Get to know Rathdrum – you’ll like it, too
It’s a very rare occasion, in fact a never-before opportunity, that I have today in responding to an opinion piece by a fast-food critic contracted by The Spokesman-Review.
The article printed on April 12 in the Handle Extra community news section of the paper, gave tremendous accolades to one of Rathdrum’s mainstay restaurants, Burger Heaven. The critic praised the burger he ordered as an overload of “umami bliss.”
Yes, like many of you who took the time to read the article, I too looked up the definition. It seems the Japanese do have a word for savory. While I’m certainly pleased the critic enjoyed the burger, I along with many of my fellow residents, was less than enthusiastic when the critic decided to turn social commentator.
I do not intend to address each insult the critic decided to level at what he perceived to be the nature of our suspicious citizens, our drunkenness, or the lack of care we display to our children. I will not elaborate on the critic’s incorrect assessment of our downtown. One building in particular that he characterized as having had a “noticeable renovation,” when in reality the building was not “reborn” as an architect’s office. The architect designed and had the structure built last year.
Edward R. Murrow, having gained his fame during World War II as one of the world’s most respected journalists, believed that the news should be delivered with honesty and integrity. I do know that it’s difficult to compare a fast-food critic’s attempt at entertainment with Murrow, but I do believe that all who craft the written word professionally have a duty to be responsible.
As president of the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce plus the 130-plus members of our organization along with many others in our community, I did take great offense at the critic’s comments. It occurred to me as I’ve pondered writing this response that what he wrote could be the opinion of many throughout our area. That thought concerns me, so I would like to share some thoughts with you regarding what I know about Rathdrum.
According to a recent survey done in Kootenai County, Rathdrum has the second-highest per capita income of any community in the county. Rathdrum has the highest percentage of married couples with children in the county. We have a school district continuously rated above average on all state standardized tests and in many areas more than three times the state average. The sports programs at that same district are also creating more opportunities for our kids, with titles and championships too numerous to mention here.
We in Rathdrum do have our issues that we work to address. Like many towns in our area, we struggle. We don’t all agree with how we should grow, or in some cases whether we should grow at all. I look at our community as a work in progress. Rathdrum is the only town in North Idaho without an Urban Renewal District. I believe we should look to remedy that.
While there is great possibility in Rathdrum with opportunities such as North Idaho College having invested more than $200,000 in an option to purchase land for a potential Professional Technical Training center and many private development opportunities, we must find some common ground among ourselves to move forward, and we are attempting to work together to attain our goals and visions.
In closing, I would like to share with you what a resident and business owner said to me last week when we discussed the critic’s comments. She said what the critic couldn’t possibly understand about Rathdrum was how fortunate he would be to live here should a tragedy enter his life. She reminded me of the generosity of this town when one of us in trouble.
Just last week a young girl who had been severely burned came home from the hospital in Seattle, having been there since January. Greeting her was the family of a young man who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident just one year ago. The family of that 12-year-old young man began an annual penny drive as a tribute to their son. Including the money that was raised in the penny drive, along with donations from the citizens and businesses of this community, $10,000 was given to this young girl and her family to help them with the expenses of coming home.
Later that same day a Rathdrum resident and employee of a local business who is struggling with cancer was honored with a fundraiser, which hundreds attended to help him defray cost of his expensive care. All I can say to the critic is this: The next time you drive up for a burger, stop in and see me. I’ll help fill you in on what is going on up here and the reasons why anyone would be proud to call Rathdrum home.