With the campaign to recall Mayor Bloem and Council Members McEvers, Kennedy, and Goodlander in full swing, some people remain confused about the $14.2 million being approved for McEuen Park. I ask the following question: "Is the cost of the accepted upgrades to McEuen Park the final cost of this project to taxpayers?" Absolutely not! In their own words, this represents Phase 1.

So, how many phases will they propose, costing taxpayers untold millions of dollars? All of the original proposals seem to be still on the table: for example, the parking structure, removal of the boat docks and replacement of the baseball fields are still there. The tennis courts have already been removed and the boat parking has been voted out.

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce has opposed the recall. Membership in this organization is heavily consolidated downtown, and it will be through our tax dollars that we will ultimately be paying for the upgrades to McEuen Park. No doubt, such a prejudice will only help a select few businesses. What about all of the other businesses in Coeur d'Alene that are not located downtown. How do they benefit? Is this fair and equitable to them? Do you really want a select number of businesses to become more profitable? Here's a novel idea: How about helping ALL COEUR D'ALENE RESIDENTS on their taxes. This could help alleviate some of the already burdensome taxes currently being levied against us in a very bad economy.

The Chamber of Commerce does not reflect the views of all Coeur d'Alene residents. In fact, I don't think the Chamber of Commerce even reflects the views of most of their own members. Were the members polled?

Why is the Coeur d'Alene Tribe weighing in on this issue? Is Chief Allan only speaking for himself? I agree with Chief Allan, there are democratic processes. THEY ARE CALLED ELECTIONS! The endorsements by the Chamber of Commerce and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe are nothing more than political "paybacks," very self-serving and irrelevant.

It's OK to dream big! The trouble is, citizens of Coeur d'Alene are going to pay a "hefty price tag" for someone else's dream, which only benefits a select few. Ask yourself the following question: Have your assessed property values gone down and your taxes gone up? "The truth has a certain ring to it," as Ernest Hemingway once said. I REST MY CASE!

We were given seventy-five (75) days to collect signatures for the recall, which was researched extensively with the Secretary of State and local city administrators. The State stepped in and reversed their original position and has now given us only sixty (60) days to collect recall signatures. They reversed their decision in just two (2) days. Is this political insider trading by our administration in cahoots with the State, calling in favors. Enough is enough. . . . We have been asking for our right to vote - and we have been ignored. For this reason, we have no choice but to recall the Mayor and the three (3) Council Members.

The Mayor and her "Oath-Taking Loyal Court" know full well that giving the residents of Coeur d'Alene a public vote on this critical issue would overwhelmingly defeat the McEuen Park Project. Please protect yourself against "taxation without representation" by helping us to PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors and sign the recall petition at Highway 95 and Bosanko, next door to Las Chavelas in the Sunset Village. Your vote really does matter.

McEuen Park does need some help. However, not to the extent of the additional taxes needed to pay for such a grandiose high-end park. This kind of park doesn't reflect the City of Coeur d'Alene that we all know and love.

Jean-Claude Flabel is a Hayden Lake resident.