At the moment, Sandpoint officials seem to put the diss in dysfunction.

Even on a good day lately, City Council members and Mayor Ray Miller don't even seem to be able to agree to disagree. Wednesday's vote rejecting 3 acres of land for a park from the Idaho Transportation Department sunk matters to a new low.

Charges of voting based on personal views of the proposed Sand Creek Byway. Claims of secret meetings and hidden agendas. Veiled comments that "at least it's an election year" on both all sides.

You don't support the Sand Creek Byway. Cool. When a vote comes up on the byway, vote your conscience. You don't support the park. That's fine, too. Vote against the park.

But don't vote on one issue based on how you feel about another or because you feel slighted (even justly).

As our elected officials, we hired you to do a job — represent the views of the people of Sandpoint. Not to engage in petty bickering, snide comments or tit-for-tat political games.

Personally, I like the idea of another park. Summers at City Beach are almost as crowded as the streets around town. It would be nice to have a little more room to play as well as preserve some more green space for future generations.

? Caroline Lobsinger is the maaging editor of the Daily Bee.