FOUR LEAF CLOVER CLUB

        The Membership meeting on September 8, to begin the club year for the GFWC-Four Leaf Clover Club, was well-attended with several guests present.  All women in the Community are invited to join the Club; dues are $15 per year.  A Salad Supper was held before the meeting.

        President Mary Amende conducted the meeting.  The Collect was led by Edie Fitzgerald and the Pledge of Allegiance by Dawn Koenig.  The minutes of the May meeting were read by Edie, secretary, and the treasurer’s report was given by Linda Leach.

        It announced that an executive decision was made for the club to sponsor this year’s OctoberFest.  It was also announced that the Fall State Board meeting would be October 6 in Boise.

        The October meeting will be held in the Grange Hall on October 6 at 7:30 p.m.  The program is under the direction of the Public Affairs Committee.  State President Judy Squire will be visiting the meeting and will deliver a brief message.  The members will also vote on a slogan for the Albion Valley.

 SCHOOLS

        The Living Idaho History Day was held for the fourth graders at the Cassia County museum and fairgrounds.  They seemed to enjoy the various learning experiences and the frontier lunch.

        National School Lunch Week when parents can eat school lunch with their children is October 12-17.  Call the school lunchroom to make arrangements.  National School Bus Safety Week is October 19-25 and Bus Driver Appreciation Day is October 15.  Parents, please encourage your children to express thanks to their driver.  Red Ribbon Week is October 18-16.

        The end of the first nine weeks is October 24.  A District Staff Development meeting will be held that day and school will be dismissed before lunch.

        Parent-Teacher Conferences will be after school on October 29 and during the morning of October 31.  There will be no school on October 31.

NOTICE

        The Albion American Legion Post is trying to start a Junior Shooting Program for young people.  They need to have ten participants to start the program and so far only have five.  To get an application or more information contact Jacob Cole at 677-8889 or Ed Pace at 645-2622 or Don Gunderson at 673-5359.

OBITUARY

RICK D. CAGLE

55, a former Albion resident, passed away on Thursday, September 18 at his home in Malta.  He was born July 23, 1948 in Burley the son of Harry “Chris” Warren and Joy Sarah Gauchay Cagle.  He was known as “Doodle Bug” to his dad.

        He attended Albion Grade School and graduated from Burley High School.  He attended the College of Southern Idaho and Idaho State University where he played football.

        He married Jean Weber on August 1, 1972 and they later divorced.  He then married Irma Nino on July 31, 1979 and they also divorced.

        Rick had lived in various areas including Dubois and Burley, Idaho and Hawthorne, Nevada.  During his lifetime, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management, Pomerelle Ski Resort, Ed Bailey’s spray insulation business, the Annie Laurie Inn in Albion which was owned and operated by his parents, Mountain View Truck Stop, and J.R. Simplot in Heyburn.  He also owned and operated Rick’s Bar in Heyburn.

        He was a member of the LDS Church having served in the Aaronic Priesthood.  He was involved with the Boy Scouts, the Make A Wish Foundation, the National Rifle Association, and the Marlboro Country Club.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, and spending time with grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

        He is survived by his father and stepmother, Chris and Jean Cagle of Albion; his children, Michelle (Brad) Beck of Burley, Dustin Phillip (Addie) Cagle of Athens, Georgia, and Jacquelin Nicole Doney of Rupert; two sisters, Christine (Tom Harlow) Petersen and Carma Cagle of Malta; one foster brother, Herb (Mary) Allen of Jerome; seven grandchildren, Brant and Ashley Ball, Klayton, Brayton, and KeyLee Shay Beck Dagon Cagle, and Rayney Cagle; and his best and loyal friend, Michael Jordan, his dog.

        He was preceded in death by his mother, Joy Cagle; his grandparents, Paul and Mable Gauchay and Frank and Saddie Cagle; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his other faithful dog, Joe Montana.

        The funeral was held in the Albion LDS Ward with Bishop’s Counselor Lamont Young officiating.  Burial was in the Albion Mormon Cemetery.

BLANKET MONTH

IN THE ALBION VALLEY

AND MINI-CASSIA

BLANKET SUNDAY—OCTOBER 26

        This month, October 2003, is designated as Blanket Month and Blanket Sunday is October 26.  Those of us who have blankets and quilts to spare can donate them for people who really are needy, before winter sets in.

