OpenCDA

May 22, 2012

Tubb’s Hill is in Danger Again!

Filed under: The City's Pulse — mary @ 2:23 pm

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

Remember last May, when the City Council passed the $39.2 Million dollar McEuen Park Plan in front of hundreds of citizens who were holding signs asking for a Public Advisory Vote before approval of the plan?

The public’s request for a vote was officially rejected two separate times that evening. But Councilman Mike Kennedy threw some crumbs to the common folk when he motioned that Tubb’s Hill should be removed from the McEuen plan.  It was.  And all the Tubb’s Hill people let out a big sigh of relief. Maybe they thought McEuen was in jeopardy but at least Tubb’s was safe.

Well no, it’s not.  Tubb’s Hill is back in the mix of city projects. 

This morning’s Press reveals that a north side trail on Tubb’s is in the City’s new draft of their Natural Open Space Plan.  One of the things the Press did not reveal is that the north side trail language was “slipped into” the city’s plan after the Tubb’s Hill Foundation had given the plan their tentative approval, according to Foundation President Jennifer Johnson’s open letter to the public, which was online last week.  You can read her letter here: http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_012121da-a07c-11e1-b1b4-0019bb2963f4.html   

Let me just repeat again:  The City quietly “slipped in” the language for a north side trail, without the knowledge of the Tubbs Hill Foundation!

The Tubb’s Foundation is very upset. They have now passed a resolution which says, “THF opposes any language in the Tubbs Hill Management Plan that refers to the north side of Tubbs Hill.  This includes, but is not limited to, any proposed construction of a new trail, realigning of any existing trails, construction of a new trailhead at the City parking lot or any trail encroachments across the north face of Tubbs Hill.”

Here’s the concern:  The north side of the hill is very steep.  To cut a decent trail will mean gouging deeply into the hillside, creating big retaining walls and removing a great number of trees.

The City’s plan also includes a trailhead at the new McEuen parking lot south of city hall.  And the City plans to have a number of ADA parking spaces right near that trail head.  What does that indicate to you? A wheelchair accessible trail on the north side will require even greater destruction of the hill, which is something the Tubb’s Hill Foundation adamantly opposes.

But the City is playing games.  They’re saying it’s not the same north side trail as in the McEuen proposal.  They’re calling it the “City Hall Trail”.  Jennifer Johnson told me it’s exactly the same place as the previously proposed north side trail and will pose a grave threat to the hillside.

So, who are you going to believe?  The Tubbs Hill Foundation, whose web site says: “Our goal is to serve as a champion for Tubbs Hill as a natural area, so that it stands as a beacon, both now and into the future, for everyone who wishes to enjoy the presence of the same natural forest experience in an urban setting that has been here for generations past. We speak on behalf of the Hill to preserve for future generations this visual jewel of a forest sanctuary set in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene.”

Or will you believe the City, that promised last May to remove any changes to Tubbs Hill from further consideration on the McEuen Plan, but then quietly slipped the changes into the Natural Open Space Plan?

And please don’t forget the City’s already working on a new, flatter, wider wheelchair accessible trail on the East side of Tubbs, which will go 1,400 ft to a nice viewpoint. The Tubbs Foundation originally approved it, but now the City is calling the section a “Pilot Project”.  That language scares me.  It predicts more of the same and, in fact, today’s Press says “A pilot project means if it’s deemed successful… then the city could look at doing the same to other trails.”

This is all in line with what I’ve been told is the Mayor’s “vision” for Tubb’s.  She hasn’t said it publicly, to my knowledge, so it’s still a rumor of sorts, but I’m told she wants a level, smooth pathway with railings all the way around the hill.  I’d guess that safety lights, benches and restrooms on the hill won’t be far behind.

Has the City asked YOU about your vision for Tubb’s?

The ONLY way to protect Tubb’s Hill and McEuen is to change the people in the seats on City Council. This business of making promises and then playing word games is ridiculous.  It breaks trust and is disrespectful to everyone.

