Sandi Bloem
Someone recently commented that Mayor Bloem is on both the Kroc Center Board of Directors and the NIC Foundation Board. As mayor of the city where millions in public tax dollars were given to the privately owned Kroc without a public vote, and major land use decisions are being made about the Ed. Corridor, does her membership on these two boards seem appropriate?
Any other comments, questions or ideas?
Please read post 15 on the Habitat thread which was detoured into a discussion about the Kroc Center.
Comment by Gary Ingram — June 3, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
It indeed is inappropriate for the Mayor to be sitting on these other boards.
It has the appearance of “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours”, or “Can I buy a position in your company?
Comment by LTR — June 3, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Here’s Gary’s comment from the other thread he referenced:
Looks like we need an official statement from the Major himself. But unoffically I was told offically yesterday during a tour visit by the tour guide, a Mr. Charboneaux, that they had hoped for 6000 by the end of 2009. He said they were overwhlemed by the fact that they now had 10,000 memberships. Myself, I’ll probably go for a day pass of five bucks when I feel like a swim. Nothing else there interests me, especially the pee pool even though it is heavily chlornated. Interesting to see Mayor Bloem’s name emblazoned in Bronze at the entrance along with two commanding generals, or whatever they call the pope or cardinal types, who are also on the plaque. She is the bride of this extravagant wedding even though Ray and Joan Kroc paid for it, except for the 4.5 million her Sandiness donated from the city taxpayers. BTW, off to the right of the complex entrance is a very nice church and meeting rooms; afterall, it is a Salvation Army Worship Center and certainly deserving of public tax money. Question. Will the Salvation Army pay property taxes?
Comment by Gary Ingram — June 3, 2009 @ 6:02 pm |Edit This
Comment by mary — June 3, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
It is inappropriate for the Mayor to sit on any foundation board that receives or might be the recipient of tax funding. I believe this is a flagrant example of conflict of interest.
To repeat a previous post: Inasmuch as the city gave the Salvation Army Kroc Center millions of tax dollars and people from outside the city are purchasing memberships, are Coeur d’Alene residents given discounts?
Does the center offer free or discounted memberships to veterans?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 4, 2009 @ 6:21 am
I suppose the mayor will be re- elected this fall, based on the resounding success of the Kroc Center.I find it convenient that the city and LCDC won’t try to upgrade or reshape McKuen Field until after the city elections and into 2010.I
also, think Sandy is politically savvy.I just hope enough people are paying attension to what is happening in the CDA area, to make an
informed decision come election time.
Comment by kageman — June 4, 2009 @ 8:07 am
To say that the mayor is poltically savvy is the understatement of the month. You betcha!! She is also finely tuned to the inner workings of this city. Yes, she probably will be re-elected and will remain in office until she decides not to run or until she is carried out feet first. Given her obvious ego and thirst for power, I would bet on the latter. City and county elections are won, to a great extent, by name recognition. Mostly the same people go to the polls and vote for the same old candidates. I admire those working for change, but the cynic in me says that this city is all tied up. Once tasted, power is a strong apetite and not relinquished easily. “Name recognition” is paramount and the message sent to the voter by that name gets the “X”. The stronger and clearest recognition, wins the day.
Comment by Faringdon — June 4, 2009 @ 9:25 am
I don’t believe Mayor Bloem is politically savvy at all, but she is good at buying allegiance from key players in the community. If she were truly politically savvy, then she could deal deftly with criticism. Mayor Bloem cannot. That’s why her reign will be shorter than she would like.
Comment by Dan — June 4, 2009 @ 10:12 am
If I may paraphrase Dan, from your lips to the voters minds. To a politician, buying allegience from the right players is being politically savvy. Her inability to accept criticism is simply the product of her superannuated ego and hubris. Her visceral reaction to criticism is to “get even”. To fling negativity and falsehoods right and left. She is a very small cog in an even smaller arena. Which matches her very small mind. Take this frog from her puddle and put her into even a small pond, and nobody would give her the time of day. But CDA is her milieu and it is a mistake to think she and her equally arrogant co-horts will be a pushover. To date, she has always “gotten away” with her lack of ethics, integrity and the rules aren’t for me attitude. And why not, the citizenry doesn’t seem to mind…at least not in large numbers. Unfortunate!
Comment by Faringdon — June 4, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
Sandy is a very powerful women. The City has always catered to her demands prior to being elected Mayor.
Comment by LTR — June 4, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
Correction: Sandy is a very powerful woman.
Comment by LTR — June 4, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Power is an illusion.
Comment by Dan — June 4, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
When I commented this morning and mentioned that I thought Mayor Bloem
had political savvy.It wasn’t meant as a compliment, just an observation.
She knows enough not to create controversy right before an election.
Remember, the fall 2007 city elections? She kicked Mary, off the
Planning and Zoning Commission right after the city elections were over, not before.Thus, averting a controversy or worse.Now, the mayor and the city will wait until 2010 to mess with McKuen, which is after this falls city elections.Whose to say that wasn’t planned?They know McKuen could be a tinderbox of controversy, so wait until after the city elections to alter McKuen.
