Mayors answer COVID-19 questions

In a time of crisis, leaders lead.

This country, this county, is in a crisis due to the coronavirus and the government-ordered shutdown of nonessential businesses and stay-home orders. It has created both a health crisis and an economic crisis.

The Press asked the mayors of four of Kootenai County’s largest cities — Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson, Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts and Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes — to respond to a set of questions about the current situation.

Here are their answers, edited for length.

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How do you feel things are going in your city these days with the governor’s stay-home order? How are people responding?

Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer: This is crisis that most all of us have not seen in our lifetime. It’s unsettling for our citizens. They are worried and scared because of the health issues as well as the economic uncertainty. A vast majority of our citizens are following the healthcare guidelines and the governor’s order. They are taking this very seriously.

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson: I think things are going as well as can be expected. It is strange to see empty business, streets with little traffic etc. While few, if any, people like the stay at home order, I believe most support the governor’s decision. Personally, I do.

Our city is dealing with it, most are following the protocol and both businesses and individuals are making the changes necessary to get through these trying times. The generosity and kindness of our community continues to shine even during this unprecedented time.

Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts: The positive response to Gov. Little’s order is inspiring. People and businesses throughout Hayden are being responsible and obedient. Despite the individual hardships that people are experiencing, there is a sense of “selflessness” that permeates the city.

Are you getting much feedback from residents and businesses?

Widmyer: We are getting inquiries on city services and questions about Gov. Brad Little’s order. They just want to make sure they are doing the right thing.

Jacobson: I have received several emails and phone calls from both residents and businesses. The most frequent request I receive is to petition the governor asking him to re-open churches. I explain that while I appreciate their desire for this to occur, I cannot support opening churches which would result in large groups of people coming together. I am not willing to expose people, especially the elderly or those in ill health to the COVID-19 virus. I have explained to them that while I would love to attend church, especially during the Easter season, the governor’s decision was the correct one. While I typically don’t read comments posted on the paper’s website or on Facebook, I did find it amusing that I was branded an “enemy of the people” for making the decision to close bars and restaurants and was also accused of violating the U.S. Constitution.

As the mayor, what do you see as a few of the key things you can do in these challenging times?

Widmyer: We need to follow all the healthcare professionals advice. We’ve heard it 100 times. Wash your hands. Keep your hands away from your face. Maintain social distance. It’s critical that we slow the spread.

And be patient. This will not be over in just a few days.

Jacobson: I need to be aware of the impact the virus is having on our residents, businesses and medical providers. I need to be sympathetic and encouraging. It is important that I support our city employees as they work toward keeping city services available while taking steps to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. While it is not business as usual, we must be able to continue doing business. We need to try and support our local businesses by patronizing those that offer curbside, drive through or orders to go pick up services. And remember to TIP BIG. Servers in the hospitality industry work mainly for tips. The pay structure does not change because they are not serving you at a table.

Griffitts: As the Mayor of Hayden, I have a responsibility to garner correct data, to share information with the citizens, to make sure that citizens are taken care of physically, emotionally etc. I am on conference calls locally and statewide to hear direction from our leaders, as well as to ask questions as to “why” we are taking specific actions, and to ascertain if the actions we are taking to prevent or cure something, are doing more harm than good.

What are your hopes/goals in the coming weeks?

Widmyer: My hope is that we can stop the spread and that we completely flatten the curve. Then, we have the smart people quickly develop a vaccine to keep us all safe in the future.

Jacobson: I hope people will remain strong and positive. I hope the stay at home order has positive results and the number of cases does not grow exponentially. I hope and pray that our medical providers and first responders are kept safe. I hope all who can, continue to provide assistance where needed. My goal is to minimize the number of cases confirmed, get to the point that businesses are able to re-open and return to what is a normal life.

Griffitts: My hopes and goals for the next weeks is that by staying at home and eliminating unnecessary contact with others, that these actions by our citizens will allow us to reduce the effects of the virus, and allow us to return to our normal lives. I do not see how we can continue our present actions for more than a few weeks, without adverse economic or social ramifications.

Do you see any different courses of action cities can take to help residents/businesses get through this financially, and at the same time, prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Jacobson: Our city has and will continue to take action to lessen the financial impact. We have been able to waive the fee charged when residents pay their utility bills with a credit card. We have done this to encourage more people to pay on line. I do not support canceling service for non-payment during this pandemic.

Griffitts: From a financial standpoint, I hope that business owners are working closely with their financial institutions. The stimulus package which was recently signed into law has many options for business owners through the SBA. If financially possible, please utilize our restaurant take-out options. For those in need of income, I know that many businesses are hiring immediately. These jobs can “tide a family over” until this passes.

Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes: We are supportive of the federal government and the measure that was recently passed. We need to be careful and help our neighbors. With the assistance of the city, the Rathdrum Senior Center has been converted into a community assistance center to help provide the needs of those in need.

As your city’s leader, could you offer folks some advice, or words of encouragement, to help them get through this?

Jacobson: Saying “This too shall pass” sounds glib, but it is the truth. However, I am aware of the hardship this is causing for many people. Making the decision to close restaurants and bars was an extremely difficult decision for me to make. I understood the impact it would have, but felt it necessary to lessen the chance of the COVID virus to spread.

By taking steps to get in front of this situation we will hopefully get through it quicker. We must all continue to do our parts for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

Griffitts: Never in my life have I experienced anything like COVID-19 and its effect on the world, our country, our state and our community. I am getting information constantly, and it seems to change daily. It is hard to fight this enemy. My hope is that each of us remembers that “we are an incredible force for good.” We had a citywide day of fasting and prayer last Sunday to appeal to a “higher” source for strength and wisdom.

How we act as a community, over the next weeks will forever be remembered in our lives, the lives of our children and the lives of our grandchildren. We will be remembered for the acts of kindness and service that we do.

Holmes: We will get through this as we work together. We know this because this isn’t the first time that we have been through this type of problem. In researching the City of Rathdrum history we have found two different times that we have had something similar to this.

In 1900 Rathdrum had an issue with smallpox, the city passed an ordinance that didn’t allow people from Spokane, Butte, Mont., Harrison, Idaho, and Shoshone County from entering Rathdrum.

Then again in 1918 the City passed an ordinance that prohibited anyone under the age of 16 to be out and on the streets during this time frame. It also prohibited people from attending public meetings or assemblage.

In both of these cases the city was able to come back and be strong. We believe that we can once again come back strong and help each other overcome the hardships that we are experiencing today.

Widmyer: The citizens of Coeur d’Alene always rise to the challenge when we are faced with adversity. This is the challenge of our lifetimes. We will meet this challenge through hard work and the compassion to help those in need.

Together, Coeur d’Alene and all our neighbors will be back. Stronger than ever.