The mayor of Hayden may have said he resigned, but he escaped. Consider he and the old council unanimously passed a maximum property tax increase for Hayden in the summer of 2021, but left the city grossly understaffed for law enforcement per Sheriff Norris, understaffed for fire protection and the council adopted a 20-year plan focused on growth, particularly multi-family dwellings, that is apartments.

The sheriff indicated apartments are often a source of increased crime, especially since the former mayor wanted “affordable” housing. If Hayden filled all of its open spaces with apartments, the cost of homes or rent would not decline significantly and we would destroy the character of Hayden and reduce the quality of life.

The hearing the mayor believed would expose the city to litigation never occurred. The Coeur d’Alene Press gave him front-page space to proclaim his honor, but he simply ran for cover.

The Hayden voters rejected the growth plan electing two new council representatives who want to manage growth, not promote it. Hayden should protect taxpayers and ensure long-term elderly residents do not lose their homes to taxes and developers do not get wealthy on “affordable” housing projects in Hayden.

The new Hayden 20-year plan did not change any zoning but it did introduce “mixed use” zoning which enables commercial and multi-family/apartment housing to coexist. This plan will not preserve the Hayden we have come to love.

P. MAHLOW

Hayden