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The City's Pulse

Posted: Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 - 04:12:34 pm PDT
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Mary Souza

It’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Let’s talk about politics.

The city council elections are coming up this November and one can already hear the insults rising like the summer heat. There’s a lot of money on the line, and the power brokers in town want to protect their turf. They don’t want change. They don’t want speed bumps. They have got things just the way they like them and they’ll do anything to keep it that way.

So get ready for a nasty local campaign, complete with lies, mud-slinging and a whole lot of money. The only way for new candidates to win (and let me remind you that this is an opinion column) is to take the high road, keep the focus on issues of importance and connect with the people of our community. New candidates will not be able to raise enough money to compete in advertising or public relations. There’s just no way. The deep pockets will be shelling out big dollars for all kinds of help to keep things smooth and unchanged. So it’s up to the citizens to pay close attention, look beyond the vicious attacks and fancy brochures and, most of all, get everyone out to vote!

These elections will be of critical importance for the future of Coeur d’Alene and our surrounding communities because of all the rapid growth we are experiencing. As voters and taxpayers, we will have a clear choice: If you like the way growth is being handled, the way infrastructure such as roads and traffic circulation are being planned, the way your tax dollars are being spent, then vote for the incumbents. If you are displeased with these decisions by our city councils, then you may vote for new, independent thinkers — people with a backbone that will stand up for what you want.

Now, I realize you know all of that, but here’s the kicker: In this election, more than any other, you will not only have to consider the individual candidates, you should vote for the total balance of power.

This year there are three city council positions up for re-election in Coeur d’Alene: Dixie Reid, Al Hassel and Ron Edinger. The other three council seats and the mayor will be considered in 2009. If you vote for one or even two new candidates, the balance of power will stay the same, and therefore the policies and methods of the city council will stay the same. If you are unhappy with the current situation in Coeur d’Alene, you must vote in three new people to tip the scale back to neutral: three new thinkers, three predicable incumbents who are not up for re-election this time.

A tip of the balance will force the Mayor to break more ties and go on record with her vote. It will decrease the probability that all the council members will vote together as a block. It will give hope that some changes can be made to the way this city is run.

Is this column of mine just a thinly veiled advertisement for my own city council campaign? No. I am not planning to run for city council. My plan is to keep writing this column and asking the questions the people of our community want to bring forward. I will, however, try to help and encourage good candidates. And I will try to help you see around the twists and turns as we go down the rugged campaign road.

So, as Bette Davis said in one of her films, “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

Mary Souza is a concerned citizen of Coeur d’Alene and a local business owner. She has been a volunteer on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission for the past five years. Her opinions are her own. Any, comments or info can be sent to her confidential e-mail address: thecityspulse@gmail.com. An archive of back columns is available at www.thecityspulse.com.


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"A good community newspaper is a community in conversation with itself." - Walter Lippmann

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Silas Austen wrote on Jul 31, 2007 9:26 AM:

" At least you answered, which is more than many do. I respect that. But you have made an assumption based on what facts? Mary doesn't sling "accusations". She presents the obvious and asks necessary questions. The point being, to make people think and investigate. The conclusions are their own. As far as Mary running for Mayor...I'll bring the catsup for your words. "

to Mary wrote on Jul 31, 2007 8:40 AM:

" Did you read in the morning paper, POND(ERING) PROBLEMS. We have to put up no swimming signs and bouys. The VERY pond we, the tax payers, were not supposed to maintain for two or three years! Just another display of city officials talking out of both sides of their mouths. "

Niles wrote on Jul 31, 2007 6:15 AM:

" Suzie.... If you feel that Mary Souza has to have some sort of "agenda" for compiling the obvious and forming her particular critical opinion(s), then what do you feel about people who ignore the obvious and form their overly optimistic opinion(s)? The facts clearly show ethical compromises, time and time again. The response to Mary's voice has been aimed at intimidation and insult by the very public officials involved. I can understand that some will like the results of the current spate of development but I have got to wonder about anyone who'll support the methods used to get them. "

Where is Ryan Hill? wrote on Jul 31, 2007 5:56 AM:

" Ryan Hill is now the left wing communications director for the Invest in our Kids' Education Campaign. You can write to him at P.O. Box 1671, Boise, ID 83701. "

Me Needs a Cadillac Jet wrote on Jul 30, 2007 9:31 PM:

" What do Thom, Dixie, Goodlander, Nipp, Meyer, MikeK and DFO all have in common? They all love Hillary Clinton and want Democrats to control Kootenai County. Viva Democrats For Outrageousness (DFO). The DFOs will tax the hell out of everyone. But Mr. Stone needed the $10 million of FREE Money PLUS interest to make sure he could buy his new jet, a Cadillac jet not a Chevy jet. IT'S ALL FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD, right Mr. Nipp? "

