Today’s CDA Press contained a full-page insert from the City of Coeur d’Alene. Mayor Bloem used an interesting and telling quote from Thoreau.
When speaking about her grand showcase projects, the Mayor wrote this:
Hentry David Thoreau once said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. That is where they should be. Now put the foundation under them.”
I must say that as a taxpayer in desire of pragmatic governance, I resent the fact that I must underwrite the Mayor’s castles in the air. I prefer a more solid foundation of basic city services as opposed to nebulous personal fantasies.
Remember Mayor Bloem: It’s all about sidewalks. That and fire, police, parks, streets, water, sewer, and other basic services. Your dreams are nice, but they’re your dreams – at least until you decide to invite everyone into the process. Until then, please keep your dreams in your head where the citizens of this town can readily afford them.
Dan, couldn’t agree with you more. Brilliant
Comment by Gary Ingram — April 29, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I had to go out and spend 50 cents to see this propaganda. This kind of ‘pie in your face tactic’ is another example of how they laugh at us, while they line their pockets and then put out a full page ad using our money to make themselves look good. The Mayor needs to take her vision to the streets of Coeur d’alene families – door to door – and fix some frigging sidewalks. “That woman” needs to lay off the martinis – she really is having visions.
“Talk of the Town?” – E-gad. What a crock of bull****.
She says, “It’s been a dream of Coeur d’ALene citizens for over 30 years – a community center.” Where did she steal that line from – a rendition of Martin Luther King in third person?
Comment by Stebbijo — April 29, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
We know as recently as 1998 or ’99 that it has not been a dream of Coeur d’Alene citizens for a community center. Back then the second proposal for a community center was widely defeated by voters. That’s why the mayor and city council went stealthy on the Kroc Center. That’s probably why they refuse to go to the voters now for things like the Education Corridor. That’s probably why they have this us-them thing going where we are the slaves and they are our masters. It must stop.
Comment by Dan — April 29, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Stebbijo,
No, you don’t have to spend $0.50 for the City’s propaganda. You can go to Talk of the Town on the City’s website (our Mayor and City Council’s version of Komsomolskaya Pravda) and read it.
Comment by Bill — April 29, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Is she telling us that her head is in the clouds?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — April 30, 2008 @ 8:02 am
If I had to guess where the mayor’s head was, “the clouds” would not be my first choice.
Comment by Will Penny — April 30, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Many in our town are struggling to get by. They are working two jobs and are faced with rising costs everywhere. Avista wants a rate increase. Water rates are going up, apparently for no other reason that they haven’t increased for a long time. Food prices are escalating. Gas prices are soaring. Assessment mistakes need to be corrected. School District 271 wants us to vote for a 31.1 million dollar levy. NIC may take foregone taxes. It has been decided to build a $50,000 concrete structure for the Police. $400,000 will be spent for a dog park. Will there be cost overruns for the construction of the Kroc Center? Is the M&O budget sufficient to operate the center after it is constructed? IT IS ABOUT BASIC SERVICES. TAKE CARE OF THE STREET OVERLAY PROGRAM. PICKUP THE LEAVES. PLOW THE SNOW. MAKE CERTAIN OUR POLICE AND FIRE ARE EQUIPPED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE. Our mayor and city council are elitist and totally out of touch with the daily realities faced by the average citizen in Coeur d’Alene. City officials, I implore you to remember that it is not about the legacy you leave behind; you were elected to serve the people of Coeur d’Alene. You should serve all of the people, not just the select few of the Country Club set.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — April 30, 2008 @ 10:59 am
2C3I,
Don’t forget that the County Mounties want $55-75 million for a new public safety facility.
Comment by Bill — April 30, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Well said doubleseetripleeye. I would add the 15% proposed Avista increase. The increase also increases the amount of franchise fees we pay and the city collects and spends.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — April 30, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
Bill:
That’s not right. I want my half dollar back! I guess that is why they have the disclaimer on the insert. 😉 Komsomolskaya Pravda – you are right about that.
Also, an update on my records case. Shawn Keough has offered to meet with me. She is out of town ’till the 5th of May – so sometime after that. She does not understand why judges need to review records requests either and mentions the possiblility that the law may need to be changed – which I have reservations -concerning the fact that if you can’t correct a public record and you give sole descretion to a judge you are/may be hosed as a citizen again. One reason the “sole remedy” to go to court is correct. However, she may be looking at a different solution.
Comment by Stebbijo — April 30, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
stebbijo,
AG Wasden will be proposing some improvements to the Idaho Open Meeting Law.
I think you don’t have much confidence in him, but still, you might want to consider sending him a concise letter explaining what changes are needed in the Idaho Public Records Law as well.
Comment by Bill — April 30, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
At this point I am not sure if there are any needed unless it works for the folks who blew it in the first place. And of course we know that our leaders/legislators make the move to change the law(s>. I reviewed Shawn Keough’s contributions from 2004 and the same firm (judge and cohorts) who did this and also are on the board and the counsel for the Sandpoint Hospital contributed handsomely to her campaign fund. In other words I wonder who she is really going to protect in the long run if/when they change any laws and who is she really working for? She lives in the same town.
You are right about my lacking confidence in Wasden’s office however, they have made it very clear that the “sole remedy” is to go to court (even a biased one?) to get this fixed if the prosecuter’s office refuses to look into it. However, they do not ignore me and have been polite – they just can’t do anything. (I just get a bit ticked off that when his agencies make HUGE mistakes like sending children’s confidential information to inmates/prisoners and it is ignored and I don’t get as much as an apology) Ultimately, he may surmise that the state was also at fault in my case and may have to represent them instead of helping me. Some of his prior staff have not given me advice but have pointed out the laws that have been broken to help me if I have to go pro se.
Since the clerk of Bonner County is already going to the judges – I doubt that I can get a fair hearing. You have to sue where the records are located. If the judge is denying the request for correction, I am sure she will be involved in any denial of a public record’s request for it to save her butt. Hamlin (Judicial Council) is supposed to call back and has not yet – his secretary says, he said my phone has been disconnected (not true). She emailed me and said he would call back today. I am being forced to make a formal complaint. You have to get it notarized and everything. This takes time for a working schlub like me. I really don’t think they like to ‘take out their own’ – so to speak.
Comment by Stebbijo — April 30, 2008 @ 2:28 pm