Former Coeur d'Alene mayor dies

Jim Fromm, who served as Coeur d'Alene's mayor from 1982 to 1986, died June 26. He was 78 years old.

Fromm ran on the campaign, "Save Our Shoreline," when he was elected. He wanted to protect the waterfront, said Sandi Bloem, who knew Fromm and served as Coeur d'Alene's mayor from 2001 to 2014, 

"I think he had a lot of appreciation for what made Coeur d'Alene great as it was and he wanted to hold on to that," Bloem said.

Fromm was a teacher in Kellogg for more than three decades. He also served as a reserve bicycle police officer and on the city council four years before being elected as mayor.

Steve Anthony served as the city's director of recreation for two years under Fromm. 

"He was always very fair to me," Anthony said.

He said Fromm was a driving force behind "Save Our Shoreline," with councilors Steve McCrea, Jim Michaud and Bob Brown. Their goal was to regulate shoreline construction. Fromm's administration negotiated with the Hagadone Corp. regarding The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Fromm was the mayor when the community center at Seventh Street and Montana was closed, which sparked some controversary, Anthony said. 

But he said in general, Fromm wasn't that involved in daily city operations.

"Mayors didn't take as big a role in government as they do now," Anthony said.

Fromm was defeated by Ray Stone when he ran for re-election, but Anthony said he made his mark as mayor and while everyone didn't agree with him on issues, he loved Coeur d'Alene.

"Jim was a strong leader," Anthony said.