North Idaho Worker's Memorial becomes reality
LOREN BENOIT/Press Dennis, left, and Kam Murphy, with Garco Construction, add a layer of sealcoat to the North Idaho Worker’s Memorial Thursday in City Park. The artwork recognizes workers that were killed on the job, or died due to illness or disease related to exposure at their job. A dedication ceremony will be held 2 p.m. this Sunday across from Memorial Field.
COEUR d’ALENE — Twenty-six Idahoans who died from a job-related illness or injury, as well as future casualties, will be permanently remembered thanks to the just-completed North Idaho Worker's Memorial Monument at City Park.
"It's to honor those who were killed and bring awareness to workplace safety," said Brad Cederblom, president of the North Idaho Central Labor Council, which spearheaded the project. "Many accidents are preventable."
On Sunday, in celebration of International Worker's Memorial Day in Idaho, the public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. for the memorial in the corner of the park across from Memorial Field.
Speakers will include Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, Occupational Safety and Health Administration Area Director David Kearns, Idaho AFL-CIO President Joe Maloney and Pastor Tim Remington.
A bell will be rung in remembrance of each person who died on the job.
Among those recognized on the monument are the Kootenai County deaths in January of Sandra Lynn Botz, who died from an infection after being scratched by a resident at a skilled nursing facility, and Donnie Dorame, who died working at an aerospace parts manufacturer.
There will be a tree planting today at the monument at the northwest corner of the park at 11 a.m. as part of Coeur d'Alene's Arbor Day festivities.
Cederblom said $42,000 has been raised for the monument and $20,000 more is needed. Garco Construction offered its general contracting services for the project at cost.
The monument has been planned for about 10 years.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Panhandle Parks Foundation, 212 Ironwood Drive, Suite D PMB 124, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
Donors of $100 will have the opportunity to have a 4-by-8-inch paver at the monument with an inscription. Donors of at least $500 will have an 8-by-8 tile, and $5,000 an 18-by-18 paver.
For more information about the project, contact Cederblom at 208-659-0505 or bradcederblom@gmail.com.