March 23, 2021
Governor Brad Little will make an announcement regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Idaho tomorrow, Wednesday, March 24 at 12 pm MT. The announcement will be broadcast to the public online at:
https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/governor/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcilbrY8iMEwzNHNugHqlhw.
(City of Pocatello Press Release, March 23, 2021)
The list of which Pocatello roads are getting a bit of TLC from the Street Operations Department in 2021 is now available.
Recently, the department published the 2021 Paving Plan. The plan details which roads should be completely resurfaced or will receive a chip seal, a fog-seal, or a micro-seal treatment. This year the department is anticipating staff will treat 36.63 miles of City streets.
“Each year, we do a complete analysis of all the City’s roads using modeling software,” said Tom Kirkman, Deputy Public Works Director. “The analysis determines which roads will be treated and which treatment method will give us the most return on our investment.”
To view the 2021 Paving Plan, visit bit.ly/3t0fLc3.
The Street Operations Department is responsible for maintaining 267 miles of City streets in Pocatello. Last year, the department treated just shy of 31 miles worth of street. In the last six years, the department has treated 207.77 miles of roads in Pocatello.
For more information on the City of Pocatello Street Operations Department, visit pocatello.us/street or like the department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/PocatelloStreet.
March 22, 2021
The CDC recently updated one of their web pages encouraging people to use manipulative sales tactics in order to convince their friends and family members to accept the experimental gene therapy being touted as a coronavirus, “vaccine.” They recommend using a five-step technique designed to gain the trust of the person you’re speaking with, then lead the conversation to break down any resistance they might have. The five steps are:
You can find the full post on the CDC website, here: CDC: How to Talk With Family and Friends
(National Association of Scholars Press Release, March 22, 2021)
New York, NY, March 22, 2021 — Today, the National Association of Scholars (NAS) is announcing the launch of The Civics Alliance, which will work to unite Americans in the effort to preserve civics education that teaches the United States’ founding principles and documents, key events of American history, the structure of our self-governing federal republic, and the spirit of liberty and tolerance.
“This new alliance is a necessary step to ensure that the teaching of our Nation’s civics and history accords with the principles of its founding and the reality of that history,” explained NAS president Peter W. Wood. “Progressive action civics, while encouraging our students to become activists, fails to promote a full understanding of civics. It fails to teach the responsibilities of citizenship, how our federal republic operates, and the Founders’ reasoning behind America’s balance of powers, Bill of Rights, or encouragement of public education.”
The Civics Alliance brings together education reformers, policymakers, and concerned citizens dedicated to preserving traditional civics education against the threat of New Civics. Some of the original signatories to the Alliance include Robert Woodson, founder and president of the Woodson Center and 1776 Unites; Ryan Williams, president of The Claremont Institute; Wilfred McClay, professor of the history of liberty at the University of Oklahoma; Roger Kimball, editor and publisher of The New Criterion; and Glenn Loury, professor of social sciences at Brown University.
In addition to The Civics Alliance Open Letter and Curriculum Statement, which all are welcome to sign, NAS includes a toolkit for signatories to use to guide and influence civics instruction in their institutions, local schools, and states.
David Randall, NAS director of research added: “Civics class shouldn’t be an opportunity to indoctrinate students. It should be an opportunity to teach students about our means of self-government and the spirit of tolerance and liberty.”
The Civics Alliance Open Letter makes a number of recommendations to encourage non-partisan civics instruction at both K-12 schools and colleges.
With this Alliance, NAS hopes to return civics education to a traditional curriculum, so that America’s students will learn about the nature of their republic and be prepared to fulfill their civic duty by ensuring that it continues to preserve the liberties and rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
NAS is a network of scholars and citizens united by a commitment to academic freedom, disinterested scholarship, and excellence in American higher education. Membership in NAS is open to all who share a commitment to these broad principles. NAS publishes a journal and has state and regional affiliates. Visit NAS at www.nas.org.
(Idaho Governor’s Office Press Release, March 22, 2021)
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1121 into law last week, the fourth of his “Building Idaho’s Future” bills that make strategic investments in critical state priorities. Senate Bill 1121 directs $50 million to projects that promote clean, plentiful supplies of water for generations to come.
