The State of Idaho has laws regarding the sale or lease of public property by a City. These laws are in place to ensure that the citizens who paid for that property are not abused by public officials, regardless of their intent. In other words, the means are important here, more important than the ends.
(more…)
June 20, 2008
There Are Rules About These Things
June 19, 2008
Board of Education: Do Not Sign the Lease!
Today, the Idaho State Board of Education tabled the notion of a 99-year lease on the Osprey property in Coeur d’Alene. The contract will not be signed.
(more…)
The Heart of the Matter
The City’s Pulse Newsletter
By Mary Souza, June 19, 2008
Now I’m angry. For the past year and a half, since my first column in March of 2007, I have been pushing for better communication with our local officials. I’ve been reporting the cover up of important information and have been demanding more respectful treatment of the public. But now things have gotten painful. (more…)
Prayers Needed!
Joy and Rick Seward were at the city council meeting this past Tuesday too. Rick stood up and spoke but Joy wasn’t going to. But after cocky Chris Copstead gave his rude remarks, Joy was so upset she went up to the podium to speak also. She was shaking with emotion and made a strong statement about treating the public with respect and particularly chastised Chris for the tone of his words.
Then after listening to the city council pretend to deliberate and throw barbs and insults at those who spoke out, Joy was not feeling well. She asked her husband to take her home . It turns out that Joy was having a heart attack and she is in very serious condition right now at KMC.
Please keep her in your prayers.
June 17, 2008
Railroaded
City Council met tonight and, as expected, passed the 99 year “lease” of the Harbor Center building to the University of Idaho. At least 6 people stood up and spoke during Public Comments at the beginning of the meeting. I was one of them. All 6 people, some of whom I did not know, asked for a public hearing or a time for the public to ask open questions and get answers back. It made no difference. The council voted unanimously to approve the lease.
Here’s a copy of my comments to them: (more…)
Open Session, Tuesday
What in the heck is going on with Post Falls? First they move into their beautiful new City Hall. Now they are possibly bumping their Urban Renewal Agency out of the new building, plus they just fired their Community Development Director. Something’s happening here…what it is ain’t exactly clear… (can you remember who sang that old song? They’re pictured above.)
Don’t forget–tonight the CdA City Council gives, oh I mean, “leases for 99 years”, the Harbor Center building and its 7.5 acres to U of I. The action starts at 6pm in the Community Room at the new Library.
June 16, 2008
Gas Price Survey
I’ve taken the gas price survey off the front page, but it’s still below if you want to vote or make a comment.
(more…)
Open Session, Monday
Gorgeous weather today, a terrific Father’s Day weekend to savor and many upcoming activities for the week ahead.
The CdA City Council meets Tuesday at 6:00pm in the Community Room, downstairs in the new Library. This will be their meeting to approve leasing the Harbor Center to U of I for 99 years.
Ironman is this weekend. I hear rumor that if the lake water doesn’t heat up quite a bit this week, they may cancel the swim portion of the event.
Any comments, questions or ideas?
June 15, 2008
We Need Tim Russert!
We need the spirit of Tim Russert in CdA…now! The well-respected moderator of the Sunday morning political show, Meet the Press, was remembered in a touching program today. His colleagues spent the hour reviewing his life and accomplishments after he died suddenly this past Friday.
The major theme of their television memoir was that Tim believed in public accountability for elected officials. He was dedicated to asking tough but fair questions and he expected politicians to be ready to answer with direct, honest information.
That’s what we need here. (more…)
June 14, 2008
Saturday Open
Downtown Coeur d’Alene is abuzz with activity. The Sorensen PTA is hosting a parking lot fundraiser at the old Kerr Oil location by Memorial Field and the parking lot is already full! Lots of things going on downtown, and it’s a beautiful day. If you end up stuck inside (like I am), what’s on your mind?