At the risk, if not near certainty, of being blackballed, I'd like to stand up for Mayor Sandi Bloem regarding the recent Blackwell decision. I find the personal attacks to the mayor disturbing. She did not single-handedly veto the project. The council was split 3 to 3 with her vote the tie-breaker. Placing all the blame on the mayor and claiming her vote was personal are as shortsighted views as I've ever seen. Sandi Bloem has lived in Coeur d'Alene her entire life and as a long-time friend, I have always known her to be committed to this community. Sandi was one of the leaders when, back in the 1980s, the downtown area was revitalized. She has spent countless hours working for various committees and causes, including the Kroc Center. To say she put some sort of personal vendetta ahead of the future of Coeur d'Alene is asinine. (For the rest of Dave Walker's letter in the Coeur d'Alene Press today, click here.)

DFO: Dave Walker and I have clashed many times over the years, particularly during his time on the City Council. In this instance, however, he nails it. I have nothing but contempt for the curs in the shadows who have attacked Her Sandiness for her brave tie-breaking vote on the Blackwell Island annexation. Hagadone has dropped her from his A-List since she had the audacity not to support his ill-conceived downtown memorial garden plan. The classy mayor isn't the type that would avenge herself on the megalomanic multimillionaire at the expense of the town she loves more than he does.

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