This was another busy week.  I hope you had a chance to visit the National Christmas Tree on Tuesday.  It was a great celebration.  Julie Chandler and Layna Hafer did a great job organizing the event.  Thank you, ladies.  There were people of every age involved.  We had dancers from high school to pre-school and singers from all the schools.  The band did a great job of setting the mood for the Christmas tree.  Members of the Forest Service were available to answer questions along with the drivers of the truck.  The tree arrived a little before 3 p.m. on Monday and from the time it arrived, people came to visit.  According the Chief of Police folks came down until about 11 p.m. Monday night.  Then Tuesday visitors began filling the park for the festivities.  By a little after 9 a.m. the park was full.  Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who were able to come down.  It was great.  The folks traveling with the Potato truck and Tree were very impressed with our community and its excitement over seeing the Tree and Potato.  Thanks one and all.
One Saturday, I had the honor to have lunch with the sponsors and participants of the ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’ Veterans’ Hunt at the Lazy Bear Ranch.  This was another wonderful event.  Three veterans from Weiser, one from Council, one from Ontario and a Gold Star family from Greenleaf hunted pheasants on the ranch and had a great meal catered by Keith Bryant and his crew.  It was wonderful to see these Veterans honored for their service and what a great week to do it.
There were lots of events on Friday to honor our Veterans. It is always heartwarming.  I appreciate the volunteers that put these events on every year to help our youth understand their heritage and appreciate our military personnel.  Thank you too, to our groups that provide free meals for our veterans. It is great our community shows their support for our Veterans and those serving so willingly. Thank you to the businesses that sponsor the Washington County Roll Call of Veterans in our local paper lest we forget.
Thanksgiving is almost here.  Remember the All Community Thanksgiving Dinner being held at the Weiser Senior and Community Center on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 from 12-2 p.m.  Take outs are also available by calling 208-521-8138.  If you are able to get out, this is a great place to have dinner with others in the community at no cost.  Dana Clary, her mother Sue Slyter, their wonderful family and many friends provide this great environment to enjoy Thanksgiving.  Donations from throughout the community make the dinner possible so if you are interested in donating something for the dinner, call 550-4986 or 414-2151.  It is such an answer to prayer to have Sue Slyter helping spearhead this wonderful event.  Thanks, Clarys, Sue Slyter family and team.  Don’t stay home alone for Thanksgiving, join the fun and good food at the Center.
This Friday and Saturday the Arts and Crafts Fair is taking place at the Vendome from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both November 18 and 19.  There will be lots of great ideas for Christmas as well as other great crafts.  It’s the place to be this weekend.

Most of us have been reading and hearing about the total eclipse of the Sun which will be visible in the United States for the first time in almost 40 years.  The eclipse will only be visible on a narrow band reaching across the United States from the Oregon coast to South Carolina.  Weiser is one of the prime viewing locations which may have an excellent view of the eclipse on August 21, 2017. Recently, Weiser School District Superintendent Wil Overgaard hosted a small group of people at the district office to learn more about the eclipse and the potential for our area.  Weiser High School is partnering with the CATE Experiment to collect date during the eclipse and is excited about the educational potential for the students and the community.  A group of enthused community members are beginning meetings to create a steering committee and other committees to oversee community preparations and events related to this rare event.  If you or your organization might be interested in being part of this group, contact the school district or me and I will pass the information on to the committee.  There is the potential of having a large influx of observers for the event and the weekend preceding the event so it may be an opportunity for projects related the eclipse. Another great opportunity and event in Weiser.
The election is over, the Cubs won the World Series, harvest is about over and life is moving forward.  Winter sports will begin soon so let’s all come back together to enjoy and appreciate fall in our community.  Girls’ basketball will have their first home game on November 15 so come out and select your season seat.  Boys’ basketball will begin November 29 and wrestling will begin the first week of December.  Congratulations to all our fall sports participants and coaches and to our marching band and robotics teams.
A change in our Rec basketball schedule due to a conflict with high school tryouts.  The girls’ basketball teams will begin games on November 12 at the WHS gym and the 1st/2nd grade boy’s teams will also start on Saturday, November 12.  Thanks to the volunteer coaches and referees for giving your time to our kids.
Just a reminder:  After replacing chairs in the Vendome, the old chairs were declared surplus and are available for sale for $10 each.  Contact the City office for more information or to purchase chairs.  Holidays are coming and this would be a great place to get extra chairs for guests.
Don’t forget to put the annual Arts and Crafts Fair on your calendar November 18 and 19 at the Vendome Events Center.  The Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation’s ‘Festival of Trees’ is scheduled for November 30 through December 2.  Tickets for the Gala scheduled for November 30 are on sale from Foundation members and director Casey Nye.
I encourage you to take time this week to let our Veterans know how much we appreciate their service. City offices will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honor of these Americans. I know it is a cliché, but ‘freedom is not free’.  Our privilege of voting this week is a result of those who fought and some gave their lives.  Let our men and women who have served and are serving know their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated. Thank you one and all for my freedoms.

