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Coeur d'Alene tribal member makes history

by Marc Stewart
| January 3, 2016 7:03 PM

Bill Weems is the first Coeur d’Alene Tribal member to be elected mayor of Plummer. The historical significance is not lost on the 60-year-old, who has big dreams for the rural community.

“Being the first tribal member didn’t escape me,” said Weems. “There is a small sense of trepidation, but it really hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The small city has had a tense relationship with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for generations. Weems plans to change attitudes with actions.

“We have to break through the ‘us versus them’ mentality,” Weems said. “It’s just us. We all live in this community.”

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s headquarters is located in Plummer and Chairman Chief Allan said, “We’re pleased with Bill’s election and we are looking forward to working with him and with the city of Plummer for the benefit of everyone in the community.”

In an effort to break down old barriers, Weems plans to attend tribal council meetings on a monthly basis to improve communication and help find solutions to common problems.

Weems knows being mayor won’t be easy — especially given the problems he’s facing. For example, the city of Plummer got a new wastewater treatment plant a few years back, but it came with unforeseen problems.

“Our infrastructure is a mess. We’ve got to fix it,” Weems said.

Tackling complex issues should be an easy transition for Weems, who graduated from the University of Idaho with an Organizational Sciences degree last month. He believes the curriculum, which features leadership, business, psychology, public administration, education, and communication courses, will serve him well in government.

“There is a focus on nonprofits and public administration,” said Weems. “Getting my degree really prepared me for this. I am thinking about going to get my master’s degree now.”

University of Idaho’s Dr. Richard Reardon praised Weems and said the organizational sciences program is an ideal choice for those wanting to work in nonprofits.

“Bill is very bright,” said Reardon. “He’s sticking closer to the public sector than some. But the degree is designed for people in smaller organizations or smaller shops within larger organizations.”

Going back to school wasn’t too hard, said Weems. “But I have a real issue with math and the University of Idaho was great. They worked with me on it. I was able to overcome it.”

Weems has three grown children and is married to Clare. He looks to the future with confidence that his degree has prepared him well.  

“We have so much to get done,” said Weems. “Economic development, crisis management, streets, policies, you name it, we will bring Plummer into the 21st century.”

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

  • 128 semester credits, and a final GPA of 2.50 or higher, 36 upper division (300-400 level) credits.

  • At least 32 of your upper division credits must come from the University of Idaho.

  • A maximum of 70 hours from a community college can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.

  • Complete that State Board of Education Core requirements or an Associate’s Degree (A.A. or A.S.); the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences requirements for a B.A. or B.S.; and the Organizational Sciences major requirements.

Get started and submit an application for admission to the University of Idaho and apply online, or print downloadable forms at www.students. uidaho.edu/admissions. Schedule an appointment with an academic adviser. Call (208) 667-2588 or email cdactr@uidaho.edu.

For more information and course offerings: University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene 1000 W. Hubbard Ave., Suite 242 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-2277 Phone: (208) 667-2588 FAX: (208) 664-1272 E-mail: cdactr@uidaho.edu

Adviser Professor Richard Reardon 1031 N. Academic Way, Suite 242 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-2277 E-mail: rreardon@uidaho.edu Phone: (208) 292-2523. Please note that academic programs are subject to change.

To learn about the organizational sciences program visit http://www.uidaho.edu/cda/academics/all-programs/orgsci

 

Marc Stewart is Director of Sponsored Content for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached at mstewart@cdapress.com or 208-664-8176, ext. 2011.