In her latest newsletter Mary Souza sez the poor Recall Cda folks are being intimidated as they strive to collect signatures. “The Police were called and came by frequently. The Code Enforcement officer came by multiple times as well. Intimidation? Heck yeah.”

And apparently the Breakfast Nook gave Recall Cda the boot. “And then there's the Breakfast Nook,” writes Mary. “They are not on the heros list…not yet anway. They gave the Recall permissin to use their parking lot for a signing station, and everything was going well until the Press showed up. A reporter from the Press started going through the restaurant, asking the food servers and other people what they thought of the Recall table outside. The owner got nervous and asked our Recall folks to leave. The Breakfast Nook buckled under the pressure.”

Oh my goodness! Scary police, rogue reporters! Will the Recallers trauma never end? I have a feeling the Breakfast Nook is going to get a lot more business this weekend, how about you? You can read the Souza screed here.

PS: Someone should tell Mary how to spell heroes.

Thoughts?

State Sen. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d'Alene, continues her crusade against Mayor Sandi Bloem's administration today, as she stands across the street from Sherman Hardware, 11th & Sherman/CdA, trying to woo motorists to sign the four recall petitions. Notice the strategically placed Decline to Sign yard sign behind Sims?

Question: Captions?

In her latest newsletter, Mary Souza of OpenCDA.com claims that RecallCDA is more than halfway to the goal of getting signatures needed to trigger a recall election involving Mayor Sandi Bloem and council members Deanna Goodlander, Woody McEvers and Mike Kennedy. But Mary sounds a bit desperate: “The Recall effort may be down but we are NOT OUT!  We are already beyond the halfway point in both time and signatures, but we need to ramp it up and kick into high gear.  Will you help?  I’m serious.” Then, she claims that the Coeur d'Alene Press has turned against the Recallers (although I believe the Press has been extremely fair re: coverage of this divisive issue): “The Press is teetering on the brink of insanity, with overly dramatic headlines nearly  every day. Reporter Tom Hasslinger has morphed from a nice guy into a pit bull looking for blood, no accuracy or accountability required.” She goes on to say that Hasslinger has “hounded” Recall leader Frank Orzell several times each day, showed up at his house unannounced and even threatened him, saying “The road is going to get very rough for you…”  And you want Mary's friends on the council to pick the next mayor and 2 City Council members? Tsk. Tsk. Full newsletter here. (Phantom Photographer photo: Mary hanging with Gov. Otter at Post Falls Pachyderms Unity dinner)

Question: Isn't the Recall effort in big-time trouble if it is only halfway (Mary's claim not mine) to the signature goal at this point? Shouldn't the first 1000-2000 signatures be the easiest to get?

Joker: Can’t we just solve this (recall/McEuen flap) WWE style and have an six-person tag match in a steel cage? Imagine the revenues it would generate. I see Mad Mary Souza trying to give Sandi “Lookn’ Fierce” Bloem a pile driver only to be blocked by Chicago Mike’s vicious clothesline off the top rope. Then Mary uses a hidden tape in her tights to knock Chicago Mike out. Bloem uses the McEuen Ruin, a choke slam to put Mad Mary out of commission. Frank Orzell uses his patented “Get off my lawn” body slam on Woody McEvers, but the Woodman recovers to apply his special sleeper hold called the “Doobie do” and Frank is sleeping like a baby. Woody is disqualified when he leaves the cage to get a snack. Meanwhile, Kathy Sims is using her URL claw, which cuts off blood to the brain on Bloem. It looks bad for Bloem when Deanna Goodlander, aka the Legendary Lee, uses an amazing submission hold called the Tubbs Hill leg breaker, forcing Sims to submit. What a match … Pay per view revenues. The possibilities are endless.

Question: Who would win a tag team match featuring Bloem-Kennedy-Goodlander on one side & Souza-Orzell-Sims on the other?

If you read the minutes of the Feb. 2, 2010, Coeur d'Alene City Council meeting, you'll see that then Parking Commissioner Steve Adams had this to say about McEuen Field: “Mr. Adams said that he would like to go on record that he supports enhancements to McEuen Field and improved parking capacity for those using the field but still expects the Mayor to apologize to Mary Souza.” Mayor Sandi Bloem had challenged the claim from Souza, brought before her by Adams, that the city was planning to build a two-story parking garage on McEuen Field. The mayor further explained to Adams, according to the minutes, that enhancements are being looked at for McEuen Field and the City’s plan is to have community input. She noted that every time the topic of McEuen Field is mentioned there are always rumors, speculation and exaggeration spread around.”

Question: Interesting, hunh?