We can’t bide our time to vote these people out in 2013.  By then, Tubb’s Hill could be radically changed, the boat launch, ball fields and parking irreversibly altered.  And huge amounts of taxpayer money gone.  All without your vote.

Have you signed the Recall CdA petition yet?  If not, you’d better hurry, our time is very short. Please remember: Signing the Recall petition does not recall these officials, it only puts their names on an election ballot.  It does not take away anyone’s vote.  In fact it gives everyone a vote.  They can vote to keep Mayor Bloem, Kennedy, Goodlander and McEvers, or they can vote to remove them from office now.

If they are voted out, temporary replacements will be appointed by the remaining city council members, who are all in favor of protecting Tubb’s Hill, the boat launch, the ball fields and your tax dollars.  And then a regular election will be held in November 2013.

The Recall GIVES everyone a vote now and another vote in 2013.

We Need Your Help… PLEASE SIGN TODAY!

Recall CdA Headquarters is in the Sunset Mall, right across Hwy 95 from Fred Meyer.  Call us at 704-1596 or on the web at www.recallcda.com

Sign the Petition and GET a Vote on the future of OUR town!

************************
Mary Souza is a 24 year resident of CdA, local small business owner and former P&Z Commissioner.   Her opinions are her own.  To sign up for the free weekly newsletter, or access a free archive of past columns, visit www.marysouzacda.com  Comments can be sent to marysouzacda@gmail.com.  Please visit the local issues web site www.OpenCdA.com for more discussion.

64 Comments

  1. “Otherwise I would recommend that you quit quoting from that site.”

    Why? You met with Mike. He knows what you said. He has made a choice – to leave the words that refute your claims up for all to see. Just as we see you attacking with venom those who disagree with your clearly flawed and biased point of view.

    In my opinion, this speaks volumes, about what Mike thinks and about who you are. May I recommend you quit ATTACKING the words of your so called friend and rethink what you are doing here?

    Just my thoughts this gloaming end to a brightly sad Memorial Day. Just

    Comment by justinian — May 28, 2012 @ 8:56 pm

  2. JohnA, as one of the two owners of this web site, let me tell you to STOP bossing commenters around. You told Justinian, “Failing that, please don’t post again on this issue because it only proves your ignorance.”

    You are not in charge here and you’d better get an attitude adjustment, and quick. Fair warning.

    Comment by mary — May 28, 2012 @ 9:15 pm

  3. Also, John, you continue to imply that Mike McDowell agrees with you. He obviously does not or he would have changed the info on his web site.

    I will ask (not demand) that you post the FULL quote from Alan Dornfest of the Idaho Tax Commission. Do you know it John? I do, and your snippet of a quote does not do it justice.

    Also, I have a quote from Erick Keck, City Admin. of Post Falls, who told me to my face that urban renewal causes everyone’s taxes to increase.

    So get off your high horse, John. You are sounding desperate and out of control.

    Comment by mary — May 28, 2012 @ 9:21 pm

  4. Mary, actually I am done here. If you have Erick on the record as saying taxes are higher you need to get him to post it here. Otherwise it will remain as empty as your other claims.

    Good luck to you and the other recall advocates. When the issue of your truthless solicitation of signatures sees the light of day, you will need it.

    Comment by John Austin — May 28, 2012 @ 10:22 pm

  5. One more thing. I never impled that Mike McDowell agreed with me. Don’t put words in my mouth. I said I won’t speak for Mike, who has been in public service for nearly 30 years. He doesn’t need me to speak for him. I encourage you to discuss this with Mike. As this issue moves forward he will likely be called upon to explain his position, not me.

    Comment by John Austin — May 28, 2012 @ 10:28 pm

  6. Go out for the evening and all heck breaks loose but in the end hallelujah if finally John A speaks the truth about being done here! Can’t stand the heat then do get out of the kitchen for crying out loud.

