You know the phrase, “Standing room only,” and how it usually applies to things like concerts at the fair, juried exhibitions at the Carr Gallery or Karaoke night at Ford's Bar?
On Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m., get ready for a packed house at 680 Park Ave. That's the time and place for the City of Idaho Falls to roll its vision for 2018, featuring the annual State of the City address by Mayor Rebecca Casper.
The first city council meeting of the year is usually well-attended, but 2018 has some additional fanfare due to the swearing-in of three new council members.
After outgoing council members tie up loose ends on outstanding financial business, the city will usher in Jim Freeman, Jim Francis and Shelly Smede to take their new seats. Also at this time, a new council president will be elected.
Casper's address will be similar to previous years with a look back on 2017 and some goals for 2018. The city will also roll out a video reel highlighting the previous year's accomplishments.
Up next will be an awards presentation recognizing city employees with 20-plus years of service.”
“Their years of experience certainly matter,” notes Casper. “It is right that we honor them for their commitment to making Idaho Falls the kind of city that gets better every year.”
And the City of Idaho Falls Service Awards go to...
Twenty Years of Service
Duane Nelson, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Samuel Edwards, Parks & Recreation
Sgt. Jon Jonson, Idaho Falls Police Department
Sherry Glick, Idaho Falls Police Department – Dispatch
Lincoln Beard, Idaho Falls Power
Matt Schwarzenberger, Idaho Falls Power
Douglas Hunting, Public Works – Sanitation
Mark Chapman, Public Works – Sewer
Kevin Wilkie, Public Works – Sewer
Troy Milton, Public Works – Streets
Travis Steele, Public Works – Streets
Twenty-Five Years of Service
Patti Reines, Community Development Services
Alyn Criddle, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Michael Evans, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Chris Farnsworth, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Todd Longhurst, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Joseph Nichols, Idaho Falls Fire Department
Gary Allan, Parks & Recreation
Paul Horsburgh, Parks & Recreation
Craig Martin, Parks & Recreation
James Landon, Parks & Recreation – Sage Lakes Golf Course
Debra Kimbro, Idaho Falls Power
Larry Martin, Public Works – Sewer
Carl Utter, Public Works – Sewer
Dale Haakma, Public Works – Streets
Troy Miller, Public Works – Streets
Thirty Years of Service
Ronald Campbell, Parks & Recreation
Terrence Bodily, Idaho Falls Power
Brent Olsen, Idaho Falls Power
Thirty-five Years of Service
Ted Johnson, Municipal Services – Building Maintenance
Cpt. Royce Clements, Idaho Falls Police Department
Bruce Foster, Public Works – Sewer
Forty Years of Service
Bruce Lawrence, Public Works – Engineering