Syringa Club will meet at NOON on Thursday, Feb 17, at the Senior Center. Members agreed at the last meeting to brown bag it. Once again, Georgianna will provide a dessert.
Guest speaker will be Garden Valley School Principal, Bob Vian. Mr. Vian will bring a teacher with him, to discuss and answer your questions and field comments regarding the upcoming School Levy on March 8, 2011.
Bring your friends and neighbors, as this is a very important election that will determine the budget for the next school year.
Also, Garden Valley election procedures have changed, as of January 2011 ....the poll will not be at the school. Please stay informed and ask questions.
For information, please contact Georgianna Goetsch.
E-mail: payettegeorge@yahoo.com
Phone: 208-462-3709
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bring In Those Box Tops!
NEIGHBORLY NEWS
Submitted by The Merc
What a great weekend for our Box Tops for Education Challenge. Coming into this final week we have collected 800 box tops. Our goal is 1000, so just 200 more box tops to go.
To help meet our goal, we’ll extend our challenge through this Friday, the 18th.
The Merc looks forward to hitting the goal, which has a $100 value, and then presenting the PTO with a matching $100 check.
Submitted by The Merc
What a great weekend for our Box Tops for Education Challenge. Coming into this final week we have collected 800 box tops. Our goal is 1000, so just 200 more box tops to go.
To help meet our goal, we’ll extend our challenge through this Friday, the 18th.
The Merc looks forward to hitting the goal, which has a $100 value, and then presenting the PTO with a matching $100 check.
Letter to the Editor ~ Our Fire Chief Rocks!
or, how is our emergency service doing?
Please consider publishing this letter. We know that fate intervened, when Chief Jon showed up. Our adventure could have ended up being a tragedy but for the assistance of your Fire Chief !
Sunday, Feb 6th, it was a beautiful day, we were returning from the McCall festival and were headed home to Meridian. We just had to stop in Garden Valley to deliver a note to a home.
Our Mapquest soon had us lost, and the Van we were in did not have proper traction devices. The hills we encountered were slushy ice in places and we were soon in a skid going sideways in the road, on a blind uphill corner; the Van hit into a snow bank near a tree that was on a precipice and stopped. Being City girls, we thought that someone would come along, adept at getting people out in the snow.
However, after half an hour and no one came, it was time to get serious. We checked our cells.... and sure enough they were almost dead, and no one had brought their car plug! We managed to call AAA, who called John's 24/7 towing. They called us back and said he would be with us in 20 minutes. It was still daylight, so we were excited to get out of the woods before dark.
However, things did not proceed, it was getting dark and the tow truck driver was unable to find us. We kept calling giving road names, and we hiked up the road to give him house numbers. But he was still unable to find us; then on our last call to him, he said he was stuck in the snow and would not be able to get us out. We asked what should we do and the answer was
"I don't know"....
We then were getting worried, so we called 911 and we were told to call a tow truck. We said we did but he was stuck, then we were told that she could dispatch a police officer but he would be coming from Horseshoe Bend and would be at least an hour. While waiting, our cell phones went dead; we did not have flashlights but in desperation, decided to hike to a home that had an outlet we could plug our cell phones into.
We found a home that had Christmas lights on the outside and were able to plug in the phones; after charging for a while, it was almost 1 1/2 hours since our last contact, so we called 911 again. We were told that the police officer was not coming and that 911 would contact Fire and Rescue. We asked the dispatcher, "What should we do if no one comes?" The answer was,
"I don't know".
If you could have seen us, 3 women wet, miserable in body and mind, cold, scared and wrapped in blankets, sitting in the snow in a deserted area not knowing if anyone was coming to help and worried that someone would be hurt coming home sliding into the Van on their way down hill.
We spent over 4 hours on that mountain, by the time that Chief Jon came along !!! He was very kind and considerate, bundled us into his vehicle, and after making sure we were ok, drove down to look at the Van.
He then drove us to the Lodge and called John's 24/7 towing and explained where the vehicle was and offered to help him get it out. However, AAA decided to dispatch another tow truck from Donnelly, so we had at least a 1 1/2 hour wait before the tow truck would arrive.
Jon took us to the firehall to stay warm while we waited, and when the tow truck arrived, he drove us up to the hill. He then assisted the tow truck driver in getting the Van out. If it were not for your hiring of Chief Jon, we would have spent a very uncomfortable night on that cold mountain, and as unprepared as we were, someone might have died; instead, we made it home by 1:15 am and into the arms of our family.
