'Break that silence'

COEUR d’ALENE — The first thing Mayor Jim Hammond pointed out in his annual address Wednesday was that the city’s fire trucks have the words, “City of Excellence.”

He agreed Coeur d'Alene is exactly that.

“So, thank you very much,” Hammond said, smiling as he pretended to step away from the podium as if he was finished, prompting the crowd of about 200 to laugh.

“You’re not going to buy that?” he asked.

With a mix of facts, praise and politics, Hammond delivered a 50-minute speech at the Hagadone Events Center. He spoke glowingly of the city’s departments and their achievements. He cited falling crime, beautiful parks, plentiful water, thriving arts, solid streets, smart financial decisions and sound management that has led to a growing waterfront town.

Hammond, who took office for a four-year term in January 2022, had some fun when Councilman Dan English began to leave early for another appointment.

“Where are you going, Dan?” Hammond asked, leading English to stop and smile as the crowd laughed.

On a serious note, Hammond said the city’s growth has created a larger tax base, which “benefits everybody.”

“That’s important to recognize," Hammond said.

He mentioned the vision that led to the creation of McEuen Park and Atlas Waterfront Park.

He said, while some have questioned the construction of high-end homes next to Atlas, the housing development will not only help reimburse the city for the land's purchase, but it has kept the waterfront open to the public.

“I think that is a substantial achievement,” he said.

Hammond said Coeur d'Alene faces challenges, starting with the rise of short-term rentals.

“We have to come up with a solution,” he said, adding that one councilman lives in the Fort Ground area, where there are six STRs in a two-block stretch.

“When you moved into your neighborhood you moved to be with neighbors, with people with whom you can develop friendships, not someone who is going to be there a week or two," Hammond said.

He said it is not that the city is against STRs, but too many “disrupts the integrity" of single-family residential neighborhoods.

“That’s a challenge for us. We still have to resolve that," he said.

Hammond said the city needs more downtown parking and must continue to invest in street maintenance to accommodate increased traffic.

“Once they fall apart they are extremely expensive to repair,” he said.

Hammond showed his support for North Idaho College and said the sustainability of a community college is important.

“That is essential for our economic development," he said.

Hammond praised embattled NIC President Nick Swayne, seated at a table near the front, for staying strong in trying times.

“God bless you," he said, as the crowd applauded.

Hammond thanked people for taking a stand for what they believe is right and urged others not to remain quiet.

"We need to break that silence, all of us," he said. "We can't depend on anybody else. We have to break that silence and we have to be a voice."

Hammond said public education must be supported.

"We now recognize how difficult it is to educate children," he said.

He believes the Coeur d'Alene School District's proposed levy — a two-year, $25 million-per-year supplemental levy — will pass May 16 if more people vote.

He said turnout was less than 30% for the district's levy proposals defeated in March and said he expects to see more support this time around.

"Be sure that everybody votes,” he said.

Hammond said while Coeur d'Alene has come a long way, its success depends on diligent citizens.

"I would say to you, we are the heart and soul of this city. We own this community, we own this culture, and it’s up to us," he said, earning a standing ovation.