Bamboozled by the “Ultimate Insider’s Game” 
Big cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland may look down on little Coeur d’ Alene and think we’re hicks from the sticks, but we’re not. We’re just like the big boys and we’re being bamboozled in big, sophisticated ways, just like they are. (more…)
The City’s Pulse Newsletter By Mary Souza, August 5, 2008
It seems dishonorable the way information about the Educational Corridor has been controlled and withheld. The public’s red warning lights are flashing. So when the Master Plan and Financial Impact Study were finally unveiled last month, I hoped our wait for real answers was over. (more…)
The PR firm that LCDC paid $35,000 public dollars, gave its report at yesterday’s meeting. The LCDC Board’s reaction to the long list of suggestions for change was summed up in this CdA Press quote: “Wow, said Dave Patzer, this will be a monumental undertaking.”
My favorite quote in the Press article was from Exec.Director Tony Berns, who was quoted as saying, “We’ve heard a lot of the same topics before. We’ve been dealing with that for years. That’s nothing new.”
Nothing new, Tony? Then why haven’t you changed? Why haven’t you responded to these issues? It takes a paid consultant to get your attention? I wonder if anything will change, even now. Your thoughts…?
You can read the full article here http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2008/07/17/news/news03.txt,
The City’s Pulse Newsletter
By Mary Souza, July 8, 2008
There was a strong turnout of nearly 40 citizens at the Midtown meeting about the proposed LCDC workforce housing project last night. The Press reported “the majority at the meeting were property owners…” Kudos to the residents of Midtown for requesting and organizing the meeting.
I was unable to attend, but have been told that City Councilman Mike Kennedy moderated the meeting. He asked the entire group if anyone had a tape recorder. He then quizzed the newspaper reporter and Dan Gookin and Susie Snedaker by name, asking if they were recording the meeting. All of them replied “No”. (more…)
By Mary Souza, July 3, 2008
There’s news to report, and it’s good news. My weekly column in the CdA Press will start again this Sunday. It will run on the Opinion page and will be called “Heart of the Matter”. (more…)
By Mary Souza, June 12, 2008
It feels like defiant birds are circling, circling, circling. Their target: The taxpayers of Coeur d’Alene. And the prey doesn’t stand a chance.
I attended the General Services meeting at the City of Coeur d’Alene this past Monday. Three city council members listened as City Administrator Wendy Gabriel described the proposed agreement to “lease” the Harbor Center building and land to the University of Idaho for 99 years. If the college chooses to renew the lease after 99 years, (mark that date on your calendars!) they can extend it out to 198 years. (more…)
By Mary Souza, June 5, 2008
The President of Gonzaga University, Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., riveted the audience at lunch last Friday. The room of about 200 Rotarians was quickly captivated by his intense, entertaining speaking style and his fast-paced, heady delivery of the subject: Principles and Ethics. (more…)
My Statement to the NIC Board of Trustees, May 28, 2008:
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. (more…)
By Mary Souza, May 22, 2008
A commencement speech by Texas lawyer Neal Boortz has been circulating through the internet world. It’s bold, thought provoking and controversial. He advises graduates to become informed about their world and prepare for their new life-long work partner…the government.
Neal describes the government as ” wonderful, caring, compassionate, oppressive…” telling the grads, ” you will be awed by the unimaginable power… Power that you do not have. A power that no individual has, or will have.” He goes on to warn that the government is not cheap and will take a big slice of their earnings. “You have no choice here… Say hello to your own personal one ton gorilla. It will sleep anywhere it wants to.” (more…)
The City’s Pulse NewsletterBy Mary Souza, May 15, 2008
The Educational Corridor forum last Tuesday night was surprising on many levels. The turnout was great and the walls had to be opened up for more room. Over 80 people reserved tickets for the dinner event but when additional folks called the day of, rules were broken to add chairs on the sides of the room so they could come after dinner and participate in the program. It was awkward, though, when the extra folks came too early and had to sit while others ate dinner…maybe not the best choice but it was done with good intentions. Then Wednesday’s Press quoted Rep. George Sayler, one of the extras, as he slammed organizers for charging an admission price. Sorry, George, someone has to pay for the meeting room, dinner, and mailing notices. Regular citizens can’t use taxpayer money like government officials can. (more…)
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