Bayview
Angels
This article started out
as a Christmas Story of sorts, but is now just a reminder of all the angels in
our small little community. Over the
holiday season, I witnessed a man walk into the Merc and ask an employee of the
Merc, Linda Brazee, if the Timberlake Fire Department was collecting for the
food bank. She confirmed, and this man
nearly cleaned the shelf of chili, soups and stews to donate later that
evening. Not only did he help the local
food bank, but also local business at a very slow time of the year for
Bayview. I also noticed the beautiful
wreath hanging in the Merc that was raffled off to raise money for Brad Mangett
to help him with his personal loss due to fire. Kicking off the month of
November was the Veterans’ Dinner sponsored by the Captain’s Wheel crew. Now comes my personal experience with Bayview
Angels.
Many of you know me as the lady
at the pancake breakfasts that tries to sell raffle tickets as well as tickets
for the $1000 raffle to support the Bayview Chamber of Commerce. What you may not know is what is done with
the money collected. The Chamber Board uses those funds to support the
Community Center operations, the Chamber general fund that provides activities
and prizes / gifts for the children’s Easter Egg hunt, Christmas party, Bayview
Daze Street, Boat Parade, Girls State, Fire and Police Fund too! In 2017 the mini-50/50 raffle was donated to
the LPOIC fishing derby youth division.
Some of you may also know me as
the crazy lady with the patriotic bikini swimsuit cover that walks with Uncle
Sam and the Bucket Brigade in the Bayview Daze Parade collecting donations for
the next year’s fireworks extravaganza.
My latest fund-raising endeavor
is collecting money to pay back a Guardian Angel that has loaned me $2500 to
pay for legal fees for Norma Jean Knowles and Sue Damon as they are in the
process of having to defend themselves against trespassing and were also named
as possible perpetrators of vandalism by the Chairman of the BW&S Board. After hearing of water overflowing from the
BWSD property, down a forest service road and onto private property over
underground springs, these two ladies took a walk up the road armed with
cameras and wearing flipflops to investigate as concerned citizens of the community. For further information on this issue, read
the letter posted on the BWSD website.
When the board was questioned about the action to adamantly pursue
criminal charges, the response was “because they lied”. Anyone who knows these two women simply knows
that their integrity is stellar. Norma
Jean and Sue are fine upstanding citizens in our community and would never
cause harm to any person or property.
They volunteer hours of their time, talent and treasure to the community
and this action by the BW&S Board is extreme and totally unnecessary, in my
own opinion. Anyone accused of a crime
is “innocent until proven guilty”. What
happened to direct communication and conversation? What about a simple warning? After public outrage, Jan Jones attempted to
make a motion to stop the pursuit of charges for the good of the community.
However; the Chairman would not accept the motion and refused to consider an
amendment to the agenda. The police
report was filed in Kootenai County because Mr. Doney did not know that the
treatment site is in Bonner County.
Having to change the venue from Kootenai to Bonner may cost even more
for their defense. Hence, I have been
soliciting donations to pay back Bayview’s Guardian Angel and get these fees
covered as both ladies are on fixed incomes and do not deserve the stress of
trying to pay for legal costs. Having
one’s character attacked publicly and legally is stress enough. Besides the
main Guardian Angel that loaned me the initial $2500, there have been several
other angels that have donated and pledged to help cover this cost for Norma
Jean Knowles & Sue Damon and you know who you are. I express my sincere
thanks to all not only for myself but on behalf of Norma Jean & Sue. I am still in need of funding and would appreciate
any help in covering these costs.
Again, I would personally like
to thank all the angels for the gracious contributions to this cause, so far,
and for not running away each time you see me coming. Please know that when I ask for financial
support it will always go to a good cause and this is one that is dear to my
heart. These ladies are our friends and
neighbors that were just trying to keep our community safe. If anyone reading this article would like to
donate to help me pay back Bayview’s Guardian Angel or for general questions,
please feel free to contact me. The main
Guardian Angel wishes to remain anonymous and I am also keeping all
contributors of donations confidential.
Every little bit helps. Thanks
again & God bless all the angels in our community.
Jamie Berube
(509) 838-4651 x 012340 –
Weekdays 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
(509) 928-2570 – Evenings
& Few Weekends
(208) 683-5138 – Nearly Every Weekend
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