On OpenCdA today, Mary Souza is questioning the 500 individuals on Facebook now backing the Stop the Recall movement, which she calls “Government-Knows-Best” group. Mary suggests in a comment that the 500 individuals who have signed on in support may simply be combined groups of friends dumped onto the new page by the Stop the Recall organizers. “The problem is that many folks don’t check their Facebook info very often. So they could be in the Government-Knows-Best group for days or weeks before they realized they were automatically part of a group they didn’t want to be associated with.” Then, she goes further and says that's exactly what the Stop the Recall group is doing. Quoth: “They don’t want voters of CdA to have a voice and they dump people into their Facebook group without approval. Tacky.”

Question: Are you part of the Friends group for the Stop The Recall Facebook page?

The recall election launched last week against progressive Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem and three City Council members is based on a fib and old grudges. A recall backer circulated a flier at the Republican Women’s luncheon Thursday claiming that her group is trying to remove Bloem & Co. from office because they wouldn’t allow an advisory vote on the, ahem, $40 million upgrade of McEuen Field (the ball fields and green space at the foot of Tubbs Hill in downtown Coeur d’Alene). Only the real cost of the makeover is $14.2 million, including about half to transform five acres of concrete into green space by moving the Third Street parking lot. All without raising property taxes. Mary Souza, one of the recall leaders, was an outspoken critic of the Bloem administration, even before she lost a 2005 three-way race to Mike Kennedy, one of the recall targets. State Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene, is another recall leader. Sims helped circulate an attack ad against three City Council incumbents in the 2007 city election and then fought City Hall for more than a year before paying a small fine for submitting incomplete campaign finance papers/DFO, print Huckleberries. More here.

• Slice: Press 1 for Brad Pitt, otherwise stay on the line/Paul Turner
• Boise: Here's the rub, you'll need a license to massage/Betsy Russell
• In the name of public safety, let's send Batty packing/Doug Clark
• Turning the tables on ripoffs/Shawn Vestal
• Smart Bombs: Global looks a healthy idea/Gary Crooks
• Rowley, Shock find common ground/John Blanchette
• Outdoors: Hunters must consider their image/Rich Landers

I'd like to welcome Sara (or is it Susie?) Meyer to Mary Souza's connect-the-dots world beyond the looking glass. In her latest newsletter, Mary attacks the young mother of an 18MO baby (pictured) because she dared to take a stand against Mary's attempt to recall Mayor Sandi Bloem and three City Council members. Mary's famous for her connecting dots to cast political opponents in a bad light for her followers. Mary says this of Sara, whom she also calls Susie: “You all know there’s so much more … the arrogance, the disrespect, the 'we know better' attitude. And that continues still.  Did you see in this morning’s CdA Press, where Sara Meyer, who is a big supporter of the Mayor and is the daughter-in-law of Steve Meyer who, along with Charlie Nipp, owns the whole 1/2 block across from McEuen, says 'We are not going to let these people take over our town.' These people? Her town? Mayor Bloem and Co. would not let WE, the people, have an advisory vote, but now 'Susie' Meyer says it’s her town?” I'm surprised Mary didn't trash the baby for being Steve Meyer's grandchild — and one of the nasty possible future users of an upgraded McEuen Field. Sheesh.

Update: Mary corrects name in follow-up: “Excuse me, the daughter in law of Steve Meyer is  Sara Meyer, not Susie Meyer.  Happy Easter!”

Thoughts?

Joker paints a bleak future for DFO after Mary Souza and OpenCDA.com seize control of Coeur d'Alene City Hall and Steve Adams is mayor: The cell didn’t have any windows and the metal floor made Dave’s back ache. The lights in the cell would flicker on and off. “Fight the power…” bounced off the steel walls as the Public Enemy roared from a speaker built into the ceiling. When the music stopped, he could he faint screams from the other prisoners in the camp. Then the door opened, a small portable TV with DVD was rolled into the cell by two elderly men wearing theater masks. One of the old guys plugged the unit into the set. The screen flickered. Mary Souza appeared. “Hello. Welcome to the Corrupt Alene education center. We will teach you why your government is whorehouse. We will show you how LCDC is a socialist organization led by evil people. When you leave, or rather, if you leave. You will have the knowledge to make a difference. This is the beginning.” The men removed the TV and left. In the door way, a tall muscular man with a billy club sneered, “Get up. I am your huckleberry now.”

Question: Feel free to join in on the possible post-Bloem apocalypse?

IdahoGirl78 reports from rally/counter-rally: “About 75 people were present in favor of the recall, all with signs and I would have to say the average age was over 50.  I'm not saying that's a bad thing but most do not have children so I think they represent a small fraction of our community.  There were only a few of us that showed up for the Anti Recall.  We were small in numbers but loud in voice and we also didn't have 8 weeks to plan.  I talked to a few people and I would say most are operating on misinformation.  Some were also angry with us on our support and one lady called us socialist for wanting a park.  One gentleman who chatted with us went over to check it out, he was not in favor of the recall.  He told us that they were asking people to sign up to help but he said that what they were asking people to sign looked just like the petition, which he found to be somewhat underhanded.  I know most there would sign the petition anyway but it makes you question what they will tell people when they go door to door.” Coeur d'Alene Press report + video.

