(City of Pocatello Press Release, April 15, 2021; Photo Credit: City of Pocatello)
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board has an upcoming vacancy.
The functions of this volunteer Board are to coordinate the activities of the other Parks & Recreation committees, to provide an overview of these various committees, and to solicit suggestions and recommendations regarding priorities and allocation of City resources for Parks & Recreation programs and facilities.
Meetings are held every even month on the first Thursday at 12 noon.
Interested persons living within the Pocatello city limits can obtain an application by contacting the Mayor’s Office at 911 North 7th Avenue, visiting the Mayor/Council link at pocatello.us or by calling 208-234-6163.
Applications for membership must be received by April 30, 2021.
The City of Pocatello is offering three rock climbing lesson sessions for youth this summer.
Session 1 takes place on June 3, 10, 17, and 24.
Session 2 takes place on July 8, 15, 22, and 29.
Session 3 takes place on August 3, 5, 10, and 12.
For all sessions, lessons for grades 1-3 are held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Lessons for grades 4-6 take place from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Lessons for students in middle school take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
All classes will take place at Ross Park. The cost to attend is $32 per session. Class sizes are limited to 25 students. To learn more, or to register, visit:
RECONNECT Southeast Idaho is hosting their first “Un-Masquerade Ball” this coming Saturday, April 24, in Pocatello. The event, which will help to raise funds for the Children’s Constitution Camp taking place this summer, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Leavitt Center, 1030 E. Sublette Street.
The evening starts with a one-hour dance lesson that will be given by professional ballroom dancer Chantelle Holman. From 8:00 to 10:00 there will be dancing, desserts, and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction.
(Idaho Governor’s Office Press Release, April 19, 2021)
Chief Administrator of the Idaho Division of Veteran Services Mark Tschampi
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today he appointed Mark Tschampl as Chief Administrator at the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.
“As a veteran himself, I have the utmost confidence Mark will serve and support those who have served our country,” Governor Little said. “His career experience in the military and leadership roles in numerous civilian positions will prove to be extremely valuable in his new role.”
Tschampl was a Commander in the U.S. Air Force, Security Forces, serving from 1998 to 2005. He spent eight years as the director of the Health and Wellness Center on Mountain Home Air Force Base and has been working as a bureau chief within the Family and Community Services Division at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. He received his Master’s in Health and Human Performance from Iowa State University.
“It is my greatest honor to be appointed by Governor Little as the Chief Administrator of the Idaho Division of Veteran Services,” Tschampl said. “As a combat veteran and member of a military family, no work is more important to me than serving those who have served our great nation!”
Representative Ron Nate (R-Rexburg), speaking at the Saturday, April 17, sold-out Liberty Dinner in Pocatello received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk from an enthusiastic crowd that applauded throughout his remarks.
Representative Nate covered a wide range of issues during his presentation at the second in a series of events, hosted by the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer, beginning with his proposal in the Idaho legislature to repeal the grocery tax. He continued with an explanation of tax policy and the struggle that governments face as they seek to achieve a fair distribution of costs for services that citizens expect the government to provide. Representative Nate also discussed property taxes, and proposals for tax relief in this area, a subject that many Idahoans have become acutely concerned about with rising real estate prices.
The inner workings of the legislative process, including a description of how deals are struck between legislators, was also addressed by Representative Nate. He explained how the practice of, “trading votes,” can lead to the passage of bad legislation, not in the best interests of constituents.
As Representative Nate concluded his remarks, he emphasized to the crowd the importance of being involved in the political process and knowing how your legislators are voting on issues that are important to you. He recommended that citizens regularly review one of the many websites, including the Idaho Freedom Index, that track legislator’s votes as they relate to personal liberty.
“What is the price of liberty?” Nate asked the audience, before supplying the response, “eternal vigilance,” in a paraphrasing of the quote frequently attributed to Thomas Jefferson.
Following the dinner, many of the guests remained to discuss with one another the thoughts Representative Nate had shared.
Next month’s Liberty Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will also be held at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building. The speaker is Anna K. Miller, Education Analyst for the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Miller’s topic is: Social Justice Indoctrination in Idaho Schools.
More than one-third of the tickets for the May event have already been reserved, less than 24-hours after the speaker was announced at last night’s dinner. Those interested in attending are urged to reserve their seats as soon as possible (see flyer, below).
