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The City's Pulse

Posted: Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007 - 01:40:22 pm PDT
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Mary Souza

Person Field: Are the Wolves Circling?

Person Field has long been the poor stepsister in the lineup of Coeur d’Alene public parks, but today it is more vulnerable than ever. Citizens, beware: There are some wolves looking to take dubious advantage of this little sister.

Person Field is a three-acre park, located at 15th Street and Garden Avenue. She’s not fancy and has no real landscaping to speak of. But this simple, open, grassy park is prized by the surrounding neighborhood and Lakes Middle School is just a couple blocks to the north. The field is used for football practice, softball teams, track practice and lacrosse teams.

The city owns only half the park, the school district owns the other half. Two years ago, the school district wanted to build a new Lakes Middle School on Person Field. The proposal was not made public in any reasonable way. It slipped through most of the system without notice.

Mayor Sandi Bloem and the City Council voted in April 2005 to give our half of Person Field to the school district, and they did so without any public input. Yes, read it again: The Mayor signed away our half of a public park without any public feedback!

When the project finally came to a required public hearing, which by the way was held on election night two years ago, a night when most attention was elsewhere, no one expected the neighbors to show up. But they did. They were not large in number but their passionate bond with this lowly stepsister of a park was obvious.

They told of living near the park for more than 30 years, recalled generations of family members enjoying the park’s open space, and spoke of the all-important character this expanse of lawn brings to their neighborhood.

We, on Planning and Zoning, were surprised that no meetings or information had been arranged for the public about this proposed change and that parkland had been signed away without public comment. We were impressed with the neighbors’ defense of their special park. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and they were loyal to their lovely lady, Person Field.

The school district changed its plans soon after and Person Field was temporarily out of danger. But now the wolves are circling again. The city has new federal money for low income housing and Person Field is being labeled as “underutilized,” a term no self-respecting sister would appreciate.

Yet in contrast to plain Person Field are the upscale, new sister parks at Riverstone and Mill River. Taxpayers have provided more than $4 million for these fancy parks that the highly advantaged residents of the special developments will have in their views.

The people near Person Field are not complaining. They just want to keep their park. The current city budget has no money allotted for the acquisition of the other half of Person Field or for any improvements to the park at all. Zero.

Is this a case of the haves and the have-nots? Someone needs to wave a wand, get city ownership of the other half of Person Field and spruce her up a bit. It won’t take much, just a few flowers, trees and benches and she’ll be the belle of the ball to those that appreciate her longevity. And the important positive impact she has on the vulnerable neighborhood that she crowns. Where is that Fairy Godmother?

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 past 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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Mike Teague wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:16 AM:

" Please Please Please keep up the good work, but be careful or people will think your a democrat that believes in keeping a eye on our so-call public leaders. If you run for office I'll vote for you. "

reader wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:45 AM:

" where's the column from today's paper? "

mary souza wrote on Aug 15, 2007 7:43 PM:

" "Laughing" you have been drinking the kool-aid. Riverstone was subsidized with public tax dollars--no way around it. To date almost $8 million public dollars have gone into making that private deveopment happen. Your attitude is way off base. Any other developer would have to put in all the infrastructure, the parks and streets, sewers and streelights out of their own money...and then still pay their taxes before they turned a profit! John Stone is getting a leg up at the expense of the taxpayers. I live outside the URD, and I have to pay more taxes to make up for the money John Stone gets to use to make his profit. Pure and simple, it's the truth. "

To Laughing at you all: wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:36 PM:

" Doesn't the city have new federal funding for low income housing? Hasn't Person Field been characterized as underutilized? Those are accurate statements. She said nothing about Person Field being turned into low income housing. Those were your words, not hers. Clearly she was warning the neighborhood to continue to be vigilant. Given the deceitfulness of our Mayor and City Council in the April 5 and April 19, 2005, council meetings, that's a wise admonition. "

to aint it funny wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:08 PM:

