MY TURN: It’s lonely at the top!

I have worked as an employee for the City of Coeur d’Alene, or served on city committees, or served as an elected city council member (since 2019) for the past 36 years. During this time, I have worked with many mayors. Each one of them had their own unique style and positive attributes.

Some mayors have had very strong personalities and were engaged in all aspects of city operations. Some were especially quiet and unengaged. We have had mayors that were considered to be very nice, and others were seen by staff as tyrants. Some were experts in public budget, and we relied on them to help us keep from taking tax increases. Others were visionary and loved by staff. In many instances staff was heavily relied upon and became to believe over time that they were the decision makers and not the elected officials.

Some mayors fired their city administrator, attempted to fire their police chief, and openly wished they could fire their new city administrator and city attorney just about every day.

A very young mayor fired the majority of a long-serving administrative team and demanded the retirements of numerous department heads. Other mayors were never at odds with staff and became especially close friends with them even after retirement.

Some mayors were very effective and some ineffective. We have had mayors that work closely with the city council and others that refuse to engage with them out of sheer frustration.

Mayor Gookin is no different in his role then those that came before him. He is finding his way. He has high expectations for staff and is attempting to work with council, our citizens, while putting in full days (as a part -time mayor) for the City of Coeur d’Alene.

For those that forget their own frustrations with staff and consider him the devil while they remain saintly, I chuckle and tell them I am not buying it. Each mayor has had issues to deal with. They have all had strengths that without question made a positive impact on our city. All of them past and present have a deep love for the city and did their best to represent us, including our current mayor.

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Christie Wood is a member of the Coeur d’Alene City Council.