According to the Shoshone News Press, the Silver Valley understands how urban renewal has been abused in the wake of bad legislation in Idaho and by a failure of the Legislature to correct the opportunities for abuse.  On Tuesday the Shoshone County voters voted down a proposal to create an Urban Renewal Agency.

Here’s an interesting excerpt from the online article:

“—take out this paragraph if voted down—-> The creation of the URA means the County Commissioners will now set about appointing a board with one or two responsible, business-oriented citizens with financial knowledge before the newly-appointed board goes about outlining the district and attempting to secure funds for the planned projects — including improving the infrastructure in the Big Creek area by installing sewage and fiber optic lines under a new, stronger road capable of holding much heavier loads of metals.”

(Apparently the online editor of the Shoshone News Press missed that instruction.  Oops!)

The creation of this URA was heavily promoted by the salesmen who make piles of money as consultants touting tax increment financing but then leave the local citizens to deal with the abuses.   On the other hand, Coeur d’Alene Representative Kathy Sims, Coeur d’Alene City Councilman Dan Gookin, and local real estate representative Sharon Culbreth traveled to the Silver Valley at their own expense to help inform the voters of the realities of the urban renewal scam in Idaho.   Looks as if the Silver Valley voters are more astute than many in Coeur d’Alene.