01/11/08 Potato board appointees; road, school funding

Three dozen people have been appointed to the National Potato Promotion Board for three year terms that begin March first. Idaho is well represented with reappointments for Noland Critchfield of Oakley, Cheryl Koompin of American Falls and Randy Hardy of Oakley. Four new Idaho board members are Jeff Gibson of Burley, Bevan Jeppesen of Rexburg, Alan Parks of Blackfoot and William Toevs of Aberdeen. Tom Church of Wilder will file a vacancy on the board for a term that ends February 28th of 2009. The Potato Board administers industry funded national research and promotion programs aimed at increasing exports and domestic potato consumption. Each potato producing state has a member but additions are made on the basis of potato volume production. The Pacific Northwest will get the lion's share of 389 million dollars in federal money under the Secure Rural Schools Act. That Forest Service revenue is distributed to 41 states for improvements to public schools, roads and stewardship programs. Idaho gets the fourth highest amount, 21 million 246 thousand dollars. Oregon gets more than 153 million while Washington receives 42 million dollars.