Edinger seeks to retain council seat

COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene City Council President Ron Edinger isn't pandering for votes.

The seat 1 incumbent, former mayor and public servant for 40 plus years, opposes the proposed large scale changes to McEuen Field because he doesn't feel it represents the community's will, not to score any political points.

"To suggest that I would pander for votes on a topic such as the redevelopment of McEuen Field, Tubbs Hill, the (American) Legion Baseball Field and Third Street Boat Launch would suggest someone knows nothing about me as an individual," Edinger said Wednesday in a press release declaring his run for re-election. "I will continue to be a strong, outspoken advocate for preserving Tubbs Hill and McEuen Field."

The veteran councilman has been the lone vote of opposition regarding McEuen Field, going against the park's conceptual plan, contracts for the park's designers and most recently the city's fiscal year 2012 budget because it included money for the park's construction and replacement facilities.

He has made motions several times, the most recent on Tuesday, to put the plan up to a public advisory vote. None of those motions have received a second.

The press release states that he has and always will make the difficult vote from his seat on the commission.

"I've always tried to be a thoughtful listener, taking intoaccount the concerns of the citizens," he wrote. "The ability to find common ground with those that may have differing opinions has to be an essential ingredient in a city councilman."

Edinger, who commonly receives the most votes at the polls, was first elected to the City Council in 1968. He was elected mayor for a four-year term, then ran for council again in 1980, serving on the commission since.

He has been a critic of the city's urban renewal agency, Lake City Development Corp., in the past but maintains it's "imperative to find the proper balance" between public investments and partnerships while holding a tight fiscal line.

"We as a government body must balance the necessary needs with frugality in government," he wrote.

Edinger has lived in Coeur d'Alene for 56 years. He recently underwent stomach surgery but has recovered, saying his interest in the issues most affecting citizens hasn't "faded or dulled one bit since the first day."

He is married and helped raise three daughters. He has 11 grandchildren (two deceased grandsons), and three great-grandsons.

Edinger also serves on the Tubbs Hill Foundation and the Parks Foundation. Political newcomer and McEuen Field project supporter Adam Graves also announced his run for seat 1. Edinger has made his position clear on the project. While he supports improvements there, he opposes removing the Third Street launch and baseball field most of all, while leaving Tubbs Hill alone completely.

"I cannot support eliminating some of our history," he wrote.