McEUEN: Simply put, a bad idea

I am a simple man. I do not claim to be an expert in city planning or urban development. I have, however, extensively traveled the globe over the past 40 or so years, and I know what I like.

The recent discussion concerning the revamping of the downtown park and waterfront has had my attention, and I would like to add my thoughts to the soup of opinion.

It intrigues me that some people think destroying the boat launch and replacing it with a wading pool and a fountain would make Coeur d'Alene a more desirable vacation spot; that people will flock here in droves to walk into the water and watch the water fly into the air from the fountain, much like standing in the front yard with a garden hose spraying upward.

I do not share that opinion. If we look to other successful cities that are fortunate enough to be blessed with a feature equal to our beautiful lake, we do not find the destruction of boat docks with the goal of getting a tourist to travel to their cities and spend money. San Francisco does not have wading pools on pier-39. Antigua has not replaced its docks with fountains.

Any public official that proposes destroying a public jewel like the boat launch in the downtown area of a tourist town needs to be retired.

If we allow the baseball fields and public launch to be removed the city will never replace them. There is just no other area suitable.

Please do not insult me by saying an area on the river would be of equal value. Anyone who says that is either attempting to deceive or is just too ignorant to govern.

If doing away with the character of this city is the price we must pay so Hagadone and the owners of downtown "Bric-a-Brac" stores can make a few more bucks, I say the price is too high. I am just a simple man, but I know what I like.

DOUGLAS INGRAM

Post Falls