10 years ago in Shelley history: “The last straw” by Orma Barker

SHELLEY — Ten years ago in the February 1, 2001 edition of the Shelley Pioneer, Orma Barker’s letter to the editor titled “The last straw” appeared in the paper.

The last straw

When the city plowed my street and then came back to clean out the pile left in my driveway, it was the last straw. It’s about time I said, “Thank you for making Shelley such a nice place to live.”

I am quickly approaching the 21st anniversary of our move to Shelley in February 1980. I have seen our street plowed of snow when it got dangerously deep and sanded at the busy intersection corners. The city used to plow the snow into the center of the street and that made it hazardous for cars delivering kids to school as well as us having to find an alternate route to get into our driveway. Now they haul the snow away. This is a great improvement over nearby cities and I would like to say thank you.

The neatest thing Shelley has done in that time, in my estimation, is buying every household a big black garbage can with wheels. We
used to have lots of papers from the school and church blowing in our yard and it was interesting to watch soft drink containers blow across the street and into our corner. Have you watched the garbage collection in Idaho Falls lately?

I have heard that Shelley is a speed trap. I have driven here for 21 years with no problems. What does it take to slow some of these
drivers down to a normal legal limit? Again, thank you! There is one Shelley driving trick that has me a little puzzled, as I’ve never
seen it performed anywhere else; when a car is parked going south, in front of King’s, and it does a U-turn to end up going north in front of an oncoming car. I have seen it several times and wonder if it’s a clown trick or something normal for Shelley as in the 1J license stories.

We have had kind neighbors who are considerate with noise and parking. We have really enjoyed living close to the bigger city when we need services from there, but quiet and peaceful for enjoying our yard and home.

Please extend my thank you to those who are responsible for making Shelley, Idaho such a pleasant place to live.