Needless to say, Garden Valley is blessed with a Fire Chief who will go outside just the job. His compassion was obvious and he did everything with our best interest at heart. We understand that his contract will soon be up and would encourage the powers that be to extend his contact. Just think if he cared this much about strangers, how much more will he care for the people who live in the same town !!!!
Thanks for your time and the kindness of your Fire Chief.
Sincerely, Victoria Jones, Sherwood, Oregon
Kimberly Bird, Meridian, Idaho
Lisa, Eagle, Idaho
Please consider publishing this letter. We know that fate intervened, when Chief Jon showed up. Our adventure could have ended up being a tragedy but for the assistance of your Fire Chief !
Sunday, Feb 6th, it was a beautiful day, we were returning from the McCall festival and were headed home to Meridian. We just had to stop in Garden Valley to deliver a note to a home.
Our Mapquest soon had us lost, and the Van we were in did not have proper traction devices. The hills we encountered were slushy ice in places and we were soon in a skid going sideways in the road, on a blind uphill corner; the Van hit into a snow bank near a tree that was on a precipice and stopped. Being City girls, we thought that someone would come along, adept at getting people out in the snow.
However, after half an hour and no one came, it was time to get serious. We checked our cells.... and sure enough they were almost dead, and no one had brought their car plug! We managed to call AAA, who called John's 24/7 towing. They called us back and said he would be with us in 20 minutes. It was still daylight, so we were excited to get out of the woods before dark.
However, things did not proceed, it was getting dark and the tow truck driver was unable to find us. We kept calling giving road names, and we hiked up the road to give him house numbers. But he was still unable to find us; then on our last call to him, he said he was stuck in the snow and would not be able to get us out. We asked what should we do and the answer was
"I don't know"....
We then were getting worried, so we called 911 and we were told to call a tow truck. We said we did but he was stuck, then we were told that she could dispatch a police officer but he would be coming from Horseshoe Bend and would be at least an hour. While waiting, our cell phones went dead; we did not have flashlights but in desperation, decided to hike to a home that had an outlet we could plug our cell phones into.
We found a home that had Christmas lights on the outside and were able to plug in the phones; after charging for a while, it was almost 1 1/2 hours since our last contact, so we called 911 again. We were told that the police officer was not coming and that 911 would contact Fire and Rescue. We asked the dispatcher, "What should we do if no one comes?" The answer was,
"I don't know".
If you could have seen us, 3 women wet, miserable in body and mind, cold, scared and wrapped in blankets, sitting in the snow in a deserted area not knowing if anyone was coming to help and worried that someone would be hurt coming home sliding into the Van on their way down hill.
We spent over 4 hours on that mountain, by the time that Chief Jon came along !!! He was very kind and considerate, bundled us into his vehicle, and after making sure we were ok, drove down to look at the Van.
He then drove us to the Lodge and called John's 24/7 towing and explained where the vehicle was and offered to help him get it out. However, AAA decided to dispatch another tow truck from Donnelly, so we had at least a 1 1/2 hour wait before the tow truck would arrive.
Jon took us to the firehall to stay warm while we waited, and when the tow truck arrived, he drove us up to the hill. He then assisted the tow truck driver in getting the Van out. If it were not for your hiring of Chief Jon, we would have spent a very uncomfortable night on that cold mountain, and as unprepared as we were, someone might have died; instead, we made it home by 1:15 am and into the arms of our family.
Needless to say, Garden Valley is blessed with a Fire Chief who will go outside just the job. His compassion was obvious and he did everything with our best interest at heart. We understand that his contract will soon be up and would encourage the powers that be to extend his contact. Just think if he cared this much about strangers, how much more will he care for the people who live in the same town !!!!
Thanks for your time and the kindness of your Fire Chief.
Sincerely, Victoria Jones, Sherwood, Oregon
Kimberly Bird, Meridian, Idaho
Lisa, Eagle, Idaho
Monday, February 14, 2011
Garden Valley School District Shoots for Supplemental Levy
Go Wolverines!
Submitted By the Garden Valley School District
Following a year that marked its reaccreditation, designation as an Idaho School of Excellence, a perfect 100% graduation rate, the best music concerts ever, and state championship level athletic teams, the Garden Valley School District now faces what most Idaho districts have dealt with the past two years – seriously declining revenue and the need to raise money to maintain its excellence.
District #71’s board of trustees voted on January 17th to take a Supplemental Levy to the district’s voters in the amount of $225,000, per year for the next two years. The election date is set by the state and will be March 8, 2011.
Like 84 other Idaho districts, the Garden Valley School District historically had a levy that supplemented its budget, but allowed it to “time out” several years ago. Even so, the district has kept programs alive and staff employed by making internal cuts along with spending down its cash reserve.
