HUCKLEBERRIES: World-class listener can also write
Harry Amend spent his career in education and beyond teaching people how to communicate.
That skill is needed more than ever in these troubling times. COVID and politics have ripped us apart.
Everyone is shouting.
Except Harry.
The former Coeur d’Alene school superintendent still practices what he preached during his four decades as an educator, including six years with the Coeur d’Alene School District (2002-'08). He builds bridges among people. Listens. And values others as well as their opinions.
And he looks for silver linings in dark times.
The pandemic enabled Harry to pen a book that has percolated in his mind since his early days in education as a school counselor. As the epidemic took hold in March 2020, he began writing, In February he finished his how-to book on communication: “Building Strong Human Bridges: Ten Tools for Success” (available for $15.99 at the Well-Read Moose at Riverstone and Amazon.com).
Titles and subheads provide easy-to-follow guides, including the Chapter 1 heading, “Solve It, Don’t Win It.” In the chapter, Harry urges readers to use simple techniques to de-escalate verbal fights and seek common ground. Other sections include: “Leave the Sledgehammer in the Pickup Truck,” “You Can’t Please Everyone But You Can Treat Everyone Right” and “Don’t Kick A Sleeping Doberman.”
Harry has shared his principles with educators, bankers, insurance professionals, dentists and even oilmen running wellheads. But parents and spouses are among his primary targets. His tips can aid people who have reached a breaking point.
Harry modeled his rules of engagement as Coeur d’Alene superintendent.
He attended meetings of Republicans and Democrats. And remains proud that neither side knew how he voted. Also, he was a Rotarian and active on eight boards, including Jobs Plus, Excel and United Way.
Although the population and politics of Coeur d’Alene has changed in 20 years, he said he would handle his job the same way today.
“I would still try to create opportunities over a cup of coffee,” he said. “I’ve dealt with people whose names are still in the headlines. One on one you can do a lot more than when the cameras are rolling.”
Harry prizes the ability to be quiet until the other person finishes speaking. We all should.
When dog bit Bob
The Aug. 31 passing of former Kootenai County commissioner Bob Haakenson brings to mind a Huckleberry from May 23, 1994. Bob had served two terms as commissioner before losing to the late Mike Anderson in the 1992 Democratic primary. In spring 1994, the former lawmaker was trying to make a political comeback in a rematch with Anderson.
In the closing days of the election, he ran into trouble while campaigning door-to-door. Here’s the item published the day before the 1994 primary: “Commish Wannabe-Again Bob Haakenson won’t be suffering election jitters tomorrow afternoon. He’ll be undergoing a skin graft to fix that dog bite he suffered in Worley. His sawbones insisted that the injury be treated as soon as possible after the campaign.”
The dog bite was an omen. Bob would lose to Anderson again. And Anderson would go on to lose to Republican Dick Panabaker in a three-way race that November. Anderson was the last Democrat to hold the office of Kootenai County commissioner.
Huckleberries
• Poet’s Corner: The yellow bus came by today/and carried summertime away – The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“School”).
• Even teetotalers should smile at this clever sign on a Budweiser truck at U.S. 95 and Kathleen on Wednesday: “Cargo this precious usually comes in armored trucks.”
• En route to the Dollar Store on Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, a Coeur d’Alene couple saw this sign at the Golden Brake around the corner: “I wish the Dollar Store sold gas.”
• OK, how many of you, including Zag fans, have said, “He had a Few too many,” after learning about the DUI arrest of vaunted Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few in town this week? Yeah, most of us are hoping that this’ll be a lesson learned and we can move on. Go, Zags.
• In the “How Time Flies” Dept: Thirty-seven years ago today, I began my career as a Spokesman-Review reporter by covering a Coeur d’Alene School District meeting. That was long before every move by school trustees incited parents to grab picket signs. I have had fun in my time here — and during 51 years in the news biz. And it continues.
Parting Shot
Speaking of time flying, Coeur d’Alene broke ground on the $20 million makeover of McEuen Park nine years ago today. The event followed a failed recall attempt against then mayor Sandi Bloem and three council members in spring 2012, led by Mary Souza.
The current state senator from Coeur d’Alene and her followers were miffed that the council majority, with Bloem casting repeated tie-breakers, refused to put the McEuen overhaul to a public advisory vote. In a huff, Souza & Co. tried — and failed — to collect enough signatures to force recall elections against Bloem and council members Woody McEvers, Mike Kennedy and the late Deanna Goodlander. As a result, we have a dyne-oh!-mite greenspace today, no thanks to the never-say-die naysayers who have been wrong more times than they’d ever admit.
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D.F. “Dave” Oliveria can be contacted at dfo@cdapress.com.
