Good Evening Mr. Chairman and Members of the Board.  It is with great optimism that I stand before you tonight.  I am excited, as I hope you all are, that the need to make an immediate decision about Foregone taxes is no longer critical.  The pressure has abated and there is now time for more public involvement and dialog about the Education Corridor.

Developer Marshall Chesrown told the Press last week, in an article published on Friday, May 23rd, that he would not move forward with any alternative plans to develop the Stimson/ DeArmond Mill property if you can't come up with the money immediately.

He said he would not sell the land to another developer, for $20 million or even $30 million, and was quoted directly as saying "It's not for sale."

Mr. Chesrown was further asked if the deal would be cancelled if you, the college, couldn't come up with the $10 million dollars by the end of next year?  "No", said Mr. Chesrown, "All bets are not off".

Now, I realize he won't wait forever, and he said as much to the Press reporter, but Marshall Chesrown said he won't pressure you.

So, you can set aside your concerns about needing Foregone taxes and trying to hurry such an important decision. You can focus on the more important issue, which is improving public involvement, education and dialog on this subject.

I am here tonight to ask for a public Advisory vote on the Educational Corridor at the DeArmond Mill site.  I will not go into all the many questions and concerns we in the public have about the safety, traffic, parking, construction costs, and development issues associated with this site.  We all know that the decision to buy the land is just the first step; that it will commit the taxpayers of Kootenai County to a massive investment over the next several decades and that it will change the face of Coeur d'Alene forever.

This is a big decision.  It's a decision that should go to a vote of the people.

If you recall, back in 2004, there was a public open space proposal for the Hagadone Gardens in downtown.  It was an idea that would have cost no tax dollars but would have changed the look of downtown and rerouted a main street. Many people were supportive, some had questions and many were against the idea. Not unlike the situation with the Ed. Corridor today. Back in 2004, the City Council decided an Advisory vote might be the best way to allow public input.  Then councilman Ben Wolfinger said an Advisory vote was an "excellent opportunity", and  Councilman Ron Edinger said "Let the people weigh in, it's a big decision". (CdA Press, Dec. 8, 2004)

As you might also remember, the project was pulled from consideration by the applicant, so it never came to an Advisory vote decision.  But the concept is the same today.  This is a major decision. This decision will affect higher education in our whole region. We, the taxpayers of Kootenai County will pay for the project and we want to weigh in on this choice.  You have heard many of our area's State Representatives and Senators ask you not to rush this decision.  Rep. Bob Nonini, Chair of the House Education Committee implored you to take more time for this decision and include the public. Representative Mike Jorgenson does not support the idea and Rep. Frank Henderson has requested an Advisory vote as well.  Former Jobs Plus Director Bob Potter and  Coeur d'Alene Mines CEO Dennis Wheeler have both encouraged you to re-evaluate this decision.  And the local newspaper editor has written on the opinion page about his concerns and the need for more public information about this project.  

These serious community leaders are publicly asking you to stop, to wait, to take more time and include the citizens in this crucial decision.

Please seize the opportunity offered by Marshall Chesrown and postpone tonight's vote on Foregone taxes.  Have more public meetings. Share the details, costs and plans.  And please include an Advisory vote on the ballot in the Fall election.  The public wants to be part of this major decision for the development of Coeur d'Alene and the future of higher education in all of North Idaho.

Thank you.