SOUZA: She's earned trust

I’ve been a lifelong resident of beautiful Coeur d’Alene and have been privileged to know Mary Souza. Mary was on the city’s planning and zoning commission when I first met her. I attended one of their meetings, as my oldest daughter was speaking on an issue important to her neighborhood. It was my first introduction to LCDC Urban Renewal. They discussed the ornamental fencing and other projects they would be funding for developers with property tax monies collected from taxpayers.

I was astounded to learn of the extent of taxpayer funding going on, so I wrote a My Turn column. As a business person for more than 40 years, who had to pay for my entire infrastructure from water to sewer to streets and sidewalks, I was astounded to see LCDC pay for new business expenses in selective areas.

Mary has worked hard to promote business in our town, but also to make sure the rules are the same for everyone. She understands the tax structure and its abuse in our town.

She listens, she cares and, most importantly, she respects the opinions of others. Mary is smart, friendly, calm and respectful, and her time spent on planning and zoning will be a great foundation to start Coeur d’Alene on a much needed new path. Her goal is not to promote herself by building $20 million parks, but to make Coeur d’Alene a great, affordable place to live as well as visit. When they begin to talk about Memorial Field, Tubbs Hill and our town’s beautiful history, I trust my friend Mary, and so can you.

KATHY SIMS

Coeur d’Alene Honda

District 4 state representative