Former Kellogg mayor dies

Former Kellogg Mayor and Councilman Merv Hill died over the weekend. Hill lost a battle to cancer after a long fight.

He was a councilman from 1982-1984 and then served as mayor from 1985-1995. Cancer forced him to step down.

Longtime friend and current Kellogg Mayor Mac Pooler took over the office in the mid-1990s. Pooler faced difficult issues, including the flooding of Milo Creek and dealings with the superfund site, which was established by the EPA in the mid-1980s.

"I told Merv that I was going to get even with him," Pooler joked.

Hill returned to office in 2002, but not as the mayor.

He came back as a councilman and was always a "settling factor" with his years of experience, according to Pooler. He was a significant aid with the funding and establishment of the Silver Mountain gondola in June 1990.

"He was very professional and never asked for any recognition. He put in many hours for this community. You simply won't find a better man than that," Pooler said.

Hill was also the chairman of the traffic safety commission for many years.

"He served on every committee there was in the community," said City Clerk Treasurer Terry Sharp.

Pooler said that after Hill became ill again about a year and a half ago and when his term was up for council in 2011, he would conference with Hill to get his input on certain decisions.

"Merv just wanted to be a part of things in Kellogg," Pooler said.

"He was quiet about doing his job and contributing to this community, you don't meet guys like that very often."

Current Councilman Terry Douglas, who also owns Kellogg Moving and Storage, served on the council alonside Hill off and on since 1985.

"He was a great man and he will be missed. He gave great guidance," Douglas said.