For the week of  September 19 - 25, 2001

Cities, county mourn those lost to terrorism

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

The Wood River Valley’s government officials and staffs joined America last week in mourning the loss of thousands of American lives in the New York City and Washington, D.C., terrorist attacks Sept. 11.

The Ketchum City Council, city staff and a half dozen city residents joined at Ketchum City Hall Friday at noon for a few minutes of silence to honor those whose lives were stopped short.

The council followed up by adopting a resolution declaring the city’s support for the actions of President George W. Bush and the nation in response to the attacks.

"This tragedy has united all Americans in support of our country and its elected leaders, especially our president, George W. Bush, who has the awesome responsibility to formulate an appropriate response to the attack on America with the goal of preventing all such future acts of terrorism throughout our world," an excerpt from the resolution states.

"I thought it was incumbent on every small town in American to say something strongly and quickly," Ketchum Mayor David Hutchinson said.

The resolution was sent to the president, Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Idaho’s congressional delegation.

Wynn Bird, Bellevue water and sewer clerk, said she was the only person at Bellevue City Hall Friday, but she, too, joined America in mourning those lost.

"I think that we should take a few moments and remember the thousands of lives that were lost and the way of life that was lost," she said. "Our safety and security will never be the same again.

"It’s kind of a new thing for everyone, but we just need to reassure everyone that life will go on. We will survive it. We’ve survived a lot of things. We’ll survive it."

Blaine County Courthouse employees last week raised $325, which they promptly sent to the Idaho Association of Counties to be combined with other money that will be sent to New York city.

County leaders also held an impromptu prayer and remembrance ceremony at noon on Friday in the courthouse courtyard.

Hailey City Hall was closed from noon to 1 p.m. Friday to allow employees to attend the county ceremony or to observe a moment of silence and prayers on their own, Hailey City Clerk Heather Dawson said. Also, Mayor Brad Siemer on Tuesday directed city staff to use discretion and care in dealing with local residents.

At its monthly city council meeting this Thursday, the Sun Valley City Council will probably make a donation to one of the disaster relief funds, Mayor David Wilson said.

The Sun Valley City Council attended the memorial service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Friday, and some members attended the candlelight vigil at Ketchum’s Forest Service Park later that evening.

"I think as a community, we’re coming together and trying to support them in any way possible," Wilson said.

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