CAVE: Stay out of the dark, Cd'A

Partisan candidates for Coeur d'Alene city government are the tip of the CAVE (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) people who believe that Coeur d'Alene of the past was better. It was not. I lived it. After the crash of the mines and mills, thousands were out of work. Hundreds left town in search of economic relief. Young people left in droves as Coeur d'Alene did not offer a work-place future.

Jobs Plus and Urban Renewal (LCDC) started the turnaround. A modern hospital became the top tax base along with tourism. Manufacturing and distribution centers were researched and wooed to come to Coeur d'Alene and to Kootenai County bringing jobs as well as new citizens. North Idaho College and the Workforce Center educated and trained new workers and provided education to expand opportunities for growth.

I want a community full of pride in being the best we can be. I want a non-partisan city government as it is intended to be. We need businesses, schools, non-profits, city amenities and the humanities.

We need new faces looking forward. I'm voting for Widmyer, Evans, McEvers and Miller. I'm voting for the best our town has to offer. I'm voting for our future.

MARLO FAULKNER

Coeur d'Alene

SOUZA: Seesthe big picture

Not all economic development is equal. You hear from the proponents about how the refurbished park will increase tourism and create more jobs as a result. But we already have the Resort with its world class golf course, one of the most beautiful lakes in the country, innumerable area activities and countless other attractions. Is a refurbished park the deal breaker for travel destination plans? Exactly how many people do you think will say "I wasn't planning to go to Coeur d'Alene for a vacation, but now that they have refurbished McEuen, sign me up!" Any accountant could tell you that even IF the park causes 10,000 additional annual visitors to come to Cd'A, each of those visitors would have to leave behind more than $100 in city taxes just to break even on the park "investment."

Even if all the park-philes out there stampede in as soon as the park opens, what kind of jobs would this tourism create? Seasonal jobs, and with Obamacare, seasonal part-time jobs.

Now imagine that instead of spending $20 million turning a park into a park, we had installed a fiber optic internet backbone throughout the city. Fat data pipes are magnets for high tech, clean, information age business with their six figure salaries. Just as mines are dug where the minerals are, information technology businesses locate near high capacity internet capability.

The park is just one example of how the interests of the few, those whose interests are served by downtown development, have driven economic development. Their downtown myopia does not allow them to see the future and the prosperity we are all missing.

Mary Souza sees the big picture and understands there is more to the city than the downtown. Vote Mary Souza for Mayor on November 5th.

BRENT REGAN

Coeur d'Alene

WAGNER: For fire commissioner

First question, WHY? Well, Paul Wagner is a concerned citizen, not a politician. His actions are based upon the good of the people, not special interests. This is a man who has resided in Post Falls for over 30 years with his wife Sharon. They raised three daughters here and have always participated in projects for the community. As past president of the Post Falls Lions Club, doing good for others has just been a continuation of Paul's life.

Why? Well, because in these times when elected officials think the people serve them it is refreshing to know in Paul Wagner we have an elected official who feels he serves the people.

I strongly urge all citizens to vote, and to vote for Paul Wagner a man of integrity for Fire Commissioner.

GARY W. JOHNS

Post Falls

WIDMYER: Will help smart growth

Like a lot of Coeur d'Alene citizens, I am truly afraid of what could become of our city should Steve Widmyer not be elected Mayor.

I was born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, as were my parents. If it weren't for smart progress, begun decades ago by visionary citizens, and tended to along the way by courageous leaders, I am certain I would have been forced to live elsewhere. My children would know nothing of the life we now enjoy here in Coeur d'Alene.

It is time to elect the next steward of smart, thoughtful growth. We cannot remain competitive without embracing purposeful change. We cannot close the door behind us, and freeze Coeur d'Alene in time. We cannot turn back the clock, or stop being progressive. If we want to continue to live in Coeur d'Alene, and to improve the quality of life here, we must elect leaders who understand that the best way to do that is through job creation, improved infrastructure and well-maintained parks and facilities. Steve Widmyer understands.

I have gotten to know Steve just recently. He is generous with his time, and seems to prefer the sound of Coeur d'Alene's citizens to the sound of his own voice. He has an impressive business background, a commitment to family and community, and is not a politician. Steve's motive in his bid for mayor is to serve the City of Coeur d'Alene, not to serve his ego.

Let's not lose the positive momentum created in Coeur d'Alene over the past several years. I am grateful that Steve Widmyer is prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to serve as our Mayor. In the spirit of true community, let's allow him to do so.