“Water is truly the source of life. How we manage – or mismanage – our water resources determines our success or failure as a state. Our strategic investment in long-term water projects and safe water systems for our communities will benefit Idahoans for generations to come. I appreciate my partners in the Legislature – especially the floor sponsors, Senator Dave Lent and Representative Matt Bundy – for recognizing the need to build Idaho’s future through investments in clean, abundant water,” Governor Little said.
“Building Idaho’s Future” is Governor Little’s plan to use Idaho’s record budget surplus to provide Idahoans historic tax relief and make strategic investments in transportation, education, broadband, water, capital construction, and other critical areas to propel our state forward.
Senate Bill 1121 directs funding toward the following critical water projects:
March 22, 2021
On Saturday, March 20, local moms Chantelle Holman, Michele Holyoak, and Ashley Smith spoke about their journey into activism at the first of the Liberty Dinner Series events to be held in Pocatello. The Liberty Dinners, sponsored by the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer, are catered dinners that feature speakers discussing some aspect of the fight, locally, statewide, and nationally, to recover/preserve Constitutionally protected freedoms, currently under unprecedented attack.
The evening began with a prayer given by Elijah Whitecar, President of the Turning Point USA chapter at Idaho State University. Whitecar then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
While guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Littlbird’s Grill at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, John Crowder, Publisher of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer, briefly explained the impetus for the dinner series. He described how, living in California from 1981 until two years ago when he moved to Idaho, he had seen the infiltration of socialist ideas throughout the state’s institutions, from the schools to the media, corporations, and the government. This, he stated, led to an inconceivable decline in the standard of living, with high taxes, excessive regulation, massive homelessness, and rising crime rates. Crowder said that these same ideas that had made areas of California unlivable were taking root in Idaho, and that it was important for residents to become educated and involved if they were to prevent a similar fate.
Crowder then introduced the evening’s speakers, who are the founders of RECONNECT Southeast Idaho. Smith began by saying, “We are just three moms who saw what was happening in the world and felt strongly that something needed to be done. It is our hope and our prayer that the spirit will be felt here tonight and that you will take away from our story the things that you need and we hope that our story can give you some courage to take action when you see things happening that do not feel right.”
Smith went on to say that, though she felt she was, “too busy” and “unqualified” at times, as she witnessed, “two weeks to flatten the curve” lead to the loss of many rights and freedoms, she had to do something.
Smith described how the three of them came together. “Although we woke up to all that was happening at different times because of our different circumstances, we were able to connect and go on this journey together where we have learned a lot of lessons. As we were waking up to the realization of all that was happening we realized there was a need to organize efforts so that we could take action in a meaningful way.”
Holyoak continued their story, describing how she and Smith had decided to attend a City Council meeting and speak out against the mask mandate. It was there that they met Holman. As Michele and Ashley were starting a Facebook group to raise awareness, Chantelle learned of the film, NONESSENTIAL: A Documentary, which tells the story of Eric Moutsos, the founder of Utah Business Revival, and his fight to save small businesses that were being destroyed by government edicts surrounding the coronavirus.
Inspired by the film, the three decided to find a venue and invite residents to see the 1-hour move and hear from Moutsos and others on how they could take action. Over two nights, over 300 attendees saw the documentary and heard from local elected officials Commissioner Jeff Hough, Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England, and Idaho Representative Kevin Andrus.
Holman concluded the presentation by describing their progress and plans for the future. The group has created a Mission Statement, which reads, “Our mission is to Reconnect Southeast Idaho by gathering the liberty minded, educating, and influencing our community in and with the values of freedom, set up by our Founding Fathers.”
RECONNECT Southeast Idaho is forming a nonprofit corporation and has selected a Board of Directors. Their goals include organizing events that promote freedom, offering educational opportunities, and influencing local government.
Upcoming events being organized by them are the Un-Masquerade Ball (April 24), a “Back to Traditions” gathering, scheduled for June, a children’s Constitution Day Camp, scheduled for August, and beginning in the fall, a class on Foundations of Liberty.
The next Liberty Dinner is set for Saturday, April 17, at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, 300 N. Johnson Avenue in Pocatello. The dinner, which is $25 per person (sponsorships available), features Idaho Representative Ron Nate discussing tax relief, including the elimination of the grocery tax and reduction of property taxes. To reserve a seat, contact John Crowder at (925) 628-4033 or by email at jcrowder27@hotmail.com.