    Justinian has done nothing wrong but merely post what our assessor provides to the public that needs no further explanation from the assessor as straight forward as it is, apparently John A is opposed to freedom of speech also! The hostility is unmistakable and completely out of line now with Emphasis directed also at me. For some reason John’s focus where municipalities are left funding services as a result of the URD’s causing such deficits in addition to the completed URD projects not contributing as others do to fund the required services was to cram the idea down our throats that the affected municipalities were instead attempting to bring in all the revenues dished out to the LCDC into their budgets that nobody has suggested certainly not me. Far from fact and truth after going down that road with me, now it’s about water from the bathtub.

    I’m now told once again what the issue is with John never mentioning that in our debate before and if anyone is all over the place it is John A. Seen that tactic before. Guess I’ll never learn what municipality acknowledged they must never ever raise their budget to address the shortfall and instead see that the staff do more work with no additional funding as only John A persisted but never supported in fact and reality one time. Oops my fault it’s now about the postulated bathtub issue.

    At one point John A squared off stating how the Recall would be challengeable in court based on giving false information. With assessors in different parts of the State formally acknowledging taxes being raised, a School District suing a URD due to the tax shift, and even the STC debating taxes being raised along with different State Representatives I don’t see where anyone would find a improper motive that would give rise to a legal challenge based on where John A goes. Any reasonable person can grasp the motive unless of course you are one who has received monies from different URD’s who would never be part of such a legal process in its determination. Hopefully the spin-doctor has really left the house.

    Comment by Appalled — May 28, 2012 @ 11:17 pm

  7. Says John Boy (again):

    Mary, actually I am done here.

    ROTFLMAO! What a joke. Johhny has been “outta here” a dozen times now. When he gets boxed in and the entire world sees that he is stuffed more full than a turkey dinner, he runs for the hills. Once the heat simmers down, he will return to troll.

    One more thing. I never impled that Mike McDowell agreed with me.

    PS Johnny, yes you have. Again and again. Just as you have misquoted and misrepresented what Dornfest said. You flat out lied.

    Comment by Pariah — May 29, 2012 @ 6:36 am

  8. So Mr. Austin does the “tail-tuck” and runs away rather than answer my questions.

    So much for Mr. Austin. Maybe he Meester can craft a private place to commiserate, or perhaps they will just use the sandbox at that Spokane paper.

    Just softly chortling to myself. Just

    Comment by justinian — May 29, 2012 @ 3:33 pm

  9. Just, the fact is that I will not stoop so low as to try to educate you and the others on this site again. You are all too ignorant to understand the basics of what I am posting so I will no longer waste my time. I will use my pulpit at the Coeur d’Alene Press to state facts and refute the mistruths flowing from the recallers.

    I had hoped that Mary and Bill would encourage a truthful and civil debate on issues so important to our region. Instead, nothing but conflict, disdain, ignorance and disrespect.

    I feel really sorry for the lot of you. And, I am not alone. Every day I run into people who’ve come here trying to see what the recall is all about, only to leave and never come back. Instead of useful discussion from the people of knowledge and respect, all of whom you’ve chased from this site, you are now left to yourselves.

    Feel free now to go about your head-nodding ways of irrelevance.

    Comment by John Austin — May 29, 2012 @ 11:24 pm

  10. Boy what a piece of work you are John, constantly twisting everything possible in multiple directions and simply never sticking to what you call facts for one minute when defeated again and again. Then comes the I feel sorry for you card, just grow up and get a life. I have addressed several times your bogus so called facts in good faith to find it is all rhetoric. You have educated not one thing and entered no rational discussion with what you bring. Spin everything possible far from what one has begun to debate with you into all kinds of different claims and levels to get to where just you go – just unbelievable.