That reserve is now at the minimum required state level and revenues continue to decline. With Idaho’s state budget $800 million less than in 2007, and another large deficit again this year, the school district is facing a shortfall close to $400,000. Internal cuts of about $150,000 are already planned by the district by further trimming program budgets, not replacing positions left vacant by retirement or attrition, cutting salaries, considering furlough days, combining small classes, and reducing some staff.
Passage of the levy will raise school district property taxes generally in the $5.00 to $15.00 per month range. Passage will also allow all current school programs to continue.
The district has placed a FAQ Sheet – Frequently Asked Questions - on its web site at www.gvsd.net, in the Idaho World and here on the Garden Valley Daily News and encourages all voters to review it and to contact the district with any questions they may have.
District #71’s board of trustees voted on January 17th to take a Supplemental Levy to the district’s voters in the amount of $225,000, per year for the next two years. The election date is set by the state and will be March 8, 2011.
Like 84 other Idaho districts, the Garden Valley School District historically had a levy that supplemented its budget, but allowed it to “time out” several years ago. Even so, the district has kept programs alive and staff employed by making internal cuts along with spending down its cash reserve.
That reserve is now at the minimum required state level and revenues continue to decline. With Idaho’s state budget $800 million less than in 2007, and another large deficit again this year, the school district is facing a shortfall close to $400,000. Internal cuts of about $150,000 are already planned by the district by further trimming program budgets, not replacing positions left vacant by retirement or attrition, cutting salaries, considering furlough days, combining small classes, and reducing some staff.
Passage of the levy will raise school district property taxes generally in the $5.00 to $15.00 per month range. Passage will also allow all current school programs to continue.
The district has placed a FAQ Sheet – Frequently Asked Questions - on its web site at www.gvsd.net, in the Idaho World and here on the Garden Valley Daily News and encourages all voters to review it and to contact the district with any questions they may have.
LEVY FAQ’S
Frequently Asked Questions – and the Answers!
1. What is a supplemental levy? It is a local tax to supplement the state funding of local school districts, generally to provide teachers, programs and educational opportunities not funded by the State. In some ways it is the best form of tax in that only people in the school district can vote on it, all of the money stays in the district, and all of the money goes to the schools.
2. Why doesn’t the State fund our programs? States fund “minimums” to ensure all public school children have access to the same basic education. Local school boards and their districts decide if they want educational opportunities above those minimums.
3. How many other districts have levies? There are 115 public school districts in Idaho and 84 currently have levies, or 73% of all districts. In 2010, voters across the state approved over $30 million in new local levies to support their school districts.
4. Why do we need a levy in the Garden Valley School District? To help maintain current programs that enhance our students’ total educational experiences.
5. Where did our money go? First, the recession. Idaho’s state budget has been reduced $800 million since 2007 due to declining revenue. Public schooling is over half of the state’s budget, and like all state agencies, we have taken huge reductions.
6. Other school districts started cutting a few years ago, why not Garden Valley? The GVSD had built up a sizeable reserve fund and the board wanted to use it to maintain the best possible education and programs for students for as long as it could. If the recession had not continued as long, we would be better positioned today. Now we have spent down the reserve maintaining programs which we must either cut or increase our revenue.
7. What have we done? Each year that cuts were made by the State, we worked to cover it, and protect teachers’ salaries and most benefits, while maintaining strong electives such as music, foreign language, art, and our full range of athletics and activities.
8. Have we made any cuts? Absolutely. We reduced and capped health care contributions, ended a personal benefit funded program, reduced our athletic budget (twice), froze all salaries, froze continuing education reimbursements, reduced part-time employees, reduced the maintenance and custodial staff, and reduced our expenditures for supplies. In addition, our move to a 4-day class schedule reduced some costs.
9. Can we fix the problem by assessing fees? Not nearly enough. We approved an athletics and activity participation fee this year, and a fee to partially fund our Pre-School. But we cannot legally charge participation fees in programs such as Art and Music, Foreign Language, Computer technology, etc.
10. What is the district’s budget and how big is the problem? In round numbers we receive just under $2 million a year in revenue, and our expenditures are about $2.3 million. We have been making cuts, and covering the deficit with our reserve. Our reserve is now depleted to the point we must make larger cuts, and increase our revenue.
11. How much do we need? The district’s Board of Trustees has set the levy amount at $225,000 per year for two years. That amount along with further school budget reductions in the amount of $150,000-$200,000 should stabilize us as the economy hopefully continues to improve.