And yet wrote on Jul 30, 2007 6:05 PM:

" The big money Republicans will win AGAIN...because people around here wouldn't vote any other way. "

Suzie wrote on Jul 30, 2007 5:58 PM:

" Silas, thanks so much for the critique. Apparently my post was so poorly written that you did not detect the irony I intended. Constantly slinging accusations at a handful of elected officials is what I consider to be absurd. I absolutely believe in one’s right to question elected officials. I do not, however, believe in doing it only to further one’s own agenda. If I do not see Ms. Souza’s name on the ballot in 2009, I will eat my words. "

Silent Majority wrote on Jul 30, 2007 4:55 PM:

" What ever happened to (long-gone) Ryan Hill, the person that Mike Kennedy claimed he rented a room from, a room within the city limits of Cd’A, so he [Kennedy] would be able to (in 2005) run for a Cd’A city council seat? Was Ryan Hill actually ever a bona fide Cd’A resident? When, dates please, did Hill first move to Cd’A? When did he depart? "

Silas Austen wrote on Jul 30, 2007 8:43 AM:

" Please Suzie, you are indulging in absurdities (and very poor composition). Nowhere has it been said that those who question the CDA council and LCDC believe that "everything" that goes on in the council meetings is a conspiracy. Patently ridiculous. However, citizens do have the right and the duty to ask questions of elected officials about the use of tax dollars and about decisions. It is called democracy. This does not equate to "conspiracy" accusations. You make this absurd blanket assumption about others and then you propound your own conspiracy theory regarding Mary Souzas intentions and Mr. Hagadone. That her column is...what shall we call it...how about the "geranium conspiracy". "

RadRevD wrote on Jul 30, 2007 7:27 AM:

" my definition of politics = Strategy of Rule -------- For the unites States of America, it means absorption into the North American Union. Philip Freneau defined these people as Friends of Paper Money. Some here have mentioned the fiat money used to fuel the housing bubble both with sub-prime loans to families already stretched to the limit on rent and utilities AND home equity loans that put stable families in jeaprody of losing their homes. --- for a blast from the past, see http://home.hiwaay.net/~becraft/FRENEAUbanking.html "

Suzie wrote on Jul 29, 2007 6:52 PM:

" As I sat here reading some of the posts in support of Mary Souza's criticism of Mayor Bloem and City Council, I thought that these people must be crazy to believe that every thing that happens in council chambers is some kind of conspiracy. Then I read the post from Hagadone Fan Club. His or hers is the first conspiracy theory that actually makes any sense. Of course! How better to avenge the rejection of his beloved botanical gardens than to assign a "community watchdog" and give her a column in his paper? I am dying to see how long it will take Ms. Souza to announce her candidacy. My guess is that it will be for Mayor in 2009 and that she will have a very generous doner with deep pockets supporting her. "

mary souza wrote on Jul 29, 2007 12:17 PM:

" My web site achives of past columns are having some technical difficulties right now and are not working properly. My web site person is working on it. You can check back later at www.thecityspulse.com or www.marysouzacda.com to copy past columns if you wish. Sorry for the delay! "

Silas Austen wrote on Jul 28, 2007 9:38 AM:

" Dear Dan, nobody, absolutely nobody would vote you from office. As far as my vote is concerned, you have a lifetime job. "

Dan English wrote on Jul 26, 2007 11:08 PM:

" Well, at a minimum I hope all this passion and interest translates into a good turnout and several meaningful debates. "

hagadone fan club wrote on Jul 26, 2007 9:44 PM:

" To :souzaphone wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:48 PM: " Good ,shes just getin warmed up! I wish,she would run for office. " SHE WILL, JUST WAIT. IT IS ALL PART OF MR HAGADONE'S PLAN. "

To :souzaphone wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:48 PM:

" Good ,shes just getin warmed up! I wish,she would run for office. "

mary souza wrote on Jul 26, 2007 6:06 PM:

" Well said, Niles, thank you. "

Souzaphone wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:59 PM:

" Oh Mary Souza, Mary Souza! Week after week, you give me the most delightful pain in my spleen! "

HOT NEW WEBSITE wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:31 PM:

" http://www.thecityspulse.com/ "

DFO POLITICS wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:24 PM:

" I am also a "CAVES" person and I am against the SR Democrats For Outrageousness (DFO). The most active posters to the DFO blog are high profile democrats. So why is that Spokane newspaper trying to impose their (DFO) politics on us Idahoans? "

Pappa wrote on Jul 26, 2007 1:41 PM:

" Looks like a throw-down with the HBO crowd. DFO flat out endorses all 3 incumbent Council members. Of course that's what his handlers desire so that's what he does. Guess the lines in the sand are drawn and from here on out the gloves are off. Mary we need some new candidates so rally behind. "

