Life for Coeur d’Alene Mayor Woody McEvers, or at least his outlook on life as mayor, changed shortly before Christmas. 

It was then he joined the city’s firefighters on their annual trek around town in a decorated old fire truck led by Santa Claus to collect food bank donations.

McEvers simply watched and took in the joy of the evening as families rushed out to wish Santa a Merry Christmas and make a contribution.

The delight on the faces of children was something McEvers couldn't forget.

“It wasn't about me. I was invisible,” he said. “It moved me a lot. It’s going to sound corny, but I saw our city from a different perspective.” 

That night ignited an inner debate for the 76-year-old McEvers, who took the city’s highest-elected office in early September after being appointed to replace Jim Hammond, who resigned.

Did the veteran councilor want to serve out the remaining 16 months of his mayoral term and call it good, or did he want to campaign to keep the post? 

It went back and forth. When he came on board, he figured at year’s end he would have more time with his children and grandchildren. 

But now, after the magical holiday trip around town, he says wants to stick around City Hall.

“It changed my perspective on the job,” he said. “I’m ready to step up.” 

McEvers said not only does he want to continue as mayor, but he believes he can do the job well for the city he has called home more than four decades, with more than 20 years on the City Council. 

“I thought, ‘I might be to make a difference,’” he said. “I don’t have answers to all the problems but I do see the way it works, how you get things done.” 

So, after being encouraged to do so, he decided it was time to leave no doubt that he wants to stay on as mayor of this city of about 55,000 people. His name will be on the ballot come November. 

"I’ll keep learning. I’ll keep trying,” said McEvers, known for his laid-back, casual vibe that followed him from his early surfing days and led to a Coeur d’Alene skate park being dedicated to him in 2021. 

In the four months since he’s been mayor, McEvers said it’s pretty much been on “autopilot.” 

He has spent much of that time speaking with leaders of surrounding entities and visiting with staff to be sure he understands how things operate. 

“It’s the way I do things,” McEvers said. 

When he looks around Coeur d’Alene, McEvers sees changes for the better, like McEuen Park, Riverstone and Atlas Waterfront Park. 

As a city councilor, McEvers was low-key. He listened, asked questions and offered input. 

He considers himself old-fashioned in life and in politics.

“I never look at myself,” he said. 

Those skills make him an effective mayor, he said.

“The mayor is always interested in what we can do to help others,” McEvers said.

He’s been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years, owning Rustler's Roost since 1983 with his brother.

Since becoming mayor, he spends about 30 hours a week in his office at City Hall, which he’s decorated with posters of skateboarders and jazz festivals that depict his personality. 

McEvers said being mayor, which pays $38,400, has given him a chance to “give out a good vibe and greet people and welcome people to our city.” 

Being mayor has been different than what he expected.

“It’s almost fun,” he said. “I think government could be presented in a pretty good light.” 

He has maintained a youthful, positive outlook, stays healthy, uses words like "narly" and jokes about his age. 

“I feel like so much older than everyone else. I’ve been around, I know some stuff,” he said. “I feel like I’m part of the history here.” 

He sees the mayor as someone in a “big picture” position, a person who presents calm, perhaps a guiding hand to the political process. 

“I'm trying to get people to come together and work things out,” McEvers said. 

McEvers will give his first State of the City address in March. He doesn’t plan to recite numbers or statistics to show the city’s success but deliver a talk that is perhaps marked more by personal insights, maybe even trying to inspire, because he believes there are greater heights to reach.

“I think it’s time for a little different perspective," he said.

Which is what he said he has always tried to do.

“I’ve been here most of my life,” McEvers said. “I feel like I’ve made a difference.”