Marjorie Ewing, July 2, 2010 and July 16, 2010
File
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
This collection contains recorded interviews with Boise citizens. Notable topics include Boise Bench history, Greenbelt history, Foothills Levy history, Boise Fire Department history, Boise Police Department history, and personal and political histories of former mayors and councilmembers.
Dates
- July 2, 2010 and July 16, 2010
Biographical / Historical
Marjorie Ewing was born in Wallace, Idaho and went to grade school in Burke, ID and Spokane, WA. Ewing attended Washington State University and received a degree in Bacteriology and Public Health. When her and her family came to Boise, they opened up the Ewing Animal Hospital. Ewing served on the Boise City Council from 1970 to 1982.
Extent
1.3 Gigabytes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Marjorie Ewing served on the city council during the urban renewal era. When she came onto the council urban renewal was well under way, and there was still support for it. As the years waned on, support for the idea of an enclosed downtown mall diminished, and the community was angered at the slow nature of development in the downtown.
In two interviews with Brandi Burns on July 2 and 16, 2010, Marjorie Ewing discusses her personal history, involvement with the Boise Little Theater, and how she became involved in city government. She describes her life growing up in Spokane, Washington during the Great Depression, and going to Washington State University while working in her mother’s diner. After meeting her husband, they moved to Boise, where Ewing became involved with the Boise Little Theater, and her interest in city government increased. She explains that being a member of the University Women in 1969 encouraged her to be involved in city government, and the need for an improved sewer system prompted her to run. She describes an outbreak of hepatitis furthered the effort to create the Northwest Sewer District. In her interview Ewing also covers the Public Library moving to its downtown location, urban renewal, and other aspects of the changing city. She also describes getting the coin-operated locks off the women’s bathrooms at the Boise Airport.
Time Index
July 2, 2010 Interview
Minutes Summary
Track One
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Ewing spoke about her life growing up in Spokane, Washington during the depression. She described going to college at Washington State University and working in her mother’s diner.
05:05 Ewing described her time working as the head nurse in the hospital clinic at Washing State University. She mentioned X-raying the chests of incoming freshmen at the university.
09:22 Ewing spoke about meeting her husband at a dance class while in college. She mentioned getting married in Moscow, Idaho for ten dollars.
13:54 Ewing described herself and her husband as always being interested in Boise. She also said that the Jane Jacobs’ book The Death And Life of Great American Cities encouraged her interest in the city.
15:25 Ewing discussed the effort to create the Northwest Sewer District. She explained that an outbreak of hepatitis furthered the effort. She emphasized the importance of an efficient pluming system.
17:15 Ewing explained that her husband’s health issues brought their family to Boise. She described joining the Boise Little Theater.
21:00 Ewing shared her memories of life during the depression. She mentioned specifically the bank failures and her father loosing his job in the mines. She also described how she was able to take piano lessons during this time which fostered her belief in the importance of music.
27:46 Ewing described her surprise and delight at the abundance of theater and music in Boise.
30:00 Ewing spoke of Boise in the 1960s and the changes she saw within the community. She mentions observing the need for an improved sewer system during this time.
31:47 Ewing discussed how she took a class in finance at Boise State University during her first year on the city council.
34:01 Ewing explained that she helped work at her husband’s veterinary clinic while also raising her family.
35:40 Ewing discussed her volunteer experience. She spoke about being a Girl Scout leader and president of the Parent Teacher Association.
39:05 Ewing explained that being a member of the University of Women in 1969 encouraged her to become involved with city government. This group of women would meet to discuss social issues.
41:47 Ewing explained that she was a newcomer to politics when she joined the city council. She described herself as never having been to a city council meeting before being elected to the council.
43:48 Ewing spoke about having city council meetings every Monday night. She explained how she prepared for the meetings by reviewing the agenda and familiarizing herself with different parts of the city.
44:57 Ewing described the sewage issue as being a major factor in her decision to run for city council. She also cites the city’s transportation issues as a reason for her getting involved in city government.
46:28 Ewing spoke about the importance of libraries to a community. She mentioned how important reading was to her growing up. She describes acquiring the building that now houses the main branch of the Boise Public Library.
52:31 Ewing discussed Amyx and how agreeable to work with he was.
54:20 Ewing praised the city employees she has encountered and the work they have done to improve the city.
End of Track
Minutes Summary
Track One
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Ewing spoke about her life growing up in Spokane, Washington during the depression. She described going to college at Washington State University and working in her mother’s diner.
05:05 Ewing described her time working as the head nurse in the hospital clinic at Washing State University. She mentioned X-raying the chests of incoming freshmen at the university.
09:22 Ewing spoke about meeting her husband at a dance class while in college. She mentioned getting married in Moscow, Idaho for ten dollars.
13:54 Ewing described herself and her husband as always being interested in Boise. She also said that the Jane Jacobs’ book The Death And Life of Great American Cities encouraged her interest in the city.
15:25 Ewing discussed the effort to create the Northwest Sewer District. She explained that an outbreak of hepatitis furthered the effort. She emphasized the importance of an efficient pluming system.