" The City didn't build Riverstone. The City has to raise money over the course of many years to get a park built or levy a tax from us all, which they don't do. Our tax dollars didn't pay for Riverstone. If the developers in those subdivisions your talking about payed millons like riverstone did, then they would have parks too. Complain about lieing developers instead of "corrupt" officials. "

Lauging at you all wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:01 PM:

" For one thing...What Mary said about Person Field being turned into Low income housing...is a complete fabrication. Ask her where she heard that. She's printing rumors that have not one shred of truth. As to Riverstone being payed for with your tax dollars...no it wasn't. Riverstone built it and will be reimbursed through tax increment financing for a percentage of it. But that wouldn't matter to you people who love to scream out loud your opinions when you have no factual basis. If John Stone offered to build Persons Field to what ever the neighborhood wanted, you still would complain about it and accuse the council of duplicity. These guys get paid next to nothing to work their butts off just to hear from you about how horrible they are. Why don't you run for office if you think you can do a better job. But then, who would you complain about? "

aint it funny wrote on Aug 14, 2007 7:48 AM:

" Aint it funny that the park at riverstone was built in record speed but the ones in the subdivisions dont even have grass in them. Its ok to spend for the rich and throw crumbs those that are less. "

Alternate Park wrote on Aug 14, 2007 6:08 AM:

" The kids can go down to Liability Lake in Riverstone since that is where the City Council is spending you and your neighbor's tax dollars - you know to build parks for the millionaire condo owners down there. "

A fan of Jr Tackle wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:23 PM:

" I would hope that the field stays as is. We have over 600 kids that play Jr Tackle and had to work hard to get a part of the Canfield soccer field so we had enough space for the kids to play 7 to 8 games in the season. If they take this away from us where would our kids play ball. The kids practice almost every night from the middle of August to October and gives our kids something to do with their time. I sure hope that people turn out to complain about this. I for one will be there and I don't have a child in Jr Tackle any longer but I use to. "

To Where is Mikey?: wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:57 AM:

" No, Mike Kennedy works for Steve Meyer. Meyer is on the board of the Hayden URA. Nipp is the LCDC's chairman. Meyer and Nipp are business partners, and so it is reasonable and probably quite accurate for you to infer that when either Steve or Charlie says "jump", Mikey-boy says, "How high, sir?" "

Earth to Mike Kennedy... wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:51 AM:

" Hello? Anybody there? Hello? "

Where is Mikey? wrote on Aug 11, 2007 5:20 PM:

" Mike Kennedy works for Nipp. Nipp is on the LCDC. Mikey posts at the SR regularly and has his own blog. Why can't he come here and defend the egregious conduct of the City and LCDC? Is he AFRAID of the CDA Press? "

wepee on lcdc wrote on Aug 10, 2007 7:11 PM:

" MOUNTAIN WEST BANK PO BOX 1059 COEUR D ALENE , ID , 838161059 (208) 765-0284 President: JON W HIPPLER CEO: JON W HIPPLER CFO: RONN C RICH COO: Primary Federal Regulator Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square Suite 2300 San Francisco , CA 94105 Directors DOWNER DENNIS DUGDALE BRADLEY ENGLISH JAMES GIBSON TOM HIPPLER JON JOHNSON MARCIA MEYER STEPHEN NIPP CHARLES PATANO J MICHAEL SHEPHERD DON THILO THOMAS "

wepee on LCDC wrote on Aug 10, 2007 7:03 PM:

" The Urban Renewal District concept was conceived by a bunch of Democrats to line their own pockets. Don't believe me, then ask Charlie Nipp for some URD free money plus interest and see if you get any. Mr. Nipp is the chairman of the board of Mountain West Bank. So could there be some money ties to the LCDC? Oh wait, the owner of the free brick exterior at 609 Sherman is also a board member of Mountain West Bank. Only special people get free money plus interest from the LCDC while the peons have to pay for sidewalk repairs or face a tax lien. Who the hell is running City Hall anyway! The Democrats For Outrageousness (DFO) sure has taken a liken to the LCDC decisions. The Democrats control City Hall, at least a few rich ones do. "

wepee on lcdc wrote on Aug 10, 2007 4:30 PM:

" The LCDC is not interested in low income housing since the increment value is minimal as compared to high end condos. LCDC board members want lots of tax dollars for their pet projects which comes from the increment value. Only the rich elite developers get those tax dollars, the buddy system at work. Just how much profit has Nipp and Meyer made from the actions of the URDs? No, no, no it is all for the public good, profit is not the motivator. MikeK might have to be recalled for a conflict of interest violation. We all know who MikeK works for don't we! "

mary souza wrote on Aug 10, 2007 4:04 PM:

" If I didn't want to defend Person Field as a valuable park, why would I stick my neck out by writing this column? "

RadRevD wrote on Aug 10, 2007 1:56 PM:

" get used to the name: Stan Huffaker ------ by now his projects should be synomonous with 'affordable housing for the rich, childless transplants and new government employees. ___________see: http://www.cdapress.com/blogs/?req=read&blogger_id=101&entry_id=322 _________ Regardless of the term used to describe this 'useful 3 acres to be preserved for green space', it is still PUBLIC PROPERTY. IT DOES NOT BELONG TO HARRY OR SANDI! It is neither a jewel in their precious moments chest nor a toy in their sandbox. They are neither the Kings or Queens of these domains; THE PUBLIC IS! They are only the SERVANTS that keep them clean and maintain them using tax dollars. ------- If the URD had extended East to 23rd as initially considered, there would be plenty of money available to purchase several contiguous lots to build affordable housing for LOW INCOME FAMILIES - YOU KNOW, THOSE WHO HAVE FAMILY INCOMES UNDER $33,000.00! -------- The city already owns several lots along Lincoln and the 3rd/4th couplet that could be made available for mixed use development with retail/office on the first two floors with 2 or 3 bedroom apartments or owner-occupied condos on the remaining floors. -------- this debate is more about exclusivity - get your hands off my toys, keep your feet out of my sandbox, and don't even think of questioning me, or I will spank you publically and stick my finger in your eye! "

to not the whole story wrote on Aug 10, 2007 1:32 PM:

" Maybe your should learn to read so you could comprehend what Mary wrote in an earlier post. It is still below or do you not know how to scroll down? It is obvious you are on city council and are trying to cloud anything she writes and discredit her. You will soon be voted out. "

To not the whole story: wrote on Aug 10, 2007 12:54 PM:

" You are correct. It was the neighborhood residents who also defended the park. But if you go to the minutes and audio recording of the November 8, 2005, P&Z meeting you will also see that Commissioners Rasor, Bowlby, and Souza took the City and School District to task for trying to take the park away from the residents. You persist in denying it is a park, preferring to call it a field. Very well. You must then conclude that in advertising Person Field as a City park, the City is intentionally misleading those who read the City's own literature and view its website. "

not the whole story wrote on Aug 10, 2007 9:39 AM:

" And school District #271 lists it as Person Field. It is still Person FIELD right??? Not Person Park. Diid I miss a name change? From Mary's article, she is ready to landscape, plant flower beds and put in benches. I'm sure that a couple of little hills would be nice, maybe a fountain and some pavement, and a dog walk. How does that tie into current use and historic application? As a P&Z er she should know the community value of Person Field as is. From what I read, she doesn't have a clue. It doesn't need Fairy Godmother Mary improvements to become Person Park. Coeur d' Alene and the school district need to maintain it as is. And by the way it was the neighborhood residents that defended it in 2005. "

Cynical Kid wrote on Aug 10, 2007 8:26 AM:

" To M - you are exactly on target regarding Mary's always negative comments about city dealings. We would not want to give outsiders the wrong impression of our community. We want them to move here so badly that the working population is packing up and moving to Spokane to make room for them. No need to sell Person Field for development. The new inmigrants are DINKs - NO KIDS! No need for schools. No need for single family residences. Condos are in vogue. Get your pen ready M to sign away the CDA Community to the lowest affordable housing developer. We absolutely MUST get our hands on the $300,000! "

