So first LCDC uses $30,000 of our tax money to buy public relations advice to try “improve” their image. Now, after the report comes back with specific changes they should make, they don’t seem to be changing a thing. (more…)
August 22, 2008
More PR Money, Honey!
August 20, 2008
Understanding the Cowles Empire – The Fancher Report
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The Cowles Empire – A Report Relating to the Effects of Cowles Common Ownership of Media and Real Estate in Spokane, Washington |
This is a 1977 Harvard economics thesis by Terrence Fancher, formerly of Spokane.
August 19, 2008
The City’s Pulse Newsletter
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…)
August 18, 2008
Not Unique in Idaho
Here’s a quote for you:
How does a multi-million dollar project get started without any financial documents or agreements? And why aren’t these financials out for the public to review? Short answer is corrupt government.
Nope, it’s not the LCDC, but it’s here in Idaho. Read the article. Apparently we don’t just have an “urban renewal” problem up north.
August 17, 2008
Real Taxes to LCDC
An alert reader sent me this information, obtained from the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office and reflects actual 2007 tax bills for 4 area properties. I have the addresses and parcel numbers to back up this info. These example properties show the small percentage of tax money that goes to our city & county, and how much goes to LCDC. Remember that those of us living outside the LCDC districts pay more to offset the money the city and county are shorted by this operation.
Property 1: Tax Bill=$9,100. Dollars Paid to City/County=$347. Tax Dollars to LCDC=$8,753.
Property 2: Tax Bill=$14,795. Dollars Paid to City/County=$7,363. Tax Dollars to LCDC=$7432.
Property 3: Tax Bill=$34,393. Dollars Paid to City/County=$856. Tax Dollars to LCDC=$33,537.
Property 4: Tax Bill=$23,907. Dollars Paid to City/County=$775. Tax Dollars to LCDC=$23,132.
August 16, 2008
A Gold Watch Might Have Been Better
In February 2008 I put up two posts about three Coeur d’Alene city employees who were given consulting contracts with the City after they retired. The posts were Better Than a Gold Watch and The City Responds. (more…)
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August 13, 2008
Too Much Information
KXLY television in Spokane is reporting that three arrests have been made in the recent deaths of a young couple near Dobson Pass.
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Hump Day Open Session
According to the Wall Street Journal, a gas war is going on in Texas. The lines are long, but three stations are going at it, with the price regular gas hitting — are you ready? — $2.31 a gallon. Welcome to Wednesday’s Open Session!
LCDC By The Numbers
Our Urban Renewal Agency, the LCDC, has its annual numbers out in time for its August 20th budget meeting.
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August 12, 2008
Urban Renewal Rot
Jeff Cogen is an elected official, Commissioner for Multnomah County in Oregon and he nails it about Urban Renewal.
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