Thom George: Mike's been in Coeur d'Alene for what 14, 15 years? Newcomer! North Idaho is the only place in the world that if you didn't get here on Captian Mullan's original road you are and will forever be a newcomer.

DFO: So true. So true. I've been here almost 22 years, which in journalism terms makes me some sort of Methusaleh. I've been through five mayors and untold commissioners and legislators. But I'm a relative newcomer when compared to individuals who's great-grandparents had the common sense to locate here generations ago. I didn't mean to stay here this long. Journalists usually hop from place to place, as I did before coming here. Guess the combination of working for a good paper in a viewtiful place was too good to move on. So, I'll embrace my relative newcomerness and continue to point out the skeletons I've found in many closets.

---

---