Burley

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2023 Legislative Session

Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol

This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.

On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.

Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.

He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.

The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.

As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.

Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.

We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.

Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.

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Richmond 1968

Sandy and Jackie Jonas, 142 State St, Richmond, Utah, 1968

I stumbled on this photo working through and scanning more photos from my Aunt Jackie. This may be the only color photo I have of my Mom in Richmond. That was the first thing that jumped out at me. I believe most of the photos from Richmond are black and white. The photo indicates it was developed in January 1969, which tells me it is from 1968. Good chance it is later in the summer or fall, trees, grass, and shrubs are in full greenery and there appears to be dead grass clippings on the sidewalk.

1968 would also put my Mom at 14 years old, Jackie at 8. Which could very well be. I would be somewhat tempted to suggest 1967. That same year they moved to 2652 Fairmont Avenue in Burley, Idaho. I have written about that move before. But that post also has a photo of Jackie very early on as well that appears to be similar age. Here is that photo again.

Jackie Jonas dancing on Fairmont Ave

Either way, the photo of my Mom about 14 caught my attention. I thought I would share it here to give it some context.

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Yellowstone 2020

In 2020, the Ross Family took a trip through the Pacific Northwest. Our first stop was the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone! We left Burley, Idaho about noon and headed out for a longer than week road trip.

Hiram and Aliza Ross at Grand Prismatic Spring, 31 July 2020
Aliza, Lillian, Hiram, and James Ross waiting for Old Faithful, 31 July 2020

We arrived for Old Faithful, but it was going to be another hour, so we wandered Geyser Basin to kill some time.

Castle Geyser, 31 July 2020
We took the Upper Geyser Basin Trail and Upper Geyser Hill Trail

Old Faithful proved true to her name!

Aliza, Hiram, Lillie, and Amanda Ross with Old Faithful in the background, 31 July 2020

That night we stayed in Lake Village.

Mud Volcano is a popular stop and one I remember as a kid, 1 August 2020
Aliza, James, Lillie, and Paul Ross at Dragons Mouth Spring, 1 August 2020
Bison Herd at Yellowstone, 1 August 2020
The world famous Lower Falls in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, 1 August 2020
Even a selfie, Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross, 1 August 2020
Another picture of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from further down stream, you can see the top of the Lower Falls, 1 August 2020
James, Amanda, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020

Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020
Mammoth Hot Spring, Yellowstone National Park, 1 August 2020

The kids were worn out after a long day and we were then spending the night in Bozeman, Montana. We made our trip out of the park and to Montana to the C’mon Inn where we crashed for the night. The kids liked the Coy.

Aliza and Lillian Ross watching fish in Bozeman, Montana

You can read out about our visit the next day to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.

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Jonas-Melycher Wedding

Paul – Married in a small private ceremony at the home of the bride’s mother in Paul were Jackie Jonas of LaGrande Ore., and William Francis “Willie” Melycher of Spirit Lake, Idaho. The cemerony, performed at 7 p.m. by Bishop Ronald Nielsen of the Paul LDS Second Ward, was held on July 23 at the home of Colleen A. Jonas, 575 W. 50 S., Paul.

The bridegroom is the son of William Francis “Red” Melycher, Newtown, Conn.

The bridge, given in marriage by Douglas Norwood Jonas of Anchorage, Alaska, wore a gown made by Joyce Miller, fashioned in the full length of white lace with white satin robbon bow around the neck and a cumberbund. Her mesh headdress was enhanced on each side with strands of flowers and beads. Her flowers were gardenias and white roses.

Matron of honor was Sandy Jonas Ross; the flower girl was Andra Ross; ringbearer Paul Norwood Jonas Ross; and the best man Milo Paul Ross.

The bride’s colors were turquoise, aquamarine and teal, with decorations by Patty’s. Candelabra was furnished by Alice Cannon. Pianist was Susan Neibaur.

Cindy Hotchkiss made the three tiered wedding cake, decorated in the bride’s colors and floral accents of gardenias, white roses, and greenery. Colleen A. Jonas cut and served the cake.

Others assisting were Sergene Sorenson and Rae Smith.

The couple traveled to Newtown prior to the wedding.

The bride, a graduate of Burley High School and Boise State University, is a brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad at LaGrande; and her husband is a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical in Danbury, Conn., and is chief ultrasonic rail inspector for Dapco Industries, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn.

Back (l-r): Milo and Sandy Ross, Willie and Jackie Melycher, Doug Jonas, Colleen Jonas, Brook Jonas; Front: Paul and Andra Ross

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Evan Jonas family visiting Burley

(l-r) Norwood Jonas, Jackie Jonas, Susan Jonas, Evan Jonas, Shelly Jonas, Lona Jonas

This was a fun photo to stumble on. I think this photo was 1968/1969. Grandpa & Grandma Norwood & Colleen Jonas moved to Burley, Cassia, Idaho in 1968. I am unclear if they had the house built in 1968 or if someone else built it and they were the first owners of the home. I have written with other photos of the home at 2652 Fairmont Avenue.

I don’t know the occasion or anything else. But it is fun that Evan & Lona brought the two youngest to come and visit at this time. A good looking picture of all of them. Two dapper brothers and their daughters.

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New couch photo

I previously wrote about a couch and chair that I inherited. I am happy to report that I came upon a color photo of the couch and chair I mentioned earlier. It gives more context and clarity for the color and look of both.

