trevor brice north pacific yachts

The beginning.

What started as a fun family project trying to design the “perfect” boat culminated in the formation of North Pacific Yachts in January 2004, when the first NP43 arrived in Seattle for the boat show. At the time, John and Trevor Brice had been boating together in the Pacific Northwest for 23 years. They had owned several different boats ranging from 12–44', of all types, from trawlers to fast planing hulls. However, the two had never come across a boat that fully met their expectations — they found themselves dissatisfied with the way things were installed, the lack of storage, the poor layout and the equally poor overall quality. So, to address all these issues, John and Trevor put their experience and love of sailing to work and created North Pacific Yachts. Over the years, their boats have steadily evolved into our Next Generation.

North Pacific Yachts are built with a focus on achieving the highest level of quality so that your time on the water is safer and more enjoyable. Our vessels are built to ABYC standards and our construction techniques are both proven and modern. For example:

• We build time-tested, solid, hand-laid fiberglass hulls, but use modern vinyl ester resins in the outer layers.
• Our semi-displacement hull designs are stable, seaworthy and efficient at lower speeds while allowing for higher cruise speeds when the need arises.
• We install quality brand name equipment that is built to last.
• All equipment and wiring are easily accessible for times of maintenance.

Our boats have proven themselves all over the world in all types of different conditions from the freezing waters of Alaska to the tropics of SE Asia. This experience has translated directly into the creation of the Next Generation designs, which preserve everything our customers loved and improved on the rest.

The interior.

North Pacific Yachts are beautifully detailed inside and are built with world-class, warm and inviting interiors that exude quality. The soft wood finish, perfectly book-matched cabinetry and bent lamination techniques employed are sure to impress. We focus on proper direct and indirect lighting, giving the interiors a warm and inviting feel. Best of all, NP owners are able to customize their vessel to perfectly reflect their needs and style from major interior layout changes to the smaller details like grain orientation.

With features that allow for a long load waterline length (LWL) relative to the length over all (LOA), our yachts are designed to maximize usable living and storage space. We focus on high ceilings, large windows and materials that add to the comfort and feeling of spaciousness in our vessels. North Pacific Yachts are often compared to vessels 20% longer, giving owners the comfort they seek in a more manageable length.

The options.

We have made our ordering and commissioning process stress-free. Before we begin construction on any vessel, we have detailed conversations to understand your goals and requirements to ensure your vessel is equipped for an exceptional cruising experience.

You are welcome to customize your equipment list, but if you choose not to, the standard package we offer is equipped and ready to operate, except for a dinghy and personal items. In fact, you’ll find that many quality and often very expensive equipment/features that are standard on all North Pacific Yachts are optional on other offerings.

Customer satisfaction.

Most importantly North Pacific Yachts is dedicated to total owner satisfaction. Since 2004, we have delivered well over 150 fine vessels to happy owners. We see our customers as our friends and best advocates, and we stay in contact and take feedback and advice seriously, incorporating much of that input into our new vessels. Working with our customers has greatly helped us to improve and evolve our product over the years and has lead many NP owners to order their second or third new North Pacific. New NP owners and owners moving up within the line benefit from this vast collective experience and you can, too.

At NPY, we don’t operate through a 3rd-party dealer network, which means that we are able to ensure your experience from pre-order to post-delivery.

Contact us today to learn more about our vessels and how we can customize your perfect boat.

Set sail for your dream life...

When John went in search of a factory to build North Pacific Yachts, he knew exactly what to look for, as he has been dealing with the nuances of business in Asia for more than 35 years, even operating a factory in Taiwan for three years in the 1970s. In 1984, he founded Quality Craft Ltd; a company that has grown from one office and one employee to 10 offices and more than 70 employees throughout North America and China. Quality Craft Ltd. supplies hundreds of retailers around North America, from companies with just one store to the largest multinational retailers with a wide range of over 2,000 different products. John has imported billions of dollars worth of products and his extensive experience in dealing with manufacturers has been critical to the success of North Pacific Yachts.

After touring many different yards, in 2002 John met the owners of the factory that would become NPY and knew right away that they were the right partners. As the years progress, their relationship and product flourishes.

