VISION: First, take a look back

I wasn’t able to attend the Cd’A 2030 visioning meeting the other night but I did read the article with interest. This made me think back in time and question its value.

This isn’t the first time the city of Cd’A has visioned for the future. Back around 2000 we had the 2020 visioning. Has anyone pulled all that data out and see where we are here in 2013? What’s happened since then? How far have we come with that vision? What were the hits and misses? Are we still considering those goals and values?

I’d like to see a review on that before we spend any more time and effort on another similar one.

Back in the ’90s we also had the Hyett Palmer and Walker Macy reports. Where are we regarding those? Oh yeah, those led to the infamous and mostly forgotten Committee of Nine who spent a year on the future of McEuen.

You remember, I’ve railed on this one before. That committee worked directly with the public and concerned parties in multiple open workshops.

Their concept, which seemed to have widespread community approval, was accepted by City Council. Then got stuck in a drawer, only to have another, bigger committee come up with a grander plan with far less public input and drive this city into our version of the Hatfields and McCoys.

I was and am in favor of an improved (yes, I said IMPROVED) McEuen which will benefit citizens and visitors.

But I’m still unhappy about the way this last couple years have panned out.

So, my question is: What have we learned from the past and will we repeat it? What good is visioning the future when we can’t/won’t put past visions back up for review?

I encourage the people of Cd’A to participate in this 2030 process but also ask that we take a good look at what past efforts have gotten us as time moved on.

DAVE WALKER

Coeur d’Alene