I learned today that the City of Post Falls owns approximately 600 acres of land on the prairie. They paid $10,000,000 for it. Let’s do some math.
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Bill 470 is facing some opposition in the Senate. Those opposed? Why, the state’s Urban Renewal Agencies, of course!
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Subscriber “Wallypog” asked this question in another topic, “When are the next elections to take place and what offices will be running?” Allow me to fill you in.

The next city election will be in November of 2009. There are three city council seats up, and the mayor is up for election at that time. Here are the players:

Sandy Bloem. Mayor. First elected in 2001. If she runs again and wins, she will be serving her third term as mayor. Bio.

Deanna Goodlander. Councilman. First elected in 2001. If she runs again and wins, it will be her third term as well. Bio.

Mike Kennedy. Councilman. First elected in 2005. If he runs again and wins, it would be his second term. Bio.

Woody McEvers. Councilman. First elected in 2001. If he runs again and wins, it would be his third term. Bio.

The elections are a long way off, politically speaking. Asking any of these people whether they’re running or not would be silly at this point, though I would assume that they’re all interested. For now, it’s their job — indeed, their sworn duty — to represent us. We need to do our best to ensure that they stick to that duty.

I suppose the wholesome definition of a stakeholder would be someone who is concerned. An engaged or interested party. But I don’t exactly believe that’s what the City thinks when they toss the term around.
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The door to open government is firmly closed and has no windows. The people’s business is apparently none of the people’s business when it comes to the Education Corridor in Coeur d’Alene.
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This morning was the CBNI Forum on Urban Renewal. The “clear the air” forum. I admit that I had reservations and concerns about this. But I was glad that I went and feel that the CBNI did the community a favor.
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I assume that, like me, you have scant if any information about the Education Corridor. Allow me to share what crumbs have been tossed my way:
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Urban Renewal Districts raise your taxes. That’s how they’re funded. The idea is that the extra taxes generated by new development or job growth offset the cost of increased taxes outside the district. Plus, when the Urban Renewal District (URD) is retired, the tax savings are passed along to the people.
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