Paging Mike Kennedy?? wrote on Aug 10, 2007 6:19 AM:

" Hello? is anybody there? Ring. Ring. Must be his internet only tunes into Spokane media and Spokane residents. "

They fear wrote on Aug 9, 2007 5:30 PM:

" Why does Mike Kennedy post his words on the Spokane papers blog and not here? What is he afraid of? "

To not the whole story: wrote on Aug 9, 2007 4:14 PM:

" Person Field is listed in the City's booklet "Coeur d'Alene City Parks". Person Field is linked on the city's website under "For information about Coeur d’Alene public parks, please click on the links below." The P& Z folks to have a good understanding of the function and uses it serves. P&Z (including Mary Souza) defended it in 2005 to preserve those functions and uses. It's a park. Leave it that way. "

mary souza wrote on Aug 9, 2007 4:10 PM:

" As former chair of the city's Open Space committee, I am aware of the value of parks to any neighborhood. I wouldn't want to change Person Field in any way that would limit its current uses. But a little bit of landscaping on the corners, some benches, a nice sign, etc. would make it look more cared for and permenant so no one would think it is "underutilized"--which was not my word, by the way. "

mary souza wrote on Aug 9, 2007 3:59 PM:

" City Councilman Mike Kennedy wrote today that "the Mayor gave her word that no changes to the city portion of Person Field would happen without public input." I'm glad to hear that Mike, but that's what was supposed to happen back in 2005 also, and it did not. The public was not involved in the process until after the school district plans were brought to P&Z. The Memorandum of Understanding to give the city's half of the field to the school was unanimously approved by the council and signed by the mayor in April of '05, more than six months prior. Check the minutes of the April 2005 meetings on the city's web site. "

Not the whole story wrote on Aug 9, 2007 3:33 PM:

" Person Field wasn't partially owned by the city until the 90's. Prior to that it belonged solely to the school district. It has always been chain link fenced with limited public access. (used to have barbed wire on top & locked gates.) It was the high school field for football and track for years. (Lakes middle school was once CHS) There were several buildings on the sight that included wood grandstands, locker rooms, ticket booths, equipment storage sheds, snack bar, wooden scoreboard and light poles. It is used for all Cd'A junior tackle football games and practice. It is the only sports field available to this group. (currently 5th,6th,7th & 8th graders in a program that is not run by the school district or city parks & recreation department) Softball, t-ball, lacrosse, and soccer also uses the field. It would be a real shame to see this "park" landscaped, treed and benched and it's traditional uses diminished. Don't need a fairy godmother. Just leave it alone. I would have thought that P & Z folks would have a better understanding of the function and uses that this "under utilized" field serves. Yes, Mary it's Person's Field not a park. Leave it that way. "

to T and M wrote on Aug 9, 2007 2:49 PM:

" You'll be voted out of office soon so don't you worry your little heads about it. "

T wrote on Aug 9, 2007 1:55 PM:

" M is right. I can't wait for the day when Mary's column actually has anything positive or constructive to say, or recognizes all the extraordinary things citizens are quietly doing in this community. And yes, some of those people are elected officials or volunteers serving on community boards, despite the fact that you think everything our current council and LCDC board does is suspect and corrupt. One would think it's a good thing that Coeur d'Alene is experiencing growth and isn't the one-industry, dying place it was in the 1980s. One would think that a City with the vision to bring a $60 million dollar gift to town ought to be commended in seeing the big picture. Do you think investors typically get a $60 million dollar return on a $3 million dollar investment? Do you really think that's the kind of thing you pass up? City officials and volunteers and URDs are what make this place a growing town with a good economy that will continue to grow and attract young people. How about giving some of our hard working citizens some thanks once in awhile, Mary? But just think, in a few years you'll be able to spend a day enjoying Riverstone Park, reading at a beautiful library, walking Tubbs Hill and maybe heading to the Kroc Center to go swimming. What a terrible place to live we've built! You're right Mary, the City Council really isn't looking to make life in Coeur d'Alene better. Let's keep criticizing them and drive every sane person in town crazy in the process. You want to see a really messed up City Council? Try taking a look at Spokane over the past ten years. Sadly if your people win this November CdA might start to look the same way. "

