BF to host 'Capital for a Day'

BONNERS FERRY — Concerned about something and want the governor’s ear?

Head on up to Thursday’s “Capital for a Day” in Bonners Ferry and you’ll not only have chance to tell the governor in person what is on your mind, you’ll get to share those concerns with a host of state officials as well. In addition to Gov. Brad Little, representatives from Idaho’s federal delegation will be on hand as will the heads of several state departments and more. In all about a dozen folks will be on hand to hear from constituents in the region.

The “Capital for a Day” event will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, located on Riverside Street in Bonners Ferry.

“I am excited to visit the residents of Bonners Ferry and listen to their unique concerns,” Little said in a press release announcing the city’s selection as Capital for a Day. “This is an important opportunity for state government leaders to relate directly to the people of Idaho through their questions and suggestions.”

Officials joining Little for the event include Dave Jeppesen, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare director; Jani Revier, Idaho Department of Labor director; Tom Kealey, Idaho Department of Commerce director; John Tippets, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality director; Idaho State Police Col. Kedrick R. Wills; and representatives from Idaho’s federal delegation.

In addition, representatives of the following agencies and state entities will be on hand to help answer questions: Idaho Division of Building Safety, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and the Idaho Transportation Department.

Little’s first Capital for a Day event was held in Emmett, following a tradition of taking state officials to different communities throughout the state. Each month, the program has the governor and members of his administrator visit a different county to give the state’s residence a chance to ask questions, share their opinions, and seek answers from state agencies.

The program was launched by former Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, who made several communities in Bonner and Boundary counties his Capital for a Day throughout the years, including Ponderay in 2017. In fact, Otter held his first Capital for a Day in Bonners Ferry in 2007 and held his 100th Capital for a Day event more than a decade later in Moyie Springs in 2018.

When Otter launched the program, he said it was a way to bring the state’s government to rural communities around the state. The idea is to communicate with Idahoans directly so community members and government officials can discuss issues, open the lines of communication and solve problems.

“It is our job in state government to ensure people in communities all over Idaho have a real say in determining their own future. It shouldn’t be the case that folks in Boise have a greater role in contributing their civic virtue to our statewide discussions than people in Moyie Springs or Malad, Ferdinand or Firth, Wallace or Wendell,” Otter said in his 2018 visit. “That’s why I bring ‘Capital for a Day’ to a different rural town every month — to listen, learn, and solve some problems if we can.”

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.