It appears as though the dysfunctional Kootenai County Republican Party is trying to reach its tentacles further into the government of progressive Coeur d'Alene. Last November, the Reagan Republicans, one of several splinter groups of the warring local Republicans, used their organizational clout and the divisive McEuen Field issue to help two of their members win nonpartisan office over exceptional opponents, Steve Adams and Dan Gookin. Adams has proven to be more interested in ideology than his community so far, opting at one point to vote against any project involving federal funds. Gookin has yet to distinguish himself. Now, the Reagan Republicans and elected endorsees, like state Rep. Kathy Sims and school Trustee Terri Seymour, are involved in the effort to recall Mayor Sandi Bloem and the progressive half of the City Council. This is the half that's responsible for the Kroc Center, new library, developing Education Corridor, Riverstone, and much, much more in the community. The local Republicans continue to define themselves as individuals who simply oppose every significant project under the guise of fiscal conservatism. The local branches of the Republican Party are more fixated on proving they're more conservative than the other branches -- and outing RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) -- than they are in improving the communities in this county. One of their standard bearers is Larry Spencer, who is fighting the concept of a new garage at our parking beset courthouse, fought tooth and nail against construciton of the Kroc Center. When did being a Republican mean that you're against progress, good government, and want to recall those with vision? -- DFO.

Question: If Kootenai County Republicans do for Coeur d'Alene what they've done for their own party, what kind of a mess will be in?