Happy Valentine’s Day! This is the heart sculpture that’s in front of the CdA Chamber building. It was sponsored by the downtown Rotary Club, and is a popular photo spot for visitors to our city.
I *heart* CdA because of the incredible, smart, hard working real people who live in our beautiful community. Thank you to all who read this blog, to my cohorts Bill and Dan who work with me on this site, and to everyone who has the courage to stand for their convictions. Cheers to you all on this day of appreciation!
Your thoughts, comments, ideas on this or any other topic?
Anyone else run into teachers standing on the corner or outside of grocery stores with signs to stop Luna’s education reform? I am all for education but believe there is to much waste in government. I politely told those I ran into to go talk to the mayor of CdA and get their money from the LCDC and the millions that are slated for McEuen.
Comment by concerned citizen — February 14, 2011 @ 3:49 pm
Education has to change to fit the future. Luna’s plan may not be the best thing ever, but it’s an idea, a starting point. And it’s better than the “even more money” idea that we keep hearing from the schools.
The world is changing and education isn’t keeping up. Virtual schools are the future. Schools in buildings are in the past.
Comment by Dan — February 14, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
By the way, that image of the Heart is yet another example of how the city’s Art Commission spent money on art not produced by local artists. Why the city’s own Arts Commission couldn’t keep that money here is beyond me.
Comment by Dan — February 14, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
Virtual school is great in the abstract. In reality too many kids, who normally would make it with mentoring , will fall through the cracks. Students who want to achieve and are able, will always succeed. Those who don’t care, will fail under any system. It is those in the middle who will suffer. Parents who can will send their children to private school. But many cannot (afford) and shouldn’t have to. There are better ideas and starting points. And cc, sorry but you were simply rude to those teachers. They are under paid and way under appreciated. The disreputable local govt. is not the fault of local teachers. And you seem to forget that they pay taxes and LCDC picks thier pockets as well.
Comment by rochereau — February 14, 2011 @ 5:32 pm
rochereau,
Please forgive me. I never said I was not for the teachers. I DO believe that teachers are grossly underpaid. I simply believe that they need to make/take a stand against waste whether it be in the school budget, parks budget, snow plow budget, etc.
The very people that claim they do not make enough are the same that turn the other cheek to government waste.
Comment by concerned citizen — February 14, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
I’ve been told so many stories, CC, by people who don’t want to be identified, but they know what they’ve seen is wrong and and is an abuse of taxpayer money. One that comes to mind is about the printing dept. at the county, and how they have machines that can print a large volume of material at a very fast pace, but they choose to run the machines at a low speed so the employees running them can make the most on their per hour pay because “they’re nice people”. It’s a similar mindset with some of the teachers. They don’t really seem to connect with the reality that the parents of their students have to pay more money for any waste or fraud in the education system. They cover up and make excuses because it’s only “government money”. But of course, it’s not. Government creates NO money…it all comes from taxpayer pockets; from the teachers themselves and their neighbors and friends.
Comment by mary — February 14, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
Mary,
You are correct. I have met many great teachers but it is time for ALL of us to take a stand. It is time to oust the “status quo”. Even the army and police know how corrupt the system was in Egypt.
Comment by concerned citizen — February 14, 2011 @ 8:16 pm
While reading the Coeur d’Alene Press this morning, I noticed an advertisement for Realtor, Nancy White. Nancy White was an illegal voter in the Coeur d’Alene Municipal Election of 2009. Does anyone know if she faced any charges or sanctions from her broker at Windemere? Doesn’t Pepper Smock own this franchise? Is there a state licensing board for Realtors? It seems that illegal actions in Kootenai County have no consequences except possible enrichment from your insider stakeholder buddies. I don’t recall all of the specifics of her illegal act, but I would be glad to file a complaint with the appropriate licensing body, if I can get the details. I’m just tired of having my nose rubbed in manure by arrogant crooked people.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — February 15, 2011 @ 9:43 am
Of course we must take a stand. But let us take that stand against those who abuse their authority. Those who use tax money for personal gain via LCDC. Those who ignore the wishes of the electorate. Those who would crush the city and county with ongoing debt because of a ridiculous concept. Let us take a strong and vocal stand against those who cause the problems. We all have to live with the fallout. It is not the classroom teacher who mis-uses the budget. It is the “empire builder(s)” who come up with more and more outlandish ideas that bloat the budget and often mis-use funds available and thus cause shortfalls. We know the enemy, now lets make him/her ours!
Comment by rochereau — February 15, 2011 @ 10:39 am
Rochereau, if I might be so bold as to paraphrase your feelings: No more Mr. Nice Guy?
Comment by mary — February 15, 2011 @ 1:27 pm
Simply put Mary, you got that right!!
I was visiting with some friends last evening and was told that Eastwood is addressing community groups in town trying to sell the “concept”. You probably knew this. These talks are not being well received overall. An off the cuff estimate of the parking fiasco alone is 55 million. And the no taxes is outright laughed at. So tell us Bloemey, upkeep will be free in perpetuity. And absolutely everybody wants a vote. Mayor Bloeminsultum really laid an egg with the “thats what we were elected for”.
And John Stone apparently has taken his profit and run.
Comment by rochereau — February 15, 2011 @ 2:20 pm
rochereau,
You are correct. It is sad that our elected officials cannot see that the opportunist are here for one thing and one thing only. Stone got his handout from the LCDC and now is GONE leaving the taxpayer with the mess to clean up.
I would also like to clarify my previous post. The people of this area have been taxed to the hilt so right or wrong they are going to say no because there just isn’t any more money to give.
Comment by concerned citizen — February 15, 2011 @ 4:51 pm