Have a day, Chase Sanborn
Photo courtesy of CHASE SANBORN Chase Sanborn gives an exuberant thumbs-up with Kelly Allen (back left), Bill Gagne (back right) and Jack Johnson (front right) at this year’s North American Brewers Competition in Idaho Falls. Wallace Brewing left the event with a gold medal for their 1910 Black Lager and a silver medal (displayed by Johnson) for their Compressor SMaSH. Accolades such as this for Sanborn’s Wallace Brewing Company not only reflect well on him and his team, but also on the city of Wallace.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Sanborn (far right) takes part in this year’s Lead Creek Derby and Gyro Days event with his fellow gyros near the starting line in Mullan. Sanborn is a current member of the Wallace Gyro Club and its former president.
Photo courtesy of BREWERS ASSOCIATION More than 160 industry representatives with the National Brewers Association visited Washington, D.C., this year to advocate for craft brewers across the country. Representing Idaho, Sanborn can be seen wearing red in the second row.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
WALLACE — Have you ever had a beer made by the Wallace Brewing Company? Have you participated in the activities during Gyro Days? Or have you even simply walked the streets of Wallace?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you have benefited from the work of Wallace resident, Chase Sanborn.
Announced at the city council meeting this morning, mayor Dick Vester has proclaimed (his last as mayor) that Dec. 13, 2017, will be known as “Chase Sanborn Day” in Wallace to recognize and honor Sanborn’s work in the community.
Originally from Libby, Mont., Sanborn has played a role in almost everything Wallace since he moved here — showing that you don’t have to be from the area to do good things.
“I think we see it a lot that people who didn’t grow up in Wallace, grow to love Wallace,” mayor Vester explained when talking about Sanborn and his wife, Cathleen (originally from Chicago).
“Chase is a transplant here, and his wife…both have been real loyal to Wallace and the Silver Valley and have certainly put their heart and soul into making it a better spot.”
Most know Sanborn from his role as owner of the Wallace Brewing Company. WBC has grown exponentially since its creation in 2009, and really done its part to put the small North Idaho town on the map. From getting its product on the shelves of stores across the region to winning national awards for the beer itself, Vester is honored to have such an accomplished establishment in town.
“(WBC has) grown to something that could be anywhere, but they (Chase and Cathleen) made the commitment of having it in Wallace and its become very successful,” Vester said.
Outside the brewery, Sanborn is incredibly active with community events and projects. He is a current member of the Gyro Club and former president. Dean Cooper, Wallace city councilman and fellow gyro, said Sanborn has always been involved with putting on fundraisers for the event and organizing the Lead Creek Derby.
On top of being a member of this community organization, he has also been a member of the Wallace City Council since 1997, and currently serves as its president. Vester explained that even though much of his work with the council has been “behind the scenes.” Sanborn has essentially been his “right-hand man” as president.
“He’s spent hours and hours serving the city by going to meetings, going out and looking at projects, and he’s brought a lot of expertise… (that has) really helped to save the city a lot of money.”
This effort put forth is no small feat considering the many projects he is involved in with the city. Sanborn has taken point with the city’s sewer and roads projects, serves on the Silver Valley Transportation Committee, actively pursues grant funding for public projects, and plays the role of liaison between construction and government entities that work with Wallace.
As a fellow councilman, Cooper acknowledged his work with these projects.
“He’s on the streets committee and it’s more work than any other committee,” Cooper said with a laugh.
“(Sanborn) has been very diligent at going to these meetings and helping get projects funded and jobs completed,” he added.
From the public to the private sector, it appears that the brewery owner, gyro, and city council president has certainly done his part.
“He has been an integral part and these projects could not have gotten done (without him),” Vester said.
The full proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, Edwin “Chase” Sanborn was born October 19, 1962 in Libby, MT.
Whereas, Chase Sanborn graduated from Sandpoint Hight School in 1981.
Whereas, Chase married Cathleen Ryan in September of 1995 and consistently wins Husband of the Year awards.
Whereas, Chase was appointed to the Idaho Workforce Investment Board by Governor Butch Otter in i1999.
Whereas, Chase is a long standing member of Wallace Elks Lodge 331 and the Wallace Gyro Club.
Whereas, Chase is the Owner/Brewer of highly successful, award winning Wallace Brewing Company.
Whereas, Chase was elected to the Wallace City Council in 1997 and served the citizens of Wallace for over 20 Years.
Whereas, Chase served as city council President for may years and has been unwavering in his support of businesses and citizens of Wallace.
Whereas, Chase has shown unconditional loyalty to Wallace and its citizens.
Whereas, the Mayor, the council and the citizens of Wallace owe Chase a debt of gratitude for his many years of service.
Now therefore I, Dick L. Vester, Mayor of the City of Wallace, Idaho, do hereby proclaim December 13, 2017 as: “Chase Sanborn Day”