Dan Gookin: Perhaps Mary is merely being honest, which is apparently an ugly word in northern Idaho. After all, Mary didn't deny the public a vote on McEuen, which is what she asked for -- on the record, by the way. That denial of a public vote did more to divide this town than anything else in its history. Calling someone "divisive" is weak, however. Instead, I offer you the opportunity to suggest how to heal this town's wounds. I would suggest the same thing to the candidates, but most likely would hear only some gloopy insipid reply, which is all I've been reading so far.

DFO: I don't know if you can bring Coeur d'Alene back together, given the lineup of personalities on various sides of so many issues. McEuen Field. LCDC. Antidiscrimination ordinance. Employee salaries. Maybe we're a reflection of the national scene where Republicans and Democrats are ideologically stalemated?

Question: Can steps be taken to reunite Coeur d'Alene at this point -- or is it too badly broken by partisanship and other issues?