12. What am I voting for – will this save music, art, athletics, etc? We hope so. Our best estimates are that we can make the necessary reductions through employee retirements, decreasing administrative costs by reducing and combining some positions, increasing some elementary class sizes, making the Pre-School self-supporting, and other in-house reductions. That would preserve all current programs offered in the school district.
13. Who votes? Only registered voters in the Garden Valley School District.
14. Tell me again where the money goes. 100% of the new money stays in your school district, and goes only to your schools.
15. Okay, what if the levy does not pass? Then we simply will not be able to maintain current programs for students. The board will be forced to cut employees, including teachers, and reduce or eliminate elective programs and activities. These actions will cause people to leave our valley, property values will decrease and local businesses will suffer.
16. What will it cost me? Depending on the assessed value of your property, the increase could be as little as about $4.00 per month, up to an average of around $13.00 a month. See grid below.
HOW MUCH WILL THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY COST ME?
APPRAISED VALUE OF HOME
APPRAISED
VALUE
OF
LAND
*Dollar amounts are calculated as a per month increase. *Calculations include applicable homeowner's exemption.
*Estimates are based upon data collected from the district's fiscal agent and Boise County.
*These are estimates. For an actual amount please contact the County Assessor.
*Estimates are based upon data collected from the district's fiscal agent and Boise County.
*These are estimates. For an actual amount please contact the County Assessor.
Contact: Dr. Michael Tomlin
For immediate release mtomlin@gvsd.net, or
208-462-3756 X 1012
Sunday, February 13, 2011
We're Out, We're In! Community Moves Library
Garden Valley residents showed up all day long on Friday, February 11, to supply empty boxes, pack books, carry boxes, place books onto shelves and drive trucks. Food was supplied by the Friends of the Library and citizens, the Merc loaned its dairy crates, Project Patch kids worked all day alongside GV School kids (they were sensational and tireless), posters and pictures were removed from walls, furniture carted out (and in)...people stopped by just to look and got caught up in the energy.
This is one beautiful library--the light is divine and there is enough breathing space to dance and tables to study and read and the comfy chairs around the fireplace will have to be reserved.
This is one beautiful library--the light is divine and there is enough breathing space to dance and tables to study and read and the comfy chairs around the fireplace will have to be reserved.Saturday drew folks who quietly put the books in order and others again to browse and get the feel of this long-awaited community building. The meeting room has already seen action and the library will have its first guest in the form of a reading by Idaho Writer in Residence, Bill Johnson, sponsored by Syringa Club, on March 17.
Librarians and the board were honored with the help of Deanna Stevenson who, along with Library Director, Kathy Smith, co-designed the building, before she moved from Garden Valley.
The library will re-open Tuesday, February 22, and the Grand Opening Celebration will take place on March 5. 
~~
Say Good-Bye.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
WINTER BLUES SPIN-IN SUNDAY IN CROUCH! Shop for Your Valentine
Sponsored by Garden Valley Fiber Freaks
Sunday, Feb 13th
Crouch Community Hall 10am – 3pm
~Enjoy SHOW & TELL of Fiber Artists~
~Enjoy SHOW & TELL of Fiber Artists~
Lots of beautiful fibers and creations.
~Watch Spinners & Quilters~
~
A Perfect Opportunity To Purchase A Unique Gift!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Week-End Shopping For Valentine's Day!
Make Garden Valley Your Destination
This Week-End
~
~
~Rent a Cabin, Snowmobile or Cross-Country Skis.
~Tube the Hill at Idaho X Sports,
Southfork Landing
~Snowshoe or just tramp around.
~~Shop Downtown Crouch~~
HUGE SALE AT THE RED ROOSTER!
Fellows, this is your chance to make points.
30% - 50% OFF of All Coats, Vests, Sweaters, Warm Winter Clothes
The Red Rooster makes ladies swoon. Mariann carries a fashionable selection of clothing & accessories, and much more~~
30% - 50% OFF of All Coats, Vests, Sweaters, Warm Winter Clothes
The Red Rooster makes ladies swoon. Mariann carries a fashionable selection of clothing & accessories, and much more~~
Toiletries, Linens, Vintage Quilts and Kitchen Wares & Antique Furniture.
208-462-2616
~
DAHLIA'S FLOWERS & GIFTS!!
Need I say more? Hint Hint Hint Hint Hint...
DAHLIA'S FLOWERS & GIFTS!!
Need I say more? Hint Hint Hint Hint Hint...
Well, Maybe Chocolate???? Get it Here!
~
Lynne has Beautiful Jewelry & Anything Your Valentine Might Desire, Wrapped To Perfection.
208-462-5075
~
Breakfast , Lunch & Dinner~~We Have It!
