Hammond takes oath, will lead CDA as mayor

COEUR d’ALENE — When Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond called Tuesday’s City Council meeting back to order after a short recess, he said the first item on the agenda was announcements, and under announcements was committee appointments.

Councilman Dan Gookin corrected him.

“Mr. Mayor, the first item on the agenda is in fact a role call,” he said.

“Well, OK,” Hammond said.

“We have to introduce the public to the brand new people sitting here,” added Gookin.

“Yes,” Hammond said.

“And you’ll get used to him,” said Councilman Dan English, smiling, as others chuckled.

Hammond didn’t miss a beat.

“I don’t think so,” he said, adding, “the clerk will note that all council are present.”

The city’s new mayor took his seat Tuesday and eight-year Mayor Steve Widmyer left the post after choosing not to seek reelection.

About 30 people attended the meeting in the Library Community Room.

“It’s been a great privilege of mine to serve as mayor of my hometown and to serve with you,” Widmyer said. “I’ll miss it.”

Hammond took the Oath of Office, along with councilmembers Amy Evans, Kiki Miller and Woody McEvers, who were reelected in November.

Hammond received 5,627 votes, 50%, to hold off Joe Alfieri, with 4,975 votes, 44%.

The former state senator and mayor of Post Falls said after the meeting it was an honor to lead the city of Coeur d’Alene.

“It’s not something I saw myself doing,” he said.

He said there are “a lot of issues out there that need to be dealt with.”

“I’m ready to step in and tackle some of those issues,” Hammond said.

He said he resolved some health issues and is ready to work.

“I’ve been really blessed here. I’m going to take advantage of this time to still try and make a difference,” he said.

McEvers was reelected as council president, a post he has held eight years.

He said afterward the council president is kind of like the assistant mayor, stepping in to run meetings if the mayor can’t make it, and signing a few papers.

Only, in eight years, Widmyer never missed a meeting, so McEvers wouldn’t mind if Hammond missed one now and then.

“Well, it’s cool,” he said of being council president. “What that means, I’m not sure. But it feels good. It doesn’t change my sign.”