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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ron Edinger

A candidate for City Council, Position 1, City of Coeur d'Alene in the 2015 Nov. 3 Idaho General Election

Age: 79

His words: “I have the experience, dedication and honesty to serve another four-year term. I still have the desire to serve. I want to see Coeur d’Alene progress and move forward. … I think I’ve done a good job for the citizens of Coeur d’Alene.”

His pitch: A top goal is to make sure the city builds a fourth fire station, at Atlas and Ramsey streets, and hires more firefighters and police officers, he said. Edinger opposed how much the city spent to rebuild McEuen Park but thinks the project turned out “pretty good.” He said the new Four Corners revitalization project “will be a benefit to the whole community.”

Notable experience: Edinger has served 41 years on the City Council and also was mayor 1974-78. He’s on the city’s General Services Committee, the Tubbs Hill Foundation, the city Parks Foundation, the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Sick Leave Bank.

Related Coverage

Huckleberries: Coeur d’Alene newcomer misfires in challenge to incumbent Edinger

Toby Schindelbeck, a relatively recent California transplant, should fire the advisers helping him run his campaign for the Coeur d’Alene City Council. First, he angered some residents in a debate with Councilman Ron Edinger by saying he knows from his experience in California how to help Coeur d’Alene avoid becoming another Oakland. Or Spokane. Coeur d’Alene residents love being told by a newcomer – especially from California – what they’re doing wrong. Not. Secondly, Schindelbeck’s campaign circulated a flier stating that Edinger is a “registered Democrat” and a career politician. Many Lake City residents consider a Democrat to be almost as bad as an ex-Californian. Funny thing, though? Edinger is a registered Republican. Finally, the Second Amendment Alliance of southern Idaho supported Schindelbeck by depicting Edinger on its Facebook page as being anti-gun. But Edinger owns three guns and is part of a gun-loving and hunting family. The Second Amendmenters advocate permitless carry of concealed firearms. They misfired at Edinger because he voted for a city ordinance that banned guns from Coeur d’Alene parades. The ordinance was put in place years ago to prevent the defunct Aryan Nations from carrying loaded firearms during its reign of annoyance. So who’s counting? Is that strike three for Schindelbeck? We’ll find out on Nov. 3. Technical difficulties

Huckleberries: CdA council race eerily familiar for English

Dan English is experiencing the ultimate “what goes around comes around” moment. Six years ago at this time, as Kootenai County clerk, Dan was about to circulate instructions to local towns about the approaching city elections. Among the races that fall was the one between Coeur d’Alene incumbent Mike Kennedy and challenger Jim Brannon, then the executive director of Habitat for Humanity. The Kennedy-Brannon race was going to be contested for months after the vote count, as a result of a legal action filed by Brannon and settled by the Idaho Supreme Court. On election night, Kennedy won by five votes. When the dust settled many months later, Kennedy was still declared the winner – by three votes. Now, fast forward to today. English is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity and seeking a Coeur d’Alene council seat held by an incumbent. And Brannon? He’s now the county clerk whose office will count votes in the Coeur d’Alene election in November. English has two wishes at this point: to win the three-way election for Councilman Steve Adams’ seat. And to win by way more than five votes. Sweet deal