Huckleberries Interviews Sandi Bloem

Huckleberries: What do the results of Tuesday’s election say to you?

Sandi Bloem: The percentage of voters that were out was higher than normal. People took interest in the election. That’s a positive. The results show that people really do feel that Coeur d’Alene is a great place and the progress that has been made has been in right direction. The voters looked at candidates that were positive and ran positive campaigns as well as being qualified.

• Huckleberries: Do you regret the decision not to run again?
• Sandi: Absolutely not. First of all … because several of us have been accused of being afraid to run … there was not a bit of fear in any of our minds about running. We all had our individual reasons. I made my decision some time ago. 12 years is a long time. I loved it. But I really want to make a change now.
• Huckleberries: What advice would you give Steve Widmyer re: dealing with disgruntled elements in this town?
• Sandi: Steve has great personality to bring people together. I’d tell him to continue to be himself, to not own anything that’s said about him that he shouldn’t own. To be a great listener. People’s perception is there truth. And that has to be heard. I hope this election and other things will convince people that the best way to have a healthy community is to face people eye to eye and have a conversation and to build consensus.
• Huckleberries: You once told me that McEuen Field makeover would be the hill that you would be willing to die on. Do you regret going ahead on that project?
• Sandi: Absolutely not. I think McEuen will be a gathering place for this community — a place where we can all come together and heal. McEuen has been in the planning stages for decades. I feel very fortunate that the urban renewal district has been successful enough to build a remarkable park.
• Huckleberries: What now for you?
• Sandi: More time with my family. Stay in the store part time. And continue to work with the community to make Coeur d’Alene a better place.