Haves Carving Out Chunk To Show Off To Have Nots

Kathy Plonka photo

Issue: A debate over gates: The proliferation of secured luxury golf communities in North Idaho has generated an ongoing discussion among locals and developer /Erica Curless (pictured above with Gozzer Ranch development boss Andy Halloran, left), Spokesman-Review

More Info: (Marshall Chesrown) quotes a 1998 feasibility study as evidence: “Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, could be the last undiscovered jewel for recreation property left in America.” He grinned and massaged the leather on his ostrich-skin cowboy boot. “Eight years later, we’ve definitely been discovered.” It’s a feat he attributes to Duane Hagadone, who put Coeur d’Alene on the golf radar with his floating green.

DFO: I don’t begrudge the millions of dollars Chesrown, John Stone and those clowns from Discovery have made developing our lakeside. Cows or millionaires — not much difference as long as they stay for the most part behind their fences, er, gated communities.

Question: On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate the importance to Kootenai County of the upscale, golfing communities built by Chesrown, Discovery Co., and others?