1.       Any size blanket or quilt is needed

2.       New or used, but nice and clean, not torn, patched is just fine

3.       Please drop off your donation at Keith and Lorna’s Roger’s house, 337 West Street (the White Brick house) or call 673-5588 and we’ll come pick it up any time through Sunday, October 26.

4.       We will deliver them to the various agencies that help the needy in the Mini-Cassia area.

AMERICAN LEGION

        We had a joint opening with the Auxiliary to begin our September meeting in order to hear this year’s Boys and  Girls State delegates report on their experiences at Boys and Girls State. Due to other priorities, only three girls were in attendance. Marty Holland from the Cassia County Assessors Office was also in attendance.  After cake and punch we had our separate meetings.

        Commander Ed Pace was excused because he and his wife were in Oregon.  The Post discussed the annual Turkey Shoot coming up in November.  Keith Amende is trying to get some team competition going between the Sheriffs Departments in the Mini Cassia area, and also with some of the regular shooters.

        The American Legion has put a lot of time and effort into the Junior Shooting Program, but so far there are not enough participants.  Additional applications have been given out and people have shown interest, but applications have not been turned in.  We need 10 people to sign up before the program can start.

        Commander Pace has been refurbishing our Chuck Wagon and is looking for help so it will be ready for the Turkey Shoot.  If any of you Legionnaires can help, please get in touch with him.

        Darrell Hatfield is the Post’s Oratorical Chairman and also the District Chairman.  He needs everyone’s support.

        The 5th District Fall Convention is November 8th, at the Twin Falls Legion Hall.  The American Legion Food Convoy to the Boise Veterans Home is November 15th.  Also, November 15th is our annual Turkey Shoot.

        Don and Pat Gunderson attended the National Leadership Information Conference in Boise.  While there Don attended the Economics Seminar and visited with the National Chairman on Veterans Preference.  There are problems with this in Idaho, Utah and other states.  This is another battle that the Veterans are facing, and it almost resembles the VA and the problems there.  With VA the benefits that were passed by law are not being carried out.  It seems that the State and Federal Government are not carrying out their part of the contract!

        Also while in Boise, Don was elected Vice-chairman on the National Children and Youth Commission for Region 8 which consists of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

        Welcome to a new member!  Joe DiGrazia an Air Force veteran of World War II, has 33 continuous years with the American Legion.  He transferred from Illinois.

        We would like to welcome one of our members, Scott Denning, home.  He was deployed  in January to Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as an instructor in urban warfare.  Scott was deployed  just after his marriage to Jody Gunderson.

        Please, we need your membership renewals.  The Post stands at only 54.23%.  Lets make our commander a 100% and get on with our programs. 

        Our next Meeting is Tuesday, October 14 at 8 p.m. in the Albion Grange Hall. Hope to see you there.

                           Don Gunderson, Post Adjutant

LEGION AUXILIARY

        Our September meeting began with a joint meeting of the Post and Auxiliary.  We enjoyed hearing the accounts from three Girls State delegates.  They were Tamara Mahoney, Utahna Hurst, and Ali Cranney.  Refreshments were served before the separate meetings were held.

        Pat Gunderson reported that while attending the National Convention she was able to shake hands with President Bush.  She stated that he has a firm handshake.  Pat also attend the National Information Leadership Conference held in Boise and. we hope that she will share some of what she learned at our next meeting. 

        The Fall Fifth District Convention is coming up!  It will be held in the Twin Falls Legion Hallon Saturday, November 8.  Mark you calendars and plan to attend!!!!  Also in the future, is the Food Convoy to Boise which will be held November 15.  Details are to be announced next month.

        We are so glad that Marcella came through her surgery successfully and is well on the road to recovery. 

        Our next meeting will be October 14 at 8 p.m. in the Albion Grange Hall kitchen.  We need the support of all our members and prospective members in fun and fellowship.  We hope to see you all there!!!!!

             Harriet Cole, Unit President

        SENIOR NOTES

        Flu Shots will be given at the Senior Center on October 22 from 10 a.m. until noon before the weekly lunch.

        The Fall Festival  will be Saturday, November 15.  The Seniors will sell breakfast that day.

