A sterling example of good government was presented in today’s CDA Press. The article “Plan to pull lake pilings possible” demonstrates how public involvement benefits everyone.
The article speaks of a problem. But it doesn’t frame the problem as an absolute. It doesn’t say, “Oh, that group that meets in private is working on a plan.” It says, “Here’s an idea, what does everyone think?” That kind of thinking represents responsible leadership. It shows a leader who thinks of everyone and isn’t afraid to take criticism.
To help decide an issue, there will be a public forum, at a local location, announced well in advance, open to everyone. The forum isn’t an official hearing, but rather a “brainstorming session.” What a wonderful idea! Nothing is planned, nothing has been decided, promises were not made in secret ahead of time.
Nick Snyder, director of Kootenai County Parks and Waterways is quoted as saying, “We need a lot of heads in that room and a lot of good ideas and I think we’ll get it.”
Brilliant. Absolutely, wonderful. This is the kind of open government I would love to see here in Coeur d’Alene. Involve everyone. Get them involved early. Get together and let people know where and why and how. Don’t rely on chance encounters in Costco or the Post Office. Don’t pay for some over-priced out-of-town consultant to echo what the staff wants to hear. Don’t travel to another state for input. And above all, get the public involved and invovled early.
Invite. Plan. Welcome dissent. Lead. Dialog. Decide. That’s how government is designed to work, and it’s what keeps people happy. Simple, really.
Dan, I couldn’t agree more. When someone told my wife that I had been mentioned on this forum, I thought that I would stop by and see what it was all about. Everyday, I work with those who are just barely getting by and the number of housing applications that we received at Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho during the last open cycle was staggering. It is truly important to represent all of the citizens of Coeur d’Alene. You do this by solicting input and ideas from regular citizens who love this city. I attend every open LCDC meeting as I want to find out what path they are going to travel down regarding affordable housing. This subject is something that I am passionate about and fairly well versed in. I attend many city council meetings and at the last one I just felt that someone had to point out that increased water rates affect all of our pocketbooks. I am very much concerned that average families are not going to be able to afford to live here much longer. I care about our beautiful area and feel that we must do whatever we can to take care of our environment. If we need to conserve water let’s do it, but don’t use the argument that raising rates is going to save water. Gas and food prices have risen yet we all still drive and eat. The increased charges for hook ups will be passed on to the buyers of homes as they rightfully should be. Our builders and developers have to make a profit or they won’t be able to provide the good paying jobs needed to keep up with the ever increasing costs to call Coeur d’Alene our home. As Executive Director of a charity, I recognize how important it is to be good stewards of the funds of our organization. If you don’t take care of what you have you cannot justify asking for more. This concept applies to those who watch over our money. Every little bit counts whether it is water rates, public art or the upcoming school levy on May 20th. I have been given many opportunities in my life including a good education and a wonderful place to call home. I plead with those monitoring our tax dollars to be good stewards of them. Bigger government is not wanted. More responsive government is. Jim B.
Comment by Jim Brannon — April 4, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Very well said, Dan.
Comment by mary — April 4, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Good post, Dan.
Jim Brannon’s comment was right on the money. I hope he will become a regular commenter here.
Comment by Bill — April 4, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Regarding the comments above – yabetcha!
Regarding the news story – leave the pilings in place. Can’t we keep something to remind us of days gone by. I love the old pilings. And so do the Osprey who need them for nesting. The pilings are works of public art and should be treasured. And LCDC doesn’t need to spend dime to fund them. The float logs bouyed between are favorite perches for fisherman and local gulls. They are not navigational hazards. Indeed they provide a impediment to excess speed, much like the newly constructed middle of the street structures in Hayden designed to slow trafic. “Boat gap” signs designate the navigation. Imagine what the waterway will look like if pilings are removed; a wide open, boring speedway for boats. As for public art, through the efforts of a private foundaton, why not install on the remaining pilings large weatherproof pictorals of the era of sawmills, log transportation, tug boats pulling large rafts of logs for storage in the log booms, maybe even some steamboats from days gone by. That will slow down the traffic and provide a boating tour for all the newbys to enjoy along with some of us oldtimers that would like something to remember from the days of our youth, before the tourists converted our way of life to the likes of Riverstone.
