PARADES: Tough downtown impact

I was very surprised and a bit unhappy to attempt driving to one of my favorite coffee spots, Bakery by The Lake, on the morning of Friday, July 1, to find the downtown corridor of Coeur d'Alene closed off and a big traffic jam. I asked some people walking by what was happening, and was told there was a kids and dog parade.

Wow, only less than a week after downtown was closed for Ironman and about three days before it would be closed again for Fourth of July, downtown is closed for a kids and dog parade. What is next, an old lady and cat parade next weekend?

I have no problem with kids and dogs, or old ladies and cats for that matter, but couldn't they march in the Fourth of July parade like everyone else? I think the city should not issue a permit and close down the entire downtown for pretty much any reason, especially when we will already be inconvenienced by two closures only about a week apart already. Really, I think they should scrutinize any event that wants to close down all of downtown and possibly ask if it could be held somewhere else.

CHRIS LeBLANC

Coeur d'Alene