Kootenai County’s ‘Old Faithful’ Dies Lavalley Was Harrison Mayor, Longtime Planning Commissioner

A former Harrison mayor and longtime Kootenai County planning commissioner died Tuesday after a lengthy bout with leukemia.

George LaValley was 77.

Known for his feisty attitude and dedication to public service, LaValley’s friends nicknamed him “Old Faithful.”

He was the longest-tenured planning and zoning commissioner for Kootenai County before he resigned due to his health in June 1995. He spent 11 years as a commissioner - a volunteer position - driving from his Harrison home to Coeur d’Alene for each meeting.

“If you’re looking for community spirit, here’s a guy who had a ton of it,” said Jon Mueller, commission chairman.

LaValley was born in Clarkia, Idaho. He spent years working as a railroad agent in North Idaho and Washington, retiring in 1979. He became the mayor of Harrison in the early 1980s and enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading history.

“He was just a grand old gentleman and as North Idaho as you get,” Mueller said.

LaValley was instrumental in developing Kootenai County’s comprehensive plan, said Cheri Howell, county planning director.

“George LaValley was a wonderful, level-headed individual,” she said. “I respected him a great deal and I’m going to miss him very much.”

Not one to shy away from a fight, LaValley also was known for speaking his mind.

“He was always one that was slow to anger, but once he got to the point where he thought something needed to be said, he didn’t hesitate to wade right in the middle of an issue,” Mueller said. However, “George had a great capacity to agreeably disagree.”

Known for trying to protect the environment and natural resources, LaValley filed suit against his own bosses - the Kootenai County commissioners - when they agreed to allow machine shops above the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

He feared the drinking water could be contaminated by heavy metals.

LaValley saw the suit - which still is pending - as his final battle as a planning commissioner.

“That’s my last hurrah,” he said in a 1995 interview. “I’ll be going out with a bang.”

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. in the Rose Chapel at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division in Spokane. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.

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