Politics, what else?

No question, moving people’s cheese perturbs plenty on the McEuen Park decision. But there’s more to this story than being inconvenienced by relocating a boat launch or ball field.

In a word: politics.

At the risk of striking the same conspiratorial chords that we’ve heard throughout the McEuen debate, political advantage is the only answer that makes sense when wondering what’s motivating some of the most indignant voices on the topic.

Legion members whose hearts, souls and maybe even sweat permeate the dirt at the baseball diamond? We think it’s an inadequate use for that space but we sure respect and understand your passion in defending it.

Joe Sixpack who uses the Third Street boat ramp every summer weekend and has ever since he was old enough to drink and drive on Lake Coeur d’Alene? Well, we get the tradition and the good feelings on hot days that experience provides, and the same goes for teetotalers who totally dig the Third Street launch.

But there are others, some front and center, some in the cheap seats, who are loudly linking the City Council’s lack of a public vote and other allegedly nefarious acts of omission and commission to the mess from the last city election, ongoing concerns with urban renewal and any number of other complaints against current council members. To them, McEuen is merely the latest in a line of treasonous municipal acts.

Some of the political posturing is tough but fair. It’s an effort to smear the policies of those in leadership now so the way might be paved for those who aspire to be leaders tomorrow. But some of the political posturing is anything but fair. It’s aimed at smearing the character of those in leadership now so that by comparison, almost any opponent would look better in November.

John Bruning, Ron Edinger and Al Hassell are all up for re-election this fall. None has said whether he will seek office again.

McEuen fever may subside somewhat, but soon the political engines will heat up in earnest. When they do, candidates should be evaluated on their policies and their priorities. Anyone who would hope to win by painting targets on the character of their opponents shouldn’t run in the first place.