Gabriel named for council seat

Retired fire chief Kenny Gabriel is expected to be voted in as the newest member of the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday. 

“He can hit the road running,” said Mayor Woody McEvers on Friday. 

Gabriel was selected from three candidates, including past city finance director John Austin and sign compay owner Jeff Connaway, who were interviewed for the post by City Council members Monday.  

Gabriel’s expected confirmation will end what turned into a bit of conflict between McEvers and three councilors. 

McEvers left his longtime council seat to become mayor Sept. 1 in place of Jim Hammond, who resigned and left the area to be near family. 

Hammond, at McEvers’ request, nominated Gabriel for the soon-to-be vacant seat in August, but Dan Gookin, Christie Wood and Dan English voted no, deadlocking the council. They called for a more transparent process that involved the public. 

There was some back-and-forth between McEvers and the councilors before the city then issued a call for council applications last month and a total of seven people filed the paperwork.   

“The process was fascinating to me,” McEvers said. “There were a lot of different perspectives.” 

The easy-going McEvers was disappointed there were accusations of “backroom deals” and cronyism when Gabriel was nominated. 

“I’m not even sure what all that means,” he said. "I don’t look at things very politically very well.” 

But he was happy with how things turned out. 

“I thought it was a great process,” he said. “I just want to get it done so we can go forward.” 

Gookin said Friday he was satisfied with the process that involved the public. 

“I'm glad they decided to do something a little more transparent than what was originally done,” he said. 

Gookin said the three candidates interviewed all did a good job. He said Gabriel’s experience, who served 38 years with fire service, including the last 22 as Coeur d'Alene fire chief before retiring in 2022, made the difference. 

He said Gabriel could, as McEvers wanted, hit the ground running. 

“That's definitely Kenny,” Gookin said. 

McEvers will serve out the remainder of Hammond’s term through 2025. Gabriel, assuming he takes the Oath of Office at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, will be scheduled to serve through 2026. 

Tuesday's council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Library Community Room. 

    McEvers