More and more people in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the surrounding communities are taking an interest in a citizens group’s efforts to recall Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem, City Council President Mike Kennedy, Councilman Woody McEvers, and Councilman Deanna Goodlander.  As expected, those unable or unwilling to address community concerns have begun attacking the citizens who raise those concerns.

One of the concerns raised is that the officials subject to recall have failed to listen, really listen, to the citizens’ concerns.   (more…)

“Hey!  Let’s be careful out there.” Those of us old enough to remember the 1980’s television series “Hill Street Blues” will likely recall that heartfelt admonition at the end of the shift’s roll call by Hill Street police precinct SGT Phil Esterhaus (actor Michael Conrad).  Everyone in the Recall CdA effort as well as those who just as passionately oppose the recall and are intent on undermining it need to listen, too.

Lawful recall and anti-recall actions are protected by the Idaho Constitution and by Idaho statutes.  Everyone involved in the recall or anti-recall efforts needs to be extremely careful to not violate the protected rights and privileges of others.   Those violations may manifest themselves as criminal violations of law. (more…)

Recall CdA Headquarters (click to enlarge)

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With the addition of the outdoor sign, the Recall CdA Headquarters at 296 W. Sunset Avenue, Suite 21, Coeur d’Alene, ID, is almost ready to open.  It is in the Sunset Village mall next to Wild Birds Unlimited and Las Chevelas Mexican Restaurant and is easily seen from US 95.  The most convenient street entrance is from Bosanko, then turn into the parking lot.

The Coeur d’Alene Press online is reporting that, “The Coeur d’Alene Police Association … does not support the effort to recall Coeur d’Alene City Council members McEvers, Kennedy, Goodlander and Mayor Bloem, and that they ‘strongly support’ the officials for their continued work on behalf of the city.”

All public employees including police officers have exactly the same rights as all other citizens, and OpenCdA encourages them to exercise those rights freely and lawfully.

OpenCdA also wishes to remind the members of the Coeur d’Alene Police Association that like any other citizen involved in the recall or anti-recall efforts, law enforcement officers are also bound by Idaho Code §34-1714, §18-2001. and §18-1701 among others.  Beyond that, since they are public officials, law enforcement officers must be especially careful not to violate  Title 18, US Code, Section 242 – Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.  (more…)

Between 70 and 80 supporters of the movement to recall four Coeur d’Alene city officials demonstrated in a springtime snow storm in front of Coeur d’Alene City Hall today.  Three  apparent supporters of the Coeur d’Alene Mayor and council members targeted for recall held up signs as a counterdemonstration.  At 10 a.m. Frank Orzell and Jim Ballew delivered the prospective petitions to City Clerk Susan Weathers.  She will examine them to determine if they meet the prescribed format for recall petitions.  The Kootenai County Clerk will then determine the validity of the 20 signatures on each of the petitions.  Weathers will notify Frank Orzell of the outcome of the examination.

In the meantime, here are a few photos of the event this morning at Coeur d’Alene City Hall. (more…)

The formal process to recall Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mayor Sandi Bloem, Council President Mike Kennedy, Councilman Deanna Goodlander, and Councilman Woody McEvers has begun with the submission of prospective petitions of recall to the Coeur d’Alene City Clerk.

A local recall election in Idaho is just that:  an election.  It is a political process in which the registered electors in a jurisdiction petition for the right to hold a special election to recall one or more officials. (more…)

The formal process to recall Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mayor Sandi Bloem, Council President Mike Kennedy, Councilman Deanna Goodlander, and Councilman Woody McEvers has begun.

Recall CdA, Inc., a local community action organization, announced in a news release that on Wednesday, April 4, it will file prospective petitions to recall the four City officials.  The reason given for recalling each official is, “By the power granted to the people in Article I, Section 2 of the Idaho Constitution, we the voters of Coeur d’Alene deem it necessary to recall [Mayor Sandi Bloem][Councilman Mike Kennedy][Councilman Deanna Goodlander][Councilman Woody McEvers].” (more…)