        The menus for October are:

October 1-meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, cooked cabbage, relish tray, bread and butter, cookies and fruit, beverages;

October 8-baked chicken with gravy, scalloped potatoes, green salad, beans, rolls and butter, rice pudding,  beverages;

October 15-spaghetti and meat, garlic bread, salad, cake and fruit, beverages;

October 22-turkey roast, potatoes and gravy, corn, cole slaw, rolls and butter, ice cream, beverages;

October 29-chili and crackers, relish tray, cinnamon rolls, beverages.

TOWN MEETING

        Cassia Sheriffs Detective Lt. Randy Kidd told those attending a special Albion Town Meeting that drug abuse is a problem that can bankrupt our communities and state,  and that kills children.  “Law enforcement can’t handle the problem alone; there are just not enough of us.”

        Following a welcome, Albion Mayor Don Danner

(cont. on pg. 4)

(cont. from pg. 3)

introduced Lt. Kidd.  Danner stated that, until he attended a drug presentation in Burley, he had not realized the impact of drug abuse on a community.  “I didn’t believe there was a problem in Albion, but was told there is

        Using a power point presentation and displays, Lt. Kidd presented information about drugs, particularly methamphetamine which he calls the Devil’s drug.  His displays included photos of drug victims and labs, confiscated drugs and drug paraphernalia, ingredients for making meth, and weapons taken from drug users.  The forty people from Albion and other Cassia communities in attendance were told to ask questions anytime during presentation and many were asked.

        Meth, a stimulant, increases energy and sexuality, and decreases appetite Lt. Kid explained.  Users will have increased alertness and activity, mood disturbances and sensory delusion, and elevated heart rate.  They can be hyper, paranoid, and/or violent.  Using pictures of brain scans, he showed that research has found that dopamine, a substance in the body which makes us happy, is diminished in proportion to extended meth use

        Lt. Kidd went on to explain that one of biggest dangers of meth to a community is that it is produced in clandestine labs.  “One third of labs found are because of explosion or fire,” he stated.  Meth is hazardous waste and toxic waste disposal units have to be called in  to clean it up

        Photos showing what meth does to users were not pretty.  Pictures of some users before and during use showed the debilitating effect of  the drug.  Lt. Kidd noted that females are effected quicker than males.  Photos included some showing users with “pick sores” from picking at imaginary bugs.  When asked if users who quit can recover former health and looks, he replied that it depends on the length and strength of use.  A user can improve if he/she gets off  the drug soon enough; there can be permanent damage to part or all the body.

        The really sad part of the story is that not all victims of meth are users.  Lt. Kidd showed photos of children and pets who were victims of “caretaker” abuse.  They were either severely injured or dead because of home drug labs or caretaker use.  Children become addicts because of their parents drug abuse.  “What kind of chance do these kids have?” Kidd questioned.

        “This is happening in our communities,” Kidd emphasized.  “We are never going to completely eliminate the problem, but we have got to get handle on it.”  He estimated that 10 to 15 percent of Mini-Cassia area residents are drug users, with Meth becoming a growing problem.  He explained that drug abuse costs taxpayers a great deal of money: indigent medical expenses for abusers is climbing; welfare rolls are escalating; child victims often have learning disabilities which means specialized training; landlords and motel owners are often left with expensive cleanup bills; and dealing with the crimes involved with drug abuse and with the imprisonment of those convicted is costly.

        “What will you do?” he questioned.  Suggestions he made included “taking better care of neighbors.”  Use Neighborhood watch.  Report suspicious activity such as, traffic that doesn’t belong in the neighborhood.  To remain anonymous a resident can call Crimestoppers at 878-2900.  Landlords need to beware in selecting renters.  He also stressed the importance of educating young people because dealers like to start with children as young as 4, 5, and 6 years old.  “Our kids are taught about drug abuse in school through the D.A.R.E. program,” he stated, “but we need to keep hammering on the subject.”

        After thanking Lt. Kidd for his presentation, Mayor Danner encouraged attendees to talk with friends and neighbors about dealing with the drug problems in their communities through positive involvement.

GEM COMMUNITY

        The last Gem Community Action Team meeting of the year was held on September 17 for the purpose of giving status reports on some community projects and receiving input from attendees.  Don Danner reported on the water improvement plan and the fire station plans.  Len Marrs reported on the new law enforcement plan for the City and the city park playground project.  The creation of the Albion Valley web page and fiber optic/broadband capability of ATC Communications were reviewed by O’Deen Redman.  Ray Mitchell was present to report on the wildlife/urban interface fire protection.  Projects for the future were then discussed.

