In praise of a Coeur d'Alene mayor with 'heart'

COEUR d'ALENE — Kind. Generous. Respectful. A leader, a mentor and a friend. 

And a professional grandpa. 

Those were some of the words used to describe Coeur d'Alene Mayor Jim Hammond during a farewell party attended by about 50 people in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room. 

It was a time of praise, thanks, hugs and laughter. 

"I think he’s been a great asset to not only the city of Coeur d’Alene, but the entire North Idaho area,” said John Goedde, a past Idaho senator who served with Hammond. 

“The citizens of Coeur d’Alene owe you a ton,” said Jon Ingalls, who serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. 

“It humbles me to even be in the same room with you,” said Councilman Woody McEvers who was appointed to fill out the remainder of Hammond’s four-year term through 2025.

Hammond has served as mayor since 2022. He recently resigned effective Aug. 31 to move to Colorado to be near family, including two young grandchildren. 

He said when the farewell party was announced last week, he joked that nobody would show up. He was happy to see otherwise.

“I’m glad I’m going to be missed,” he said. 

Hammond has had a long career in public service, holding key posts along the way.

He served as an Idaho State senator for six years, mayor of Post Falls for five years and was a Post Falls city councilmember for nine years. He was an administrator for both Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, worked as a principal in Washington and Idaho, and served on scores of commissions and boards. 

Many stepped up to the microphone to pay tribute to Hammond, who sat with his wife, Cyndie, and family members. As people kept walking up to offer more accolades, Hammond at one point smiled and said, "That's enough."

But they didn't stop.

Former Kootenai County commissioner Rick Currie said Hammond’s fingerprints are on much of the area.

“When you hear Jim’s name, there’s immediate respect,” Currie said. 

Councilwoman Christie Wood said she enjoyed working with Hammond, who might seem like he’s a nice, fatherly type, but was tough when necessary and spoke as firmly as a situation demanded. 

“He’s not the pushover that you think he is,” she said.  

Linda Coppess, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber president and CEO, said what struck her most about Hammond was his love for community. 

“It didn’t matter what job he’s held over the years,” she said. “What’s motivated him is his heart to serve.” 

Hammond offered a few words, starting with thanking his wife for her patience when he was gone from home so often to attend meetings. 

“A lot of us kid about marrying up, but more than marrying up, Cyndie really is the smarter one,” he said. “I’m never going to win an argument.” 

He thanked city staff and the City Council. 

“This council doesn't always agree on specific issues, but we still always hung together,” Hammond said. 

He delivered some final advice, a message he’s emphasized on several occasions as the city drew national attention following a racial incident earlier this year.

“I do want to urge you all to continue to focus on this being a welcoming community where everyone is going to be treated equally and be treated well, where we will not discriminate against anybody," Hammond said.

That, he said, is critical. 

“We have to be a welcoming and a kind community. That’s got to matter more than anything else that we do,” he said. “That's what will make us a great community.”