From Far Enough Away, Project Smells Like Money

So, property developer Jim Stravens doesn’t think it’d be all that bad to live next to a 13-acre sewage lagoon? Who’s he kidding? Hauser Lake has a legitimate beef with Stravens and Carl Staley of the Spokane Valley, who are trying to dump 123 mobile homes on 66 acres, alongside the city limits. The traffic congestion that’d be caused by the development would be bad. But the potential smell from the lagoon would be worse. The proposal calls for installing the lagoon uphill from the trailer park, a short distance from the city’s drinking water reservoir. Stravens insists that lagoons don’t smell. And he’s probably right. It’d be difficult to smell the lagoon from his place miles away on the east side of Coeur d’Alene. Send this one back to the drawing board.

Persistence pays off for skaters

I was delighted that the Idaho Parks and Recreation Association bestowed its outstanding achievement award on the Coeur d’Alene parks and recreation departments. The state group did so in part because the two departments helped build the Fort Sherman Playground and the Coeur d’Alene Skaters Park. The playground has received its due already. But the Skaters Park is another story. Without Recreation Director Steve Anthony and parent Nancy Heffter, the park wouldn’t be the smashing success it is today. In fact, it wouldn’t be. For years, Heffter futilely pounded on doors and made phone calls trying to raise contributions to build the park. Residents weren’t buying. A park for scruffy skaters wasn’t as appealing as a playground for little kids. Then, Anthony sweet-talked The Spokesman-Review into donating a $5,000 impact-fee refund to the skater project. That led to a $15,000 infusion by the City Council. And the rest is history. Skater Park is the most used park in the city system. And the skaters have proven themselves worthy of Heffter and Anthony’s trust.

T-wolves finally get chance to howl

On the way home last Friday, I tuned in the Lake City High football game against top-ranked Lewiston. I was disappointed to learn that the T-wolves were behind, 20-0, with time left in the first half. I felt bad for all the LCHS gridsters who’d endured all those whippings over the first three years of the school’s existence. This was supposed to be a breakout year. Now, I can kick myself for not staying tuned. The T-wolves’ 27-26 comeback win was one for the ages - the school’s first victory over a league opponent and final proof that football coach Van Troxel has established a fine program. He and his staff deserve Sweet Potatoes for perseverance.

, 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.