John currently enjoys boating in the Pacific Northwest but spent 5 years cruising Southeast Asia on his North Pacific 49’ Pilothouse. See this link for an article on his trip.

Trevor Brice

I’m told that I started boating when I was 6 weeks old, and I’ve been passionate about it since I can remember. We spent most summers on our boat cruising the BC coast and I formed some of my best memories here. Now that I have my own kids, it’s important to me that I give them the same experience. Having this experience is what drove me to start North Pacific Yachts and is what drives us all today. We aim to build the highest quality, most comfortable and capable boats that we can, so that you can enjoy your precious time on the water. A positive customer experience is our mission and at NPY your total satisfaction is our promise. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions, comments, or feedback.

Naval Architect

Andrea Viacava graduated as a naval engineer and architect from the prestigious University of Genoa in 2001. During his time at university, Andrea worked as a designer of mega yachts, cruise ships and ferries for Bitex, an Italian design company. After graduating, for seven years, he worked in the technical department for Fincantieri, the biggest Italian ship building company. He was later promoted to manager of the structural department and then to head of the Research and Production Engineering department. In 2009, he and his family moved to Taiwan and since then, he has been doing design work for Corsican Design.

Andrea has designed all North Pacific Next Generation models and continues to work on improvements and new designs.

Build Manager

Bill Nieman

With more than a decade of experience in the marine industry, Bill joined North Pacific in 2018 as Build Manager. He works with clients to create their dream boat, coordinates the custom build with the factory, and helps with after-sale support. A lifelong boater, Bill is passionate about his craft and is a full-time liveaboard. His wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as his easy-going personality, make the customization process smooth and enjoyable.

Malcolm Ellison has been commissioning and working on North Pacific Yachts since 2006. Since then, he has commissioned dozens of new boats and handling the warranty work in British Columbia. Malcolm knows our vessels inside out and is here to help customers at any time. North Pacific owners see the value in Malcolm’s service, with nearly the entire Canadian fleet bringing their boats back to him for yearly maintenance.

Rick Bunting joined the North Pacific team in 2007 when he took delivery of his own NP43. At the time, Rick mentioned that he wanted to commission the boat himself and did a great job in the process. Naturally, NP saw the value in Rick’s knowledge of his own boat and skills as a mechanic and welcomed him aboard. Since then, he has commissioned or helped commission every East Coast delivery in addition to providing excellent warranty work and after-sale support.

Dave Rasmussen has been in the boating business for 20 years. Since 2012, he has been commissioning the new NPs that arrive in Washington as well as providing outstanding service and warranty work. NP first met Dave through a customer referral, of which he gets many. Dave’s work is first class; he gets the job done and has a reputation to back this up.

Evan’s passion for the maritime industry started at a young age, and his obsession for all things boats continues to grow with each new North Pacific delivery. Evan started his professional career as an accountant, and his close attention to every detail is valued in a business where accuracy and communication is critical to a smooth process for the customer. Evan’s goal is to make the North Pacific experience enjoyable and to build long-term relationships with happy owners. In between boat shows and working with clients, Evan enjoys spending time with his family and cruising the endless paradise that is the Pacific Northwest cruising grounds.

The stunning factory contains over 200,000 square ft of covered workspace. On site, there are buildings dedicated to lamination, woodworking and metalworking. There is also a dust-free paint shop. Our yachts then near completion in our production area before reaching perfection in the final finishing area.

The factory also houses a well-organized and well-equipped storage facility, a large kitchen and beautiful offices for CAD design and production management. The riverfront factory has a travel lift, allowing boats to launch and become sea-trialed before shipping. They also have a large pool that allows for extended time testing the vessels in water.

Critically, management understands the need to produce quality vessels and to constantly improve. Their experience goes as far back as 1967 in Taiwan, constructing over 3,000 yachts in the process.

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North Pacific Unveils New 53 Euro Pilothouse

North Pacific Yachts just introduced its new 53 Euro Pilothouse at the Boats Afloat show in Seattle. It’s an updated version of a low-maintenance, modern, long-range cruiser built for the waters of the Pacific Northwest or just about anywhere else.

Trevor Brice, the president of North Pacific Yachts, wrote me that the 53 (pictured above) is the same as the builder’s 49 Euro Pilothouse except that the cockpit was extended. North Pacific first introduced a 49 Pilothouse model in 2013, and then launched a more modern version, the 49 Euro Pilothouse, in early 2021 (pictured below).

