CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

JULY 22, 2010

Pierce to host August “Capital for a Day”

   Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced July 16 that the Clearwater County community of Pierce will be Idaho’s “Capital for a Day” on Wednesday, Aug. 4. 

   The first-come, first-served open opportunity to meet with the Governor, members of his Cabinet and other senior State officials is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pierce Community Center, 105 W. Carle Street.

   Governor Otter also will join Mayor Greg Gerot, other state and local leaders, and community members for lunch at noon at the courtyard across from the old courthouse.  The public is encouraged to come to the lunch as well.

   This Capital for a Day event coincides with the town’s “1860 Days Celebration.” Immediately following Capital for a Day, Governor Otter will help the City of Pierce celebrate its 150th anniversary at the old courthouse and Bradbury Museum until 4 p.m.

   Officials joining Governor Otter at Capital for a Day will include Lieutenant Governor Brad Little; Major General Gary Sayler, commanding general of the Idaho National Guard; Brian Ness, director of the Idaho Transportation Department; Roger Madsen, director of the Idaho Department of Labor; Nancy Merrill, director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation; George Bacon, director of the Idaho Department of Lands; Cal Groen, director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG); Bill Deal, director of the Idaho Department of Insurance; Paul Agidius, member and past president of the State Board of Education; and Nate Fisher, administrator of the Governor’s Office of Species Conservation.

   Also, Janet Gallimore, executive director of the Idaho State Historical Society; Kelly Pearce, director of the Division of Building Safety; Dan John, tax policy supervisor at the Idaho State Tax Commission; Pamm Juker, chief of staff at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA); Bibiana Nertney, communication director for the Idaho Department of Commerce; Mary Hughes, Financial Institutions Bureau chief at the Idaho Department of Finance; Dave Cadwallader, IDFG regional supervisor; Jeremy Bunch, warehouse examiner and organic program inspector for the ISDA; Ron Beecher, regional director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare; Clayton Steele, regional administrator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality; and Captain Lonnie Richardson with the Idaho State Police.

   “Idaho has been a state for 120 years now, and Pierce has been a city for 150 years. That’s quite an achievement, especially for a community that by most anyone’s perspective is off the beaten path. Well, that’s why we’re going there – to help the citizens of Pierce celebrate their sesquicentennial and to hear what they have to say about how we can make the next 150 years even better,” Governor Otter said.

   “Our rural and remote communities deserve our time and attention as much as any other town in Idaho, and I’m glad to be able to bring our State government to their doorstep for the day,” said Governor Otter.