There has been enough experience and research to show that masks, distancing, and hand washing significantly slows the spread of this virus. So, for those of you who consistently wear a mask, THANK YOU! For those who do not feel the need to wear a mask in public, PLEASE, think twice. Think what this means to other people, older people, and those who are vulnerable. Please be considerate.
If you see me walking around town this month, it is for a purpose. Each year, the Blue-Cross of Idaho Foundation sponsors a Mayor’s Walking Challenge for fitness awareness. If a participating Idaho mayor averages 5,000 steps a day during the month of October, Blue-Cross will donate $1,000 to be used for children’s fitness or a community fitness project. This year, the funds will be going toward fitness equipment in the park. The Weiser Memorial Hospital employees have been raising funds to purchase exercise equipment to place in City Park for over a year. So far, the hospital employees have raised about half of the funds needed. The City Council has already approved the project. The location and layout have been agreed on. The project should proceed this next spring. The funds from Blue-Cross will add to the Weiser Memorial Hospital employee’s generous efforts to bring this welcome addition to our parks.
The Fire Chief, Kerry Nyce, wants me to remind you that October is Fire Awareness Month. This is the time of year that the risk of fire increases due to using furnaces, fireplaces, and wood stoves more as we move indoors. Please replace batteries in fire alarms or replace old fire alarms that may not function well.
Work is continuing on Mortimer’s Island. The old junk concrete debris and slabs used to hold the riverbank back are being removed and replaced by rock and gravel, which should not only do a better job, but also make the park and boat landing more attractive. Part of the project will also help reduce silt build-up on the City’s water intake in the Weiser River portion of our water system.
Well, that’s it for this week. Here’s wishing you another wonderful week in Weiser!
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