The Euro version has lighter colors throughout, larger windows, an aft galley with easy access to the cockpit, and wraparound windows in the pilothouse, instead of the raked windshield on the traditional 49. It’s a popular boat. Indeed, it won the People’s Choice Award at the Baltimore Trawler Fest last year.

The boat has a solid, hand-laid fiberglass hull. The superstructure and decks are laid up with synthetic honeycomb core. Standard power is a 355-hp Cummins, producing a top speed of about 12 knots and a range of about 1,600 nm at 7.5 knots.

North Pacific has other power options. One potential buyer was talking to Brice about installing twin engines, which would give the boat a top speed in the 16-17 knot range.

Experienced cruisers will welcome the boat’s two doors leading to the side decks from the pilothouse. It also has excellent visibility, twin helm chairs and seating aft that can convert to a pilot berth.

The salon is spacious and comfortable, made for relaxing. Large glass doors open to the cockpit, which on the new 53 has more room for entertaining, lounging, fishing and water sports.

Below, the standard layout calls for two staterooms, although you can have three, and two heads. The master is full-beam amidships, with an en suite head and enclosed shower, and large hull windows for natural light. The VIP cabin is forward, with a walkaround queen-sized bed.

With offices in British Columbia, North Pacific now makes cruisers from 44 to 59 feet. Many years ago, I tested a new North Pacific with Brice in Vancouver, and I was impressed by the craftsmanship and the quality of the boat, inside and out. It was a solid, well-finished cruising boat. Read more:

http://northpacificyachts.com

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North Pacific Yachts. Founded in 2004 Make your dream a reality

Description.

Who we are and how we started **NORTH PACIFIC YACHTS**

What started as a fun family project trying to design the “perfect” boat ended with the forming of North Pacific Yachts in January 2004 when the first NP43 arrived in Seattle for the Boats Afloat Show. At the time we (John and Trevor Brice) had been boating in the Pacific Northwest for 23 years and owned several different boats ranging from 12-44,’ from slow trawlers to fast planing hulls. We always found ourselves complaining about the way things were installed, the lack of storage or the poor layout. From our experiences we knew we wanted to have a yacht with good visibility from a pilothouse, a full beam spacious interior, covered outside areas, no exterior teak, easy access to all equipment among many other things. We worked on the design of the NP43 for years until one day we drew it up with chalk to scale on the pavement and asked a naval architect to look at it and put it into AutoCad. From there we spent another year working with the factory John had sourced in China and tweaking the design until we knew we had exactly what we were looking for.

John Brice: John has been dealing with factories in Asia for more than 35 years and even operated a factory in Taiwan for three years in the 1970s. In 1984 he founded Quality Craft Ltd (http://www.qualitycraft.ca); a company that has grown from one office and one employee (himself) to 10 offices and 70 employees throughout North America and China. Quality Craft Ltd. supplies hundreds of retailers around North America from companies with just one store to the largest multinational retailers with a wide range of over 800 different products. John has imported billions of dollars worth of products and his extensive experience in dealing with manufacturers has been a great help in making North Pacific Yachts a successful venture. Not only was his manufacturing experience vital but his creation of the Quality Craft model – a low-cost, high-volume business – gave us the experience we needed to look at how trawlers were marketed in a whole different way (see the FAQ section to understand more about the NP business model and our strategy to offering great value). John currently spends the majority of his time in Asia working to develop his China offices and new products.

Trevor Brice: I started boating at 6 weeks old and have been passionate about it ever since; spending as much time on the water as possible. My other passion is flying so after graduating high-school, I completed a 4 year program earning a Commercial Pilot License with a Multi-Engine Instrument rating. From a young age I was also very interested in my Dad’s business and so I also completed a business degree while learning to fly. Midway through the program I realized that flying everyday was not something I wanted to do and so we began discussing not only building the 43’ Pilothouse for our family, but also starting a business. During university I tried several other projects like importing electric bikes, art and even ultra-light aircraft engines from the Czech Republic. Seeing this as another good learning experience my Dad agreed to finance the business and from the start made it clear that it was in my hands while always making himself available for advice. Since North Pacific Yachts was formed in 2004 we have delivered more than 100 yachts to satisfied owners. I hope to continue to grow this business over the years and as you can see our line continues to expand. We now offer 5 models from 28-49’ and are planning other new models. I am dedicated to customer satisfaction and continually looking for ways to improve the quality of our boats and the service that we provide as I know how important it is to the future success of North Pacific Yachts.

