City officials remember longtime clerk, councilor
ERIC WELCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 3 weeks AGO
Helen Newton
SANDPOINT — During a May 7 City Council meeting, several Sandpoint officials took a moment to express admiration and appreciation for Helen Newton, former city clerk and councilor, who passed away April 25 at 83 years of age.
Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm described Newton as “one of Sandpoint’s true matriarchs,” noting her combined 28-year tenure as Sandpoint’s clerk and a member of the city council.
“Helen was an absolute force of nature,” Grimm said. “Anyone who knew her knew how passionate she was about Sandpoint.”
Grimm told attendees that Newton was known for possessing immense knowledge of Sandpoint’s history and an abundance of information about the community.
“Some even thought she had a duplicate City Hall in her basement,” he remarked.
Grimm looked back fondly on his experience working alongside Newton during the tail end of her time as a city leader.
“She always challenged me to be my best, and she was a friend,” he said. “I thank Helen for all she did for me.”
Several city councilors recalled instances in which Newton had influenced them or offered mentorship regarding city administration.
“She's a role model for all of us — women, especially — in the Sandpoint area,” said Councilor Pam Duquette.
“She was always up for debate,” added Councilor Deb Ruehle. “We didn't always agree, but she was very generous in us being able to disagree agreeably and still maintain our friendship.”
Grimm remembered occasions during which Newton disagreed strongly with other administrators, but was able to respect her peers’ perspectives and “see what bound us more in unity and in agreement than disagreement.”
“We can certainly take that and learn from Helen,” he said.
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