Sandy Jonas and unknown on couch and chair

I think this photo may have been taken in the basement of the Burley home on Fairmont Street. I don’t know who the guy is in the photo.

Jackie Jonas with couch
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Kelsey Note

This note was dropped at my office in Burley, Idaho several years ago. While I normally get Thank You cards in the mail, this is the anomaly. I believe it speaks for itself.

I was appointed to represent Delores Kelsey, Florence Delores Herron Kelsey, (1930-2017), in an eviction litigation. Some of her children were attempting to evict Bret Kelsey (1959-2020), her son, out of her home. It turned into a slog fest among a number of the Kelsey children/siblings. Brent Robinson defended Bret, Matt Darrington represented Paul Kelsey (1956-2018), Curtis Stoker was appointed as Trustee of the Kelsey Trust, and Peter Wells represented Curtis Stoker as Trustee. It took years of work. A Cassia County case, most hearings were held in Minidoka County. I think this case drove Judge Bollar to retirement faster.

Mr. Kelsey also took it upon himself to protest many attorneys over the years. I am fortunate to have also been in that club.

Matt Darrington had the honors of a protest sign

Matthew C Darrington

Attorney at Law

freeloaden off

“We the People”

Bret Kelsey with a Paul Ross protest sign in Burley, Idaho

Amanda was kind enough to stop and get pictures one day in 2016.

A better view of the protest sign of Mr. Kelsey

Paul N. J. Ross

Attorney at Law

taken advantage of the ELDERLY

We the People

Bret Kelsey with a Ross protest sign in Burley Idaho in 2016

Paul N. J. Ross

Attorney at Law

SKUM SUCKEN

Lien two-face

MORMON TRASH

Mr. Kelsey protesting Mr. Larsen as Prosecutor in front of Zions Bank

PROSECUTOR

McCord Larsen

is a TWO-FACE

backstabben

LYEN PUNK

It was years after it was over that the above love note was left at my office.

Mediel Justice Chronicle

*Bullyous Tyrant Mormons*

This short story was created by those whom in my opinoun became Bullyous Tyrants by abuseing their power in representing Dolores Kelsey’s – Trust n Concerns –

Is Brent Robinson – Attorney at Law – Mormon an “Angel of Darkness?”

Is Matt Darrington – Attorney at Law -Mormon a “Freeloader of People?” – Mormon

Is Paul Ross – Attorney at Law -Mormon “One Whom Takes Advantage of Elderly?”

Is Curtis Stoker – Trustee – Mormon A “Lying – Distrespectful – Dishonest?”

Is Peter Wells – Attorney at Law – Mormon   A “Pretender of the Truth?”

Unknowingly pierced by BEELZEBUBS dagger of darkness these Bullyous Mormons have become corrupted, there by extorting unjustifiable cruelties!!!! I leave you with a quote. “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Bret Kelsey

A.K.A White Knight

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Building inspector

MANY PEOPLE in Minidoka County aren’t aware of the large amount of construction projects going on but Evan Elliott, on right, isn’t one of them. He knows what the projects are, where they are and who is doing the work. The job of County Inspector is far from being a dull job. (SIP Photo)

Found this article about Evan Elliott, who I grew up calling Grandpa until they divorced.

Building inspector takes look at four walls from either side.

By Arvetta Savage

SIP Feature Writer

While some people find it difficult to cope with an “indoor” job, there are still others who fail to adjust to an “outdoor” job. But Evan Elliot, 41, Paul, figures he just about has his problem solved.

Evan has an “indoor-outdoor” job. He serves as Minidoka County building inspector and maintains an office at Rupert. However, whenever those four walls start closing i on him he can step outdoors and fulfill another facet in his profession.

Evan doesn’t consider his occupation the most fun-loving one in the Mini-Cassia area, but on the other hand it’s far from dull. He has the opportunity to meet a variety of personalities and characters, and according to Evan, there’s nothing dull about meeting or working with the general public. He describes it as a “challenge.”

Evan has been affiliated with construction most of his life. Born in Soda Springs and raised at Paul graduating from Paul High School in 1953, he served three years in the Marine Corps. He traveled around while serving his country, travels with his present occupation and plans to travel further as time progresses.

During his service in the Military, Evan was injured in the Korean conflict and was hospitalized in an Army hospital 10 months in Japan. During that period Evan utilized his time learning about that country and even tried his hand at the Japanese language. Right now, he enjoys going into a Japanese operated restaurant and surprising the owners by speaking to them in their native tongue.

Evan and his wife, the former Colleen Jonas, of Burley whom he married April 9, 1976, plan to travel to Japan next year. Evan has wanted to return to that country and renew his memories of the time he had spent there. He and Colleen traveled extensively on their honeymoon last month and have plans of including traveling in their future.

Besides traveling, Evan also hunts, fishes and recently has taken up the hobby of constructing cactus lamps out of cactus shipped here from Arizona. Constructing things has always interested him, which could be the reason he enjoys his present occupation so much; that of building inspector, which he has been since Jan. 1, 1975.

Purpose of inspecting buildings is to determine and make certain the building will be and is now, structurally sound. About eight inspections are made on each construction so that any changes needed can be made before the building is completed.

Evan knows that his job is controversial and is one position which many persons don’t approve of entirely, or is one which they would not want themselves.

He considers this job a challenge, one of necessity to the public, and in the long run, the duties of building inspector could even result in the saving of money for some individuals as well as saving lives of many.