Factory: The factory is a stunning facility with over 200,000 sq.ft of covered workspace. On site there is a building dedicated to lamination, a woodworking shop, a dust free paint shop, a building for metal working, the production building where boats are mostly complete and a final finishing area. There is a well organized and well equipped storage facility, a large kitchen for staff meals and beautiful offices for CAD design and production management. The factory is located on a river and has a travel lift so boats can be launched and sea trailed before shipping. Management experience goes as far back as 1967 in Taiwan with over 3000 yachts constructed.

on the web :

General Head Office & Sales Contact

Trevor Brice

604-377-6650 EMAIL: [email protected]

East Coast Sales Contacts:

Connecticut:

Andy Liljequist – 203-667-3546; [email protected] Rick Bunting – 203-434-5410; [email protected]

Dennis Browne – 352-342-4012; [email protected]

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We talk to North Pacific Yachts ‘ Trevor Brice about his company, their lineup of trawlers and how they are able to offer such great value to boaters.

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Sharki’s Wake

A fter a 35,000-mile and six-and-a-half-year circumnavigation aboard their Amel 50 Wasabi , Andrew and Patty Atkins were ready for something new. So when they returned to Canada they bought Peck’s Marina on the St. Lawrence River in Ontario. They also decided to move from sail to power and bought a used North Pacific Yachts NP43 power voyager. It was their experience with the NP43 and a good old fashioned human connection with Trevor Brice, president of North Pacific Yachts in Vancouver, BC, that led them to their present NP45, Sharki’s Wak e.  

While Andrew and Patty were still in the process of deciding on their next boat, Andrew attended the Annapolis Boat Show. Andrew hadn’t spoken to Trevor for two years but when he climbed aboard the North Pacific Yachts boat at the show, Trevor greeted him by name and asked how Patty was doing. That interaction, buttressed by their positive time with their NP43, helped the Atkinses make the decision to commission a new NP45.

The Atkinses had been impressed by the design and the fit and finish of the Amel 50. Andrew said that designer Henri Amel had done a great job designing the ergonomics of the boat and its many small touches spoke to Amel’s attention to detail. Andrew noted that their NP45 has a similarly well-thought-out design. When asked what especially appeals to him, he quickly rattled off a list of his favorite features: “The engine room access is wonderful, the finishing is great, the galley set up is great, the pilothouse is roomy — it all works.”

The Atkinses, who are based on a farm in Landsdowne, Ontario, ordered their NP 45 in 2015 and picked it up in Seattle in 2016. Their first cruise aboard Sharki’s Wake was north to Alaska. On the first leg from Seattle to Canoe Cove on Vancouver Island, the boat was still technically under the ownership of North Pacific Yachts, with Trevor Brice aboard. Once in Canadian waters, the Atkinses officially took ownership. From there they powered north to Glacier National Park, spending three and half months on their Alaska shakedown cruise.  

Later they put their NP45 on a ship for transport through the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale. They used Ft. Lauderdale as a jumping off point for an east coast cruise of the U.S. and Canada into the St. Lawrence and home to their base at Ivy Lea in the Thousand Islands. The Atkinses have since cruised the Great Lakes and plan an extensive cruise to Lake Superior this coming summer. 

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North Pacific Yachts Inc.

About north pacific yachts inc..

What started as a fun family project trying to design the “perfect” boat culminated in the formation of North Pacific Yachts in January 2004. At the time, John and Trevor Brice had been boating together in the Pacific Northwest for 23 years. They had owned several different boats ranging from 12–44', of all types, from trawlers to fast planing hulls. However, the two had never come across a boat that fully met their expectations — they found themselves dissatisfied with the way things were installed, the lack of storage, the poor layout and the equally poor overall quality. So, to address all these issues, John and Trevor put their experience and love of sailing to work and created North Pacific Yachts. Over the years, their boats have steadily evolved into our Next Generation. Proven, capable and luxurious, our vessels are built to the highest standards of quality so the owner's precious time on the water is safe and enjoyable. Our owners cruise in waters here at home and around the world, enjoying the yachting lifestyle with all the comforts and amenities of home.

