Setting boundaries: City seeks consistency in proclamations

In October, a local advocacy group requested that city officials establish an official proclamation opposing any partnership between the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement.

On Tuesday, two weeks later, a proposal to establish a new policy that refines official proclamations to something that is a “significant issue of importance to the city” was passed unanimously.

“The policy talks about proclamations that are relevant to the city,” Mayor Dan Gookin said. “There have been some requests, as events happen globally, that we go ahead and take a stand on some hot-button issue, but it really doesn’t have anything to do with the city.”

Proclamations are common in Coeur d’Alene history. The city has traditional proclamations on subjects like Suicide Awareness Month, National Safe Boating Week, International Day of the Girl and many more.

Some recent proclamations and proclamation proposals, however, have drawn controversy. 

In 2025, former Coeur d’Alene Mayor Woody McEvers signed a proclamation proposed by a public citizen recognizing "Traditional Family Values Month,” which sparked opposition.

That same year, more debate unfurled when a proposal was made for the city to declare a Charlie Kirk Day.

“We did have a controversy last year regarding this whole policy that upset the public, and we had to do some explanation and say proclamations are handled by the mayor,” Gookin said. “So, we were accused as a council of voting on the policy. We vote on policies, not proclamations.”

As a framework to develop its new standard, Gookin said he earlier this year reviewed Post Falls’ proclamation policy created by its former mayor, Ron Jacobson, in 2021.

Now, in order for a proclamation to officially be issued in Coeur d’Alene, city documents show that the proposal must go through a "consistent, non-partisan process” and that it recognizes “individuals, events, organizations, or community groups of significance to the city.”

Each proclamation request must also be evaluated by the city clerk for compliance with the new policy. Only then can it be sent to the mayor for final approval.

“Mr. Mayor, I think you have the freedom of governmental speech,” Council member Dan Sheckler said. “So, I think you should have full discretion on what proclamations you’d like to read.”

Other council members agreed that having a policy in place will better manage proclamation overflow and overwhelm the overall time they have for declarations.

“This is good to have some guidance and boundaries,” Council member Dan English said.