HISTORY

WHY THE “I”?

        (taken from an ASN annual)

        The men’s “I” Club is an honorary athletic club made up of men who have earned letters in football, basketball, and track.  This club was formerly known as the “A” Club.  However, this year with the consent of President Bocock, the letterman of the club voted to change the name from “A” to “I” in view of the fact that the Normal is an Idaho state school.  Another reason for changing was to distinguish the Normal awards from the local high school awards which were similar.

        For the major sports, football and basketball, sweaters are given as an award to men making their first letters.  Second year lettermen are not given sweaters by the school.  However, the “I” Club has been taking steps to earn money in order that men making their second letters may also have sweaters.  (Some on display in the museum.)

        The one outside social activity of the “I” Club is the annual ball, which this year was held on April 1 in the normal school gymnasium.

        Club members that year were Bert Barlow, Delmer Engelking, Harold Farley, Edwin Jacklin, Clarence McNealy, Glenn Nutting, Jasper Nutting, Eddie Neyman, Garis Robertson, Rothwell Scott, Wallace Simpson, Leslie Stanfield, Frank Taylor, Verne Tomlinson, Ralph Villers, Darrell Yost, William Thompson, R.G. Price, Kermit Perrins, Burton Guiles, George Blick, LeRoy Hegstrum, Atha Lloyd, Roy Smith, Ernest Miller, Ray Shangle, and Estel Perrins.

        Editors note:  The “I” Club is crediting with putting the “I” on the mountain.

THANK YOU NOTES

        A great BIG THANKS to all those who helped with the Walk-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  A special thanks goes to the Albion Telephone Company for donating a karaoke machine and CD/cassette player.   Russell Eggleston won the karaoke machine for collecting the most donations.  Samantha Gailey came in second to win the CD/cassette player.  The sixteen participants collected a total of $524.16 in donations for St. Jude’s.  Logan Bennett, Russell Eggleston, Samantha Gailey, Janet Gailey, McKell Hitt, and Whitney Gailey all earned T-shirts  from St. Judes.  Thank you for your help and support.

                  Shauna Bennett

     Thank you for the cards, phone calls, and best wishes for Sern during his recovery from surgery in Salt Lake City.  We really appreciate your concern and care.

               Sern and Helen Sorensen

GRANGE

        The Grange has tentatively scheduled a Pinochle Party on Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Grange Hall.

 CALENDAR

*-article in newsletter

OCTOBER 2003

1- * Senior Citizens-Board meeting-10:30am

                                   dinner-noon

Scouts &Young Women-7pm-LDS church

3- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

4- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

         Edie Fitzgerald, Lorna Rogers

      *HOMETOWN OCTOBERFEST-6pm-City Park

5- Church      

6- *Four Leaf Clover Club-7:30pm-Grange Hall

7- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

     *CITY COUNCIL-7pm-City Office

8- *Senior Citizens dinner-noon 

      Scouts &Young Women-7pm-LDS church

9- Highway District meeting-7pm-988 S 1000 E

10- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

      Card Party?, 7:30pm, Grange Hall

      *D.L. Evans Open House, 10am-4pm

11- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

          Arlene Smyer, Lorna Caliouette

12- COLUMBUS DAY traditional

      Church

13- COLUMBUS DAY observed

14-  Transfer site open

       *Legion & Auxiliary-8pm-Grange Hall

        School Board-7pm-Central Office

15-  *Senior Citizens- Blood Pressure Check-11am

                                    dinner-noon

       Scouts &Young Women-7pm-LDS church

16-  Grange, 7pm, Grange Hall

17- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

18- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

         Carey Leach, Judy Heller

19-  Church

21- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

22- *Senior Citizens Dinner-noon

               Flu Shots-10-12am

Scouts & Young Women-7pm-LDS Church      

23- AIR Committee meeting-7pm-Marcella Mahoneys

24- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

        District staff development

           school dismissed before lunch

25- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

          Marcella Mahoney, Linda Leach

26- Church

      Daylight Savings Time Ends

       *Blanket Sunday

27- Albion Valley News items due

28- Transfer site open-10am-7pm

30-    *Senior Citizens Dinner-noon

30-31 *Parent/Teacher Conference, 4-7pm

31- HALLOWEEN

NOVEMBER

4- ELECTION DAY, City Office, 12am-8pm

15- Fall Festival

*For only $1 you can have someone’s birthday or anniversary or other celebration put on the calendar.  Just call, send a note, or put a note in the AVN box