CAVES good wrote on Jul 26, 2007 12:49 PM:

" "spokane" paper's mud slingers bad. "

Niles wrote on Jul 26, 2007 12:20 PM:

" While it maybe sad that Mary chooses not to run for office consider the tremendous value she offers in her role as a genuine watchdog of the public good. Value the open mindedness of the CDA Press for providing the citizenry a knowledgeable resource providing objective oversight of our elected officials. Whatever occurs in the next election those in office will now work knowing that Mary is watching and listening. No doubt Mary will give credit when credit is due as much as she does the opposite. That said the current Mayor and Council members have proudly raised and flown a big flag of arrogance for the electorate. Their actions speak loud and clear. Through the fine efforts of Mary and Coeur d"Alene's hometown newspaper a new day will be dawning and it will be a fine day indeed. "

Silas Austen wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:46 AM:

" Well, it seems that I am a proud CAVE person...with one slight alteration. I am a CAVES person. (With a nod to another poster who coined CAVES). Now that stands for Citizens Against Virtually Everything Stupid! And giving tax money to private industry for the purpose of huge profits at tax payers expense, is stupid. Moving tax revenue without public input and/or vote, is stupid. Rudely lecturing conc erned citizens while shaking your finger at them is arrogantly stupid. Attacking concerned citizens who have come forth with facts, is stupid. Conflict of interest, is stupid. Someone with absolutely no degree qualifications (apparently something this particular council member thinks necessary), asking a citizen what his degree qualifications are, is stupid. When presented with facts that cannot be refuted, obfuscating the issue by attacking, is stupid. Using mis-direction and mis-information to deflect the actual facts, is stupid. There is nothing wrong with disagreement and a difference of opinion. This is the American way. But the character assasination that is used as a tool of defense, often of the indefensible, is blatantly stupid. Ask a question the incumbants do not like or cannot answer truthfully, and you had better have speedy refexes, because you will get a faceful or mud. Am I exagerating? No...attack the messenger...blacken the character...these are the regular tools of the incumbant council and those with a bully pulpit who support them. Continually voting for the imcumbants because it is the easy way, is stupid. And citizens of CDA, the most stupid act of all, is not voting. Is this election indeed going to be a bumpy road? That is an understatement because the weapon of choice seems to be attack...attack...attack! It has already begun. Don't succumb to this tactic. Inform yourself. Remember, "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". Elected officials who can "vote in a block" equates to absolute power. Inform yourself and vote your beliefs and conscience. And ask yourself, do I want a reasoned council member who votes for the good of my town and its citizens, or do I want a self serving attack dog? Do I want representation that has nothing but the best solution for the city or someone who is representing private interest for profit? Think and vote. "

obi wan wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:10 AM:

" This is waht passes for thoughtful commentary on this site? Pathetic. " You must be a New Yorker or at least a past New Yorker. Take your New York attitude back to the Big Apple. Are you related to Thomass that is as a donkey/asss demo? Your comments are better suited to the SR Democrats For Outrageousness (DFO) hater out of stater blog. Go back to your hater out of stater blog with others who share your like mindedness. Maybe you will get a big hat tip. " "

along with LTR wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:52 AM:

" WE THE PEOPLE will vote for SOMEONE FOR THE PEOPLE. To not fooled, Please get psycho therapy. You are obviously someone from city council, LCDC or a developer. "

LTR wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:17 AM:

" Mary Souza, I would vote for you should you change your mind. "

TO THOMASS wrote on Jul 26, 2007 6:04 AM:

" You must be a New Yorker or at least a past New Yorker. Take your New York attitude back to the Big Apple. Are you related to Thomass that is as a donkey/asss demo? Your comments are better suited to the SR Democrats For Outrageousness (DFO) hater out of stater blog. Go back to your hater out of stater blog with others who share your like mindedness. Maybe you will get a big hat tip. "

Vote em Out! wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:42 AM:

" I will vote for ZERO incumbents any more, with the exception of Dan English, the ever-steady and very fair County Clerk. The arrogance of the current incumbents in believing that all is well and that there is just a small, vocal minority on this blog who despise what they have turned our area into are in for a rude awakening come their November judgment day. I hope Gus Johnson can help find them all government jobs, because they are going to need something. Unless of course they just happen to go to work for some large developer or maybe LCDC or.... "

not fooled wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:05 PM:

" "So get ready for a nasty local campaign, complete with lies, mud-slinging and a whole lot of money." And the CAVE people have already begun with the lies and mud-slinging. "

There you have it. wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:10 PM:

" Time to put your vote where your mouth is. Keep bitching but vote in new blood. Even if they don't have a huge background in politics or running big towns. Anything is better than the lunkheads in there now. If someone new doesn't know what to think about which way to vote I hope they vote for what the people want not big builders and friends. "

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