Ex-mayor Hassell dies

COEUR d’ALENE — The theme was the same when people shared their thoughts about Al Hassell.

“He cared for the community.”

“He contributed a lot to our city over the years.”

“He always did the right thing for our community.”

Hassell, former Coeur d’Alene mayor and councilman, died March 6. He was 76.

Hassell served three terms on the council and was mayor for four years, from 1993 to 1997. His financial background served him well as he helped guide the city. He also volunteered with many nonprofit groups.

“Al was extremely professional,” said Sandi Bloem, who was Coeur d’Alene’s mayor when Hassell was on the council. “He stood by his word. He held to the convictions that he thought were most important for our city.”

She said he treated people with respect and carefully considered opinions that came to the council.

“He was always prepared,” Bloem said Wednesday. “You knew he had read the packet. He came to the council meeting highly prepared. I admired that.”

Tony Stewart with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations worked with Hassell over the years.

He described him as kind, thoughtful and methodical, a team player who helped the city improve its budgetary and planning system, someone who did his homework. Some said he brought the city into the computer age.

“He leaves a really good legacy for the city of Coeur d’Alene,” Stewart said.

City attorney Mike Gridley said Hassell was conservative and smart.

In his time with the city, Hassell was a strong supporter of urban renewal, which set in motion the success of many projects that citizens enjoy today, Gridley said.

“I don’t think anyone worked harder than Al,” he said.

Councilman Woody McEvers also worked with Hassell. He said his experience proved invaluable.

And even after he stepped down from public office, Hassell “always kept his finger on what was going on,” McEvers said.

“He cared about the community,” he said.

Nancy Edinger, wife of former councilman and mayor Ron Edinger, said they knew Hassell in the early days, pre-politics, when they served with the Jaycees, a civic organization.

“It’s a sad time when we lose our officials who have done so much to make our city a better place,” she said.

Councilwoman Christie Wood said she met Mayor Hassell when she was a young patrolman.

“I was very impressed with his kindness,” she said. “He was a strong supporter of public safety and an effective leader. Coeur d’Alene is blessed to have had Al so active in our community. We are better for it.”

John Bruning served with Hassell on the council for four years, starting in 2008.

“I looked up to him a lot just because of the experience he had and the knowledge he had of how a city works,” Bruning said.

While Hassell had a reputation for being quiet and reflective, sitting next to him on the council sometimes proved entertaining and revealed a lighter side.

Bruning said every now and then someone would come before the council who seemed to be “off in the weeds somewhere.”

It was then Hassell would whisper something humorous.

“I hoped the TV wouldn’t pick it up,” Bruning said, laughing.