Merry Christmas!!! I will repeat what I said last week and say that I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Christmas, whether you are surrounded by family and friends,  alone comfy in pajamas and reading a book with a cup of coffee or cocoa, or watching a football game. Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a wonderful time!

Cathy and I will have our family with us as we normally do on Christmas Eve playing games, opening presents, singing carols, and just enjoying each other’s company. Then Christmas Day will be just the two of us. We haven’t quite decided what we will do, whether to go for a drive up to Riggins and then up the Salmon River Canyon, or stay home playing games, watching movies, cooking up something great, and just enjoying each other’s company. Either way I am looking forward to Christmas!

Even though I could write about Christmas for this entire article, I had better get down to City business.

The leaf saga continues. The City crew is making its last round with the vacuum. If you are parked over or even partially parked over a leaf pile the crew will not be able to pick up the leaves and will bypass your leaves and go on. If this is the case, depending on the weather, the crew may not be able to make it back until spring with either the vacuum or the loader to get your leaves. If this is the case, you may be stuck with a mess in front of your home for months.

So, if you are parked over leaves, it will be in your best interest to find another place to park. If your neighbor is parked over their leaves, (depending on how well you get along with your neighbor,) (and please remember the Golden Rule,) you might let them know that it is in their best interest to move – their car. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated by the City employees.

On another note, as we enter the winter months, all of us are conscious of how important it is to stay warm and comfortable during the cold weather. Therefore, all of us like to make sure that things like the gas and utility bills are paid on time. 

To help you make sure your utility bill from the City is paid on time, the City has implemented several changes in the past few years that might help. However, it seems that there are some who are unaware of these changes. 

Probably the easiest way to pay, and this is what I do, is to sign up for level pay. Just contact the City by visiting City Hall located at 55 W. Idaho Street or calling 208-414-1965 to be set up for one level payment during the year. The next step to keep it uncomplicated is to set up an automatic payment with your bank to have the funds withdrawn each month and mailed to the City. You will still receive an invoice to track your usage if you would like. The combination of level payments and automatic withdrawals is a very simple and convenient way to pay your utility bill on time.

Another service you can sign up for is to have automatic reminders sent either by text to your telephone or by sending an email every day after the due date for 5 days to let you know that shut off day is coming. 

For everyone that does not have an automatic payment we strongly encourage you to sign up for the payment reminders. Believe it or not the City does not want to shut off anyone’s utilities. We do not enjoy the penalties that go along with shutting down the service and starting them up again. So, please help yourself out by signing up to let us help you keep your utilities paid on time this winter.

Finally, if there is no way to pay your bill on time, please call City Hall. If it is simply a matter of time and you need a few days, we can work with you. If your situation is more of a long-term need, let us help you find the help you need. We want everyone to stay warm and comfortable this winter and every month of the year.

Well, that’s it for this week. May you have a Wonderful, Joyous, and Magical Christmas! And stay warm.