Wallace Lists Its Priorities Joining State’S Gem Community Program, Town Plans To Restore Swimming Pool

Wallace is Idaho’s newest Gem Community, the 106th to formalize its vision of economic diversification.

“We’re proud to have one of Idaho’s oldest and most historic communities committed to improving its economic health,” said state Department of Commerce Director Gary Mahn, whose agency sponsors the program.

Improved roads and sewer systems, a revitalized downtown and expanded youth programs are among the goals of Wallace’s Gem Community committee.

A survey of Wallace residents helped set Gem Community priorities. The 124 respondents expressed the greatest dissatisfaction with the availability of employment opportunities (70 percent answered “poor”) and with the availability of youth services (71 percent were unhappy with that).

So, the first order of business will be to restore the town’s swimming pool.

“That’s going to be a major project,” Mayor Ron Garitone said Thursday.

Gem Community status is an important asset, Garitone said, allowing citizen and business input into developing goals “designed to make our city the best it can be.”

Garitone said the committee represents a cross section of the town’s 1,000 residents.

Besides the mayor, members and the sectors they represent are Tom Fudge, mining industry; L.V. Montgomery and Pat Cornelius, business owners; Dr. John Branz and accountant Dennis O’Brien, professionals; John Horning, community clubs; Joe Grismer, planning and historic preservation; Mary Lou Hanks, senior citizens; Sue Hanson, business and historic preservation; Dean Cooper, hospitality industry; Jami Winterset, Chamber of Commerce; Janet Adams, schools; Dorwin Hinman, Bill Dire Jr. and Virginia Mattern, City Council; and Gian Ghigleri and Shalisa Smith, youths.

The Gem Community program provides technical economic development assistance. Among related activities is a mock visit by a company seeking to relocate or expand.