LaDONNA BEAUMONT

Coeur d'Alene

SOUZA: Integrity you can count on

I want to endorse Mary Souza for mayor of Coeur d'Alene for a number of reasons. She is honest, reliable, highly intelligent, a person for the citizens and not the downtown core business group. She is absolutely right when she stated we need to have LCDC follow the state laws as pointed out by Ron Nilson. She will bring civility and fairness to the city council meetings and not allow employees to call city council members names in public which I cannot print here.

I would like to have had an advisory vote on the McEuen Park and this was not allowed. Mary will be open and bring transparency to the city. Mary does not own any property in the LCDC zones whereas Widmyer does. She would have no conflict of interest whereas Widmyer would have. In addition Widmyer is not a CPA as his mailers and handouts claim. To be a CPA you need a current license. He does not have one.

Widmyer is one of the good old boys and we need someone for the citizens and not the good old boys. We have had enough of that.

The salaries in Coeur d'Alene need to be reviewed and Mary will do this.

The city attorney is on a witch hunt now concerning a donation from a foundation which was returned. It will go nowhere and only serve to galvanize her followers to get the vote out.

I also want to endorse Betty Ann Henderson for city council in Post Falls. Betty Ann is experienced and smart and will work for the citizens. She may be a senior citizen, but I guarantee you she will bring fair representation to the citizens.

JAMES CROWE

Coeur d'Alene

see LETTERS, C7

LETTERS

from C6

COPELAND: A breath of fresh air

I'm taking Reclaim Coeur d'Alene flier's advice to not vote for establishment, so I'm voting for Amber Copeland Seat 4. A breath of fresh air she is. No more "lock step" for me.

HIRAM MADLAND

Coeur d'Alene

EVANS: Helped Sorensen soar

I strongly support Amy Evans for Coeur d'Alene City Council. When Amy was PTA President of Sorensen Elementary, I worked with her in her effort to keep Sorensen Elementary open when it was slated for closure. Amy had the vision to see the value in keeping Sorensen open. She had the organizational and leadership skills to bring parents, educators and the community together to find solutions to the issues.

Despite setbacks, Amy exhibited true grit and never gave up. Her determination was essential to keeping Sorensen Elementary open. And even after the decision was made to keep Sorensen open as a Magnet School, Amy went on to chair and organize an extremely successful annual gala dinner and auction which has raised substantial funds to financially support programs for the Sorensen students.

Amy's leadership at Sorensen Elementary exhibits her strong commitment and positive energy in successfully serving the public. These same skills make her an excellent choice for Coeur d'Alene City Council.

ROGER SNYDER

Coeur d'Alene

JACOBSON: Has respect for voters

Candidates must speak the truth.

When seeking endorsement of political activist groups who can effectively affect the election result, it is tempting for candidates to cater to that group's ideology. But political claims must stem from the truth if voters are to be properly served. The facts will eventually emerge and erode the candidate's credibility if claims are incomplete or have gone beyond simple political exaggeration.

For instance, Kerri Thoreson has stated she never voted to raise property taxes but official records state otherwise. Her voting shows on 9-16, 2008 she voted yes on the ordinance to levy $261,833 in forgone taxes and a 3% ($230,802) property tax increase. On 9-6, 2011 she voted yes on the ordinance to raise property taxes by 2% ($218,000). In total, the taxes she voted for add up to $660,635. If voters check the record they will find these are the facts.

Increased revenue is sometimes justified. Were these? Maybe and maybe not. The voter would have been better served if Kerri had justified her tax increases rather than hiding them. I'll be voting for Ron Jacobson who is experienced in making decisions following an open, factual discussion of the problems of the moment. He respects the public's ability to think and evaluate. He'll be a great mayor.

TERRY STARKEY

Post Falls

THORESON: No crowd player

CDA PRESS August 17, 2011 POST FALLS - "The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night approved a 2 percent property tax increase while approving a $16.9 million fiscal 2012 budget. After hearing 10 residents speak - mostly opposing a tax hike and the largest public turnout for a budget hearing in recent years - the majority of the council said it believes a tax bump is necessary to maintain service levels after having no increase the past two years. The council voted 5-1 to increase taxes. The lone dissenting vote was made by Kerri Thoreson."

Ron Jacobson said in a Press story that Kerri Thoreson was "playing to the crowd" with her vote against the tax increase. Really, Ron? My husband has not had a raise in 5 years and Kerri - Listened To Our Concerns! I believe Kerri was being responsive to the citizens she was elected to serve. Under Ron's so-called fiscal leadership on the city council property taxes were increased in eight of those years.

We're voting for Kerri Thoreson in the mayor's race. She will continue to represent the citizens of Post Falls. My husband and I firmly believe that Kerri Thoreson is the only smart choice for the citizens of Post Falls.

TINA-MARIE SCHULTZ

Post Falls