New Community Sign - Hwy 16 County Line

A ‘SIGN' OF COMMUNITY COLABORATION

For many, many years, Gem County has proudly displayed a welcome sign at the Hwy 16 county line honoring our own championship boxer, Kenny Keene and commitment to the D.A.R.E. program.

Years of weather had taken its toll on the sign and it was in need of care. The Gem County Chamber of Commerce spearheaded an effort to do research on the sign. It was discovered that Keene no longer wished to have ‘his sign' at the Gem County corridor and the D.A.R.E. program had not been active in Gem County for several years.

With the idea that a new sign should be designed and erected in its place, a GCCC Community Sign committee was formed including Wisti Rosenthal, GCCC Executive Director, Pam Garrison, Black Canyon Partners/GCCC board member, Gina Thornton, Black Canyon Sporting Goods/GCC board member, and Kathy Moffis.

They wanted the new sign to represent the beauty of the community as well as preserve the rural-roots period-look that has been developed and is being implemented by groups like Squaw Butte Development, C.O.R.E. and the Revitalization Committee both downtown and throughout the community.

"When I'm asked how our small town gets so much done," said Wisti Rosenthal, Executive Director - Gem County Chamber of Commerce, "I am always so proud to say that it's usually a community effort; that many businesses and our City and County leaders are working together."

The current sign sits on land owned by Senator Brad Little who approved of the project, agreeing to continue the right to use the land for the new sign.

The committee agreed on a design, a rough sketch was drawn up from which Kathy Moffis was able to create a small-scale model. The sign concept, research and rendering were presented to the Gem County Commissioners who whole-heartedly voted to approve.

"I can't thank the Commissioners enough for their support," said Rosenthal. "They were instrumental in helping us through the process and contributing to the advancement of the new sign."

On March 31 at 12:00 noon, Mt. West Building Supply brought out the shovels and an official groundbreaking ceremony took place marking the final phase in creating the new "Welcome to Gem County" sign. 

Permits secured, the all-volunteer work will begin soon headed by Ron Rosenthal, Rosenthal Construction and Kathy Moffis whose experience in rock work will be the featured on the sign's columns.

Many other business have already agreed to volunteer or contribute including Mike Thornton/All American Excavating, Gary Garrison/CTG Enterprises, Kim Harnett/Kim's Paint Center, Idaho Concrete,  Jay Miles/Ironwork, Ed Youngstrom/rocks and Cathy and J. Jordan/rebar.

To find out more about this community project or to join or donate to the all-volunteer collaboration; contact the Gem County Chamber of Commerce at 127 E. Main Street or call (208) 365-3485.

COMMUNITY SIGN UNDERWAY (5/21/08)

After the official Gem County Chamber of Commerce groundbreaking ceremony, the big excavation job was underway. Mike Thornton, owner of All American Excavation, volunteered his equipment and services to prepare the ground for construction of the new Gem County community "Welcome to Emmett" sign.

"I was happy to volunteer my husband," said Gina Thornton, GCCC Board of Director & Black Canyon Sporting Goods owner. "Mike is a community-minded guy. This is a wonderful project organized by the Chamber and is only made possible by involving many, many community volunteers to make it happen."

All American Excavation is one of many community volunteers who will be working on the "Welcome" sign. For more information about the sign or to volunteer, contact the Gem County Chamber of Commerce at (208) 365-3485.

COMMUNITY SIGN GETS A FOOTHOLD (5/31/08)

In the next stage of erecting the new Gem County sign, volunteers set forms for footings last weekend.

Donations for the footings came, in part, from Don and Janet Sulgrove, owners of Bill's Machine Shop. They generously donated the channel iron used in the footing for the sign. Bill's Machine Shop and the Sulgroves have been longtime generous community supporters having volunteered services and products many, many times over the years.

Forms were built by Ron Rosenthal, Rosenthal Construction, who is also acting as construction supervisor for the overall project.

Volunteers pictured were finishing the excavation performed by Mike Thornton, All American Excavating, and placing forms for the base of the new sign. Forms were set and now await the next phase, the concrete pour.

Be sure to look for a report on each phase here as the community rallies together in creating the beautiful new Hwy 16 county line sign.