COALITION: Don’t cater to elites

Regarding the proposed coalition to “tackle” growth (New group gangs up on growth, Coeur d’Alene Press, March 23), it seems the planners, developers and other insiders are, once again, first in line. Only at the end of the process, after the predefined “solution” is cemented, does an outraged public get a chance to weigh in.

As I’ve been witness to this process before, it’s at that point that the elites will poo-poo the public’s concerns, pat themselves on the back, and plow ahead status quo. Same song, same dance.

Regardless of what the aristocrats on the committee proclaim, I urge the public to pay attention to the planning process. Attend the meetings. Make comments. Email and phone the officials. Understand that many growth decisions can be appealed. We can make change happen, which I predict will be far more effective than a coalition composed of self-anointed good old boys who are part of the problem in the first place.

DAN GOOKIN

Coeur d’Alene