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Lapwai, ID (83501)

Sunny. High 67F. Winds light and variable..

Clear skies. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.

Updated: April 1, 2024 @ 5:54 am

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Six candidates in the running for Moscow City Council

• Staff report
• Sep 9, 2023
• Sep 9, 2023 Updated Sep 9, 2023
• Copy article link

Six candidates are vying for three Moscow City Council seats ahead of Latah County’s Nov. 7 general election.

Incumbents Sandra Kelly and Drew Davis are each running while Councilor Maureen Laflin is not. Kelly is seeking reelection. Davis was appointed to his seat  in December by Mayor Art Bettge to fill the vacancy by Anne Zabala.

The other candidates are Bryce Blankenship, Joe Campbell, Evan Holmes and Nathan Tupper. The city council seats are four-year terms.

Six candidates are also running for positions on the Moscow School District Board of Trustees. Incumbents Jim Frenzel, Dulce Kersting-Lark and Dawn Fazio will all have challengers this year. Cody Barr is running against Frenzel in Zone 1, Gay Lynn Clyde is running against Kersting-Lark in Zone 3, and Jim Gray is running against Fazio in Zone 4.

Juliaetta is the only city where the mayoral race is being challenged. Incumbent Richard Groseclose will be challenged by Jeff Lohman and Eric McDowell. Wendi Dodge and Judi Fuller are running for city council.

Bovill’s William Stokes, Deary’s Jason Johnson, Genesee’s John Hermann, Potlatch’s David Brown and Troy’s Steve Corr are all running unopposed for mayor in their respective cities.

Christine Sanderson and Courtney Warner are running for Deary City Council. Jesse Aherin, Cody Bailey and Nyla Marie Roach are running for Genesee City Council. Jennifer Anderson and Darrell Bostic are running for Potlatch City Council. Cynthia Gray and Bill Abbott are running for Troy City Council.

There are five other school board races this fall. Jim Hermann and Kelley Porter are running for Genesee Joint School District. Ron Ireland, Steven McDowell, Justin Cowley and Ryan Lawrence are competing for Kendrick Joint School District.

Jessica Scholfield and Ryan Beckener are running for Potlatch School District. Kyle Osborn, Pamela Hilliard and Wendy Fredrikson are competing for Troy School District. Mandy Kirk, Brittany Griffin and Beverly Clark are running for Whitepine Joint School District.

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point

Lapwai, ID (83501)

Sunny. High 67F. Winds light and variable..

Clear skies. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.

Updated: April 1, 2024 @ 5:54 am

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Sandra Kelly

Bryce Blankenship

Joe Campbell

Evan Holmes

Nathan Tupper

• Liesbeth Powers/Daily News

In Moscow, six vying for three city council seats

Incumbents going against four aspiring newcomers.

• By Anthony Kuipers, for the Tribune
• Oct 31, 2023
• Oct 31, 2023 Updated Oct 31, 2023

Three Moscow City Council seats are open for election this fall and six candidates are asking for the public’s vote.

Sandra Kelly and Drew Davis are the incumbents hoping to continue representing Moscow residents. They are competing against Bryce Blankenship, Joe Campbell, Evan Holmes and Nathan Tupper. Residents will be asked to vote for three candidates at the polls Nov. 7.

The Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News sent all of them a questionnaire to let them share details about themselves and their perspectives on the future of Moscow. All but Tupper replied.

Why did you decide to run for office?

