OPINION: Hagadone preserves our dream

By STEVE BADRAUN

I have often laughed as I said, “Duane Hagadone believes in the vision of Coeur d’Alene, just as long as it is his vision.”

My 10 years away, now only visiting our city, has given me time and distance to see more clearly about the transformation of Coeur d’Alene. I am now convinced that Duane Hagadone has done more than anyone to protect and enhance the foundation of this community that we love so much.

This 50-year marriage between Duane and the people of Coeur d’Alene has been so rocky at times. Often, we both would fight tooth and nail, exchanging body blows, red faces of anger, arms swinging, hurling screaming insults. We were woven tightly, chained to one another and many did not like it at all. We wanted that divorce but there was no way out.

If we believe that our city was and continues to be destined for this great surge of growth and change, we are fortunate to have Duane, his ambition and his dreams. Take a drive to the overlook on Potlatch Hill again. Look down on  our city over the solemnity, the green open space of his golf course. All other developers would not have been so kind to our open vistas and waterfronts.

Think about what it could have been without his vision. There would be buildings jammed on those greens. There would be no public boardwalk for an evening stroll into our lake. We would be locked out. It all would have been the property of some distant soulless corporation reaping only dollars on a spreadsheet.

Duane Hagadone’s dreams gave us pride again. Others saw the dream and wanted to be a part of that quest. They came to our town bringing their successes, their businesses, money, jobs, value and enthusiasm. All boats are rising with the tide.

Yes, there is some ugly stuff along the way, cheap designs, the boring sameness of it all, those damned old dated geraniums. Yes, there was some merciless taking when there should have been some giving. His vision, too many times, demands a scorched earth. We don’t have much of a say in his plan and this embedded ceaseless march for more wealth. Duane takes no hostages in his path. He eats the wounded.

Walk along the Centennial Trail and the groomed lawns, admire the city art, gaze across the lake. It was Duane Hagadone’s vision and many others followed his lead. Encourage his dreams, but watch him carefully, making sure that he gives when he gets. You won’t be on his Christmas list. Happily, neither was I.

Most cities envy us as they do not have this kind of person and this unending pursuit. Duane Hagadone stands alone as the person who, above all others, has preserved our dream.

Steve Badraun is a former Coeur d’Alene resident living in Tulsa, Okla.