As a fourth generation Coeur d'Alene resident and parent of two young sons, I am very thankful for the many accomplishments our community has witnessed and enjoyed over the past decade. Our city's leaders have had impressive vision and courage to create and implement the many incredible developments and amenities our community will embrace for generations.

The advancement of quality education has been one of Coeur d'Alene's key achievements this past decade. I commend and thank our leaders for making education an absolute priority. The development of our downtown library has been an amazing gift to every generation. All citizens are welcome, and all have the ability to enjoy and use this wonderful facility. The increase in attendance with the new library has been dramatic.

Our city has invested in the education corridor so our higher ed institutions may grow and prosper. The location of the NIC, U of I, and LCSC campus is incredibly unique and special. Our colleges and university needed the space and infrastructure to grow and our officials delivered. I am excited to see the opportunities this new corridor will create for our students and businesses. Education is a critical component to better and higher paying jobs, both for employee placement and business recruitment, and our leaders understand and promote this ideal.

As we look back at Tubbs Hill and this gift our region has enjoyed for generations, I am thrilled our city continues to create, design, and develop new projects that our current and future generations will treasure. We need a vibrant community, a place where people want to live because of its many amenities and the beauty it beholds. I'm proud to live in a city that has provided us a new library, parks, bike trails, public art, Kroc Center, and the upcoming McEuen improvements. Coeur d'Alene offers great places to see and enjoy. These projects help improve and define our community.

Economic development is critical for the health and prosperity of any city and our leaders have promoted this common goal. Public investment to create new opportunities for private investment and growth is an important role our city has embraced. We have seen the impressive economic impacts this relationship has produced. Hundreds of jobs have been created in Riverstone. The Mill River development became a reality with the help of city infrastructure. The education corridor lays the framework for new investment in education that will benefit our current businesses and give us better ability to recruit others.

Coeur d'Alene's officials and administration have accomplished more over this past decade than most citizens could ever imagine. I want to thank them for their impressive efforts, accomplishments, and courage to take us to where we are today. The process to achieve these successes was not always easy, but I am grateful they followed through and achieved these goals and dreams with dignity and respect.

As we transition into the next chapter of our city's leadership determined by the upcoming election, I ask that you study the candidates with care. Do they embrace progress? Do they support economic development and education? Will they serve in a positive and dignified manner if elected? Will they represent us well?

Our city's future can take two very different paths based on which candidates are elected. I ask that you make the important effort to truly understand the issues and vote on election day. Coeur d'Alene deserves nothing less than our very best effort to elect the most qualified candidates on November 5th.

Ryan Nipp is the current Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, EXCEL Past President, and Parkwood Business Properties Asset Manager.