On Thursday, October 20th, I had the opportunity to help celebrate the national “Lights on After School” event at the Weiser Community Greenhouse.  This event is held annually to raise awareness of the importance of programs that help students learn healthy habits for life.  Weiser is lucky to have two great programs that provide a safe place to go after school where the kids can learn good lifetime habits, get help with homework and enjoy time with friends with positive mentors and role models.   The B.E.S.T. program overseen by the Weiser School district and run by Megan Overgaard and Renee Sweet and their aides and the Weiser Police Department After School Program run by Officer Steve Fenske with the help of volunteers and other officers provide this environment for kids whose parents choose to use them. The kids had a good time celebrating with snacks, games and learning about healthy habits.  The energy they have is infectious.  Thanks to all the workers and volunteers that provide a great environment for the kids.
Our Street Department has started leaf pick up.  Remember leaves need to be placed in the front by the curb.  Do not put in bags or in the alley.  Please remove trailers from streets so equipment can get into clean leaves and sweep.  Alley cleanup will begin November 7.  Please remember to place only garden debris and grass clippings in alleys for pickup not leaves.  Trash, old furniture, tires, etc. will not be picked up.  The crew will begin on the Westside of town and move to the Eastside.  Please be patient as the weather will impact how fast the crews can work. Adopt-a-truck is also available to cleanup.  Make reservations for trucks in the office 414-1965.  A dump truck will be brought out and left where instructed then picked up the next day early to be dumped.  There are some restriction on materials due to the transfer site rules.  The crew is finishing up some asphalting this week as well.  Watch for the cones and signs.
City offices will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honor of our Veterans.  We will open at 8a.m. on Monday, November 14.
Don’t forget Friday, November 4 is the last day to do in person absentee voting at the County Courthouse.  Election day is next Tuesday, November 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exercise your right to VOTE. For questions regarding precinct locations, contact the Washington County Clerk’s office at 414-2092.
Next Tuesday is also the visit of the National Christmas Tree.  Come down to the area adjacent to the Courthouse to enjoy the entertainment and send our tree off to Washington D.C. Activities will be going on from 9 a.m. until 11a.m. when the tree will leave to go north to continue its journey to the National Capitol. Our own Idaho Potato filled with ornaments made by Idahoans will be escorting the tree.
Weiser Wolverine Football team travels to Holt Arena in Pocatello for play-off game against Shelley next Saturday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m.  Go, Fight, Win, Wolverines.

