GOOD NEIGHBORS: Something to value

Is Mayberry really dead? While giving public testimony at the Feb. 21 City Council Meeting on the topic of preserving city of Coeur d’Alene neighborhoods, an individual I will refer to as NK made comments on the city’s Facebook Live Feed Page. She was responding to my comments in which I indicated a preference for “neighbors” vs. having transient STR guests occupying the homes in our neighborhoods. She stated, “I don’t want to know my neighbors, especially this guy.” And earlier in the comments she stated, “The idea of Mayberry is dead.”

Well, this morning, “this guy” cleared snow from the sidewalks of seven houses in his neighborhood, including those of the octogenarian widow across the street, the mother of a newborn and three other children whose husband’s work takes him out of the area, and the family loading up their four children to take them to school this morning. Our neighbors do the same for us. This is what a neighborhood looks like in Coeur d’Alene.

Having good neighbors who care about each other is what makes for a great neighborhood and a thriving community. And it is this warm and friendly environment that attracts so many people here.

I don’t know about you, but my wife and I value our neighbors and the warmth and caring we share for each other. Neighborhoods are about people, not houses or profits. We know our neighbors share this feeling, and we believe the majority of Coeur d’Alene citizens feel the same. We all need to become more vocal and support the City Council’s efforts to address this important issue before it’s too late. By the way NK, why don’t you take some time today to go meet some of your neighbors? You might find that you like it.

JEFFREY D. and SUSAN L. CROWE

Coeur d’Alene