Candidates for Coeur d'Alene City Council shared their views on labor, masks, urban renewal, accountability, and human rights issues in a digital forum Tuesday night.

Participating candidates were:

• Council Seat 2 — Amy Evans and Roger Garlock

• Council Seat 4 — JD Claridge and Woody McEvers

• Council Seat 6 — Elaine Price and Kiki Miller

Many candidates linked current workforce struggles with the regional housing crisis. Pioneer of the Regional Housing & Growth Issues Partnership, Seat 6 incumbent Kiki Miller, said the group is creating a "tool kit" to help "preserve and create homes for people who need to work here to live."

"We have a dramatic issue facing the people who need to live where they work," Miller said. "The collaborative work that has already started is providing vital information that can give us solutions to a housing problem that we need to solve."

Seat 6 challenger Elaine Price said the government should "get out of the way." Price said she would like to see developers find solutions to supplement affordable housing.

"I do not see a tax break for building affordable housing as a solution," she said. "Homeowners are already taking on the burden of growth because of the tax shift from commercial to residential."

Regarding how candidates would react if the Panhandle Health District or governor issued a mask mandate, all expressed concern.

Seat 4 candidate JD Claridge pointed out that he protested the Coeur d'Alene City Council decision to pass a mask mandate last year.

"I think that it is a personal choice," Claridge said. "It's not something that I should force on someone else, or they should force on me."

Current Seat 4 holder Woody McEvers said the topic of masks is something "constantly beating on us."

"(I believe) it is a personal choice just like the shots," he said.

McEvers said the council approved a mask mandate last October "for the right reasons," but he didn't support it as a business owner.

"I had to stay in business, and I needed people to feel comfortable," McEvers said. "If they didn't feel comfortable with us not wearing masks, then I wouldn't survive. My crew doesn't survive."

Seat 2 incumbent Amy Evans gave the city's Urban Renewal Agency an "A" grade but added: "There is always room to grow and room for improvement." Evans cited several benefits from urban renewal, including the Kroc Center, the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, and the new Atlas Park.

"Urban renewal has provided us a quality of life that we all enjoy here in Coeur d'Alene," she said. "It provides an opportunity for development within the city to happen faster than they would organically."

Seat 2 challenger Roger Garlock graded the agency a "D" due to his belief the development would have happened organically.

"With all the growth in the business, we have to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit, especially in small businesses," Garlock said. "I see it happening on East Sherman, as well as Midtown through Fourth Street and north Coeur d'Alene."

McEvers said he strives to keep an open mind and gain insight by interacting with residents as a councilman to remain at the forefront of community issues.

"I try not to come to meetings with my mind already made up, and I like to hear the different sides of things and ask questions," McEvers said. "I need clarity for me to try and make a good decision that comes from the heart on what's right for me in representing the folks."

Evans added that the public comments council members collect allow her to make the best decisions as an elected official.

"It's so critical to us that the community continues to reach out to us and provide their thoughts, input, and ideas," she said. "I will continue to look for any and all opportunities for the community to be able to reach us and share their thoughts."

As a councilman, Garlock said he would find more avenues for citizens to connect with the board.

"Just invite the public to come to talk to us, tell us what you think about our town, what your struggles are, or if you were a council member, what would you do," Garlock said. "That's the type of input I want individuals to share with me when I serve as a council member."

The six candidates unanimously applauded Coeur d'Alene for its dealings with human rights issues. Miller said she was proud of all who "stand up for those in our community," making it "a safe and happy place for everyone."

"I would like to see us join together as a community and step up even a little more," Miller said. "We need to push forward that this is a welcoming community that respects human rights for everyone."

Echoing other candidates, Price said she's inspired by "the quality of people that live here in Coeur d'Alene" who have come together to support one another.

"There is a caring heart here in Coeur d'Alene," she said. "It shows through how much we give, how much we support, and how much we help each other."

As a Coeur d'Alene resident, Claridge said he believes in "supporting all walks of life who want to move to this beautiful place."

"This community is wonderful, and there are a lot of really good churches and nonprofits in this community that support those who are in need," Claridge said. "I want to continue to make policies that will continue on that path."

Post Falls and Hayden City Council Candidates take the hot seat tonight at 6:30. It will be livestreamed on The Press Facebook page.

Individuals can find a recording of the Tuesday forum and supplemental candidate information on The Press website under the "Meet the Candidates" tab located at https://cda-meet-the-candidates-2021.webflow.io/.

The 2021 Election Town Hall Forums are produced in partnership with The Press and The Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber.