Recall: The subject at hand

If there is one thing I've learned in my 65 years of being in various leadership roles, whether it be as a husband/father/provider, or in management and even as a young man in the youth ministry; you must stay on point (the subject at hand) if you want to deal with a particular issue successfully.

Now let me make it clear that when it comes to my leadership role as a husband and dealing with the family issues whether it be finances or the children, that leadership role included my wife and no mandates passed unless she agreed. As the so-called "head of the house" (she let me have that title) I was "allowed" to make many decisions on my own (that way my ego wasn't hurt), but when it came to choices and decisions that affected the entire family and potentially my neighbors, it not only involved my wife but sometimes our kids as well. So with that said I'll get to my point and I ask you bear with me because it is one that has been through the ringer of late.

Just about 100 percent of the time when there is a debate or argument about a given subject, the first to take it off point (the subject at hand) is the one who feels they are losing the debate/argument. In the case of the McEuen Field debate/argument, it has been taken so far off point it's silly. Some have taken it off point, saying the recall effort is a personal vendetta. Some have taken it off point claiming that not going through with it will hurt business or create an unfriendly business atmosphere.

There was an appeal to all Coeur d'Alene residents who are current Kroc member or former members, that if you like the Kroc Center or supported it you should consider not signing the recall petition and "just say no," once again taking it off point. The logic being, if you agree with one thing and you benefited by it, you should agree with all those that follow; really?

Then you have other cities getting involved in Coeur d'Alene's business, like Fernan Lake Village Mayor Richard Jurvelin. Mayor Jurvelin is against the recall effort directed toward Cd'A Mayor Sandi Bloem and three City Council members, Mike Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander and Woody McEvers. According to The Press, Mayor Jurvelin's proclamation states the recall effort has put the Coeur d'Alene City Council "into a disturbing and fractional decision-making body, that could likely impact on the long-range vision of the city, affect the quality of life of its citizens, and hamper the future for new business development." Sounds like more "off point" scare tactics to me.

It doesn't end there. Deanna Goodlander of course agrees and adds even more "off point" scare tactics by saying the recall effort (which includes her) depicts a hostile political environment for any potential business looking to relocate and if the recall effort is successful and the (incumbents) are replaced, it could mean changes to the city's urban renewal agency, Lake City Development Corp.; and by the way, according to The Press, longtime Fernan Mayor Jim Elder sits on the LCDC board.

The bottom line folks, most of this whole mess and all the doomsday predictions are coming from politicians, those on politically connected committees, and business owners.

I want to thank the city of Post Falls and Hayden Lake for staying out of it. I think it shows wisdom and just maybe they realize what I and many others have; that (the subject at hand) has been taken way "off point" that all the citizens of Coeur d'Alene wanted was a VOTE; that is, (the subject at hand) and I think the mayor and council know it.

I've heard it said "In The Council of Many Minds; Is Much Wisdom." So I make no major decisions without my wife agreeing. I never claim to know better or more than her; just a little word of wisdom. Sadly though I'm sure it will fall on deaf ears because I get the feeling, Mayor Sandi Bloem, City Council members Mike Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander and Woody McEvers, simply don't want to let the people vote because they feel they are "The Council of Many Minds With All The Wisdom." Their wisdom has brought Cd'A to this point.

Jerry Martin is a Post Falls resident.