17:15 Ewing explained that her husband’s health issues brought their family to Boise. She described joining the Boise Little Theater.
21:00 Ewing shared her memories of life during the depression. She mentioned specifically the bank failures and her father loosing his job in the mines. She also described how she was able to take piano lessons during this time which fostered her belief in the importance of music.
27:46 Ewing described her surprise and delight at the abundance of theater and music in Boise.
30:00 Ewing spoke of Boise in the 1960s and the changes she saw within the community. She mentions observing the need for an improved sewer system during this time.
31:47 Ewing discussed how she took a class in finance at Boise State University during her first year on the city council.
34:01 Ewing explained that she helped work at her husband’s veterinary clinic while also raising her family.
35:40 Ewing discussed her volunteer experience. She spoke about being a Girl Scout leader and president of the Parent Teacher Association.
39:05 Ewing explained that being a member of the University of Women in 1969 encouraged her to become involved with city government. This group of women would meet to discuss social issues.
41:47 Ewing explained that she was a newcomer to politics when she joined the city council. She described herself as never having been to a city council meeting before being elected to the council.
43:48 Ewing spoke about having city council meetings every Monday night. She explained how she prepared for the meetings by reviewing the agenda and familiarizing herself with different parts of the city.
44:57 Ewing described the sewage issue as being a major factor in her decision to run for city council. She also cites the city’s transportation issues as a reason for her getting involved in city government.
46:28 Ewing spoke about the importance of libraries to a community. She mentioned how important reading was to her growing up. She describes acquiring the building that now houses the main branch of the Boise Public Library.
52:31 Ewing discussed Amyx and how agreeable to work with he was.
54:20 Ewing praised the city employees she has encountered and the work they have done to improve the city.
End of Track
Time Index
July 16, 2010 Interview
Minutes Summary
Track One
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Ewing discussed the redevelopment plan for downtown Boise. She mentioned the lack of a city center. She described Boise’s urban renewal as being an ongoing process which has not been completed yet, citing the loss of major shopping centers downtown.
06:22 Ewing spoke of the Eastman building being burned down. She also described the changes she had seen in Boise over the years.
10:05 Ewing spoke of the time she spent helping her husband with his business including helping with the finances and the billing.
11:12 Ewing describes the building that the city council formerly held their meetings in and her memories of the area.
13:10 Ewing mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Department head was in the hospital. She described his role with recreation programs designed for younger people.
14:30 Ewing discussed the growth of the city during her time on the council. She mentioned issues of zoning as well as the sewer system. She described working with the Public Works Department on the issue of expanding the sewage system.
15:45 Ewing described the success of expanding the sewage system. She mentioned that more people are now able to connect to the city sewage system.
16:35 Ewing discussed the interaction between the Boise city council and the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). She discussed the introduction of bike lanes to Boise’s traffic grid. She emphasized the growth of bicycle transportation in the city.
19:40 Ewing explained that the city council was constantly negotiating with ACHD over issues of transportation.
22:10 Ewing described the process of constructing the Greenbelt. She described seeing unprotected urban rivers running through cities in Montana and wanting to avoid seeing the river go to waste. She emphasized her belief in making the Greenbelt accessible and enjoyable to the citizens of Boise.
27:56 Ewing discussed the community response to the Greenbelt. She described the reaction as positive, though she mentioned resistance to the increase in property tax.
31:12 Ewing mentioned taking a finance class at Boise State University and passing on what she learned to the Public Works Department.
33:25 Ewing spoke about the intended role behind the Greenbelt. She described it as being a trail for walkers and bikers alike. She mentioned also the rules that were set in place for Greenbelt users.
36:47 Ewing spoke about the budgeting process for the Greenbelt project. She described the slow progress that was made towards the long term goal. She mentioned the five parks along the Greenbelt.
39:16 Ewing discussed the new city hall building. This demonstrated the good working relationship between the city and the county. The new city hall building was built with urban renewal funds.
41:25 Ewing discussed the various techniques used to help the public become excited about the Greenbelt.
43:11 Ewing described her time as liaison to the airport. She worked to have the coin operated locks taken off of the bathroom doors at the airport. She mentioned the resistance she received from the airport and the support she found in a columnist from the Sacramento Bee newspaper.
50: 20 Ewing explained that her husband worked as an animal veterinarian and with the Boise Zoo during the time when the city zoo was renovated. This was when the city first began charging a fee for zoo entrance.
End of Track
Track Two
00:00 Ewing discussed the changes she has seen take place in Boise.
00:51 Ewing described the dynamics of the city council during her time serving. She also explained her experience as the only woman serving at the time. She mentioned several times when she felt that she did not get support from other council members because she was a woman.
03:55 Ewing explained that she would spend Sunday nights visiting each rezoning site that would be discussed at the Monday night meetings.
05:22 Ewing discussed why she thinks it is that no women have run for mayor of Boise. She expressed her feeling that the council had as much if not more power than the mayor
07:00 Ewing describes the remaking of River Street. She spoke of creating loans for low income people in that area as well as developing new parks and walkways.
