Cd'A chamber opposes recall

Another community organization has come out against the effort to boot four elected officials in Coeur d'Alene.

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber's public policy committee and board of directors announced their opposition to the recall initiative that seeks to remove Mayor Sandi Bloem and City Council members Mike Kennedy, Woody McEvers and Deanna Goodlander from office.

A letter signed by Darin Hayes, chair of the chamber board and Steve Wilson, chamber president, states the business group opposes the recalls because:

"Targeting individuals for recall because of a difference of opinion is not an appropriate or valid use of the recall mechanism."

The chamber also shares concerns that the recall could have a negative impact on the economic stability of the city. In addition to discouraging competent individuals from seeking public office, the chamber says the recall could dissuade businesses, tourism initiatives and major events from choosing to come to Coeur d'Alene.

Several other organizations have come out publicly against the recall movement including the police and firefighters unions, the Realtors Association and Coeur d'Alene Public Library Foundation.

The citizens behind the recall effort are now circulating petitions in an effort to put a recall referendum before voters. They need to have 4,311 signatures on each of four petitions. The deadline for the signatures to be collected and validated by the county clerk's office is June 19.