Moscow is a community where people can thrive and feel connected to others and the land of the Palouse in meaningful and intentional ways. And it is for these continued connections, both past and present, that I hope to represent our community on the City Council. I’ve wanted to continue to invest in this town that has given me so much, and I am excited to give back by offering my unique perspective and skillset on Council.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

My skillset as a philosopher and educator make me well-positioned to be an effective and encompassing City Councilor. I pride myself on being an intentional listener and learner — being patient and effective when it comes to decision-making and communicating those decisions effectively. As a senior instructor at the University of Idaho, I believe I am in a unique position to act as a conduit between students, faculty and the city. I will intentionally help grow the relationship between the University of Idaho and the city and be an active voice in various pockets throughout the community.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

The city must think about how to manage growth and development in sustainable, effective, and thoughtful ways. This means paying close attention to decisions surrounding fair and affordable housing, access to water, and various infrastructure issues. I will prioritize solution-based water management from insights and guidance from organizations like the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee. I will focus on data-driven metrics to help inform how to plan sustainably for the future. Additionally, I hope to be passionate about preserving and fostering the depth of our community connections —celebrating our unique intergenerational collective that makes Moscow so special.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first term?

First, I will always advocate for the city — I will be an effective and thoughtful voice as we are mindful of the present but look to the future. I will strengthen the partnership and relationship between the city and the university. I will support small businesses throughout the community and be active and intentional in the decision-making processes of issues listed in the question above. Lastly, I aim to bring people together and celebrate diverse viewpoints and perspectives in all corners of our town — all of which will contribute to moving Moscow forward.

I’ve always had an interest in politics and community service. Growing up, my family spent much of the time below the poverty level. Toward the end of my teaching career I developed an interest in political theory, viewing the concept of liberty in broad and varied ways.

Our life choices are a function of our abilities and our opportunities, but not all opportunities are equal. I want to help create opportunities in education, housing, transportation and health care. Equality of opportunity helps citizens become self-sufficient, and self-sufficiency makes for a better democracy.

I’ve had a successful, fortunate, and diverse life. Growing up in a single-parent household, with a wheelchair-bound sister, I went to high school in a town that was 40% Jewish, and graduated from a college that was 40% Black. While earning degrees, I waited tables, made deliveries and washed dishes. I eventually earned teaching awards, and I’m editing my 10th book.

I appreciate complex problems and diverse points of view. My experience organizing forums will be put to use. I can help Moscow have the important conversations we need to have to have the future we want to have.

According to the Climate Action Plan, we need to reduce emissions by over 50% by 2035, obtaining net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation is the third-largest sector in the plan. To reduce emissions, we need increased options in public transportation and active transportation such as walking and cycling. Public transportation is a Catch-22 since as transportation options increase usage will grow but we need usage to grow in order for transportation options to increase. To begin, we need to familiarize people with existing public transit options and seek input about which options they would use if given the choice.

Our progress on transportation in four years will be a gauge for progress toward net-zero emissions. One goal of the CAP is to encourage employers to develop alternative transportation incentives. For our efforts to be sustainable we need to work with businesses and developers. Business and homes need to be close for walkability and rideability to be options. Working together as a community, there are multiple ways to incentivize transportation options. I retired last spring as a professor after teaching 26 years at WSU. I have a unique ability to use my experience in academia for the benefit of our community.

In December 2022 I was appointed by Mayor (Art) Bettge to the City Council because of my professional background on planning and zoning, infrastructure, water planning and architecture. I decided to run again because I believe my perspective paired with my professional background is still needed on the Council.

I work in the western United States in several different cities where I get to see firsthand how they operate, and I’d like to be able to take the lessons learned and apply them back to our city here in Moscow.

Currently I’m the only one on the Council and candidate running who has a young family. The perspective of a young family is needed in our city when making decisions. We have incredible amenities and services for our residents such as recreation facilities and the parks, pathways, and rec programs. I always want to represent the young family perspective on issues and decision making. Moscow is a great place to raise a family, I want to ensure for years to come.

Frequently important matters are brought before the City Council that aren’t in the city council’s jurisdiction. I would like to have meetings and information sessions that are recorded and written information that helps instruct citizens what City Council does have jurisdiction over.

Refresher class of local, county and state government responsibilities. I could see this being an hour’s class twice a year where citizens could attend and be informed of the best path to resolve problems issues they see. I think this would be best if the class was taught by members of council, county and state elected official. Citizens could interact more effectively with the elected officials.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first full term?