Comment by yabetcha — April 4, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
The beautiful thing about this approach is that valid points can be made on all sides. Yabetcha brings up wonderful points. That picture above is of my son climbing a piling in the river, which he then jumped from. Great fun! A wonderful childhood memory he’ll have forever. That spot on the river is one of our favorites. We go there many times during the summer. Even I swim out and sit on the logs or try to stand on one. It’s fun. In fact, the logs at that spot create a natural swimming area and they help keep the water traffic slow. It would be sad to see that taken away, and I’m certain that kind of input is what Mr. Snyder is looking for.
Comment by Dan — April 4, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
Dan, Mr. Snyder and attendies will interested to know that an application for preservation of the pilings is intended for registation on the National Registry of Historical Places.
Comment by yabetcha — April 4, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Dan, thank you for acknowleding the merits of my desire to protect the last vistage of the Lake Coeur d’ Alene logging era by preserving the pilings that contained the booms of rafted logs for storage on the lake and sorting and delivery to the mills on the river.
For the record, I have already begun the process for a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places by notifying the State of Idaho Historical Society of my desire for them to nominate the lake and river pilings for registry.
The listing process is very thorough and involves studies, evaluations, hearings, etc. Part of the critera for consideration is quality of signficance of preservation of a culture present in districts or sites and associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to our history and that have yielded important information to preservation of that history. For those who support this effort, wish me luck. For those who think it is a lousy idea, go jump in the lake.
Comment by Gary Ingram — April 4, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
If you can spare $10, why not attend the Legislative Welcome Back Reception to be held April 10th from 4:30PM to 6:00PM at the Chamber Palace? You will be given the opportunity to watch our area legislators pander to the special interest of the Chamber. If he attends, you might be able to see Phil Hart standing alone in a corner, so you could have pretty good access to him. Promoting your agenda with no committment to any common goals. This is Working Together Coeur d’Alene.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — April 4, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
I am all for preserving the last remnants of our logging history/culture – including my own – since I am on record – having accepted the first “Best Load of Logs” – from Timberfest in Bonner County, just not recognized. (After all – I was a woman.) I have a profound respect for the industry and much pride – my grandfather was one of the original Swedish loggers who built many structures with hand made swedish coves – including some in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and was known for his burl furniture. He was recognized on a historical level in a book – Historic Ranches of Wyoming.
I wish you luck Gary Ingram. Logging is of great importance to this area, there is no need to wipe out all the traces of it’s existance.
Comment by Stebbijo — April 4, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Clarification: My grandfather did not build any structures in North Idaho, however my Dad worked on some logging jobs out of Priest River, Idaho before he went into construction and finished many of the damns in the Northwest – including Cabinet Gorge.
Comment by Stebbijo — April 4, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
I know there were many reasons but, wasn’t one of the reasons Hagadone was turned down for developing Blackwell was to NOT disturb the lake or river bed? But now it’s ok?
Comment by concerned citizen — April 5, 2008 @ 6:36 am
The beauty of the approach, CC, is that you have an opportunity to ask those questions and express your concerns. Contrast that with a local governing body that would just make the decision in private, start tearing out the pilings, and then attack you for raising your hand to ask a question. I’d rather have honest, working government any day.
Comment by Dan — April 5, 2008 @ 7:35 am
The issue of possible negative consequences should the lake bed seal be broken during construction was raised during the first Blackwell Island zone change and annexation hearing a number of years ago. Are there concerns as to the environmental consequences should the existing pilings be pulled?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — April 5, 2008 @ 8:08 am
It is interesting to note that the announcement that officials will hold a public fourm on what to with the pilings came the same day that the last load of logs were delivered to the DeArmond Mill. Do you suppose the high brow developers were in cahoots with the “officials” to clear the river of pilings immediately in order to enhance sale of all the high end development? We have lost our community to the greedy with no regard for our past. The new locals are really the newbys and those who pander to and profit from them.
Comment by yabetcha — April 6, 2008 @ 10:46 am
Oh, Gary, surely you jest. Local government pandering to big developers? That would be as bad as this entire new water rate structure being designed primarily to give monetary breaks for developers who require larger meters.
Comment by Dan — April 6, 2008 @ 10:57 am