RECALL: Chamber, speak for yourself
To the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce: I recently received an apparent mass emailing from the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce. I do not have email addresses for Darin Hayes, Chairman of the Board or Stephen Wilson, president/CEO or I would have emailed them directly.
I just want you to know that I strongly disagree with the content of this email. While I agree that the Recall CdA effort may have some negative impacts for business and commerce in this area for the reasons stated in the April 19 letter which was mass emailed to members of the chamber, I do not agree with the assertion that the recall effort is based upon a “difference of opinion.” I also do not agree that the recall effort is “unfounded.”
The issue is not whether the new library, Kroc Center, Education Corridor and Midtown have improved the quality of life in our community. The dollar amount of these expenditures, how they were funded, LCDC’s involvement, the timing of these expenditures in this economic climate, the input (or lack thereof) the citizens were given and not recognizing separation of church and state in the decision to spend so much of our taxpayer money on these projects is the issue for many people in this community. I also think the chamber should recognize that many small businesses in this community have suffered greatly due to our City Council and LCDC allowing millions and millions of our taxpayer dollars to be used to support projects (many of which have greatly benefitted council members’ friends and relatives) that directly compete with small businesses in this area.
I should not have to feel like I am unsupportive of the growth in our city because I disagree with the complete and total arrogance of our City Council and the mayor in the way these projects have been pushed through. I also do not need to be told by my Chamber of Commerce that I should not be supporting the Recall CdA effort. I am an independent thinker and do not need any help in this area.
JULIE L. DOTY
Coeur d’Alene