Polite Candidates Agree Growth Matters
CORRECTION: Tuesday, October 31, 1995; B6 ID Sam Sears, a Coeur d’Alene City Council candidate, supervised the container/greenhouse branch of the U.S. Forest Service nursery for 20 years. His job description was listed incorrectly Sunday.
They agree that growth is an issue, and promptly shy away from naming any solution more specific than “careful study.”
They talk of traffic problems, street paving, quality of life and North Idaho’s mantra - holding the line on property taxes.
In fact, there are few issues on which the five candidates for Coeur d’Alene’s three at-large City Council seats diverge. A recent council decision to annex Blackwell Island is the most notable.
Ron Edinger was one of only two councilmen to oppose annexing 40 acres of the island, immediately south of the city along the Spokane River. He is in equally lonely company in this campaign.
Only D.E. “Sam” Sears, who retired from careers in the Air Force and the U.S. Forest Service, agrees that the move to incorporate the island’s RV park and commercial center is unwise.
Veteran Councilwoman Dixie Reid, who is running for her fifth term, voted for the Blackwell annexation the third time it came before the council, after voting no twice before. Candidate Chris Copstead, who has been on the city Planning and Zoning Commission for eight years, says he believes the council was right to annex the development.
Robert J. Wachter, the fifth candidate, says he cannot second-guess the council’s September decision.
Annexing Blackwell Island was controversial for several reasons and has generated a legal challenge. Foes say the development is unfit because it is the site of an old garbage dump.
The island is below the flood plain - a reason people like Sears go against the development. Most significant, however, is that the city will extend water and sewer lines across the Spokane River. That means the rural land south of the river will be covered with leapfrog housing developments.
The campaign for city council is a model of civility, with most of the candidates quick to say they believe earlier councils have done well. All are equally quick to talk about what a great place Coeur d’Alene is to live.
People who want to see the candidates in action can attend a forum Friday at the Iron Horse restaurant. It is sponsored by the Kootenai County Democratic Club.
The top three vote-getters will take office in January.
, DataTimes MEMO: See individual profiles by name of candidate