Like and Follow the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer on Facebook to see updates on these and other local events and to read about what is going on in government at the local, state, and national levels.
To learn more about RECONNECT Southeast Idaho look for their page on Band and/or Facebook. To receive their monthly email newsletter, send an email with the word, “newsletter,” in the subject line to reconnectsoutheastidaho@gmail.com.
March 21, 2021 (Photo Credit: Lt. Governor McGeachin FB Page)
Idaho’s Lt. Governor, Janice McGeachin, who at the beginning of the legislative session this year started Capitol Clarity (livestreamed from Boise) with Representative Dorothy Moon, will now be hosting a radio show of the same name. Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., you can hear from Lt. Governor McGeachin, along with her guests, as she hosts Capitol Clarity Radio on 670 KBOI.
In the first episode, which aired on Thursday, March 18, Lt. Governor McGeachin explained the purpose of Capitol Clarity before being joined by Idaho State Senator Christy Zito to discuss 2nd Amendment rights and what is happening in the Idaho Statehouse to protect them.
You can listen to the first session of Capitol Clarity Radio, here: Capitol Clarity Radio Link
(City of Pocatello Press Release, March 21, 2021)
Monday, March 22
No Meetings Scheduled
Tuesday, March 23
Site Plan Review
1:30 p.m., Iwamizawa Conference Room
Wednesday, March 24
Animal Shelter Advisory Board Meeting
12:00 p.m., Council Chambers
Planning & Zoning Commission Clarification Meeting
6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
6:30 p.m., Council Chambers
Thursday, March 25
No Meetings Scheduled
Friday, March 26
No Meetings Schedule
March 20, 2021
Tonight, Saturday, March 20, the first of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer sponsored Liberty Dinners will be held, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building.
The Liberty Dinner series is an opportunity for those concerned about the erosion of Constitutionally protected freedoms and government excess to hear from those working to preserve Idahoans’ rights while supporting the promotion of Americanism and patriotism with our youth.
Part of the proceeds from tonight’s event go toward the AMVETS Americanism Contest, which features opportunities for young people in grades K-12 to learn about America and to create essays and posters for the competition. Last year, hundreds of dollars in prizes were awarded to local students in the AMVETS Idaho Post 1 local area contest. See article, here:
Pocatello: AMVETS Idaho Post 1 Honors Winners of Americanism Contests
Tickets for tonight’s dinner are still available. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited. To reserve a spot, contact John Crowder at (925) 628-4033, or via email at jcrowder27@hotmail.com.
Like and Follow the Pocatello-Chubbuck Observer on Facebook and/or MeWe to learn about future events.
March 20, 2021
Earlier this week, Boise State University issued the following statement regarding the recent suspension of UF 200 classes:
We have been made aware of a series of concerns, culminating in allegations that a student or students have been humiliated and degraded in class on our campus for their beliefs and values. This is never acceptable; it is not what Boise State stands for; and we will not tolerate this behavior.
Given the weight of cumulative concerns, we have determined that, effective immediately, we must suspend UF 200. In conjunction with academic leadership, we will determine next steps to ensure that everyone is still able to complete the course over the coming week and will communicate with all students in these classes. While an in-depth review of this course was already underway, we must be responsive to these specific allegations and ensure that this and all our courses live up to this standard of mutual respect.
Further, we will develop and deliver a series of professional development sessions for faculty on fostering learning environments characterized by mutual respect.
Finally, we have created a purpose-specific mid-term evaluation for students in UF 200 that will invite all enrolled students to share their experience as members of the course community. As always, students have multiple options for reporting instructor bias, including anonymous reporting.
Boise State University is committed to ensuring that each and every one of our students is treated with respect, and that all have the right to hold and to voice their own personal and political beliefs. Our campus is richer, and learning is made more effective because people of all backgrounds and beliefs are invited to meet, exchange ideas, and learn together.
Boise State students have multiple options for reporting, including:
1) File an Academic Grievance, triggering a review under Boise State Policy 3140.
2) Report bias based on a protected class to Institutional Compliance, triggering an investigation under Boise State’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
3) Submit a CARE report, initiating a review of the complaint by the Dean of Students
4) Students who wish to report concerns anonymously may do so through Boise State’s Compliance Reporting Hotline.
Reporting options and resources are also found on the university’s Report a Concern website.
