Otter plans visit to Bonners Ferry

Gov. Butch Otter is coming to Bonners Ferry on Tuesday , reviving the “Capitol for a Day” program in which locals can talk to the leader in an informal setting in their own town.

Otter, the Republican who was elected in November, wants to restart the hometown visits started by Gov. John Evans in the 1980s but ended when he left office.

“It’s about giving some of our smaller, off-the-beaten-path communities a chance to better connect with their state government,” Otter said in a press release.

He plans to visit “every corner” of Idaho, but his office hasn’t yet released a schedule of other stops.

Boundary County residents are encouraged to stop by the Bonners Ferry City Hall, 7232 Main St., on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9 a.m. Otter will join city, county and Kootenai Tribe officials at noon for a luncheon at the Kootenai River Inn. He will then resume meeting with residents at City Hall from 1:30-3 p.m.

Officials from a variety of other state agencies also will attend to help answer residents’ questions, including representatives from Fish and Game, the Transportation Department, Department of Environmental Quality, Health and Welfare and the Panhandle Health District.

Press Secretary Jon Hanian said he expects many questions will pertain to this spring’s flooding of the Kootenai River and the maintenance costs of local dikes that protect 33,000 acres of farmland. He said the Bureau of Homeland Security also has been invited to address some of those concerns.

Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby said that is definitely one his questions for the governor along with inquiries about GARVEE bonding for significant upgrades to U.S. Highway 95.

He encourages all residents with concerns and questions to attend.

For more information, call the governor’s office at (208) 334-2100.