It’s 4,000 signatures to rapture for Mary and the gang. They had better be organized and smart. Given her track record, I wouldn’t be dancing in the streets if I were them. Political statistics indicate they would need to get at least 6,500 signatures in 75 days to make sure they’re all valid. I would expect they could get 1,000 signatures from rallies and political meetings such as the Reagan Republicans. How are they going to get these rest of these signatures? The major retailers, Fred Meyer, Costco, Wal-Mart, Target are not going to allow them to set up shop and ask for signatures on weekends. Even local grocery baron Ron McIntire is not going to go bless a political effort to happen on his properties. That means they can go door to door or direct mailings. Both take time and money. More below.

Question: How many legal signatures do you think anti-City Hall activists will get?

Hiring signature gathers is expensive and can be difficult because they’ve been known to forge signatures to boost their pay. Volunteers are great, but who is directing them? Who is organizing them? Who is making sure they have complete coverage?

Considering a good portion of Coeur d’Alene residents are snowbirds, who won’t be back until late April or early May. Then if you look at outside and see the snow coming down — who wants to be out there shelping around knocking on doors.

It’s one thing to bang the drums of war, but it’s another thing to actually win the war. Regardless of what you think, it will be great fun to watch: Pass the red licorice and soda.