Pocatello city council makes decisions on mural; zoo name

Thursday night, the Pocatello city council weighed in on the mural recently painted on the old firehouse building across from Pocatello High.

The mural does not meet the preservation commission’s regulations for Old Town Pocatello, but the public seems to like it.

People packed Pocatello City Hall to standing room to hear the council’s decision.

The council decided to uphold the appeal, and the mural will stay.

Though the majority of people like the mural, reactions to the decision were mixed.

Robert Billings, a lifelong Pocatello resident, said he thinks it’s great it’s going to stay.

“It’s beautiful, it’s not just a painted-on mural,” said Billings. “It is a 3D relief that has force perspective. I mean, it is awesome.”

Other people like the mural, but think the council was wrong in allowing to stay, against proper protocol.

“I’m disappointed that the procedure was not supported,” said Frank Hartlieb, a member of the arts council. “I’m disappointed that we will break the rules for one person when everyone else is expected to follow them.”

The city council also decided at the meeting to approve Pocatello zoo’s name change to Zoo Idaho.

Mayor Brian Blad also declared March 9 as “registered dietitian day.”