Wendy Hague Gabriel and Kenny Gabriel are a City of Coeur d’Alene duo. Kenny is our Fire Chief and Wendy is the City Administrator. The two have been married since December 2005. My info says that Wendy was Kenny’s direct supervisor and that posed a problem if they got married. So a new position was created and Jon Ingalls was promoted from Street Department Supervisor to Deputy City Administrator for $100,784./year. Kenny makes $100,247 as Fire Chief and Wendy makes $106,784 as City Administrator.

Here’s Wendy’s job description as taken from the city’s web site:

The functions of the City’s Administrator are to:

• Facilitate the goals and policies as set by the Mayor and City Council
• Implement partnerships with community organizations, citizens, and civil groups seeking to improve the quality of life in the City of Coeur d’Alene
• Work with outside groups or organizations seeking to do business within the greater CdA area
• Oversee and coordinate efforts of City departments, committees, agencies and commission
• (the points above are from the city’s web site and constitute the entire job description listed)
• I’ve been told that Wendy is the political arm of the Mayor because of her connections in Boise.
• Wendy’s Dad is Bruce Newcomb, former Speaker of the House in Boise who retired in 2006.
• Wendy’s Step Mom, Celia Gould, is also former legislator and now heads up the state’s Dept of Agriculture.
• Kenny also sits on the board of the Kroc Community Center

The Grange up on Mica Flats was the place to be last night. On a cold and rainy night, it was a haven of welcoming faces, a roaring fireplace, coffee with homemade cookies and a lively Candidate Forum for the County Commissioner Republican primary. Incumbent Todd Tondee and his challenger Tim Herzog were present, as well as incumbent Rick Currie and challengers Tom Cronin and Jai Nelson. They all comprised the panel up on the quaint, wooden stage. (more…)