I want to start a housing submit for the Palouse like the water summit. This would educate the public and bring different stakeholders such as financial institutions, universities, the city’s contractors, engineers, architects together to proposed solutions for our city. This would allow us to find alternatives for our city and region

Gratitude motivates me to run for office. For more than 30 years I’ve observed and participated in the machinery that runs Moscow. I’m winding down my contracting business, and now have time to use my accumulated knowledge and skills as part of a team of people who share my desire to make this the best place possible. I know the reward of public service from many years working for the National Park Service. In Moscow, Nancy and I learned the real value of community as we raised kids, operated businesses, volunteered where needed, and embraced its pace and quality of life.

— My business management experience, especially an understanding of contracts, budgets, deliverables, and timelines.

— My participation, over the past 30 years, in local public hearings (e.g., annual city budget), workshops (e.g., Moscow’s Comprehensive Plan), community organizations (e.g., Moscow Food Co-op), government boards (e.g., Zoning Board of Adjustment) and attendance at more than 200 city council meetings.

— My wife Nancy’s perspective, as a UI alum with expertise in public surveys and program evaluation; founder/owner of Beginning With Music; past member of ACMS and other boards; current member of Moscow Interfaith Association; and recent retiree from UI’s Office of Research and Economic Development.

— The short-term ripple effects stemming from a diminishing pool of affordable housing for rent or purchase: workforce pressures, food insecurity, transportation shortcomings, childcare deficits and deferred health maintenance are some effects that immediately come to mind.

— Measurable steps toward a permanent solution to our water supply issue.

— The 2025 budget will be a challenge. Taxes, fees, programs, revenues, needs, planning, etc., will require close examination, evaluation, and prioritization.

— “We,” not I, will have a road map for resolving the water dilemma, including a funding budget and timeline. Long-term development, property values, business planning, revenue structure, etc. are compromised by this uncertainty.

— “We,” not I, will have identified land and initiated a process for zoning, platting and preliminary design for residential development that allows smaller lot sizes for single-story starter homes and/or manufactured home installations.

— “We,” not I, will have forged stronger two-way dialogues with taxpayers, businesses, and overlooked/underserved populations, using creative social media approaches; a bolstered public input process at government hearings/meetings; and greater outreach to community organizations and neighborhood associations.

Four years ago, I decided to run for City Council because I wanted to take a bigger step into community service. At that time (2019), I had been with Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) for four years, had immersed myself into the nonprofit world, and wanted more. At the time I was a member of the City of Moscow Historic Preservation Commission, the City Human Rights Commission, President of the board for the 1912 Center, Heart of the Arts, an active leader in the League of Women Voters, on the board of the Humane Society of the Palouse, the film committee chairperson for the Kenworthy, a docent and volunteer with the Latah County Historical Society, and on the leadership team for the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse (AGMP). I may be leaving things out, but you can see, it’s a lengthy list. I was also active on the Moscow Nonprofit Roundtable group, which all allowed me to be very active within the Moscow community. The next natural step, at least to me, was the run for City Council.

I was fortunate to be elected, and my reasons for wanting to continue to serve are much the same.

I am still very active in the community. I left PCEI and went to work at Washington State University for the Center for Civic Engagement where I was the community programs coordinator and I helped create the Cougar Food Pantry. I worked there for two years, and when a similar position at the University of Idaho emerged, I jumped at the chance to work for the best land-grant university in the world. I am now the coordinator for the volunteer and civic action programs at the University of Idaho and I run the Vandal Food Pantry.

I continue to serve in many capacities in Moscow. In addition to being a liaison for several city commissions, I am on the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, on the board of directors for Inland Oasis, on the board for the Latah County Human Rights Task Force (though due to some scheduling conflicts, I may have to take on a nonvoting status there), I continue to serve on the AGMP leadership team, I am still a member of the League of Women Voters, and I am on the board of directors for the Latah County Historical Society. I served as President of the Council and as chairperson of the Public Works and Finance committee.

I have the capacity, knowledge and desire to serve, and that is why I want to continue serving as a city councilor.

As mentioned before, I have served in various leadership and board positions, and I have a 20+ year career as a journalist. These experiences have allowed me to not only hone my listening skills, but I know how to work with, and listen to, and help a variety of people. I am not afraid of hard work and long hours, and my only goal is to help our community members and to help our beautiful, eclectic city grow and prosper.

We certainly are struggling with affordable housing. This is not a unique problem in our state, or even in our country, but it is a real and growing problem.

