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Changes and challenges in Shoshone |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/28/2006
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In the rural community of Shoshone, I spoke with many people about what it is like to become a commuter community 75 miles from Sun Valley, the challenges of getting health care, and the necessity of being dependent on driving and the cost of fuel. Shoshone has a strong community of seniors who shared their concerns and their humor.
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American Falls and Aberdeen, sister cities |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/27/2006
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American Falls and Aberdeen became strong farming communities in an era when our government invested in communities. That investment helped level the playing field for everyone to participate, particularly family farmers and small businesses. Congress has retreated from investing in communities, preferring to subsidize big private interests instead.
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Pioneer Day in St. Anthony, Lava |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/25/2006
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Pioneer Day is an integral part of many communities in Southern Idaho and I had fun walking in two parades last Saturday. St. Anthony and Lava Hot Springs put on two very different types of parades but they showcase some great talent in their communities. I had the honor or walking next to Jana Jones in both parades.
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Never too old to dance with Mom |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/22/2006
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After visiting with seniors at Pocatello's Gate City Senior Center on Thursday, we were treated to some music and dancing. Since I was fortunate to be there with two very special seniors -- my parents, Orval and June Hansen -- I did not pass up the opportunity to ask Mom to dance.
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Barbecue in my old neighborhood |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/22/2006
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Residents of a wonderful old Idaho Falls neighborhood are working to connect with each other, to share the history of the neighborhood and to fight to protect it. This is where I spent my childhood and last week got a chance to meet folks at a backyard barbecue. Neighbors working together to improve their community reflect the best examples of grassroots democracy.
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Discussing reform with the Farm Bureau |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/19/2006
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I had an opportunity to speak to the Farm Bureau this week. I shared with them the same thing I have shared with many other groups: that the way campaigns are financed by big private interests undermines the opportunity for discussion of the issues they care about in every one of the 435 Congressional districts in this country.
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Celebrating Basque culture in Gooding |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/19/2006
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It was an honor to share in a celebration of Idaho's Basque community at the annual Basque Picnic in Gooding. This is a community rich in diversity and people who are are incredibly generous and who step forward to serve each other. It was a fun time for my family and another reminder of why local communites deserve better.
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Remembering my Uncle George |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/15/2006
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I attended the funeral for my Uncle George Freund on Saturday. He was an amazing man whose brilliance, passion for a better community and humor left a lasting impression on everyone he knew. I miss him but know he lives on in the love and work of his family and friends.
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Weeds and sheep in remote Dubois |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/12/2006
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Most candidates for state or federal office in Idaho ignore the county with the smallest population: Clark County. But not me. Where votes count more than money, I was pleased to go there and visit with residents. Most work in farming, but there is also a U.S. Sheep Experimentation Station just north of Dubois gathering critical information to make us all better stewards of the land.
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Medicare stories in Twin Falls and Rupert |
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by Jim Hansen on
7/12/2006
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I spent several days this week in the Magic Valley and listened to a lot of people who shared their experiences on a variety of issues. In particular, I spent time with seniors and heard many stories about their frustrations with the new Medicare prescription drug program. Americans were calling for prescription drug coverage under Medicare for years. What they got, however, has holes that would not have been there if Congress had not been raising campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical compaines.
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