After their first attempt to bitch-slap Mary Souza and other members of the public who ask questions, the LCDC came out in the Press today will a mollified puff piece about how great they are.
I have been observing and collecting data on the LCDC since 2005. Today I read something new. It’s apparently the updated LCDC “vision statement.” Here’s the vision as stated in today’s Press:
LCDC’s vision is to be a catalyst for positive change in the creation of an exemplary 21st century city; a city in which economic prosperity, quality housing and employment opportunities are available to all
What? Nothing for the “stakeholders”? But I digress. Here is the LCDC’s vision statement as put forth boldly on their web site:
Coeur d’Alene is a thriving community where a beautiful, natural environment, strong infrastructure, and healthy economy combine to provide citizens a safe and desirable quality of life.
Oops. Obviously their web developer didn’t get the memo that the vision statement has changed. But that’s nothing. Compare the mission statement from today’s Press:
Our mission is to bring together resources to achieve Coeur d’Alene’s vision of a diverse, sustainable community with healthy neighborhoods, a vibrant central city, a strong regional economy, superior public open spaces, and quality jobs and housing for all
To the mission statement on the web site:
LCDC is the lead public partner for leveraging the potential of public / private partnerships within the Coeur d’Alene Urban Renewal Districts to ensure: strategic economic vitalization / development, sustainable / superior public open spaces, and pre-eminent public art.
(I urge you to visit their web site quickly to confirm the differences, as the LCDC does read our web site and they will be updating the web page quickly to reflect their new posturing.)
I notice that today’s cheerful LCDC propaganda was heavy on the jobs front. It’s been one of my criticisms of the LCDC (and the Mayor who holds their reins) that they focus primarily on high-end condominiums and other big ticket items that are not geared toward nor benefit the traditional families who live in this area.
Indeed, I’ve heard Mayor Bloem say that the out-of-town, part-time wealthy are the ones who will help the rest of us survive in the future. That’s her vision: the Coeur d’Alene resident of today being a servant tomorrow. Shockingly, that vision wasn’t found in today’s graciously-written guest editorial.
Because urban renewal has been used elsewhere in the state to attract jobs, I’ve been critical of the LCDC and Mayor for not using it here as such a tool. In response to my questions, the LCDC and City Council (think Dixie Reid) commented on the jobs created by Riverstone as an example of the good they do. But keep in mind that Riverstone merely created a handful of commercial, minimum wage jobs — not the kind of career-level jobs that urban renewal has created in Twin Falls (Dell computer) or Post Falls (Harpers/Flexcel).
So it’s just peachy keen to read how the LCDC is now morphing itself from a development company that has bought influence and created (leveraged?) allegiance among the various power players in town, into some kind of beneficent organization that really, really cares about the common citizen. Or could today’s nice-nice article really be more about a phone call they got from the PR firm about how badly they screwed up the attack against Mary two weeks ago? You be the judge.
The slaves are moving out. They can’t get out of here fast enough. This new development is a fake facade and before too long the powers will strike a deal with their growing prison population especially after the new safety facility begins construction. It will be the only real labor around. Do they think that the “common citizen” does not see the empty stores in these malls that are popping up out of the ground like hungry moles? It will become an even bigger haven of parasites.
Nobody cares about the common citizen. I know that. I will probably have to stick it out ’til the next election for mayor, but if she is not booted then it’s over for this area – really over. That’s this area’s one last shot. If it’s not a bull’s eye, one might just cut their losses and get out of here and accept the cold reality that what is illegal here – but you can get away with it – floats.
This area – all of Idaho – is so entrenched with dinasuaers and their rich nest eggs, they have lost sight of anything but their grandiose visions. These minds with money are petrifed wood and you can’t reason or negotiate with that. Unemployment has doubled and the only element that saved the tourism economy this year were the Canadians. Our governor warns us of more hard times ahead. Real estate is in the pits, but they hide behind more puff peices like the one the LCDC just published. Their own denial will be their ultimate demise while folks like myself “get it” and move. Anyone who goes against mainstream ideology here is ridiculed, humiliated, and ruined. But once they have done that – there is nothing left to take and ironically you can be more effective if you can endure the sacrifice that so many will not risk. I am not blessed with a Ph.D – Parents Have Dough. But, but my husband and I survive and support each other through all the muck and stress and neither one of us are criminals. It’s not easy. We cannot afford to hob nob with the “money.” You are always a paycheck or an illness away from homelessness and this area has no mercy, who’s answer to this is a shelter away for a roof that you will share with drug addicts and criminals. You are forgotton and thrown away. Climbing out of that kind of sesspool here in this area is next to impossible. I can be poor anywhere – having it rubbed into my face is what I can’t manage.
Having been born and raised a portion of my life here in North Idaho, I can honestly say, it’s part of my history I wish I could seal – literally – and I am working on that. Actions are louder than puff peices.
The players in this community know how to break the law and get away with it. Their influence gives them special immunity and their lies and local examples of legal perjury make them who they are today. Thankfully, I am not one of them.
Mary should sue the bastards. Really.
Comment by Stebbijo — September 7, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
The sad thing is, Stebbijo, I think most people would agree with you — including the powers that be. To see the disrespect shown the public at any City Council meeting is appalling. I believe we won’t see things getting better until every last one of them is replaced. Please help me and others get the word out before too many good people give up and move away.
Comment by Dan — September 7, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
The campaign needs to start now – not two months before the vote.
Candidates need to make themselves available to the public now and be known so they have at least a year to seat themselves into the minds of voters before the ‘ringers’ are thrown out there to head up that last minute finish with their big bucks that buy available marquees. These candidates need to be planted in the minds of local folks now. The ‘underground’ of thousands of potential voters can win any election you want to win. You just have to convince them. Nobody can help anyone if it’s too late to do the job and if they are not sure who they are helping. Who are the potential candidates for 2009 – which include the positions of the Mayor and three city council seats?
Comment by Stebbijo — September 7, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
At the last lcdc meeting, Mr. Elder and Mrs. Goodlander discussed the supposed misstatements made in Mary Souza’s column. I simply cannot recall the lcdc group addressing the issue of adopting new mission statement or statements. If the adoption requires a full vote, I wonder when it took place. If, in fact, no vote was taken, is this essay accurate?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — September 7, 2008 @ 8:27 pm