A bright idea in the neighborhood

We interrupt the 24/7/365 political and social slugfest with this important message.

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood

A beautiful day for a neighbor

Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beautywood

A neighborly day for a beauty

Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you

I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day

Since we're together, we might as well say

Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please, won't you please?

Please, won't you be my neighbor?

— The late, great Fred Rogers

Pollyanna, perhaps.

Unrealistic? Maybe.

But you’ve got to give folks a comfy sweater and slippers for trying to unite communities, neighbor by neighbor.

Project Neighborly, whose community partners in North Idaho are CDA 2030, Civic Engagement Alliance, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber and United Way of North Idaho, is offering up to $5,000 for you and your pals to pull us all a little closer together.

Seriously: If you’ve got an idea that would improve civility, Project Neighborly wants to hear from you.

As an example, The Press has advocated removing anyone who disrupts public meetings. While practically effective, this would not qualify as a good idea to improve civility. Finding a way to eliminate people’s desire to shout and threaten public servants would.

Telling the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee where to file their candidate endorsements? Not good. Arranging meet-and-greet coffee chats between representatives of the KCRCC and Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee? Better.

On Feb. 16 from 4-6 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, there’s an open house to brainstorm and answer questions about the program. If you have a bright idea but can’t attend or any questions at all about Project Neighborly, email: info@cda2030.org.

Who knows? Maybe we can make Mister Rogers proud.

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In addition to the organizations named above, The Press thanks the Idaho Community Foundation and funding partners Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Idaho Central Credit Union and Innovia Foundation for making this program possible.