M wrote on Aug 9, 2007 8:54 AM:

" The city offered the land to the school district because the school district wanted to close Lakes Middle School and build a new school somewhere else. This was the city's attempt to keep a middle school in that neighborhood. What happened. The people wanted the green space more than a new school. Luckily, the school district seemed to be bluffing. Have any of you been inside Lakes? It's old. Really old. It needs help. But hey, as long as your kids aren't going there, who cares? Right? Hey Mary, I know elections are coming and you have limited time to rip people, but the hate and discontent in your writing is getting old. You're on P & Z! Don't you use your voice in those meetings? Also, "The City's Pulse"? If that was a good name for your column, then maybe you'd write something positive about the people of the city once in a blue moon. Our police and fire departments do an extraordinary job everyday, despite recent opinions of traffic stops. Other city departments do an equally great job without any credit. Someone reading the online edition of this paper who doesn't live here, would really think this is a horrible corrupt place to live. I can appreciate watchdogging government. I really can. Another person wrote below that mud will be thrown. But Mary, you throw it first, every week. And you're not a voice of the people if you don't give the people a balanced view of the issues. I think there would be less static for you if you included constructive solutions to these issues. But you don't. You just complain. You're on P & Z!!! How about a column telling us what you do there? I'm under the distinct impression that P & Z doesn't do squat! Oh yeah, to "those without a voice"...Council meetings are open to public comment. Keep going to meetings to let your voices be heard and questions answered. Quit whining and get active, politically or otherwise. Everyone has a voice, most just choose not to use it. "

CDA Patriot wrote on Aug 9, 2007 8:52 AM:

" Hows about a cummunity park revitilazation group. Have the city put up the money for all materials and have the group provide all the labor. I'm a big fan of having people take ownership of what they want. If that park goes away, Holy moly!! Crap will hit the fan for sure. Mary, i don't know you, but I sure hope you are as I think you are. Keep up the good work and always remember, "The "darkside" never likes "light" being shone upon them." "

Silas Austen wrote on Aug 8, 2007 5:39 PM:

" Hmmm...CDA 15 million plus over budget. 3 million for the Kroc hole alone. The sleight of hand machinations at Riverstone. Thousands upon thousands given by LCDC to wealthy developers for private profit making projects. And not one red cent for a small park in a poor section of town. Reminds me of that old saying, "Those who have...get. Those that don't have, do without". Yet one more disgrace that can be laid at the feet of this elitist, self serving council. While Mike Kennedy, Mayor Bloem and Deanna Goodlander are gloating about all those projects that just happened to put a deep hole in the budget (without voter input, but hey, why mess up the deal with a nasty old democratic vote.) perhaps they should think on the people that just want what they have always had. No fancy man made lake. No condos overlooking the river. Just a park that they have enjoyed for 30 years. But that just doesn't fit in with Mayor Bloems "vision" of a CDA that is a rich mans playground. Wonder how they will spin this column in order to throw mud at Mary. Naughty Mary...imagine giving voice to those who have no voice. I'm sure Deanna will stomp her foot and "tell it like it is". "

to Mary wrote on Aug 8, 2007 4:07 PM:

" I LOVE YOU! You are way to cool! I wish more were like you! EQUALITY FOR ALL CITIZENS! Not just the choosen few. You rock girl! "

Just a Thought wrote on Aug 8, 2007 3:42 PM:

" Maybe LCDC could add the park when they add sorenson and then there would be more than enough $$ to fix it up. "

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