The Longhorn, Wild Bill's Bistro, The Dirty Shame~~Check Our Menus.
Greetings From THE MERC! We hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s weekend and that you enjoy some great down time just relaxing. If you’re not planning on going out for dinner, but want to make something fun at home, then Annie has some great choices for you in the meat counter:
Rib Eye Steaks and Rib Eye Filets
Great selection of Roasts
And in our freezer (first door with the seafood products), check the newest addition, 4 – 6 oz portions of steelhead salmon from Chile. These are great for those that don’t want or need to buy the larger family size package of salmon steaks. Great portion sizes and you simply purchase by the each.
On your next trip to The Merc, be sure to keep an eye out for some fun specials this week!
~
Rib Eye Steaks and Rib Eye Filets
Great selection of Roasts
And in our freezer (first door with the seafood products), check the newest addition, 4 – 6 oz portions of steelhead salmon from Chile. These are great for those that don’t want or need to buy the larger family size package of salmon steaks. Great portion sizes and you simply purchase by the each.
On your next trip to The Merc, be sure to keep an eye out for some fun specials this week!
~
Krusteaz Muffin and Lemon, Lime Bar mixes - $2.19
Pillsbury Classic Fudge Brownie Mix – 99 cents
Jello gelatin and Jello Pudding mixes - $1.19
Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup - 99 cents
Western Family Instant Oatmeal *10packs - 2 for $3.00
Nestle’s Hot Chocolate mix *10 packs - 99 cents
Kraft Salad Dressings 16 oz size - $2.79
Artichokes - 99 cents
Strawberries - $3.99
Green Grapes - $1.89 lb
Red Grapes - $2.19 lb
Grapefruit - 3 for $1.00
Lean Ground Beef - $2.79 lb
Extra Lean Ground Beef - $2.99 lb
Cranberry Sage Roasted Turkey Breast (Deli item) $4.86 lb
New items this week!
Stacy’s Pita chips, perfect for dipping with hummus or your own mixin’s…found on the Deli Table!
Svenhard’s cinnamon rolls, butter horns, cheese and fruit Danish – grab and go sizes – found in the bread aisle
UPDATES
Many of you have noticed the dwindling supply of White Cloud coffee beans and the Merc Branded coffee. White Cloud has been experiencing production issues and we made the decision to move to Dawson Taylor Coffee. We will continue to sell out of remaining White Cloud coffee and transition to a full line of Dawson Taylor Roasted Coffees, whole beans and ground. Thank you for your patience!
Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on Monday. We have a small assortment of boxed chocolates, fun balloons and cards.
Finally, One week left in our Box Tops for Education Challenge
– we have collected 150 box tops…that’s a $15.00 value and
we’ll match the $15, for a total of $30…
However…Doesn’t 1000 sound better for a
value of $100 with a cash match of $100…
...Let’s get those box tops in here!!!!!!
We look forward to your next visit, Greg and Gerold
Pillsbury Classic Fudge Brownie Mix – 99 cents
Jello gelatin and Jello Pudding mixes - $1.19
Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup - 99 cents
Western Family Instant Oatmeal *10packs - 2 for $3.00
Nestle’s Hot Chocolate mix *10 packs - 99 cents
Kraft Salad Dressings 16 oz size - $2.79
Artichokes - 99 cents
Strawberries - $3.99
Green Grapes - $1.89 lb
Red Grapes - $2.19 lb
Grapefruit - 3 for $1.00
Lean Ground Beef - $2.79 lb
Extra Lean Ground Beef - $2.99 lb
Cranberry Sage Roasted Turkey Breast (Deli item) $4.86 lb
New items this week!
Stacy’s Pita chips, perfect for dipping with hummus or your own mixin’s…found on the Deli Table!
Svenhard’s cinnamon rolls, butter horns, cheese and fruit Danish – grab and go sizes – found in the bread aisle
UPDATES
Many of you have noticed the dwindling supply of White Cloud coffee beans and the Merc Branded coffee. White Cloud has been experiencing production issues and we made the decision to move to Dawson Taylor Coffee. We will continue to sell out of remaining White Cloud coffee and transition to a full line of Dawson Taylor Roasted Coffees, whole beans and ground. Thank you for your patience!
Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on Monday. We have a small assortment of boxed chocolates, fun balloons and cards.
Finally, One week left in our Box Tops for Education Challenge
– we have collected 150 box tops…that’s a $15.00 value and
we’ll match the $15, for a total of $30…
However…Doesn’t 1000 sound better for a
value of $100 with a cash match of $100…
...Let’s get those box tops in here!!!!!!
We look forward to your next visit, Greg and Gerold
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)