Orr steers group of kids to Bear Lake

At first glance, George Orr appears to be pulling off a cheap campaign trick by going fishing today at 10:30 a.m. at Bear Lake County Park with a group of special education kids.

Orr, a retired firefighter, is stumping for the chance to unseat Phil Harris from the Spokane County Commission.

But don’t jump to conclusions. This is Orr’s 23rd annual kid fishing trip.

“I started doing it in 1984 by taking 13 kids out to Medical Lake,” said Orr. “I was still a fireman and I was on the school board. Two years later we moved the event to Bear Lake where there was more room and the Valley firemen joined in. They’ve taken this on every year since then. The firemen bring their own kids sometimes, or maybe their wives or friends to help.

“This year we’ll have 65 kids. The White Elephant has supported us from the beginning, with lifejackets, worms, tackle and something special like a fanny pack or hat for each kid. The Spokane Federal Credit Union provides the lunches. The Fish and Wildlife Department stocks some extra fish.

“This is a neglected niche of kids. Maybe none of them will be lettermen, but they go out there and show us how to catch some big fish. It’s a great day for all of us.”