Reed disputes Souza-Sims ‘Facts’

In a pointed column in the Inlander, former state senator Mary Lou Reed calls out state Sen. Mary Souza and state Rep. Kathy Sims for offering their opinions as facts in trying to tear down urban renewal in Coeur d’Alene:

” B ecause urban renewal is not all that easy to understand, the anti-urban renewal crowd gets away with passing out totally misleading information. At a recent public meeting in Coeur d’Alene, for example, two local state legislators, Sen. Mary Souza and Rep. Kathy Sims, handed out leftover 2014 anti-urban renewal pamphlets that included a section called “Facts.” Ignite cda’s Tony Berns has generously suggested that the “Facts” were not facts, but “Opinions.” I prefer to suggest that these legislators are just reckless with the truth.”

And:

“The Sims-Souza ‘Fact’ sheet disparages investments in education, large parks, art and downtown entertainment. I say hogwash. Here’s the secondary benefit of urban renewal. Public art, public parks, fine educational systems, public spaces — all these create vibrant places for people to work and to play. As a result, those public amenities attract new folks and new businesses.”

• Full column here

Question: Isn’t it about time that people educated re: the real facts of urban renewal — including a lot of you here — push back against the snake oil that Souza and Sims have been selling the uninitiated re: urban renewal? Thoughts?