Oversight. State law says that the City Council provides oversight for its Urban Renewal Agency. You’re seeing an example of how that works in Post Falls. A refreshing and welcome example.
An article in the CDA Press today discusses some questions looming regarding the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency. No one is saying anything is wrong, which is proper. But what makes me (again) admire the way Post Falls does Urban Renewal is that important questions are being asked and issues are being discussed — in the open.
Unlike the LCDC here in Coeur d’Alene, the Post Falls City Council and its Urban Renewal Agency are asking serious questions about what’s going on with urban renewal. I like that. Even if nothing is wrong, the City Council is demonstrating that they won’t be intimidated by politicians and their developer friends into being silent on issues that affect the taxpayer. That’s the kind of accountability I would like to see here in Coeur d’Alene.
The LCDC is in the midst of its $35,000 “public relations” campaign. I know that they’ve interviewed Mary Souza (and Mary can speak to that). But I’m curious as to why their hired PR gun didn’t seek me out. After all, I began the stir on the LCDC with my educational program I started nearly two years ago, along with an editorial by the CDA Press.
Then again, I don’t believe that Coeur d’Alene City Hall and the LCDC are about transparency and the kind of accountability to the public you now see in Post Falls. That’s disappointing. But remember: you as a voter always have the final say. Sure, you’ll have to wait until 2009 to be heard, but keep and eye on Post Falls until then to see how it’s done when the taxpayer, not the developer, comes first.
Dan, most developers don’t like the LCDC playing field any more than the average taxpayer does. I would agree that you and Mary are probably responsible to a large extent for the need for a PR gun. If they haven’t interviewed you, do you know if they have interviewed any of the other candidates who dared challenge the status quo in the last Coeur d’Alene city election?
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — May 16, 2008 @ 10:31 am
It’s not my intention to lump in all developers with the LCDC. I’m not against development, but I am against taxpayer dollars going to some deep-pocket developer just to help him “pencil in” (as Tony Berns often says) the project. Where there is no benefit to the public, there is no reason to spend taxpayer dollars.
Regarding the affordable housing issue, it’s been proven that government underwriting of the kind of development that the LCDC does has a direct relationship to an affordable housing crisis. After all, the LCDC has done everything it can to underwrite high-end condos for retirees and part-time (preferably childless) residents, while doing nothing for families other than providing lip-service to “workforce housing.” My solution during my City Council campaign was to attract career level jobs to the area — which is something that urban renewal can do. Apparently that’s not the direction City Hall currently intends for the LCDC.
I’ve not heard from other candidates whether they’ve been contacted by Ms. Bales. Jim Brannon checked in here a few weeks back, and Susie Snedaker is a regular here. Perhaps they can tell us whether they’ve been contacted by Ms. Bales?
Comment by Dan — May 16, 2008 @ 10:42 am
Bravo, Dan! You hit the point clearly: it’s all about the oversight. And that’s what we’re lacking here in CdA. The balance of power in Post Falls still leans to City Hall and the elected officials that are responsible to the taxpayers. In CdA, I think the power shifted some time ago–when the money got big–and now the LCDC holds the purse strings and the crown.
Comment by mary — May 16, 2008 @ 11:13 am
And as to my conversation with LCDC’s PR person, Stefanie Bales, it was several weeks ago and was very interesting. She said she’s talking to a wide variety of people. I hope so, because if she’s just talking to community officials and “stakeholders”, she’ll get only a rosie picture, and I told her that. People in business and power in this community are afraid to speak out against LCDC if they must reveal their identities. The attitude of intimidation and retribution is alive and well in CdA.
Comment by mary — May 16, 2008 @ 11:19 am
It sounds as if the Post Falls Mayor and Council are exercising appropriate oversight authority, questioning to make sure they understand exact what the City’s urban renewal agency is doing.
The Press story lede was terrible, because it implied the Post Falls URA had committed some heinous wrongdoing requiring the Mayor and Council to step in. The Post Falls URA has been touted by some as a role model economic development tool because of that kind of responsible, conscientious oversight, not in spite of it. It is clear from the vote that the Post Falls URA members are not adjunct members of Mayor Bloem’s Synchronized Head-Nodding Team. Good for them, and good for Mayor Larkin, the Post Falls City Council, and the Post Falls City Attorney for paying attention.
Comment by Bill — May 16, 2008 @ 11:51 am
The Executive Director of the Lake City Development Corporation, Tony Berns states that affordable housing is important to the Urban Renewal Agency. Since this is one of my passions in life and a subject that I am somewhat well versed in, I attend every regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the LCDC to find out what plans and programs are being implemented to address this important issue. I was asked to present on the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho and our successful method of action of housing families during the February meeting. Director Berns asked me if the agenda for the meeting could be changed so that Ms. Bales could make her presentation to the LCDC Board before I spoke. I didn’t have an issue with the change; I just wanted to share some thoughts and ideas on how the proven expertise of our charity in housing deserving families could assist in their planning efforts. I was in the audience waiting for my opportunity on the day she was hired and considering how close I came to unseating the incumbent who is now the newly appointed city council representative on the LCDC Board in the last city election, my willingness to share my affordable housing expertise and the fact that one of their former Board members and then seated city councilman launched an attack on several challengers including myself right before voting day last November; I would have expected a call from Ms. Bales. Alas, that has not happened. My attendance record at LCDC meetings is better than some of the current appointed board. Since they still haven’t filled the open position on their board and if affordable housing is truly important; maybe I should apply. I will not be attending the May 21st meeting, as I will be visiting family in the Midwest. Please let me know what happens; as councilman Edinger says “I’m in the book.”
Comment by Jim Brannon — May 16, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Jim,
I’ll burn a DVD of the LCDC meeting. Please let me know when you get back and you can borrow it. (Note: Unlike the Mullan Avenue Gang, I won’t charge you $30 plus tax. It won’t cost you a dime.)
Have a safe trip.
Comment by Bill — May 16, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
The open seat on the LCDC is being reserved for Harry..mark my words.
Comment by cda_foodies — May 17, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
cda_foodies,
That’s an interesting idea. Who would benefit and how? Exactly what would he be expected to deliver? What’s the payoff for him?
Comment by Bill — May 17, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
My guess is that Harry would be asked but prefers to stay off the hot seat. Then again, if Harry is hired by the Salvation Army to help run the Kroc Center, it would fit him into the scheme of things.
Comment by Dan — May 17, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
mr brannon habitat for humanity is, or should be non-political because it is a christian, based, non-profir organization. how does your running for a political office fit with your position with habitat?
Comment by reagan — May 17, 2008 @ 6:43 pm