Question: Are you ready to Embrace the Insanity?

Well, you had to figure that Mary Souza would be in the middle of any recall effort against Mayor Sandi Bloem, Mike Kennedy & two other council members. Souza already is circulating her newsletter encouraging a big attendance for the recall rally at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of City Hall. Mary writes: “This recall is not personal; it is a serious undertaking by determined community members who want responsive, accountable government. We've been working for more than two months to prepare and organize this recall. And now we're ready, but we want your help!” Isn't personal? Seriously. Full newsletter here.

Thoughts?

In her newletter this week, Mary Souza of OpenCDA.com is claiming today that the Coeur d'Alene City Council has some sort of “loyalty oath” to keep everyone in line. She sez that “Coeur d'Alene City Council Standards and Norms” is akin to a loyalty oath in offering 24 points, much of which begin with the statement, “I will …” For example, two points reads, I will tell the truth,” and “I will be accountable.” (Shazam, I smell a conspiracy coming) Now, for Mary's take: “In order to put the “Loyalty Oath” in perspective, I asked some city administration and council folks from nearby towns if they have ever seen  anything like this document.  They were all shocked.  They said they had never heard of such a thing, and that city councils are elected by the people and are not beholden to the mayor or any other city official. City Council members are responsible to the citizens.” You can read the rest of Mary's complaint here.

Question: So is this a loyalty oath or simply a code for good conduct while serving at a City Council member?

Gotta tip my hat to Mary Souza this AM for calling me out on an apparent flip-flop. In a comment below her newsletter this week, Mary notes that I was wary of McEuen Field upgrades in 2002, quoting me as saying: “For those keeping score at home, Hot Potatoes not only tuned in as the City Council rubber-stamped the Gang of Nine’s McEuen Field plan. But taped it. For posterity sake–in case a future council tries to break those oh!-so-heartfelt promises to American Legion reps that they’ll get a new-and-improved ballfield elsewhere before a blade of grass is touched on their current McEuen diamond…in 1999 the council also promised to preserve all three ballfields, including the American Legion one, when it OK’d the Walker-Macy report. Bottom Line? A City Council promise and a buck or so will get you a cup of joe at Starbuck’s…thank you Ron Edinger, for being the only one to stand up and say the plan reeks.” You can read the rest of Mary's comments here.

DFO: This plan is vastly improved over the one 10 years ago, with provisions for a significantly better American Legion Baseball diamond on Cherry Hill and parking moved north of Front Avenue. What's not to like?

Question: Have you changed your mind over the years about the McEuen Field proposal?

• Mike Kennedy's letter to Coeur d'Alene Press: Yes, it's a compromise

Mary Souza isn't happy with Mayor Sandi Bloem and Councilman Mike Kennedy. Which is like saying the sun rises in the east. Mary hasn't said a kind word about the mayor since Sandi tossed her from the planning commission way back when. And Mike had the audacity to beat her in a three-way race two elections ago. Onward. In her weakly newsletter today, Mary said she'd planned to call Mike a “flip flopper” for his compromise position on McEuen Field but thought instead that he was lying. In recent action, the council OK'd a plan to use $11.5M in LCDC money to fund Phase 1 of the McEuen Field plan — and approved a $1.9M contract for design work with Team McEuen. Mary smells a rat, which isn't that amazing since she's always looking for one. She doesn't believe the city is downsizing plans for McEuen Field, nor does she believe the boat launch is safe from future removal to a Silver Beach site. Mary does make a good point when she says access to the waterfront will be troublesome this summer if/when work begins. You can read her entire weakly newsletter here.

Question: Now that the majority of the City Council has compromised on keeping the boat launch and downsizing the overall project, do you support the upgrade to McEuen Field?

Predictably, Mary Souza is upset that the Coeur d'Alene City Council is trying to move the American Legion Baseball field from the McEuen Field. Seems Mary thinks they have squatter's rights one of the most highly valued pieces of real estate on the Lake Coeur d'Alene waterfront. In her weakly newsletter, Mary does bring up one good point. The council has promised all along that the Legion wouldn't be moved until Coeur d'Alene could find a ballfield of equal value. The key here is whether or not the viewscape and location are figured in. Constructing a ballfield of equal value wouldn't be hard or that expensive. Constructing one on land as valuable as the McEuen site would be. Mary, of course, opposes the purchase of 5 acres on Cherry Hill for the ballfield. Which would be a wise move whether or not a ballfield is built there. The price tag is $550,000. Fumes Mary: “We'll see how that all turns out because the city can't afford to buy it right now; they don't have enough money in their Parks fund. The city will vote on the purchase Tuesday night.

