Wednesday, April 24th Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor, Scott Bedke, visited Weiser making stops at Weiser Memorial Hospital and Weiser Classic Candy & Deli. Bedke has been visiting small towns of Idaho over the past year sharing information on the new Idaho LAUNCH program that began this year. The LAUNCH program is intended to help prepare students for the workforce in Idaho. The grant program provides 80%, up to $8,000, for education and training programs to students who qualify. Lt. Gov. Bedke shared that college is not for everyone stating,“Our economy has been such that most kids can leave high school and get a job. But the autonomy they have if they have a degree or a certificate for a program is huge. It just leads to a better quality of life and a better paycheck.” Bedke continued sharing that only about 37% of Idaho students go on to earn any kind of certificate program and with the LAUNCH program the state is aiming to get it closer to 60%. “Our state’s economy needs the trades,” stated Bedke.
Lieutenant Governor Bedke shared that he had been to Weiser Classic Candy & Deli before but only as a patron. He met Owner and Operator Patrick Nauman back when Bedke was Speaker of the House, sharing that Nauman would always give him a small box of candy. During his tour of WCC&D Bedke learned about the history the candy shop has in the community as well as learning how the candy is made and processed. Also during the tour there was discussion on sourcing candy making products and the state of economics effect on the candy making business.
Bedke shared that he plans to continue visiting small towns in Idaho, “I am going to be an active Lieutenant Governor, not pining for anything else. Just keeping Idaho, Idaho,” he stated. When asked how he feels when visiting these small communities and seeing the effects of what’s been done so far he stated, “It feels alot like home to me.” Bedke will also be attending multiple graduation ceremonies throughout the state, including Weiser Highs graduation coming May 19th. And in case you were wondering what Lieutenant Governor Bedkes favorites from Weiser Classic Candy & Deli are, they are dark chocolate covered almonds, Divinity, and The Gold Digger.
