Thanks to everyone who came out to the Forum on urban renewal last night. The attendance was excellent and the CdA Inn was gracious about adding more tables. Big crowd and fun evening.
Today’s weather seems like Winter’s fighting to hold on, but moments of Spring are breaking through…I hope Spring wins! Lots of important international news, a whole plate of local issues, and of course, basketball…go Zags…, what’s on your mind this weekend?
Hey Dan, thanks for the picture of crocuses in your back yard…I grabbed it from Facebook!
Comment by mary — March 19, 2011 @ 1:04 pm
I just saw Marv Lekstrom at Costco. He complimented the Forum last night and said his favorite part was when I showed a series of slides showing who owns which properties all around McEuen park. Another thanks to Dan for helping with those maps. And thanks to Bill for making an Excel graph for me which showed that LCDC will take in an estimated minimum of $80 Million in the next 10 years.
Comment by mary — March 19, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
Yesterday was the deadline for school district trustee candidates to file. In SD271 it appears that both the seats up for election are contested, although I’m not familiar with the candidates.
Comment by KootenaiConservative — March 19, 2011 @ 4:28 pm
The incumbent for School District 271 seat 3, Bill Hemenway, isn’t running for re-election. So for the first time in about 19 years, there is an “open” seat. The other seat, 2, has appointed incumbent Stephanie Powers running for election. Her appointment marks a tradition for the SD, where 4 out of the 5 current Trustees began their tenure by being appointed. I believe it’s in the best interests of the District to end that trend.
Comment by Dan — March 19, 2011 @ 4:42 pm
Let’s all hope the two bills that have survived so far do not get worked over in the amendment process they don’t resemble what went in for some tweaks. This is the first year we have had any kind of serious discussion in the Legislature about putting a modicum of voter oversight into UR. http://www.idahopress.com/news/article_02de909a-52bf-11e0-adcb-001cc4c03286.html is a link to coverage of the two bills in the Idaho Press Tribune. This paper has done a really good job of covering UR.
Comment by paul — March 20, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
Will you be having another one of these informational forums on LCDC urban dollars ?
Unfortunately I did not see the date of meeting until Thursday and would love more information. I think you should publish a map on who and where the money is going.
We are all tired of this slight of hand manipulation of “Our Money” going into “their” pockets.
Thank you,
Jullee
Comment by Jullee — March 21, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
Jullee,
Although it doesn’t directly pertain to LCDC urban renewal dollars, I’d refer you back to Mary Souza’s Newsletter on February 18, 2011. There she outlined generally how the North Idaho College Board of Trustees had paid what we estimate to be about $6.7 MILLION in prepaid rent to the North Idaho College Foundation to rent land North Idaho College already owned. As far as we know, North Idaho College has made no effort to recover than money it erroneously paid as rent on land it already owned. The Coeur d’Alene Press has been aware of this since January 21, 2011, but not surprisingly, it isn’t interested in reporting this irresponsible action by the North Idaho College Board of Trustees. This land transaction involved the 17-acre Stimson Mill land purchase by the NIC Foundation on behalf of NIC. The LCDC is one of the original “Parties” in what is marketed as the “education corridor” project.
Comment by Bill — March 21, 2011 @ 3:50 pm
Bill,
Maybe I should have been more specific. Question was reguarding McEuen Park / downtown property and ownership meeting and maps that Dan provided at he dinner/informational maeeting.
Comment by Jullee — March 25, 2011 @ 10:58 am