Last Democrat In Idaho: What? What was that DFO? "... visionary community leaders expanding infrastructure to prepare us for inevitable growth???" Can you give me some solid examples of this greatly expanded infrastructure, other than the second high school? In my senile stupidity, I guess I thought infrastructure included adequate roads and highways, bridges, water and sewer systems, fire stations. Never thought of schools as infrastructure.

DFO: I'll give you a perfect example of vision that you, as an occasional fan of the environment should appreciate, Last Demo -- the expanded sewer plant and extension of sewer lines. In the late 1980s, Coeur d"Alene had the political courage to embrace the Panhandle Health District's septic tank abatement program. As a result, all residents were hooked to the sewer system, enabling growth north of town, and protecting the aquifer. Now, the Bloem administration is trying to expand public access to the waterfront and high-ed opportunities in the face of diehard opposition by the town's Hard Right. Ah, you can toss in the Kroc Center, too. New library, too. Ah, Jobs Plus, too (although that was generated by Duane Hagadone and private industry but supported by local government).

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