WIDMYER: One magnificent mayor

Now election season is over and we head into the holidays, it is time to reflect on the good in our lives and to show appreciation to those that have made our community strong. So many here in Coeur d’Alene are always putting others before themselves.

One of those individuals is our two-term mayor: Steve Widmyer. Steve has served with distinction, having helped change our city’s footprint for the better.

First, he proposed and then led the fundraising effort for the K-27 memorial honoring the late Officer Greg Moore. The memorial now stands as a landmark to what can be accomplished with strong leadership and the ability to gather the community together for a common good.

Recently, the mayor, jointly with Pepper Smock — another one of Coeur d’Alene’s outstanding citizens — saved the Music Conservatory on Government Way by purchasing it on very short notice. Now, the community can continue to benefit from the Conservatory’s excellent performances.

Not only did Mayor Widmyer navigate us through the COVID-19 crisis, along with so many other difficulties, we saw rapid appreciation in local assets and became the No. 1 fastest-growing small city in America for our quality of life.

Thank you, Mayor Widmyer, for your eight years of service and sacrifice. It has been a pleasure working with you. I know you and your wife Marie will continue to care deeply about our city and pour your hearts into improving our lives. Let us all know how we can help.

JIM CHAPKIS

Coeur d’Alene