GROWTH: Here’s an option

Regarding the debate over slowing the population growth in Kootenai County:

If you want to live in a quiet, no-growth area, move to the Silver Valley. I lived in Osburn for more than 30 years, and it was great.

Shoshone County needs you. In 1980 the population was about 19,000, Now it’s about 14,000.

The population decline was a direct result of the closure of mines, plus the closure of the Bunker Hill surface plants: The Lund Smelter, silver refinery, zinc plant, cadmium plant, phos. plants, etc.

By the way, the 1960 census shows that both Shoshone and Kootenai counties had populations just under 25,000.

However, on the flip side, Kootenai County needs the growth to provide jobs for construction workers, etc. But, you can have it both ways! Live in Shoshone County, but have a good paying job in Kootenai County. Kellogg, for example, is only 35 miles from Coeur d’Alene.

BOB RIDOUT

Coeur d’Alene

P.S.: You can get a better home for half the price in Shoshone County.