RECALL: Effort isn't justified

This recall may be a right of the people, but it is an inappropriate use of a right that should be reserved for proven corruption and unethical behavior (not insinuated corruption based on opinion). As I understand it, supporters of the recall are angry because they feel that the mayor and three council members mentioned on the recall have ignored the wishes of the people of Coeur d’Alene.

This is simply not true. Many citizens, myself included, support the changes at the park and the decisions made by this council. The council did not make their decisions in a vacuum, and did in fact listen to the input of citizens regarding all aspects of the changes. Additionally, there is solid evidence that the council responded and worked with everyone’s input to forge a compromise: the boat launch will stay, despite much argument from large parts of the population that it is dangerous and seems to exist primarily for out-of-towners.

Whether or not a person disagrees with the decisions of the council is based entirely a different matter. Disagreement with the manner in which a politician carries out his or her job is a normal occurrence, no matter what the system of government. It is not cause for a recall. The great thing about a democracy is that we have set elections so that the citizens can make their disagreement known. Every citizen will have their chance to speak, without the recall, during the next election.

MEREDITH GILSTRAP

Coeur d’Alene