In the "Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop" Department, CdA City Council incumbents and City Hall insiders are bracing for a last-minute attack by challenger Dan Gookin and a possible ticket of sympathizers that has yet to emerge. In a Huckleberries Online video this month, I described a scenario that has become conventional wisdom locally. Gookin, who is known for his diehard opposition to urban renewal efforts, has an uphill battle against popular incumbent Ron Edinger. However, I predict Gookin will put up a good fight, with the possible support of Duane Hagadone's Coeur d'Alene Press and Press columnist Mary Souza, a former council candidate and Gookin ally. Some believe, as I do, that Gookin & Co. will try to bring partisanship into the nonpartisan races by targeting fellow Republicans in a get-out-the-vote effort. Finally, insiders expect political busybody Larry Spencer to circulate one of his infamous last-weekend mass mailings to unsuspecting CdA residents, ripping incumbents Edinger and Al Hassell and trumpeting the stands of candidates who oppose the Lake City Development Corp. Edinger is busy putting out his yard signs and running scared. Which is good. The popular councilman has been the leading vote-getter in at least the last three elections. He should beat Gookin easily. But he's been a locally elected official long enough to know that smugness and complacency are enemies at election time.

Question: Are you still undecided re: your vote in CDA City Council races?

---

---