I hope there will be a strong candidate to run against her and who could that potential candidate be?
Comment by kageman — June 4, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Unfortunately, I believe the results of the city council election this fall will pove, as de Tocqueville said many years ago; the people deserve the government they elect.
Comment by Will Penny — June 5, 2009 @ 5:01 am
Sandi Bloem was noticeably invisible during the nasty and inexcusable Steve Badraun inquisition. Steve, you may remember, was her opponent in that mayoral election. Steve Judy was the seated mayor. Could it be that Sandi was working behind the scenes?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 5, 2009 @ 7:42 am
Kageman: nothing will change if you let it. The key is to get the word out. Apathy is the leading contender in the fall elections and the incumbents count on it. An informed public would be outraged to know what’s really going on in our town. Help spread the word and there will be change.
Comment by Dan — June 5, 2009 @ 8:52 am
kagey…never thought you meant it as a compliment.
Will, so so true…however, the rest of us don’t deserve this.
Mary, so many of those I discuss this with, agree that what is going on is outrageous. What simply blows me away is, that this is generally followed by a shrug and what can we do comment. And that is the truly discouraging part.
Comment by Faringdon — June 5, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Forgot….what is the basis of Bloems power? Why has she been such a “powerful influence” here?
Comment by Faringdon — June 5, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Her family, Dingle and Crimp, owned a hardware store at Fourth and Sherman, the Elder Building. The Elder Building is that ill kept building with the peeling paint. She and Bob Bloem took over the business. The business closed.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 5, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
Okay Susie, you’re telling me her name actually is Sandi Dingle Crimp Bloem? 🙂
Happy weekend all!
Comment by Faringdon — June 5, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
I would like to have keener minds than mine read todays (Saturday/Sunday June 6-7) opinion article in the the Wall Street Journal titled Arizona’s Landmark “Bailout Battle” on page A-11. It concerns the voter revolt over their tax momoney going to individual companies and developers. Apparently 34 states have “gift clauses” in their constitution that the courts might use to prohibit the unpopular use of “handouts to private companies”. I think there is some revelancy to our LCDC. it looks like the rulings will be worth following. I wonder if Idaho is one of the 34 states with with “gift clauses” or similiar laws in their many laws and tiles.
I look forward to the readers opinions and comments.
Comment by citizen — June 6, 2009 @ 8:33 am
A Press photo and story (June 6, Page C11) is a story with the caption, “Avista rewards Kroc Center for energy efficiency.” The photo is of Salvation Army Major Cjamness, Sandi Bloem, chair of the advisory board, and Sharmon Schmitt of Avista. The amount of the check is $260,619 and was given for energy efficient building practices.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 6, 2009 @ 9:40 am
That one blew my mind as well Susie. My immediate thought was, many people couldn’t afford to adequately heat their homes last winter. Next winter is predicted to be equally as bad. But Avista ( a terrible example of a monopoly gone wild) gives $261,000. to a private church facility with a $70 million endowment. And just where did this money come from? Rate payers. Two comments by the CEO have really blown my mind. Last year in a full page, “I feel your pain” ad, one of his hints was to turn your thermostat down and wrap yourself in a blanket. This year in the same type ad, he stated that his bloated seven figure pay package comes from profits, not the public. Uhhh, just what am I missing here? Sir, how do your profits accrue?
Comment by Faringdon — June 6, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Some of the city’s income is based on the gas rates Avista charges city residents. With those rates dropping, the city’s income will be going down. No word on this from the Mayor or City Council on how they will make up for the loss.
Comment by Dan — June 6, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Gad, this is terrible. We pay for it all one way or another, don’t we? I am going to get what I can out the center while I can – I just have to remember to bring my head phones, so I don’t have to listen to gospel.
Comment by Stebbijo — June 6, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
Gee, Faringdon, those were the same thoughts I had.
Dan, The city was silent as Avista increased their rates time after time after time because it increased their coffers. The city could have suspended the franchise fees during the winter months – the time when many of their citizens could ill afford the cost to heat their homes- but did not do so
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 6, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Avista had yet another ad in todays Press. This one I call, “the public is so stupid, they will believe anything” ad. It tells how their rates are all regulated and they charge what they have to pay. Indeed they are regulated. However, it has been my observation that the PUC simply rubber stamps all of Avistas requests. They have a site for feedback, I believe I’ll give them feedback on the ridiculous gift to Kroc/Salvation Army.
Has Sandi Dingle Crimp Bloem ever seen a photo op she didn’t love?
Comment by Faringdon — June 7, 2009 @ 10:01 am
I had a complaint with Avista once and I used this form. It worked and I got my deposit back. Not sure about how they would respond to this issue, but should not hurt to inquire.
Comment by Stebbijo — June 7, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Thanks, Stebbijo, for the form. I will let you know of their response.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — June 8, 2009 @ 7:22 am