Journal Article by Kay Merriam

COME TO A COMMUNITY RALLY FOR JON BARRETT

Jon Barrett is missing. He is a person many of us would recognize either by name or as the guy seen about town with his four dogs. His family and friends are deeply concerned. They spend their days and nights meeting over and over again in attempts to piece together what might have happened to this fellow.

He was reported missing on Sunday November 9, 2008. He never leaves his dogs at home alone, but there they were, without him. His van was gone and then back again, but still no Jon Barrett.

His friends and family are going to have a rally at Caldwell Park on Saturday, November 22 at 1 pm. They request everyone who is concerned about Barrett to come to the rally where stories, questions, and sensible solutions can be shared.

Was it foul play? Did he decide to go off to some Pacific island and live out his days without the dogs, winter snow, and polarized politics? Did he join a monastery? We don’t know. However, because we often watch too much TV, it is easy to use one’s imagination to come up with some pretty far out stories.

The truth is that his family and friends need help in finding out what did take place. No reasonable answer comes to mind.

A little bit of history about Barrett tells us he has lived in Pocatello all his life. Jon Barrett worked for the railroad for 36 years and has been a small business owner, a hardworking member of the Democratic Party, and a contributor to many causes in Pocatello.

Barrett is a kindly fellow known for his friendliness and generosity. The fact that he has been missing for over a week should alarm all of us. Why? Besides the anxiety to his family and friends, he is a member of our community.

The Animal Shelter, the Pocatello Pet Palace, the Hawthorne Animal Clinic and various individuals have contributed time, medicine, expertise, and space to make sure the dogs are cared for. But, the hard fact is that Jon Barrett cannot be found.

Only through continued efforts will his disappearance finally be resolved. As a community we can all help by trying to assemble the pieces of this puzzle. Please come to the rally and please help find Jon Barrett.