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The 60th Idaho Legislature convenes for its first full day of business on Monday, January 12, 2009. Idaho’s and the nation’s economic conditions should cause all of us to pay closer attention than we otherwise might to the business being conducted in Boise. The most practical way for us to be informed is to look at the information available daily on the Idaho Legislature Website. |
January 11, 2009
We Need to Pay Attention
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January 10, 2009
What?
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Given the present condition of the state and local economy, wouldn’t you think the City of Coeur d’Alene might be able to come up with more appropriate ways than this to spend $100,000? Then again, the City and the LCDC happily spent about $50,000 on a hot dog stand in city park and called it a public safety substation. |
January 9, 2009
We May Need a Scorecard…
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According to an article in the Baltimore Sun newspaper, Baltimore, MD, Mayor Sheila Dixon has been indicted and charged with 12 counts of felony theft, perjury, fraud and misconduct in office. The charges against her are a result of several years of investigation, dating back to her time on the city council. Though the investigation began federally, the 31-page indictment against her today was delivered by a Maryland state grand jury convened in the Baltimore Circuit Court. |
School District 271 Meeting
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There will be a School District 271 Board meeting and workshop Monday, January 12, 2009, at 5 p.m. at the Midtown Meeting Center, 5th and Linden, Coeur d’Alene, ID. Here is a link to the agenda. Anyone who read Friday’s Press article projecting $5M in district budget cuts will find the first agenda action item very interesting. |
January 8, 2009
Spokane’s Doing It!
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My post dated December 31, 2008, titled Adopt-a-Hydrant suggested the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department use its website to identify the location of its fire hydrants. That would let interested citizens dig out hydrants buried under snow. Spokane is already doing it! Spokane also includes online maps to help citizens find storm drains to dig out. Good job, Spokane. |
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January 7, 2009
High-Tech Deception
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What’s the difference between the mayors and city councils in Olympia, WA, and Coeur d’Alene, ID? Olympia’s officials use high-tech communications to facilitate their violations of the state’s public meeting laws. Coeur d’Alene’s officials still use the telephone. How low-tech! Aside from that, their disdain for citizen participation is remarkably similar. |
Five Resolutions for Citizen Happiness
The City’s Pulse Newsletter
By Mary Souza
Did you know that voting makes us happy? And that good government is an important factor in our positive outlook as well?
In his fascinating book called “The Geography of Bliss”, Eric Weiner travels the world searching for the places and factors that combine to create a happy community. Many of his discoveries are applicable here in our corner of the globe, and our local leaders could definitely benefit from Eric’s happiness research. (more…)
January 4, 2009
Insulting Attitude?
Jay Baldwin is the Director of Joint Communication at NIC, but he starts his “communication” in today’s Press column by insulting those questioning education plans for our area. Jay’s opening statement is this: “Above the din of inane accusations, personal attacks and misinformation…” (more…)
January 3, 2009
Open Session, First of 2009!
Happy New Year! As we dig out more of the white stuff, which has now turned icy, what’s on your minds? Have you shoveled your roof? Are you worried about it?
This morning’s Press reported that school district 271 wants to increase the size of most of their classrooms from 600 to 900 sq. ft. as they remodel. Ok by me as long as they stay within the $5.1 million they already have for the project. Any thoughts on this or other topics?