Cathy and I had a pretty quiet week. There were no grandsons visiting. Christmas decorations have been taken down and stored for another year. It’s January.
We did have a visit from my brother. He has been in construction all his life. We asked him to come by sometime to look at some fairly minor changes to our kitchen, steps, and back sidewalk. As we talked, different ideas came out and Cathy got excited and intrigued. I’m afraid this could get rather expensive rather fast.
This time of year is also fairly quiet around the City. The big seasonal projects have been completed, and the different departments are going into maintenance mode. The Electrical Department is busy trimming tree limbs away from the power lines. The mechanic is doing maintenance on all the vehicles as well as making sure the snow equipment is ready to go. The Water and Wastewater Departments take this time to completely go through all of their pumps and equipment to ensure they remain in peak operating condition. So, even though you may not see much activity, the crews are still staying very busy with more than just busy work.
Bill Taylor, the Water Department supervisor, would like to remind you that it is a good idea to leave a little water trickling this time of year to keep water lines from freezing up. With no snow on the ground to insulate, your underground pipes are at risk from the cold. A little water will be wasted, but the trickle is much less expensive than broken water pipes. So, please do yourself a favor and leave a little water on at night.
Ron McDaniel from the Street Department informed me this week that they have not yet completed leaf pickup. There was a breakdown on the vacuum. The part is supposed to be here soon and should not take much time to replace. If snow allows there will be one more pass-through town before the vacuum is retired for the season.
Speaking of snow, in the event of snow, if you are able, please park vehicles off the streets. This allows the snow equipment more room to maneuver on our narrower streets. Also, for the same reason, if you have a portable basketball hoop used in the street, please move it back onto the curb.
Something new that will be online soon is a new look for the City’s website. A while back, I had asked Weiser High School Alum, Kent Stampfli, now of Fruitland, to rework the site. Now, the new site is just about ready to go live. I think you will like the changes. Kent has done a great job of showing Weiser at its best! Thanks Kent!
Well, that’s it for this week. I hope you have a cozy week snuggled in your home and out of the cold.

There was a war at our house on Christmas Eve. The whole family got together to spend time, take our annual photo on the front steps, have our gift exchange, and have dinner together. We try to make the day about enjoying each other and having fun. But, despite our best efforts we ended up at war.
You see, one of the aunts gave the grandsons laser tag guns as a gift. The house and the yard quickly turned into a war zone between adults and kids in various combinations. Fortunately, the war’s intensity wore down at about the same pace as the adult’s stamina. It was just so amazing how quickly conflict can arise so unexpectedly. However, just as quickly, Peace reigned once again in our home.
OK, change of subject.
Since this is the beginning of a new year, I thought I would take the time to just go over some of the things that the City has accomplished for you in the past twelve months.
In the way of projects, the City used over $1,000,000 in Covid money received from the Federal Government to rehabilitate one of the water towers that was in need. After the project started and the water tower was drained, it was discovered that the interior roof had significant issues. A patch could be applied that might last 5 years or we could replace it entirely. The City Council rightly chose to dip into the Water Department’s reserves to the tune of about $500,000 to replace the roof. Now, the City will have a like new water tower that should last from 50 to 70 years at about a fifth of the cost for a new tower.
Also, final word has arrived granting $2,000,000 in federal funds through the Idaho Transportation Department to repair/replace the Monroe Creek bridge on Commercial Street and make other needed repairs and improvements on that street.
In addition, the City received grants to replace the playground equipment in Memorial Park. Most of the monies are federal funds that came by way of the Idaho Department of Commerce. However, $30,000 came from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation and their efforts at promoting the Social Determinants of health.
With the influx of housing and new businesses in Weiser, a Design Review committee was organized to look over the plans for the new businesses and make recommendations for landscaping and appearance to ensure the businesses have an attractive “Weiser” look. The committee also researched and proposed a landscaping ordinance for new businesses. The proposed ordinance went through the process of public hearing, Planning and Zoning approval, and was ultimately approved by the City Council. The Committee has done a great job!
Also, at the next City Council meeting the Council is set to approve a new Comprehensive Plan, the first for the City since 1999.
As you may know, within the City staff there were changes organizationally to how the City operates. Due to personnel changes, numerous duties were distributed amongst members of the staff. The staff involved did a truly amazing job of stepping up to the plate to learn new duties to ensure that the City continues to work effectively.
Other changes within the City offices, include updating the information technology and security system, the ability to receive and pay utility bills online, completely revamping personnel policies, and providing an Employee Assistance Program to assist employees with questions involving their personal lives, finances, and even legal questions.
There have been other achievements this past year and more in the process. These are simply some of the more significant ones. The City will continue to work to provide you with the services and improvements to make Weiser a great place to live, work, and play.
Well, that’s it for this week. May you have a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Ho Ho Ho! I Ho Ho Hope your Christmas season is full of joy and cheer this year!
With that being said, this week, I am going to jump right into the City business first.
The City has received the final word on the $2,000,000 grant to repair E. Commercial Street. I would like to say a great big THANK YOU to Mike Campbell and Keller and Associates, the City’s engineering partner, for writing the grant and moving it through the Idaho Transportation Department.
There were 107 applicants with Weiser being one of the 37 entries awarded with funds. Without these funds, within a few years, the bridge over Monroe Creek would have been weight restricted due to structural issues. This would have stopped commercial traffic over the bridge and sent semi-trucks down Main and Idaho Streets. This project will ensure that Commercial Street will remain the east-west truck route through town. So again, THANK YOU Mike and Justin!
Also, the first round of leaf pickup is just about complete. As soon as the first round is finished, the crew will be back around to pick up the remaining leaves. Ron McDaniel would again like to remind you not to park on top of the leaf piles. (I had to reluctantly say no when he asked if he could use the loader to move cars.) If the crew is unable to pick up the leaves, the leaves create dams in the gutters which can cause rainwater to build up behind the pile and push water into the street. If the water then freezes, the ice creates an additional traffic hazard to deal with.
And now, on to what I would really like to say.
This time of year can be very hectic. Cathy had three Christmas Parties to go to last weekend. I had two. Plus, we were invited to a Thankmas (Think Thanksgiving near Christmas) dinner at our daughter’s in-laws with turkey, dressing, potatoes, green beans, cranberries, pomegranates, etc.
I am still in the middle of making Christmas gifts. We will see if they are ready in time. We are baking cookies for family, neighbors, and co-workers. Also, if you read my article in last week’s paper, you will be pleased to know that I can now confidently play my one note on the cornettina for the renaissance concert. So, as you can see, we are terribly busy.
I am letting you know that I understand how hectic the holidays can be. Whatever you have going this Christmas, in the rush to make sure the presents are wrapped, the house cleaned, the meals are prepared, and the stockings are “hung by the chimney with care,” please do not lose site of what makes this holiday important to YOU.
If family and friends give Christmas its meaning, please take the time to cherish those around you. If giving to others is meaningful, please be as generous as Charles Dickens’ “Ghost of Christmas Present” in “A Christmas Carol.” And if celebrating the birth of Christ what gives the season meaning, take time to go to Church and a Christmas Eve Service with fellow believers.
In other words, whatever your way to celebrate Christmas is, please take the time, even if it is a few minutes at a time, to slow down, relax, and savor this special, precious time of year.
Well, that’s it for this week. I hope YOU have a very Merry Christmas!