Huckleberries gone wireless: Reid discusses childhood, faith, downtown and her council pick

Dixie Reid, who has served on the Coeur d’Alene City Council for 26 years, isn’t seeking re-election. You can read the entire Huckleberries Gone Wireless interview with her this morning at Huckleberries Online: www.spokesman review.com/blogs/hbo.

D.F. Oliveria: You and Ron Edinger have been together (on the City Council) longer than most married couples. What’s that been like?

Dixie Reid: I’m sure for him it’s been very frustrating. At times, it has been for me, too. But I respect Ron. We don’t always agree. But we’re friends.

DFO: Who do you want to see replace you?

DR: John Bruning would be a good fit. He has some city experience from years on the (city) planning commission. He doesn’t have an agenda, and he gets along with staff. I think he will be a good team player.

DFO: What will it be like watching your first council meeting on TV from home?

DR: I doubt I’ll watch. When I’m gone, I’m gone.

DFO: Who is the best mayor you have served under?

DR: Mayor (Sandi) Bloem. Hands down. She has compassion as well as passion for this city, the citizens and the city employees. She’s a great leader. And she’s been my very good friend since junior high.

DFO: What were you like as a child growing up in this town?

DR: I was a wallflower. I wasn’t the most popular kid in school. I wasn’t an athlete. I was totally uncoordinated. I was president of Future Homemakers of America. The first time I spoke in front of people was through that organization. It scared me to death. But it empowered me to speak in front of large groups of people and not be nervous about it.

DFO: Can we finally say that downtown Coeur d’Alene is saved?

DR: No. It’s something you have to work at all the time. It’s like a marriage. You never can say that you’re done with that. You’ll lose ground if you’re not moving forward.

DFO: But we have come a long way?

DR: We’ve come a huge, long way. Huge, huge, huge.

DFO: Do you ever foresee the day that Duane Hagadone will get to build a memorial garden downtown?

DR: I doubt it.

DFO: What would you say to the small group of individuals who have been fighting the community’s progress?

DR: If you have good solid criticism, we all like to hear that. But to be negative for the sake of negative tears the community down. I feel bad for these people who are so negative. I wonder what it’s like to be in their skin to be so nasty and negative. I pray for them.

DFO: What did you think of that YouTube video by council candidate Dan Gookin that depicted you and Councilman Mike Kennedy poorly?

DR: I never watched it. Why would I? Mr. Gookin has no credibility with me.

DFO: Is it just me, or does it seem to you that Duane Hagadone has turned on Mayor Bloem and the City Council?

DR: His main issue is LCDC (Lake City Development Corp). I don’t understand why that’s a problem. Is it because (he’s afraid) of competition? It makes things difficult in the community. There’s been so many good things happening. And LCDC has been a huge catalyst.

DFO: You mentioned in the story about your decision not to seek re-election that you’ve lost your passion for the job. Can you explain that?

DR: I have a very strong faith and believe totally that my life is directed by God. He’s been gently tapping me on the shoulder for a year and a half and saying it’s time not to do this anymore. I’ve spent my life serving the citizens. Now, he has another plan for me. As the months went by, my passion waned. If you don’t have the passion, you shouldn’t go through an election and commit to serving the people.