Coeur d'Alene Press Newspaper | CDAPress.com

Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho

GOZZER: Don't turn Cd'A into place for rich, elite

Posted: Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 - 11:07:44 pm PDT
Email this story Printer friendly version
 

I have been coming to the Coeur d'Alene area since 1971 to visit family in the Gotham Bay area. The wonderful progress I have witnessed through the years is a testimony to the area's beauty. So much to do and enjoy.

I recently visited the area with the entire family again, and again had a wonderful time. I did notice and witness some things in relation to progress that left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Specifically the development at the old Arrow Point, and the new Gozzer Ranch.

For as long as I can remember, we have boated to Arrow Point for spaghetti night on Thursdays. The entire family attends. It's a tradition. This year we were turned away. The reason was a private function for residents and prospective residents only. We noticed several boats turned away. Since it's privately owned now, that's their choice.

We went for a drive one day down Burma Road and took Gozzer Road to get to Highway 97. Our car was stopped by gate guards and was told that the road was private and for residents only. I thought Gozzer Road was a public road and maintained by Idaho tax payers, including my dad. His taxes haven't gone down any. Another bad taste and bad experience.

We boat into town every night for dinner and family things to do. We always park at the public docks. As we tried to pull up into an open boat slip at the (public docks), a gentleman in a nice white uniform told us the space is reserved for Discovery boats only. We backed up, waited 15 minutes, and docked elsewhere. I learned later that Discovery boats are affiliated with Gozzer Ranch. I thought public docking is public docking. As I read the rules on the sign, it stated no commercial use of public dock spaces. It's usually first come, first serve. Seems to me the Discovery boats are a commercial enterprise.

I'm an avid supporter of the area, tell all who I come in contact with to visit the area and will continue to come. My wish is to allow everyone to be able to enjoy the entire area. If the rich and elite want to continue restricting folks from having a good time, my thoughts are things will be priced out for the normal American citizen.

Normal residents I have known for years say Gozzer wants to be a good neighbor and good to the community. Based on my experience, that's not happening. I'm a proponent for capitalism and a free market. Let's not let elitism and money spoil it for everyone. Thanks.

JOHN ANDERSON

Kansas City, Mo.


Email this story Printer friendly version
POST YOUR OPINION
 View all of the latest commented stories!
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.

Registered users sign in here:

Become a Registered User
*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
 

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

 

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

The Press invites you to contribute your online comments, with positive statements whenever possible and, when necessary, your constructive, negative thoughts.

Commenting Rules
NEW- You must REGISTER in order to post on this forum. None of the information you provide will be used for anything that could be considered commercial in nature. The Press simply uses this information as a means to identify the poster.
- Do not use the comments area to promote commercial ventures.
- No libel (that means no NAME CALLING, OR USING PRIVATE CITIZEN'S NAMES)
- Use good taste
- Be positive whenever possible
- Do not Spam - post an advertisement or flood forum with the same message.
- Do not type entire post in CAPITALS - it means you are screaming. 
- THINK BEFORE YOUPOST and ask yourself these questions;
Is it a positive remark?
Will I be hurting anyone?
Children can come to this site, is it appropriate for their eyes?
Most importantly, would I want my name on this forum?

Mr GOP wrote on Aug 29, 2007 8:35 AM:

" Frankly, I don't care if he IS gay. That's immaterial to me. I'm far more interested in his keeping the state business friendly so that I can keep making my living. Cheap labor is key to that, and he's been doing a great job at that. "

Jeff wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:55 PM:

" Mr Log Cabin GOP aren't you a "good" friend of Senator Craig? I could have sworn I have seen you at some of his fundraisers. I am sure he has made you a good bundle of money and I was wondering what "favors" did you solicit from him to make your cash? "

Mr GOP wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:52 PM:

" yup, being poor is uncool...poor people suck "

CDA wrote on Aug 28, 2007 5:24 PM:

" No way,you got it right,thats the way it is.No cash is not cool "

Mr GOP wrote on Aug 28, 2007 3:31 PM:

