County seeking more than a janitor
January 16, 2014
Boundary County Commissioners are looking to replace a man who is nigh irreplaceable. Jim Thompson, who has kept the courthouse and county offices clean and shiny since 2005 after years at Mt. Hall Elementary, is set to join his wife, Lila, in retirement February 25.

Commissioners are seeking proposals from all interested in proving janitorial services in the Boundary County Courthouse, the extension office and the appraiser's office, to include the cost of supplies and a detailed work schedule.

A complete list of job duties is available from commission clerk Michelle Rohrwasser in the commissioner's office, 6452 Kootenai Street, Bonners Ferry.

What that description won't tell you is how beloved court house custodians can become, nor how integral they are to the workings of county government, and Jim joins another Jim to become a legend among courthouse employees to retire from the position.

Courthouse custodians have typically worked a shift that begins at 4 p.m., and the two Jims always started their shift with a visit to each office to say "hi!" and ask how everyone was.

For most courthouse employees, it was the highlight of their day.

Both Jims were prone to show up unannounced at any time of the day; Jim Thompson, an inveterate scavenger, to deliver a rare and hard to find item he'd heard someone mention in passing, Jim Parlow, an inveterate southerner with a flair for barbecue, was the central point for county celebrations and potlucks for years.

Most county employees who've been there for years, and that's an awesomely large number, can't name all the elected officials who served Boundary County during their tenures, but few ever forget the great janitors who keep that old building ashine.