Question: Do you support the purchase of the Cherry Hill site for possible relocation of the American Legion Baseball diamond?

Predictably, Mary Souza is trumpeting the decision by a 2nd District judge that booted appointee Wanda Quinn from the Coeur d'Alene School Board. Mary, of course, views that as good triumphing over, ahem, evil: “And so the fight for honest, legal, responsible government goes on.  More and more people are getting involved and taking a stand.  WE, the people, are making a difference.  Let’s push through our defeats and celebrate our victories.  Every single person who is working for better government here is a star.  Thank you for your efforts! And cheers to Terri and Tom who, with their courage and resilience, have given us all new hope that the system can improve.” Mary is right that the huns are storming the gates, trashing public servants like Wanda Quinn, Sandi Bloem, and others who have done more to improve our community than they ever will. You can read Mary's latest spiel here.

Reaction?

Gracious! Mary Souza is still selling the snake oil, for all gullible OpenCDA.com readers (both of them), that Councilman Mike Kennedy didn't beat Jim Brannon in the 2009 Coeur d'Alene City Council race. This, despite a court decision that he did. Mary suggests that County Clerk Cliff Hayes has uncovered some profound evidence that Mike actually tied Brannon. Or mebbe, shazam, that he lost to Brannon. Mary: “Mike Kennedy won his re-election in 2009 by only 5 votes.  During the lengthy and sometimes contentious Election Challenge trial that followed, the court decided to invalidate 3 of Mike’s votes.  That brought Mike’s margin of victory down to 2.  Now, it seems, the election was possibly a tie or, in my opinion, an almost certain win for Jim Brannon and probably other candidates in that election as well.” Mary goes on to explain her “rationale” for her theory. You can read all about it here.

Question: How many conspiracy theorists does it take to concede an election?

In case you were wondering when Mary Souza would get around to gloating re: the election results Tuesday, you need wonder no longer. She does in her weakly newsletter. “Well, the good news is there will be two new voices on city council now.  I know their votes may not carry the issues but they can speak out in public, televised meetings and ask questions.  They can make a motion on a topic and get a second, so the whole council is forced to discuss the issue in public.  Wow, that's big.  Even if the final vote does not go the way many of us want, at least the council members have to give some sort of rationale for their decision.  It’s a great step in the right direction.” Mary sez the three biggest issues in the election were: 1. Public vote on McEuen, 2. High salaries & raises at the city, and 3. Arrogance & disrespect from mayor & council. Funny, Dan Gookin, who knocked on many doors, said the issues were but three: 1. McEuen vote, 2. Are you an incumbent, and 3. Are you a Republican. I'll trust Dan on this one.

Question: Will one of the other council members change his/her position on a public vote on McEuen Field?

In her weakly newsletter, Mary Souza/OpenCDA endorses Dan Gookin and Steve Adams (two of her fellow Reagan Republican board members) but takes a pass on the race featuring Councilman Ron Edinger and challenger Adam Graves. Here's why: “Yes, Ron is in favor of a public vote on McEuen. He has been a staunch supporter and has taken a stand against the mayor and the rest of the council on the issue, enduring some pretty nasty personal and family jabs because of it.  I respect Ron for that.  But beyond McEuen, Ron and I disagree on many key issues, so this is a tough call for me.” Of Adams, Mary gushes: “Steve Adams is one of the most honest people I know.” Of Gookin: “He is a nice guy but he’s also a smart, independent thinker.”  You can read Mary's endorsements here.

Any surprises here?

At the Lake City Senior Center this week, Sharon Culbreth, state Sen. Kathy Sims, and Mary Souza line up to bash Lake City Development Corp.

Never one to fail to attack when she smells blood in the water, Bill McCrory of OpenCDA.com is crying for Tony Berns's head over his decision to deal with her and the Coeur d'Alene Press via email. (Side note: How would you like to get up every morning knowing Mary Souza was sticking pins in your voodoo doll in one quarter & Bill was spitting & spewing at his keyboard command post: “Me hatessss him”? Poor Tony Berns.) Bill believes the lack of public access is a firing offense. Reluctantly, HucksOnline agrees with her that it's a poor decision, even though the intent behind the decision is to put some distance between you and a relentless foe who can't be pleased. But Bill wants more than just Tony's head this fine morning: “The Executive Director and some Commissioners of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s urban renewal agency, the Lake City Development Corporation, appear to have enacted and then on more than one occasion followed an official policy which is contrary to the Idaho Code.  They have engaged in a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct.  They all need to be removed.” You can read the rest of the spiel here.

Reaction?