" It's not cool, it's whether you got the cash. You got the dough, you get the slip. Easy. You denying it? "

CDA wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:44 PM:

" The way things are if you aint cool you aint it,just ask Mr GOP. "

to gotham bay res wrote on Aug 28, 2007 12:49 PM:

" Bummer dude. I guess you should just pony up for a slip, if it's that important to you, this is the free market way - be able to pay for something or go without "

gotham bay resident wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:29 PM:

" I hope jr is right.They stopped my family last year and we live 1 mile away.The public dock thing burns me,i boat my wife to town every morning at 8:30 and they are there.Did you know the state is doing a study to relieve the traffic on hwy 97.they are considering a ferry!!!What a joke "

Mr GOP wrote on Aug 26, 2007 2:19 PM:

" to actually - I don't hate Americans from other states, I just don't poor American's to be around me. I've worked hard to make a life for myself and really don't want those that failed to be around me. So long as the people are successful, I don't care what nationality or ethnicity they are, I just don't want them to be losers. "

To actually wrote on Aug 26, 2007 1:46 PM:

" You may be right. Is this like the "house divided cannot stand?" "

To Think back wrote on Aug 26, 2007 1:09 PM:

" You're right! I'm sure that's why my husband selected this area of the United States. The line has to be drawn somewhere if we are to protect our country. How about starting with our southern border?? See how quickly everyone and everything is included in this soft morality way of thinking? The other "To Think back" included sexuality, hair and financial status. But, he/she is right, this really is not a racist thing - - - - what wasn't said is that it is a matter of LEGAL and ILLEGAL. Spanish, African, Polish, German etc. decent is just fine in America as long as they come here LEGALLY. Only soft, unthinking, wimps would call it "moral" to support parasites who come here seeking a better life - these illegals are seeking a better life allright, and they want to get it from YOU! WAKE UP! AMERICANS are legal - ILLEGAL ALIENS are NOT. Can you really not see the difference? "

to Think back wrote on Aug 26, 2007 7:35 AM:

" It is not a racist thing. This is LEGAL vs ILLEGAL. I don't care if you are a "gay black liberal from LA" because that would still make you, well, "AMERICAN". We Americans, all of us hispanic decent, African decent, polish decent, German decent, gay, straight, with or without hair, rich, poor, etc., need to stand together. "

Think back wrote on Aug 25, 2007 10:47 PM:

" I know this will sound "racist" but. when the Arians were here in North Idaho, we "didn't" have these problems with illegals and gangs in our community. Kind of makes you think doesn't it????????? "

actually wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:10 PM:

" What "WE ALL" need to do is be "AMERICANS" and stand together. But, look at the posts from some of these people "I hate Americans from another state." It does not matter which state. The key is we are all Americans and need to stand together. They, the powers that be, keep us fighting among ourselves so they can keep profitting throughout the kaos: "you're a republican, well you're a democrat, yeah, well your're a lib, yeah well you're a conserve, yeah well you're from.....IT DOESN'T MATTER! WE ARE ALL AMERICANS! "

To actually wrote on Aug 25, 2007 1:44 PM:

" So, please tell me exactly how we should deal with this illegal immigrant problem and the folks who are benefitting from it????? I've been so mad about this problem for so long that I am frankly ready to do anything to solve it. Anything! "

Another transplant wrote on Aug 25, 2007 1:39 PM:

" No, we DID NOT pay a high price for our home several years ago. But, with all the belly aching going on from the locals about how Californins are ruining Idaho, just take a good look around and see all the locals who are selling out at very high prices to the detriment of us and other neighbors who just wanted to make our home here????? Who's greedy? The transplants or the locals??? We paid under two hundred thousand for a home and few acres in an area of similar homes. Now, good ole boys, locals, are selling out for four hundred fifty thousand, six hundred thousand and seven hundred thousand. So, again, just who is greedy? The natives! "

again wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:56 AM:

" once again KOOTENAI CO allows to much growth and to many large developments for this area. Seperate people, seperate I believe that the Carlin Bay community could get a grip on over building. Let Kootenai Co. take care of their own backyard and let the areas surrounding take care of there's. "

