Vote 'yes' on Cd'A safety bond

As a community, we're just coming out the other end of one of the most painful tunnels we've ever traversed together. Compassion and support for local first responders is at or near an all-time high. If they were going to ask for a tangible expression of that support, they probably couldn't find a better time than right now.

We're going to suggest you put the emotion of the moment aside and instead, consider Coeur d'Alene fire and police departments' request for a 10-year, $6 million general obligation bond in the cold, clear air free of emotion. That's the only way you're going to know you made the right choice for the next decade. And that's why we ask you to join us in supporting the bond request not because of today's emotions, but because of tomorrow's very real public safety challenges.

In addition to today's front page news coverage on the issue, answers to your questions about the bond abound on the city of Coeur d'Alene's website. Go to http://www.cdaid.org/bond or to www.cdaid.org and click on the icon that says Public Safety Bond. There you'll find detail on how the $6 million will be spent, and of particular interest, a Frequently Asked Questions section with straightforward answers.

For those who simply want to cut to the chase, here's how we'd put it:

Equipment like new fire trucks and a new joint-use facility for fire and police personnel are high on the purchase list. The Press editorial board met with Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel and scrutinized every item on that list. Nothing was superfluous; every request was solidly grounded in need, if not immediate, then certainly in the span of the next decade.

Bottom-liners will note that even with approval of the bond, Coeur d'Alene property taxpayers will have their loads actually lightened. Showing fiscal restraint, the city is seeking $1 million less than it did when the last bond was approved. And this time, favorable interest rates will save even more. For the owner of a median-priced Cd'A home - $192,500 - annual taxes on the bond will amount to $23.45 if it passes. On the bond that's about to expire, the same property owner has been paying $28.65 per year.

Please, join us in voting yes for the public safety general obligation bond on Tuesday. Do it not because it feels good at the moment, but because it is good for the long run.