Steve McCrea and The Gang of Four

Armed with a united voting majority and grand plans, they transformed Coeur d’Alene in one term from a casual, glad-handing government to a coat-and-tie operation based on protocol, efficiency and accountability.

They were an unstoppable force. The changes came at supersonic speed, many of which were popular and some of which were not. It may have been too much, too fast.

Fromm was defeated by Ray Stone in the 1986 election. Brown and Michaud opted not to run for re-election. Only McCrea, an attorney in his 30s, succeeded the Gang of Four.

McCrea served another two terms on the City Council before stepping down to focus on his priorities — family, his law practice and snow skiing. Full story . Ric Clarke/Cda Press