Water is an issue, and while PBAC is celebrating its 20th year as an organization and has worked diligently to come up with long-term solutions to our shrinking aquifer, we must continue to seek alternatives to water conservation, and for that matter, to climate issues other than water. I think there are workable water plans that we can build on, but we must continue to focus on water and be able to move forward, but also pivot, if need be.

In terms of climate change, the city has been working with a focus for years on building a workable and robust climate action plan, and we are committed to battling climate change. I am proud of the work our climate team has put in and I value their insights and suggestions.

Always at issue is making sure we have the city resources to help our citizens. We have a comprehensive plan that we continue to update and implement, and we must continue to work within our means to make sure we have the structures, equipment and facilities to help our city and our citizens have a safe and healthy place to call home.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your next term?

This is an awkward question. I don’t have an agenda that states, “if elected I will …” and then have a list of things I want to implement and accomplish. The simple answer is I hope that by the end of my next term the city is continuing to maintain its streets, sewers, growth and management within budget, and in such a way people are happy and thriving in our town. I will work tirelessly to make this happen.

Naturally, to do this we must make sure the city is living within its means. We must make sure our growth is reasonable yet meeting the demands of people. I hope that in four years we have made a recognizable dent regarding affordable housing, and that people are not as stressed about housing. However, much of that depends on the Idaho Legislature, too. I hope that we are making strides in water conservation and carbon emissions, and I hope our downtown is thriving and diverse.

The Moscow-Pullman Daily News sent all of them a questionnaire to let them share details about themselves and their perspectives on the future of Moscow. Tupper did not reply.

Kuipers can be reached at [email protected] .

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Viking Truvor Review

Despite political pressures that have created one of the chilliest travel climates in Russia since the Cold War, Viking Truvor's regular "Waterways of the Tsars" river cruises between St. Petersburg and Moscow give Western passengers an in-depth, exceedingly comfortable introduction to the world's largest country.

Built in the former East Germany in 1987 for Soviet vacationers (think bare-bones cabins and bathrooms so small the sink doubled as a shower), the 204-passenger Truvor was renovated from stem to stern in 2013. Like its sister Viking ships sailing in Russia, Truvor merges a muted Scandinavian sensibility with a nod to its Russian surroundings. Light woods combine with blue and beige upholstery, and walls are hung with reproductions of vintage Russian maps and posters.

As a pioneer in Russian cruising -- the company owns its ships, rather than leasing them, and has operated there since 1997 -- Viking holds an edge in staff and programming. In addition to local guides, Truvor sails with three Russian tour escorts who provide expert -- and, at times, surprisingly candid -- commentary on the country's rich history and fascinating, complicated present.

Truvor's itinerary includes three days each in St. Petersburg and Moscow, with complimentary guided excursions. The ship docks about an hour's drive outside the city centers, but Viking offers free bus transportation for passengers who want to explore on their own, as well as detailed instructions on how to access the cities' excellent subway systems.

In between the major cities, Truvor winds through a web of rivers, canals and lakes (including Ladoga and Onega, Europe's largest), with scenery that ranges from wild to suburban. Highlights include a stop at remote Kizhi Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its wooden, onion-domed churches built without nails, and the "Golden Ring" city of Uglich, where passengers stop for homemade moonshine and conversation at the home of a local resident.

Fellow Passengers

Most Truvor passengers have taken at least one other river trip, and on a recent cruise, more than half of the cruisers were repeat Viking customers. While the average age has been skewing younger in recent years, the demographic for Russia cruises is decidedly 55 and older. American couples dominate, though this itinerary also draws Canadians, Brits and Australians.

Viking Truvor Dress Code

Like most river ships, Truvor emphasizes comfort over high style. As one pearl-draped London passenger noted somewhat disappointedly during an August sailing, pullovers and khakis were as common at the captain's welcome and farewell dinners as at every other meal, despite Viking's suggestion that those special evenings called for "dressy, but not formal" attire. (Those who plan to attend a performance at Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theatre might want to pack a sports jacket and dress, however.)

Layered clothing, comfortable walking shoes and rain gear are essential in Russia. Truvor sails between early May and mid-October, and even midsummer weather can be blustery and cold.

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