Bonners Ferry touted as Idaho's Most Friendly Town

By R.J. COHN
Hagadone News Network

     BONNERS FERRY -- Cynics have declared for years that small town charm and hospitality in America is a thing of the past, that it has gone the way of the horse and buggy.
     But then they haven't made their way to Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
     Last Thursday, Bonners Ferry was honored with a plaque as Idaho's Most Friendly Town at the 2003 Idaho Governor's Conference on Recreation & Tourism held at Silverwood Theme Park.
     Presented by Governor Dirk Kempthorne to Darrell Kerby, Mayor of Bonners Ferry, the award grew out of Idaho's Corps of Discovery Passport Program, which fielded comments from tourists regarding the friendliness of Idaho's cities in questionnaires.
     Of all the feedback received, Bonners Ferry stood out like a star as the overwhelming choice.
     "It's a huge award, said Kerby, who accepted the award in front of a standing-room only crowd of over 300. "This honor demonstrates that people in Bonners Ferry are real, salt-of-the-earth people who are willing to go out of their way to help others.
     "If I was ever given a choice of a town to have an automobile breakdown in, Bonners Ferry would be it," he added. "We are what America used to be. By an large, people here value and accept you because of who you are."
     The ceremony was attended by Kempthorne, representatives from the Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho Association of Counties, Idaho Department of Commerce, AAA as well as executives from national travel magazines.
     The Corps of Discovery Program was originally designed to encourage Idahoans to visit their own state by travelling to each of Idaho's 44 counties and have their "passport" stamped along the way. It became such a success that the State of Idaho has decided to extend the program to the year 2006.
     Kerby credited the people of Bonners Ferry who meet and greet the public as being responsible for helping the city receive the award, especially Carl & Sherrie Hendricks and Margaret Mouat of the Visitors Center.
     "It also extends to gas station attendants, waitresses, the folks in City Hall and the courthouse, Sheriff's dispatchers and our merchants," he said. "The award is truly a broad reflection of our entire community."

Printed with permission from the Bonners Ferry Herald