Op-Ed: Hydro Races Would Help CdA

As a native North Idaho resident, and columnist/manager for a national veterans group, I attended a recent Kootenai County Commission hearing on permitting for special events to see if I could determine the hold-up on the Veterans Diamond Cup Race for 2014. The race would greatly benefit veterans groups that work with our military heroes all across America. But the evening raised more questions than answers. There were 30 people in attendance who marked themselves FOR a smooth permit process, one “neutral” and one opposed. It appears that the majority of citizens are being railroaded by a minority. Local businesses stand to benefit to the tune of at minimum $5 million from the Diamond Cup Race. As one of the speakers in favor of a quick and smooth permit process said, “We want to show our community in a positive light.” Sorry, it’s anything but at this point/ Fay Higbee , op-ed column, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

Question: How much would the Diamond Cup hydroplane races benefit the Coeur d’Alene area?