Orofino City
Council
April
14 proclaimed Morgan Faith Keane Day
By Ronda Nelson
April 14 has been proclaimed Morgan Faith Keane Day in Orofino. “This is for a
little girl who kind of took this community and a lot of the people in it by the
heartstrings,” Mayor Ryan Smathers said. Because of congenital birth defects,
Morgan’s doctors said she would never reach her fifth birthday, a milestone she
will celebrate April 14.
The proclamation reads:
Be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council for the City of Orofino, Idaho that
Whereas, on April 14, 2003, a baby girl named Morgan Faith Keane was born into this world with a rare condition known as Ivemark’s Syndrome. Nearly all of Morgan’s internal organs were misplaced and some were missing. Worse yet, she had developed only half a heart; and
Whereas, through the grace of God, Morgan’s parents, Dan and Angela Keane chose to give her life and vowed to seek out the best possible medical care possible; and
Whereas, Morgan has survived four major open heart surgeries, four cath labs, abdominal surgery, a very complicated tonsillectomy, and has been hospitalized for very rare and difficult childhood illnesses that we take for granted; and
Whereas Morgan, with her infectious smile and courageous will to live, has proven to all that even little girls who are not born perfect, can become heroes in the hearts of her family, friends and people who have never met her, but have read of her plight; and
Whereas, Morgan is now considered a Congenital Heart Disease Survivor surpassing all expectations from medical experts and the laws of average.
Now therefore, in honor of Morgan Faith Keane, a child who has captured the
heart of thousands with her strength, character and love, it is my distinct
pleasure to proclaim April 14, 2008 as the Morgan Faith Keane Day and that the
recitals of this Proclamation become a part of history forever.
The proclamation, signed by the mayor, will be presented to Morgan at her birthday party April 12.
Morgan is City Clerk Janet Montambo’s niece. Montambo told the council “I do believe in miracles. Thank you.”
City audit
Mitchell Marx of Presnell Gage Accounting presented the council with this year’s audit. The audit included four reports. No irregularities were found. Marx noted his appreciation of city staff for their cooperation and the ease of the audit.
New fire truck
The new fire truck will arrive April 11 and be in service the following day.
Endurocross
Dale Barger approached the council to solicit support for a proposed Endurocross event to be held at the Logging Show arena. The council directed Barger to present a full proposal to the recreation committee at its next meeting. Barger believes the event will provide economic benefits to city businesses, while providing youth with an exciting activity.
Building
Building Official Elliot presented a slide show on the water tower project at O’Brian, Jerome and Diagonal. The new tower has a capacity of 750,000 gallons.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Smathers, Clerk Montambo, Treasurer MacGuffie, Public Works official Barton, Building official Elliot, Water/Wastewater Annen, Police Chief Wilson, Fire Chief Lee and Council members Deitrick, Brown, Banks, Donner, Clay and McLaughlin.
The Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the City Council chambers, 217 1st St.
Pictured top right: Orofino Mayor Ryan Smathers (right) surprised Morgan Keane and her mother, Angela, with a framed proclamation declaring April 14 Morgan Faith Keane Day. The proclamation’s existence was kept hush hush until Tuesday night’s council meeting, making its Wednesday morning presentation a surprise to Morgan.
Pictured bottom left: The proclamation declaring April 14 Morgan Faith Keane Day was presented as a surprise to Morgan. It is signed by Orofino Mayor Ryan Smathers.