Kroc Center success puts naysaying in its place

Few would dispute that Coeur d’Alene’s Kroc Center has been an overwhelming success since it opened six years ago. A recent study commissioned by the host Salvation Army revealed that The Kroc had a social and economic benefit of almost $20.6 million in 2014, or almost three times the center’s annual budget of $7.4 million. This, according to the Coeur d’Alene Press. Why am I telling you this? If you go back a few years, you’ll find that the usual CAVEr (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) suspects fought construction of The Kroc, tooth and nail. One political pest made a commotion about the dirt used as fill for the project. Another predicted that The Kroc Center wouldn’t attract enough users to pay for operation and maintenance. Eighteen to 20 sneaks secretly signed a letter asking a national church-state separation group to investigate plans for the Salvation Army to include space for a church at the new center. When they weren’t attacking The Kroc, some CAVErs fought the purchase of land for the new library, purchase of land for the education corridor, tax increment financing for Riverstone complex infrastructure, and, of course, the impressive upgrade of McEuen Park. The CAVErs haven’t stopped progress in the Lake City. But it’s not for a lack of trying.

Run first, pay later

That hit-and-run driver at State Line Wal-Mart thought she’d made a clean getaway last week after hitting a parked vehicle. But she didn’t reckon on the outside surveillance cameras. Seems the scofflaw hit a car that belonged to a Wal-Mart employee, who asked security to check surveillance. And, voila. The scofflaw driver was a fellow employee, who told Post Falls police that she meant to report the incident during a break. But got busy after returning to the store. And yada, yada, yada – as the Seinfeld would say – the violator got a citation to go with the hit on her insurance policy.

Huckleberries

First, I should explain that The Bard of Sherman Avenue, who has provided this column with delightful rhymes for many years, has completed treatment for cancer. Now, he offers “The Cancer Clinic” from his experience: “Within this building you will see/small countless acts of bravery/and kindness shown to fellow man;/it teaches more than sermons can” … And, after he suffered sticker shock while buying avocados, the Bard penned “$1.49, Small Organic.” The poem: “In an act of sheer bravado/he bought himself an avocado” … Gee, I don’t know why that Post Falls woman was so upset that she trashed her boy toy’s house, destroying some hanging plants. Doesn’t every guy create a dating website profile? … How do you know voter turnout is going to be dreadful without waiting for the final results from the county clerk’s office? You know when it’s 3:30 p.m. on Election Day and you’re only the 35th voter of a possible 625 eligible voters to vote in your precinct. But don’t expect Idaho to opt for vote-by-mail anytime soon. Too 21st century … Prompted by a chaplain who wrote the words, the Post Falls PD has produced a parody to Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.” You can find “Out on Patrol” on YouTube. The tune is catchy. But it’s hard to dance to.

Parting shot

How can you tell that North Idaho legislators are more extreme than the conservative Idaho Legislature? Consider: Eighty-two of 105 legislators voted for the child support enforcement bill in special session Monday. That’s 78 percent in favor. However, 11 of the 15 legislators who represent the five North Idaho counties voted against the bill that enables Idaho to track down deadbeats who aren’t paying child support – or 73 percent against. And you wonder why Huckleberries refers to the North Idaho batch as the “Black Helicopter Brigade”?