Conservatives lose in Coeur d’Alene council races

Conservatives aiming to expand their influence on the Coeur d’Alene City Council were rebuffed by voters Tuesday.

Incumbent Steve Adams, a critic of city spending and urban renewal projects, lost his seat to former Kootenai County Clerk Dan English in a three-way race.

And political newcomer Toby Schindelbeck fell well short of replacing Ron Edinger, the longest-serving member of the council.

English, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Kootenai County, won with 56 percent of the vote. Adams, an insurance agent who is finishing his first term, took 38 percent, and former mining company and U.S. Forest Service worker Bruce MacNeil trailed with 6 percent.

Edinger, who has put in 41 years on the council, prevailed with 67 percent of the vote. Schindelbeck, who owns a sports nutrition and weight loss store, received 33 percent of the vote.

In Post Falls, City Councilman Joe Malloy fended off a challenge from former Mayor Clay Larkin. Malloy won with 59 percent of the vote.

Lynn Borders defeated Barry Rubin, 65 percent to 35 percent, for the council seat that Councilman Skip Hissong is vacating.

Elsewhere in North Idaho, Sandpoint voters approved a 1 percent sales tax increase to rebuild Barlow Stadium at War Memorial Field. The measure passed with 75 percent of the vote. Officials hope it will raise $3 million in the next 5 years.

The 69-year-old wooden stadium on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille is used for high school football, baseball and soccer as well as the annual Festival at Sandpoint in August.

The old bleachers will be torn down and construction on a new stadium and field surface will begin after this football season.