For me the recent City Council election was all about the McEuen Field proposal and how it has been handled by the City Council. I am a conservative, independent voter and certainly not a Reagan Republican. I believe both George Sayler and John Bruning are honorable men who have a right to their positions on the McEuen Field proposal, but I voted for the winners in the election, Dan Gookin, Steve Adams and Ron Edinger because I believe they will be the most receptive to the public's concerns over the cost and magnitude of the current proposal. I also hope they will be unbiased in considering the possibility of keeping the Third Street boat launch open and keeping Tubbs Hill as a separate issue.

I do not believe it is in the best interests of the city to keep McEuen Field and the current parking lot just as they are. Any decisions made on this extremely valuable property will impact the city of Coeur d'Alene for decades to come. Who the proposed upgrades will benefit, especially the rank and file of ordinary citizens, needs to be reconsidered.

The current plan seems to be mostly about pleasing the wealthier citizens who live in the adjacent towers or tourists from The Resort. There was a great show of having public meetings and welcoming public input before the plan was adopted, but when the chips were down I saw little response to the public's legitimate concerns. I hope we will all benefit from the fresh perspectives and scrutiny of the new council members as well as the continued loyal support of the public's interest that have been pursued by Ron Edinger.

That being said, I was first amused then disappointed in the flyer from Dan Gookin that said, "If you like Barack Obama...You will love George Sayler." That was unfair. Call it like it is. It was a "smear" tactic that should have had no part in a city election. George Sayler said it well: "Local issues should be resolved on their own merits, not on partisan issues." I had already voted absentee, or I may have changed my vote. Just because I do not support the current McEuen Field plan has nothing to do with my attitude about privatizing Social Security, bailouts, national fiscal policies, etc. If this is a foretaste of the 2012 elections, I may be left with nobody I can vote for since I am also not a liberal Democrat.

I remain a fiercely independent voter that is looking for fair, fiscally responsible government. I expect a high level of integrity in candidates for both local and national campaigns that are seeking my vote.

VINETTA RUTH SPENCER

Coeur d'Alene