Judy Shouldn’t Tend Garden Wielding A Big Heave-Ho
My ol’ colleague, David Bond of the Coeur d’Alene Press, asked Steve Judy an interesting question during a recent interview: “Are you going to fire Ken Thompson?” And the new Coeur d’Alene mayor-elect deftly sidestepped it. The rumor is out there that City Administrator Thompson, Finance Director John Austin and City Attorney Jeff Jones are not long for this city. There is a precedent. Mayor Ray Stone first took office almost 12 years ago with his cross hairs fixed on five city officials. Administrator Gene McAdams topped Stone’s hit list. Only one of the five survived the Stone Age. If Judy takes office with another scorched-earth agenda, however, he’ll do the city a disservice. Thompson isn’t the most popular man on the city payroll, but he’s a dedicated servant who earns every penny of his salary - and then some. Ditto Austin. Ditto Jones. I think Judy’s too smart to make life miserable for this trio. We’ll find out in a couple of months if I’m right.
Crime comes too close to home
The robbery and stabbing death of Patrick Victorino, 70, in his Coeur d’Alene home hit me hard. And it wasn’t simply that five teens allegedly conspired to commit this senseless, vicious act. Nor was it that these youngsters may have squandered their lives and may face life behind bars or worse. Nope. It’s the fact that I know the parents of one of the teens arrested. The father is a respected businessman who contributes liberally to the community and is adored by his employees. I’ve attended church with the mother. The suspect and his brothers used to play football with my son in our back yard. This makes me sick to my stomach. I know this suspect was taught better. My prayers will be with the family of the man who was slaughtered in his home for a few baubles - and for the families of the suspects who now must follow their kids through hell.
Build it and I’ll try to come
How do you spell relief for downtown Coeur d’Alene? C-O-N-D-O. A nine-story high-rise on the eastern edge of McEuen Field may be the best thing that’s happened downtown since The Coeur d’Alene Resort opened. Consider. The proposed 74 condo units will pump at least 150 more residents within a block of Sherman Avenue. That could make the difference between a small shop surviving and going under during our long shoulder seasons. Now, if someone can tell me how a family living on a journalist’s salary can afford one of these condos with the great view, I’ll promise to live there year ‘round - unlike those snowbirds perched in the Coeur d’Alene North condos.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.