By Mike Weland
The third flagpole north of the Boundary County Museum once again bears a brand-new flag waving, a flag that’s flown for decades, and Bonners Ferry has a new special occasion celebrated 365 days a year commemorating the community’s friendship with our Canadian neighbors.
After the passage of House Bill 96, an Idaho Freedom Caucus bill driven by Heather Scott in the House and Ben Toews in the Senate aimed at forcing the removal of an LGBTQ flag flying at city hall in Boise, it went into effect April 3 as IC-67-2303A, as poorly conceived as it is poorly written.
Within days, Bonners Ferry received a call from the Idaho Attorney General’s office ordering him to take down the Canadian flag that has flown near the foot of the Kootenai River Bridge for as long as anyone can remember.
At tonight’s city council meeting, Mayor Alonzo said that as the new law provided for no penalties he initially refused, but the deputy AG threatened a lawsuit for writ of mandamus, a court order commanding a public official or entity to perform a specific action that they are legally required to do, or to refrain from doing something they are legally forbidden from doing, for which costs and penalties could be steep.
The Canadian flag came down, but Alonzo did not give in. Conferring with the council and city attorney Andrakay Pluid, he came to tonight’s meeting prepared, and with the council in full accord.
With crews from Spokane television stations KXLY 4 and KREM 2 on hand, four members of the audience spoke in favor of keeping the Canadian flag flying beside ours, including Gray Henderson, who drew applause when he closed simply, “I’d like to see the flag back on the flagpole.”
Councilman Ron Smith was given the privilege of introducing a draft proposal of an ordinance by Andrakay Pluid taking advantage of a clause in the bill allowing foreign flags to be flown on special occasions.
Smith said it was a fine piece of writing, saying just what he felt, and he read it into the record:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BONNERS FERRY, IDAHO, DESIGNATING SPECIAL OCCASIONS TO COMMEMMORATE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CANADIAN NEIGHBORS.
WHERAS, the city of Bonners Ferry is the closest incorporated municipality in the State of Idaho to the Canadian border, as well as the first stop on the International Selkirk Loop, and
WHEREAS, the city of Bonners Ferry recognizes the positive impact and contributions made through Canadian tourism on our community, and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to acknowledge, recognize, appreciate, and celebrate our neighborly relationship with Canada, and
WHEREAS, cities in Idaho are bestowed with broad powers of self governance, including the ability to recognize local holidays or days of celebration.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BONNERS FERRY, IDAHO, THE FOLLOWING:
Section 1: The city of Bonners Ferry hereby designates that three-hundred and sixty-five days per year are a special occasion in the city of Bonners Ferry commemorating our city’s neighborly relationship with Canada.
Section 2: The city of Bonners Ferry will celebrate these special occasions by displaying the Canadian flag alongside the flags of the United States and the State of Idaho, flown in accordance with United States’ flag code.
Resolution No. 2025-006 council vote: Brion Poston, aye. Val Thompson, aye. Adam Arthur, aye. Ron Smith, aye.
At meeting’s end, Mayor Alonzo produced a new Canadian flag and he led a procession over to the empty flagpole. With the assistance of Bonners Ferry Police Chief Willie Cowell and audience members Gerald Higgs and Gray Henderson, both U.S. military veterans, he hoisted the flag of our friends and neighbors 35 miles to our north once again to its rightful place over Bonners Ferry.
“This is how we do it!”
Great job, Bonners Ferry! Makes me proud!
Well done!!!!!
Thanks from your friends and neighbors of Canada
It was a proud moment to contribute to the restoring of the Canadian Flag to it’s rightfully-earned place, here in the heart of Bonners Ferry! During my naval career, I served with Canadian Forces stationed at Decimomannu Air Base in Cagliari, Italy (1984-86) on the island of Sardinia, while I was aboard the submarine tender USS Orion (AS-18). I want to thank Senator Jim Woodward and Representative Mark Sauter for their support in restoring the display of the Canadian Flag. I refuse to bend to the will of out-of-state PAC’s and the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF)’s attempts to hijack the legislative agenda here in our great state. Further, I’m saddened by the actions of Idaho Attorney-General Raul Labrador in threatening our local officials. I extend my thanks to Mayor Rick Alonzo and City Council for their unanimous action in the immediate restoration of the display of the Canadian Flag. No one will break the bond we have with our neighbors to the north!
Thank you Bonner’s Ferry! So glad you have decided not to give in to this madness that is overtaking us. Our neighbors in Canada have always been friends. They have attended our sporting events, come down to ski, and hang out at our pubs and restaurants – we need to rebuild the bridge not continue to tear it down.
Awesome ! For as long as I can remember, Americans have always been very welcoming and respectful. The decision to put a Canadian flag back on your territory is a gesture of immense significance. Thank you all…
As a concerned citizen of the State of Idaho and someone who respects the rule of law, I am compelled to speak out
regarding a recent and deeply troubling incident that took place on government property in Bonners Ferry. A retired U.S.
Navy Captain, Gerald Higgs, in the presence of the Mayor, Rick Alonzo, of Bonners Ferry and the Chief of Police Willie
Cowell and former Mayor, David Sims of Bonners Ferry, raised the Canadian national flag on government grounds—
removing his hat in a clear act of homage—and did so in direct defiance of a newly passed Idaho state statute prohibiting
the display of foreign flags on public property without proper authorization.
This act was not accidental. It was deliberate, calculated, and symbolic. A retired officer of the United States military—an
individual who once swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution—chose to honor a foreign nation by removing
his hat and raising their flag on American soil, on government property, alongside two of the highest-ranking local
officials in the city. This is more than a breach of decorum or protocol. It is a blatant disregard for Idaho state law, passed
in 2025, which expressly prohibits this kind of conduct.
It is one thing for a private citizen to express personal opinions; it is another matter entirely when individuals in positions
of public authority participate in or condone unlawful activity. The involvement of the Mayor and the Chief of Police
makes this incident all the more egregious. These officials are entrusted with upholding the law—not modeling its
violation.
This public display, under the guise of solidarity or symbolism, has serious legal and civic implications:
1. 2. 3. Violation of Idaho Law: The statute restricting foreign flags on government property is clear. The law reflects
the will of the people and must be enforced without exception or favoritism.
Erosion of Public Trust: When law enforcement and municipal leadership break the law, or stand idly by while
others do, it erodes public confidence in the institutions meant to protect and serve.
Disrespect to American Sovereignty: Honoring a foreign flag on American government property, especially by
a former U.S. military officer, is an affront to the sacrifices of those who served under the American flag. It sends
a confusing, if not dangerous, message about national loyalty and civic responsibility.
This is not about the flag of Canada specifically—it could have been any foreign flag. The core issue is the sanctity of our
laws and the duty of those in power to model respect for them.
If public officials, and former officers of our armed forces, are allowed to circumvent state law without consequence, then
the law itself loses meaning. I urge state authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly and take appropriate legal
action. No individual, regardless of prior service or current office, is above the law.
Public service requires accountability. Patriotism requires principle. And leadership requires the courage to honor the
law—even when it’s inconvenient.
Respectfully,
A Concerned Citizen
Resident of the State of Idaho
Advocate for Constitutional Integrity and Lawful Governance