Tired of agitaters wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:41 AM:

" Mr. GOP is little more than an agitater and normally I would not spend the effort to answer him. I will make exception to that, as he states: "That does not do well, deserve less." Yes we do and that will be with God in the hear after. "

Hayden Shmayden wrote on Aug 25, 2007 6:06 AM:

" East Bonzanta Drive in Hayden Lake is maintained by the city as a public street, yet it has been allowed to be controlled as a private lane by the Hayden Lake Country Club for as long as I can remember. It is the only "public" road I know of that ends right at the water's edge, yet citizens can not use it or park there - per the city of Hayden Lake. When the Country Club built two large ponds a few years back for their golf course extension, these two fire hydrants just miraculously appeared along Strahorn Road and people were asking what the heck are they for? Well, when the fire hoses stretched from the hydrants to the ponds, there was no longer a mystery. That was some non-water bill! So, the East Side of CDA Lake is not pioneering this cater to the privileged crowd. Its been going on for years in Hayden / Hayden Lake. "

Hank wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:01 PM:

" This is just another example of the type of development that only benefits the few. Cater to the rich and create jobs that service those in a privileged class with pay below a livable wage without benefits. (Maybe the wage does not apply to Gozzer, I am not sure and I apologize to them if that is the case), but as a whole this is the type of development that our elected officials are encouraging. This is what our leaders want. As for closing use of public roads, if indeed they are abusing their use of public road by claiming that it is private then the county needs to seriously investigate this matter. It is our leaders that are encouraging this and they should really take a page from the leaders/developers of Moses Lake and start encouraging more high tech companies and industries to move in other than just service sector companies. We need jobs that will allow people to afford some of the fruits of all this development. "

terminator wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:30 PM:

" John,this CDA area is too crowded!Don't go promoted this area any further. "

to actually wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:41 PM:

" Just like rosenberger will not let anyone see a job that he has under construction. He has illegals building them! "

Mr GOP wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:44 PM:

" John, you are wrong. The prettiest spots in the country, not just CdA, should go to the people who can best afford to live there. These are the just rewards for the winners in our capitalist society. People who do better in business deserve the nicer spots, those that don't do as well, deserve less. "

Sarah Jane wrote on Aug 24, 2007 12:25 PM:

" QUESTION EVERYTHING! "

brandX wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:20 AM:

" Gozzer, Black Rock, Lost Creek, Wild Ridge, Bayview, and all the other developments need to be monitered and accountable to the community. Growth will happen, but I wish our county commissioners would hold the developers feet to the fire and serve the people. The small things that John experienced all add up and have many of us wondering who is being served here. "

actually wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:50 AM:

" John, they do not want you to see all of the illegal laborers that they bus in from spokane. "

JR wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:18 AM:

" John: That road through Gozzer that connects Burma Rd. to Hwy 97 STILL IS a PUBLIC road!! Gozzer would like it to be private and apparently tries to give people that impression. I confirmed that it is, and will remain a PUBLIC road by calling the East Side Hwy dept months ago. However, I believe there is some sort of agreement with Gozzer Ranch and the East Side Hwy dept. to TEMPORARILY restrict traffic to local residents. If my memory serves me correctly, the reason is that heavy construction is going on at Gozzer and making use of that road which will likely cause a degree of damage to the road. The Hwy dept. wants Gozzer to be financially responsible for the repairs of that road while the heavy construction is underway - sparing taxpayers. When the heavy construction subsides the "guard house" you encountered is supposed to be removed and restrictions on use of the road will be lifted, and taxpayers will again be fully responsible for Gozzer road's maintenance/repair. The lower end of the road will still have a "visitor" center or "sales center" located close to the road. No doubt Gozzer will continue to try to give the impression that the road is private to help them with sales in their development. For Gozzer's Discovery boat people to say that a public dock was "reserved" for their boat strikes me as total BS!! They should be challenged on that!! "

Next Ad