Weiser Rec Department is completing sign-ups for youth winter activities already. I thought I would share a few statistics from the last three year’s programs in our Rec Department.  The numbers are the averages for 2014, 2015 and 2016 where we have them.  First the youth activities and then adult programs.
Spring soccer is always a favorite for the kids and is run as co-ed.  The average over the last three years is 173 kids.  Fall soccer is also popular and brings out around 140 boys and girls.  The average in the fall is 140. One of our big programs is our Co-ed youth baseball which has an average of 222 participants which is great. Youth Basketball program averages about 140 boys and girls each year during the months of November through February.  The boys play competitively during November and December and the girls play January and February. The Punt, Pass and Kick contest each fall averages around 25 participants each year.  These programs are run by our two full-time employees Ken Anderson, director and Jeannie Bates, his most able assistant and a horde of volunteers.  Most officials are paid for their services which can be a large item in the budget. I want to thank those volunteers who step up to coach and help in our youth programs.  These programs provide an opportunity for our youth to stay active and gives them something to do during the hours outside of school time.
In addition to the Rec Department programs, Ken and Jeannie also assist in spreading news of various athletic camps, many sponsored by coaches in the school district.  They help with registration and setting up locations for the groups.  Again, many of these activities are led by volunteers who want to see our youth exposed to many activities be it golf, volleyball, tennis, football, soccer, baseball, wrestling or martial arts.  Thank you to all these volunteers for caring about ort kids.
Weiser Recreation Adult Sports include co-ed spring and winter volleyball, Co-ed softball, Men’s Pre-season Basketball, Winter Adult Basketball and Women’s Winter Basketball.  The volleyball numbers average around 115 players per year; Adult basketball averages close to 180 players; and Co-ed softball has about 85 players per year.  Ken is looking at new programs for adults and particularly looking at programs for seniors like pickle ball which has developed quite a following.
In addition, the City has summer activities in the pool.  Many of our seniors and adults enjoy the water aerobics in the summer but Ken is looking at more lifetime skills for our adults.
Another chunk of time is spent preparing for and running the Halloween Party each year.  If it is determined this is no longer a need of the community, that time and money will be put to use in other areas developing programs for the overall community.  Just wanted to give an update on the numbers that are served each year by our recreation programs.
Weiser Police Department had a successful drug take back day in partnership with Weiser Memorial Hospital on Saturday.  Remember there is a take-back station at the WPD office where outdated and old drugs can be dropped off any time.  Clean out those medicine cabinets and eliminate a potential problem.
Drivers and parents of Halloweeners, please be careful on Monday night.  Protect our little trick-or-treaters.

Plans are well underway and being coordinated for the visit on November 8 of the National Christmas tree.  Former teacher, Julie Chandler and Council person, Layna Hafer have been in charge of planning and coordinating the visit and are doing a great job of bringing people together.  It is going to a fun morning celebrating the tree and its journey to the White House.  Be sure to put the date on your calendar and join us from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on November 8.  
November 8 is also Election Day. Remember to vote either before coming to the Tree celebration or after.  This is too important and election not to use your right to vote.  Polls open at 8:00 a.m. and are open until 8:00 p.m.  Last Friday was the last day to pre-register to vote.  You can still register at the polls.  Contact the Washington County Clerk’s office for instructions and what verification of residency you need to take to the polls.  October 28 is the last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot for the election and it must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day.  The last day for in-person absentee voting is November 4 at the County Clerk’s office.  Voting is a privilege and a responsibility.

The City Street crew will be doing some tree trimming over the next few weeks.  Trees hanging over the street will be trimmed so that street maintenance equipment, such as the sweeper, snow removal equipment, and etc. can be safely operated to the curb line.  Property owners can trim their own trees and bushes if they prefer.  Notify the City when you plan to have it done this fall.  The City will do the trimming if there is a maintenance issue or hazard created by trees or bushes.  Trees need to be trimmed up to at least 10 feet high and need to be even with the curb line.  Trees along East Court Street will be trimmed to make it possible for the National Christmas Tree and the Potato truck to make their way down to the location for the celebration prior to November 8. If you have any questions, contact Pat Malay at 550-0302.

Another reminder:  please place leaves in street by curb not in the alley.  Our leaf vacuum cannot be used in the alleys and should not be mixed with yard debris.  Thank you.

I want to take time this week to say thank you to Nate Marvin.  Nate is retiring from the City this month after 31 years.  He has been the purchasing agent/deputy City Clerk and public works supervisor for many years but held several positions over the years. Nate will be greatly missed for his hard work and dedication to our community.  His work ethic and kindness has been appreciated by those he works with and works for.  Nate’s position has not been filled at this time.  It remains open until filled.  Department heads are stepping up to take more of a role working with David Tate until the position is filled.  For more information, see the City web page.  Good luck, Nate, enjoy the new adventures in your life.