Welcome to gorgeous Coeur d’Alene! What a beautiful summer day to lead into our busy Ironman Weekend. We are lucky to live in such a scenic spot and we are lucky to live in a country that protects our rights to speak out and expect our government to work for the people.
Let’s take a moment to review the mission of this web site. We are here to offer a respectful place to carry on rational discussions about our local issues. We expect everyone to keep the conversation out of the gutter of personal attacks. Dan, Bill and I all reserve the right to edit or pull any comments that are out of line, so please keep your sights up and your discussions constructive.
Any comments, suggestions or ideas? Anyone volunteering for Ironman?
I’m curious to get people thoughts on the Cd’A/Hayden and the County’s financial support of Ironman. Does it bother anyone that the two cities and the County us taxpayer dollars to support a private, for profit corp, or do you think that the benifits outdo the cost to taxpayers?
Comment by patrickh — June 20, 2008 @ 10:29 am
There are going to be issues regarding any large-scale event. Ironman is going to cause grumbling, but the benefits and revenue brought in to our tourist-based economy are phenomenal. It’s the closest thing we can get to having a Superbowl here in North Idaho.
Comment by Dan — June 20, 2008 @ 10:38 am
There are some interesting questions about ‘volunteers’ who ‘work’ for a for-profit enterprise. Can you ‘volunteer’ to bag groceries at Super One? Try it, see what happens.
Comment by Pariah — June 20, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Mary, I’m glad I live in Coeur d’Alene. Much is right with our fair city. Many people are passionate about the future of our home. Improvement in leadership is always desired and expected. I’m also glad for your reminder of the purpose of Open CdA. Rational discussion; even when we disagree is welcomed. Small people discuss people. Big people discuss ideas. I hope that everyone enjoys a fabulous weekend.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — June 20, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Volunteers are essential for events like Ironman to succeed. If FI and the City had to pay for the work done by every volunteer, it’s doubtful any City could afford it. What makes it work, though, is that FI has effectively plans and executes every facet of its event. Without good event planning by people who know what they’re doing, staff and volunteers are much less effective.
Comment by Bill — June 20, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
My wife and I will be helping the bikers transition to running mode by handing them their gear bag as they dismount and race for the change over tent. We line up the bags in rows by number and look at their number on their chest as they enter the transition area. It gets to a frenzy of up and downs, back and forth losing no time for them. Every second counts. But we (I) can handle it even with an extended gut and bad back. We are Ironpersons, too and politically correct!
Comment by Gary Ingram — June 20, 2008 @ 5:19 pm