Quotes of the week

SUNDAY

"It's tough to see the lesson. It's still muddled. The fat lady hasn't sung."

- Ron Wuestenberg, of Financial Strategies Inc. in Clarkston, warning that although there are signs of recovery, the end of the economic recession may not yet be in sight.

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"In Idaho, this probably is the best place for queers. But it's still Idaho."

- Jake Finan, a 19-year-old University of Idaho student and member of the UI Gay Straight Alliance, saying Moscow is a fairly tolerant city for events like Saturday's Palouse Pride celebration.

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"From my standpoint, and this surprises me, painting is the hardest part. The ceiling took six tries. I tease Nicola and tell her she has PAD, painting anxiety disorder."

- Jim Haaland of Clarkston, who, with Nicola Witty, built their dream home overlooking the Snake River by hand.

MONDAY

"It's truly a world-class trail. No one goes away disappointed, and it's transformed the entire town. Now, the whole place feels like a support system for bikers."

- John Kolbe, owner of a bicycle shop in Harrison, Idaho, referring to the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes bike trail, which follows the railroad right of way from Mullan to Plummer; at 72 miles, it's the longest paved bike path in Idaho.

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"No marshmallows (puffy vests). And jean shorts for guys our age is a fashion no."

- Lexee Hoffman, a 16-year-old junior at Lewiston High School, offering fashion tips while shopping for school clothes.

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"There were people here before who took a lot on their shoulders to keep the hospital here. I feel really fortunate being part of it."

- Dr. Ron Sigler, of St. Mary's Hospital in Cottonwood, on the availability of medical care on the Camas Prairie. In Monday's Business Profile.

TUESDAY

"We will be lucky to probably hit half of the hunter harvest limit we have set. We are encouraged in the open country we will be successful. In the forested areas of central and northern Idaho it's going to be much more difficult."

- Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Tony McDermott, of Sagle, saying his fellow commissioners doubt hunters will be able to reach the harvest limit of 25 percent, or 220 wolves, this hunting season, the first for the formerly protected species.

WEDNESDAY

"Bruce was one of the few people in Idaho politics who could be deemed a statesman. He was very even-tempered, a gentleman at all times, and he wasn't petty. He rose above partisan politics time and again to try to accomplish things for the betterment of Idaho."

- Idaho Sen. Joe Stegner, eulogizing his political rival and predecessor, Bruce Sweeney, who died Tuesday.

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"This is one strategy that we feel is important to incorporate in our plan to improve the first-year experience."

- University of Idaho Vice Provost for Student Affairs Bruce Pitman, discussing the proposal to require all freshmen to live on campus as a way to retain students.

FRIDAY

"If the next revenue forecast is down slightly, we have the tools to address that. But if it's down significantly, trimming won't work. We've already trimmed a lot of the fat. It's going to be a case of the state no longer providing 'X' service. I don't know what 'X' is, but we're going to have to find something."

- Wayne Hammon, Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter's budget director, commenting on Idaho's economic picture for 2010.

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"Wolf hunting is premature. The states haven't demonstrated that they are ready to achieve and maintain legitimate wolf recovery. We will work to stop this indiscriminate wolf killing."

- Douglas Honnold of EarthJustice in Bozeman, Mont., one of the environmental groups that asked a federal judge Thursday to stop wolf hunting seasons in Idaho and Montana planned for this fall.

"It seems evident to us Idaho has followed all of the things that they have been required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to do. We feel like we have done everything we can to put us back in the management driver's seat."

- Nate Helm, executive director of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Idaho, saying the request for an injunction to halt wolf hunting was expected. His group intervened in the lawsuit on the side of the federal government and will respond to the injunction request.

SATURDAY

"I'd be ready to play, but I couldn't - they wouldn't give me my pads."

- Idaho strong safety Shiloh Keo, who missed the final eight games last season after a bone chip in his right shoulder required surgery, on his frustration with not being able to play.

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Quotes of the week are compiled by Eldy Schultz of the Tribune.