Time to Move Forward--Let’s Be Posititve!

The elections are over and the people have spoken.  But not very many of them.  In fact 600 fewer people voted this year than in 2005, even though our city’s population is now significantly higher. Think about that again. 600 votes could easily have changed two of the races in Coeur d’Alene.

Challenger Jim Brannon lost to incumbent Al Hassell by 202 votes.  Challenger Dan Gookin lost to incumbent Ron Edinger by only 366 votes. Very, very close.

I am positive this was not a mandate for the status quo.  And I am positive the incumbents will represent all the people, not the just the margin that voted for them. The numbers show that more than half of the voters are looking for a fresh start and constructive change. So let’s talk about how we, as a community, can start anew.

Positive solutions can come from all directions. Perhaps the city council can start a list of serious changes to consider, changes that will be discussed in public by our elected officials.  We should all be able to offer ideas and be willing to back them up with information and explanations.  Here are three of my suggested solutions:

First, the city council should call for some changes on the LCDC urban renewal board:

• A rotation of board members should be considered, with a maximum term of five years.
• The size and duration of the urban renewal districts should be reviewed and reduced to be project-specific.
• When a project is paid off, like McKuen Tower was last year, the tax revenues from that project should go back to the city immediately, not continue to go to LCDC until 2021, as is the case right now.  
• Tax revenues diverted to LCDC should be capped at a certain amount.
• All school levy money should go only to the schools.

Secondly, all major spending projects that are not essential to basic city services should be taken to a vote of the public.

And thirdly, more money should be budgeted for Channel 19.  This channel is a terrific lifeline of information for the citizens. Many folks don’t have cable television, so having recorded copies of all city council meetings archived in the new library would provide an important service to all.

It’s time to move forward in Coeur d’Alene. The election is over, the incumbents are back in their seats, but the voice of the citizens was loud and clear. We are looking for communication, clarity and change.  So let’s set aside our differences and work together on real, affirmative solutions for our community. I’m positive we can do it!