IDAHO COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMENS CLUB
Regular Monthly Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2025
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Andrea Soltman at 12:07 pm at the Trails Restaurant. Sue Kinner led the prayer and we recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Andrea Soltman recognized guest Scott Winkler from Grangeville Border Days was present.
Secretary Mary Mangold read the minutes from the April 10th meeting. Sue Kinner made a motion for the April 2025 meeting minutes to be approved as read. Cherylyn Kerley seconded. April Motion passed and minutes approved.
Treasurer Bobbie Blakley presented the Treasurer’s report. Bank balance was $991.00. No funds deposited since last meeting. Disbursements total $116.60 total (P.O. Box Annual Fee (102.00) + USPS Stamps). New Bal: $874.40. Cherylyn motioned to approve the Treasurers report. Mary Mangold seconded. Motion passed. Treasurers report was approved.
GUEST SPEAKER: Representative Brandon Mitchell
Representative Brandon Mitchell traveled from his Legislative District (Moscow Idaho) to report on his role as Co-Chair of Idaho America 250 fund for plans to disburse monies to Idaho communities requesting funds that relate to America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2026. Website: https://america250.idaho.gov/ Idaho State Historical Society WAS in charge of disbursements using a grant application process, but due to misappropriations of funds, the current legislative committee of 7 legislators was organized and ISHS was removed from their role.
Sue Kinner asked Representative Mitchell why $500K went to Boise State (known to administer liberal programs) for an online course to teach kids about our history. Rep Mitchell replied that it was during the time ISHS was in charge of disbursing funds and that $150K will be brought back to the fund. He also said Hillsdale has been discussed. Part of the $800K was disbursed for a website (approx $100,000). Seems like ALOT of money to build a website. Speaker Moyles created the new oversight committee to take control of the funds and future disbursements. In fact 29 Grant submissions under ISHS were for funding unrelated to America 250 Celebration plans, and have been pulled back. The committee of 7 will meet to determine how communities can take part in the funding for this once in our lifetime CELEBRATION of AMERICAs 250th Anniversary.
In further discussions, Sue Kinner mentioned the undesirable impacts of some lobbyists. Rep. Mitchell stated that legislators are working on the impact of lobbyists; trying to address the influence of lobbyists on our Idaho Laws. In terms of spending, JFAC is reviewing a lot of wasted tax dollars. Rep. Mitchell is now assigned to a task force for the JFAC committee to look at the budget for wastefulness such as in fleet management. Generally the committee is prepped to take more control of outlandish spending in different areas – tho in the 2025 legislative session, JFAC committee successfully cut quite a bit of wasteful spending.
Andrea Soltman mentioned to Rep Mitchell about Grangeville Border Days – Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo – and how patriotic and what a wonderful celebration of Americana it is. Scott Winkler was present as a representative of the Border Days Committee. This year Border Days is scheduled Thursday through Sunday – July 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. Mary Mangold suggested a potential need to upgrade all of our American flags if they are still tattered and showing age.
Rep Mitchell reported that during their next meeting on June 17th, the committee will discuss HOW to disburse funds from the America 250 funding.
Rep Mitchell also mentioned that Legislators are working on our Time Zone issue where half the state is in Mtn Zone and the other half Pacific Time Zone at the time change bridge on north side of Riggins. .
OLD BUSINESS
To reiterate our outreach thru Social Media: Cami Strasser had setup a very nice Facebook Page for ICRWC and a Facebook Group.
Suggestions to review our participation in Parades, Tents and Booths: Art in the Park, Border Days Parade and also Idaho County Fair Republican booth.
As for Speakers, VP Andrea Soltman made some calls for future speakers. She also mentioned getting in touch with Leslie Manookian from Health Freedom Defense Fund. (X account is @LeslieManookian)
Cherylyn Kerley mentioned if we were able to get Leslie Manookian as a speaker, perhaps we could offer the option of a night meeting. Rep. Mitchell will try to find her contact information.
NEW BUSINESS
VP Andrea Soltman said she is on the legislative committee and has been attending the City Council meetings and a few Commission meetings.
Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 20. Sue Kinner mentioned to Rep Mitchell a desire for legislators to address the issue of any registered voter who can vote on a school levy yet ONLY property owners pay the taxes. Its putting an undue burden on those in low income brackets and seniors and is unfair taxation without representation: Idaho Constitution lists Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 20. This section unequivocally states: “No property qualification shall ever be required for any person to vote, except in school elections or elections creating indebtedness, as to which last-named elections the legislature may restrict the voters to landowners.”
Cookies: The ICRWC is being asked to supply cookies for the Townhall Event at Grangeville Senior Center on Thursday May 15th 6pm -9pm.
ICRWC Meetings: Discussion of social time from 11:30am to noon and begin the ICRWC Business Meeting at noon sharp. Also discussion about setting a hard stop for adjournment but was disputed.
Summer Meetings Discussion – After brief discussion of meetings during the summer, Cami Strasser made a motion to skip the June ICRWC meeting because everyone is so busy with kids out of school / vacations / gardening. Sue Kinner seconded the motion to skip June meeting. Cherylyn Kerley amended the original motion to take off meetings for the months of June, July & August and following brief discussion, Marlene Wood seconded that motion, and motion passed.
BASKET RAFFLE: We discussed moving the drawing for the raffle basket to the front of the agenda. For the May basket,members present brought items that began with the letter “M”. A nice variety. Sue Kinner won the basket.
Next meeting is Monday, September 8th, 2025 at the Trail’s Restaurant.
Cherylyn Kerley made a motion to adjourn and Mary Mangold seconded and motion passed at 1:50 pm.
7 Members Were In Attendance. Cumulative Hours by Members in Political efforts past 30 days: 62.5 hours
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Mangold
ICRWC Secretary