Yesterday, Governor Little announced his intention to veto House Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1136. Both pieces of legislation are intended to curb the Governor’s overreach in emergency situations.
I listened to Mr. Little’s announcement and read his statement. In his speech, Governor Little affirmed that the Constitution of the State of Idaho grants him the power to respond in an emergency. I had previously read our State Constitution. I decided to reread it. Nowhere in our State Constitution is the Governor granted such power.
Article IV of the Idaho Constitution delineates the Executive Branch. Article IV has 20 Sections, and none of them indicate that the Governor has the power or authority to respond in emergency situations.
Emergency powers are found in Article III instead, which is the power granted to the Legislative Branch.
Where can the governor claim power during a disaster or emergency? The Legislative Branch did in fact pass the Disaster Preparedness Act giving power to the Governor during a “disaster emergency.”
Article II of the Idaho State Constitution states that “no person or collection of persons charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any powers properly belonging to either of the others.” In other words, it is unconstitutional for the Legislative Branch to transfer powers to the Executive Branch. The Disaster Preparedness Act is unconstitutional.
Setting aside the unconstitutionality of the Disaster Preparedness Act, if the Legislative Branch gave certain powers to the Governor, then they can also modify that delegation. Or they may reclaim it altogether. Both the House and Senate are within their rights to pass H 135 and S 1136.
There remains one additional argument. What happens in case of disasters or emergencies? The current Covid-19 emergency has been in effect for over a year. After a prolonged period, emergency declarations are no longer credible.
In the history of our nation, there is precedent for the Executive Branch taking decisive action in emergency situations. But there are two main elements that distinguish prior precedent from Governor Little’s actions.
First, such actions were short. Second, the Executive Branch did not request additional resources; whereas, in the current situation, the emergency response budget amounts to over 40% of the entire state budget.
In summary, the claim made by the Governor that the bills he is vetoing are unconstitutional is, at best, disingenuous. The Idaho Legislature, in passing this legislation, is responding to the will of the people, who have expressed their dismay with government overreach and the unlawful restrictions that have been placed on their God-given rights. Constitutionally, the Legislature is not just within its rights to act but is morally bound to do so.
The Idaho Legislature should override the Governor’s vetoes. These bills are necessary to return Idaho’s government to its proper role, the protection of Idahoans rights.
Art da Rosa
Inkom, Idaho
Editor’s Note: Art da Rosa leads the weekly discussion group, Patriots for Liberty and Constitution. You can read more about Patriots for Liberty and Constitution, here:
Zoo Idaho has announced, Raptor Zone, on Saturday, May 1, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Raptor Zone will feature Zoo Idaho’s raptors, Athena and Horus.
Advanced registration is required. The cost is $10 per person.
To learn more, or to register, click on the image, below:
(Idaho Freedom Action Press Release, April 16, 2021)
Idaho Freedom Action Vice President Dustin Hurst
Idaho Freedom Action Vice President Dustin Hurst released the following statement in response to Gov. Brad Little’s plan to veto House Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1136:
“Idahoans sent lawmakers to Boise this January with one mandate: Rein in the power of the executive branch.
“Residents from across the state recognized that Gov. Brad Little has abused the power and authority of his office in the name of public safety. In an indefinitely-extended state of emergency, the executive branch unilaterally overtook legislative duties, like allocating billions of taxpayer dollars. The executive branch took control over all aspects of Idahoans’ daily lives. As a result of the governor’s actions, families and businesses suffered.
“Lawmakers, thankfully, took action. They passed House Bill 135 and Senate Bill 1136 to protect Idahoans’ rights to freely gather, worship, and work. These popular bills were thoughtfully crafted to trim executive power while still allowing the state to respond properly to emergencies and disasters.
“Both bills passed by veto-proof majorities, a testament to their popularity among lawmakers.
“Today, in an embarrassingly tone deaf press conference, Little announced his plan to veto the two measures. Anyone who reads the actual bills can clearly see Little’s concerns about Idaho being unable to respond to natural disasters are simply untrue.
“In reality, the governor is desperately clinging to power after this stinging rebuke by lawmakers. His vetoes mean future governors would be able extend emergencies indefinitely with no legislative oversight.
“It’s shameful.
“Idahoans tired of Little’s overreach need to be heard right now. Sign the Idaho Freedom Action petition here to urge lawmakers to override the governor’s vetoes on these two bills.”