10:05 Ewing spoke of the defining moments during her time on the city council. She mentioned being reelected. She also emphasized the transformation of the city’s financing and the incorporation of computers.
13:14 Ewing mentioned that new housing developments were being built without sidewalks. She saw this as a safety issue and pushed to include sidewalks in future housing developments.
16:45 Ewing explained what she has been doing since she left the city council. She spoke of her involvement in the development of the geology museum. She also discussed watching over her grandsons and attending Boise State football games. End of Recording
Minutes Summary
Track One
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Ewing discussed the redevelopment plan for downtown Boise. She mentioned the lack of a city center. She described Boise’s urban renewal as being an ongoing process which has not been completed yet, citing the loss of major shopping centers downtown.
06:22 Ewing spoke of the Eastman building being burned down. She also described the changes she had seen in Boise over the years.
10:05 Ewing spoke of the time she spent helping her husband with his business including helping with the finances and the billing.
11:12 Ewing describes the building that the city council formerly held their meetings in and her memories of the area.
13:10 Ewing mentioned that the Parks and Recreation Department head was in the hospital. She described his role with recreation programs designed for younger people.
14:30 Ewing discussed the growth of the city during her time on the council. She mentioned issues of zoning as well as the sewer system. She described working with the Public Works Department on the issue of expanding the sewage system.
15:45 Ewing described the success of expanding the sewage system. She mentioned that more people are now able to connect to the city sewage system.
16:35 Ewing discussed the interaction between the Boise city council and the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). She discussed the introduction of bike lanes to Boise’s traffic grid. She emphasized the growth of bicycle transportation in the city.
19:40 Ewing explained that the city council was constantly negotiating with ACHD over issues of transportation.
22:10 Ewing described the process of constructing the Greenbelt. She described seeing unprotected urban rivers running through cities in Montana and wanting to avoid seeing the river go to waste. She emphasized her belief in making the Greenbelt accessible and enjoyable to the citizens of Boise.
27:56 Ewing discussed the community response to the Greenbelt. She described the reaction as positive, though she mentioned resistance to the increase in property tax.
31:12 Ewing mentioned taking a finance class at Boise State University and passing on what she learned to the Public Works Department.
33:25 Ewing spoke about the intended role behind the Greenbelt. She described it as being a trail for walkers and bikers alike. She mentioned also the rules that were set in place for Greenbelt users.
36:47 Ewing spoke about the budgeting process for the Greenbelt project. She described the slow progress that was made towards the long term goal. She mentioned the five parks along the Greenbelt.
39:16 Ewing discussed the new city hall building. This demonstrated the good working relationship between the city and the county. The new city hall building was built with urban renewal funds.
41:25 Ewing discussed the various techniques used to help the public become excited about the Greenbelt.
43:11 Ewing described her time as liaison to the airport. She worked to have the coin operated locks taken off of the bathroom doors at the airport. She mentioned the resistance she received from the airport and the support she found in a columnist from the Sacramento Bee newspaper.
50: 20 Ewing explained that her husband worked as an animal veterinarian and with the Boise Zoo during the time when the city zoo was renovated. This was when the city first began charging a fee for zoo entrance.
End of Track
Track Two
00:00 Ewing discussed the changes she has seen take place in Boise.
00:51 Ewing described the dynamics of the city council during her time serving. She also explained her experience as the only woman serving at the time. She mentioned several times when she felt that she did not get support from other council members because she was a woman.
03:55 Ewing explained that she would spend Sunday nights visiting each rezoning site that would be discussed at the Monday night meetings.
05:22 Ewing discussed why she thinks it is that no women have run for mayor of Boise. She expressed her feeling that the council had as much if not more power than the mayor
07:00 Ewing describes the remaking of River Street. She spoke of creating loans for low income people in that area as well as developing new parks and walkways.
10:05 Ewing spoke of the defining moments during her time on the city council. She mentioned being reelected. She also emphasized the transformation of the city’s financing and the incorporation of computers.
13:14 Ewing mentioned that new housing developments were being built without sidewalks. She saw this as a safety issue and pushed to include sidewalks in future housing developments.
16:45 Ewing explained what she has been doing since she left the city council. She spoke of her involvement in the development of the geology museum. She also discussed watching over her grandsons and attending Boise State football games. End of Recording
Names and Places Index
Spokane, Washington; Washington State University; Moscow, Idaho; The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs; Northwest Sewer District; Hepatitis outbreak; Boise Little Theater; The Great Depression; Sewer systems; Boise State University; Ewing Animal Hospital; Parent Teacher Association; Girl Scouts; University of Women; Boise Public Library; Jay Amyx; Redevelopment; Urban renewal; Eastman Building; Boise Parks and Recreation Department; Boise Public Works Department; ACHD; Bike lanes; Greenbelt; Montana; Boise Airport; Sacramento Bee newspaper; Boise Zoo; River Street neighborhood; Sidewalks.
Source
- Ewing, Marjorie J. (July 26, 1921-January 9, 2020) (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Collections Repository