The current recall effort has generated a lively public debate. Many respected people have offered their counsel that the Mayor and City Council have been properly attending to their jobs, that simple differences of opinion over their official actions do not constitute adequate cause for removal, and that recall elections are only appropriate in cases of outright malfeasance or fraud.

However, the Idaho Constitution, Article One, Section Two, states: "All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same whenever they may deem it necessary." This right is absolute and includes not just the right to remove public officials, but also the right to abolish an entire governmental form. In this light, the current recall movement does have a legal and constitutional basis.I helped with the formation of Recall CdA, and was one of 20 citizens who signed the initial petition. I think this organization is comprised of earnest and intelligent people who care about Coeur d'Alene and are concerned with justice. I have not detected a sense of anyone having ulterior motives or any other motivations except a desire to change the direction of the city government and a willingness to work to achieve this goal.

Mounting a recall effort is not easy, particularly when concrete evidence of actual wrongdoing is not present. It is also difficult because those involved know that they will very likely be swimming against a strong tide of public opinion. Obtaining 4,311 signatures of registered voters on notarized petitions and then securing a majority vote in an election are both very high hurdles to surmount. People would not go to this much work if they did not have strong convictions about the issues. Even those who are dead-set against the recall effort might consider thanking the people involved for their public spirit, rather than disregarding them as being troublemakers or diehard naysayers.While there is considerable dissatisfaction with the McEuen Park plan, significant concern with other aspects of municipal funding, and frustration with the seemingly opaque nature of the Lake City Development Corporation, I do not think that a case can presently be made that the Mayor or any of the three named Council members are guilty of actions that are demonstrably illegal or fraudulent. As such, the recall movement is being brought forward on largely subjective criteria, and whatever shortcomings these targeted officials might possess should be carefully evaluated in the light of their greater achievements, and also of the many costs to the community of a recall campaign.I was impressed with a recent "My Turn" column by Jon Hippler, published on Friday, April 20. As a Coeur d'Alene native, boater, ballplayer, and long-time user of McEuen Field, Mr. Hippler made some valid points about the current recall campaign. He argued in defense of the current administration, and I agree that the citizens do owe Mayor Bloem and all of the City Council members a sincere expression of thanks for their tireless work, for their many noteworthy achievements, and for their willingness to endure a lot of public heat. Although I have supported the recall effort to this point, overall I must agree with Mr. Hippler's position that for those who have disagreements with elected officials and/or public policies, the much preferred direction is to raise up candidates for office, not to mount recall campaigns.

Maybe there is common ground that could yet be discovered and goodwill that could yet be renewed. Perhaps those in the administration might reach out anew and seek to engage these disaffected citizens in creative and constructive dialogue. Coeur d'Alene is our home, and we should strive to work together.

Jeff Connaway is a Coeur d'Alene resident.