The Real Challenge Is To Finally Listen

After 30 months in office, the loss of eight key city employees and an unflattering City Hall survey, Mayor Steve Judy held a “fireside chat” Monday to explain his vision for Coeur d’Alene - and only one person came.

The poor attendance could mean constituents are satisfied with city services. Or people are too busy to attend a 7:30 a.m. Monday meeting. Or an incorrect time printed in the newspaper torpedoed the mayor’s chat. Or residents don’t believe Judy would do anything about their concerns.

A city quality-of-life survey earlier this spring indicated some Lake City residents have given up on Judy’s administration. Of 1,258 responses, some 106 specifically criticized the mayor and council. Others ripped the elected officials for chasing off competent help, for catering to special interests, for spending too much and for pursuing projects they didn’t want.

As Judy approaches his final 18 months in office, he needs to quit acting like a politician and focus on a few key projects and concerns. He still has time to leave behind a decent legacy.

Above all, he must protect the waterfront.

The controversial Walker-Macy plan provides a good blueprint for making changes to the greenbelt that stretches from Tubbs Hill and McEuen Field to City Beach and City Park. But the quality-of-life survey revealed that many residents oppose any modifications, particularly to McEuen Field. Judy and his advisers should proceed with caution, selecting as top priorities a few high-profile, noncontroversial projects that will win public support and trust for other changes. A good start would be to bring back a waterfront carousel and upgrade Memorial Field.

Judy deserves credit for negotiating with the state Department of Transportation to dramatically upgrade Northwest Boulevard. Now, he needs to follow through with North Idaho College, Northwest Boulevard developer John Stone and the state to ensure the western entrance to Coeur d’Alene becomes a source of community pride.

Finally, Judy needs to find a city administrator and a finance director - and let them and other department heads do their jobs. His micromanaging and bullying have greased City Hall’s revolving door. Unfortunately, his council has enabled Judy to run amok by voting to oust quality employees, such as former City Administrator Ken Thompson.

The city doesn’t need fireside chats. It needs a mayor who listens to what he’s already been told.