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

September 2:

-Adelmo Maestas and Roger Jenkins, were present to question what the City could do to prevent another flood like the one on August 3; Adelmo had pictures of the flood water near and through his yard; he stated that the culvert on the drainage ditch near his place needs to be replaced; Roger stated that about $10,000 damage was done to his business property along the ditch;

-Councilman Len Marrs reported that he had checked the ditch and visited with the Army Corps of Engineers about maintaining it; he stated that the Corps lists the ditch as a stream and informed him of laws which have to be followed in maintaining the waterway; the Corps is to supply him with more detailed information about what can and needs to be done to creek; Mayor Don Danner stated that he would like to have an itemized list of what happened during the flood;

-Roger also asked about the letter of support that he had requested from the City for a state liquor store to be placed in his business; the new draft of the letter sent was read and the Council emphasized that it would not endorse a specific business owner for the liquor store; City Attorney Kerry McMurray reported that he had talked directly with the State Superintendent and that he understood the Council’s position;

-the bid opening on the new fire station for the Albion Fire Protection District was rescheduled for Monday, September 8 at 3 p.m. in the City Office; it had to be reset because an addendum, containing more detailed information requested by the bidding contractors, was added to the original specs given out; a letter from the Department of Commerce, who awarded a Block Grant to help fund the fire station, stated that the environmental release had been given and that Block Grant funds had been released for the project;

-it was agreed to hold a Town Meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. in the Marsh Creek Event Centre for the purpose of having law enforcement officers present information about community involvement in combating the use of methamphetamine;

-it was also agreed to have a Gem Community Action Team meeting on Wednesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. in the Albion Grange Hall; progress reports on existing  projects will be given and future plans will be discussed; it was noted that this is the last meeting required for the year;

-Resident Deputy Sgt. Bruce Bristol gave his monthly law enforcement report;

-the Council agreed to purchase a second cell phone for use by the City Maintenance Assistant;

-a revised copy of the maintenance agreement with Raft River Electric Coop was signed;

-a delay in the Water Improvement Study due to the loss of expected funding and the possibility of new funding was discussed;

-the matter of repainting the old Masonic Hall which was given to the City for a Community Center was revisited because, upon further investigation, it was decided to check into the cost of
replacing the windows and siding rather than painting the building;

-Kay Powell, city maintenance assistant, agreed to represent the City during a Back Country Byways meeting in the Cassia Courthouse on September 10;

-Attorney McMurray gave a brief overview of the annexation process the City would need to follow in order to annex property;

-a draft design by J.U.B. Engineers of a chlorination system for the city lagoon was reviewed;

-McMurray was asked to prepare a law enforcement contract for a Chief of Police;

-it was agreed to have McMurray draft an ordinance that would amend the current city code to change the required sidewalk width from five feet to four feet;

-it was announced that the City had received a $403 grant from the Mid-Snake RC & D with which to purchase trees and shrubs for the city park;

-a liquor license for Elaine’s Kitchen was approved;

-a letter from a resident requesting enforcement of the speed limit through town was read; and

-it was agreed to send City Clerk Mary Yeaman to a Notary Training in Twin Falls.

October 11:

-all four bids on the new fire station were rejected because they exceeded the amount of funds available for the project; it was agreed to rebid with revised specifications;

-a grant application for a $12,500 State Drinking Water Planning Grant for help pay for the Water Improvement Study was approved;

-it was agreed to have City Attorney Kerry McMurray prosecute violations of city ordinances which are misdemeanors and infractions; the county prosecutor is to handle any felonies;

-City Clerk Mary Yeaman announced that candidates wishint to run for city office must file their petitions by September 26; she noted that write-in candidates can declare up until five days before the election; the election will be Tuesday, November 4 from noon to 8 p.m.;

-it was agreed to send letter to residents with junk cars and junky yards with a “Let’s Clean Up Albion” message;

a thank you note for use of the City Park and Pavilion was read.

ALBION VALLEY NEWS