Their living legacy

They have only days remaining in their tenure as Coeur d'Alene's leaders. Mayor Sandi Bloem and council members Deanna Goodlander and Mike Kennedy all chose not to seek re-election, and all have expressed great optimism at the potential of those who follow in their footsteps.

But before they leave - Kennedy after eight years, Bloem after 12 and Goodlander after 16 - we want to acknowledge the dramatic impact they've had on their community.

Put aside for a moment whatever differences you have with them. Because they've served the community so long and because they weren't afraid to do what they thought best, these three have clearly made some unpopular decisions. The Press has been critical of some of those, and in truth, there were times we found even talking with these leaders a tough task. But largely through their graciousness, we always found a way to sit down and communicate, and we've seen them do the same with many other people of disparate ideas in the community.

In our view, these three in particular did more than greatly influence creation of an education corridor along the Spokane River. Their fingerprints extend well beyond the community's new library and Kroc Community Center. Even McEuen Park, which will become a central point of pride for the entire region when next summer's grass grows green, won't be their greatest legacy.

These three changed a community's culture.

They were daring yet deliberate. Who else set aside money from capital improvements to ensure public art would grace the city? Nobody. Coeur d'Alene was the state's pioneer.

While not the first, Coeur d'Alene's City Council likely faced the fiercest opposition in Idaho to a human rights ordinance that is now becoming standard around the state. Agree or disagree with their decision or the consequences of that decision, but acknowledge that their motivation was pure. And that primary motivation was compassion.

This trio in particular will be reflected in local history as three of the most compassionate leaders Coeur d'Alene has ever known. They've faced relentless personal and professional assaults and, in most cases, they've returned vitriol with kindness.

Speaking of relentless, this newspaper has consistently criticized the mayor and council for what we believe is excessive pay and benefits for some city positions, but we also know that financial remuneration isn't the only reason people are drawn to certain work places or stay there year after year. In fact, for many people, money isn't the most important ingredient in job satisfaction.

This council, with Mayor Bloem leading the way, has treated its employees with kindness and respect, insistent upon creating and maintaining an environment that employers in both the private and public sectors envy. The culture these three fashioned over the years is less apparent on new buildings or parks or public art than it is on the faces of city employees and their families.

Happy people; that's the kind of legacy that matters most.