Let the mayor games begin

COEUR d’ALENE — It’s been nearly two weeks since Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. 

The game is on to replace him. 

At least one councilmember said he would like the post. A former mayor was asked to consider it and declined. Another councilmember said they might be interested when the post next comes up for election, but not now. 

It might be sorted out Wednesday, when the City Council is scheduled to meet at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall to simply discuss it or make a motion to appoint someone. 

“There's been horse-trading going on,” said Councilman Dan Gookin on Thursday. “We'll have to see what the results are.” 

Councilman Woody McEvers said he is interested in being the interim mayor to fill out Hammond’s remaining term of 16 months. 

“It’s been a few weeks now, I’ve been trying to keep my head down,” he said. 

McEvers said he has been approached about the post. He said that as council president, Mayor Pro Tem and with 22 years on the City Council, he has the experience for the job. 

“I’m the old guy on the council,” he said, laughing. 

McEvers said he has worked with several mayors, each with their own style and priorities. He said he understands how things work at City Hall, how to get things done, and gets along well with people.  

If he is named mayor, McEvers said, he would focus on communication with citizens and explaining how the city works. 

He expects there will be competition for the seat. 

“I'm willing to step up,” McEvers said. “It would be interesting to see what it’s like to be in the hot seat.” 

Councilman Dan English said he is not looking to fill the mayor seat now but may run for it when the position is up for election next year.

“I would very much look at that,” he said. 

English said he has someone not on the council in mind but declined to name the person. 

“We'll wait and see,” he said.  

English is looking forward to deliberations Wednesday. 

“I'm happy that the process is totally out in the open,” he said.  

Councilwoman Amy Evans said she also is looking forward to discussing the matter Wednesday. She said she is interested in serving the city in the role that best benefits the community. 

“There's a lot of great talent on council,” she said. 

Steve Widmyer, who served as Coeur d’Alene’s mayor from 2014 to 2022, said he was contacted about whether he might like to return as mayor. He said he thought it over and decided against it. 

“That's not for me,” Widmyer said. “I put in my eight years. It’s on to different things."

Councilwoman Christie Wood could not be reached for comment. Councilwoman Kiki Miller had engagements most of Thursday.

Hammond said he is retiring to move closer to family with young grandchildren in Colorado.

According to city attorney Randy Adams, Idaho Code § 50-608 provides that, upon a mayor’s resignation, the City Council will fill the vacancy, either from among its own members or with any qualified elector of the city.  

Any councilmember may make a motion to select an individual as mayor, Adams wrote. "No second is necessary for this motion. All councilmembers may then vote on the nomination. If the person does not receive a majority vote, another nomination can be made. A tie vote constitutes a rejection of the nomination. This continues until a mayor is selected." 

Adams said the person selected shall serve the remainder of Hammond’s term, which expires in January 2026. That person may run for a full term at the next election Nov. 4, 2025. 

If the council appoints a mayor from among its members, that councilmember will have to resign their seat on the council to take the office of mayor.  

Gookin said his preference would be that someone not on the City Council be named mayor to keep the council intact. 

It needs to be someone who is “basically willing to take charge,” Gookin said.  

“We need leadership,” he said. 

He said finding a new mayor involves politics, so there are likely behind-the-scenes phone calls of anyone seeking support so they have enough votes to be mayor.

Gookin said he has not heard from anyone seeking his support and said he is not currently interested in being mayor.

“If I'm going to become mayor, I'm going to win an election,” he said.