    Let me get this straight, you’ve’ been waving this flag that you’ve spoken to two people and insist we do the same, your way, your people, and address what you’ve changed up many times far from what you originally claim. How could anyone possibly back that? One publicly posts information that completely contradicts you and still you can’t handle that and continue on with some sort of tangent then literally got hostile and far from rational. The other has not publicly stated anything close to what you make it out to be and still common sense doesn’t even compute for you. You, John you, if on such solid ground then you bring them in formally to go on the record provided they can keep up with the spin and twisting everything many different directions. Nobody will play that ridiculous game. If anybody wants to get on board and support your special interest, it just hasn’t been seen yet.

    So many times you have cut and run when it comes down to it and cannot support anything but the most biased ignorant self serving positions claiming hey I’m the professional here load of crap I’ve ever seen. It’s fact because I said so, I’m right because I said so, nobody here knows anything about how any of this works, and how dare you respond without jumping through my hoops and talk to the two people I have – John you truly are a legend in your own mind, just go away, far far away!

    Comment by Appalled — May 30, 2012 @ 1:40 am

  11. They can’t change there budgets – it can’t be done, they also don’t have to follow changes in the UR laws, and the municipalities financially affected by URD’s must just work harder. You’ve heard it here first, the problem is it’s only just John Austin. Wait he can support everything it’s fact because he said so then add what about that weather, the bathtub deal, and I feel sorry for you. Now your talking we all get it – it’s like talking to a child in the middle of a tantrum. Nothing can be narrowed because when that happens and pointed questions are raised no more John Austin who instead returns and expands it into something else. What a ride – All Aboard – NOT!

    Comment by Appalled — May 30, 2012 @ 2:16 am

  12. Appalled

    It is not just John. It is almost EVERYONE that holds any type of government position. Look at the teachers that keep whining how they “DID NOT GET A RAISE”. In THIS economy? The city workers NEED their raise. In THIS economy? Administration keeps giving themselves raises and more perks. In THIS economy? Has congress cut THEIR pensions, benefits or pay. In THIS economy? Has the President of the United States used his OWN money to fly AF-1 to go campaigning. In THIS economy? Has John A realized his UR is just another corporate welfare tax sucking scam that caters to the elite and well connected?

    Comment by concerned citizen — May 30, 2012 @ 6:57 am

  13. Just, the fact is that I will not stoop so low as to try to educate you and the others on this site again.

    Golly gee Mr. Austin, I had no idear that I was so ignorant. I feel so low.

    You are all too ignorant to understand the basics of what I am posting so I will no longer waste my time.

    Sigh. Now I knows, I be ignorant. The noted psychometrician John “The Great” Austin says so.

    I will use my pulpit at the Coeur d’Alene Press to state facts and refute the mistruths flowing from the recallers.

    Oh, that noted paper of Record gives you a “pulpit” so that you can enlighten the bumpkins who done paid your salry and generous retirement package lo those many years. Amazing. I wonder what the esteemed editor of that paper will say when he sees your words. And yes Mr. Austin your words are preserved for posterity.

    I hope you have the moral fiber to read them, regret them and apologize. But somehow I doubt that will be the case. I hope I am wrong, but that is just my opinion. Just

    Comment by justinian — May 30, 2012 @ 8:11 pm

  14. I love it when the King of LCDC’esque Doublespeak gnashes his teeth and whines even more shrilly than Tommy George hisself.

    I’ll miss the gobbly-gook, mumbo-jumbo, failed attempts at clear, concise communications from the master of mind-numbing prose.

    You’d think that somebody smart enough to make a huge living off of multiple, tax gobbling URA projects would be able to speak in plain language that us low-life bumpkins could comprehend.

    In the end though, he lives on the lake and can continue to ridicule and laugh at us have-nots that are forced to live in the less pretentious digs in this town.

    Maybe his fellow one percent’ers understand him and even love him for who he is.

    Comment by CDAShenanigans — June 1, 2012 @ 2:29 pm

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