Month: November 2024

Recent public comments made at a city council meeting revealed concern about residential light pollution. The concern relates to demolishing of old homes and replacing them with bigger and taller structures, the loss of trees, and the resultant light that travels from a neighboring house. The city declared “Dark-sky Week” multiple times over the past two years. We covered it here. A few city council members, Dan English and Dan Gookin voiced support for city staff to look into this issue. Mayor McEvers also verbalized support.

Pictured above, under construction, is the Thomas George building which replaces a single-story US Bank. This building was not the subject of the public comment. However, what is the feasibility of creating and enforcing an ordinance regarding residential lights shining onto neighboring properties? How much cost does it add to the design and construction process? Does this type of law exist in other Idaho communities? Councilmember Dan Gookin cited the city of Hailey, Idaho, which has one such ordinance.

Trader Joe’s opened for business. A constant stream of customers kept the parking lot and shopping lines full, and the crew kept the shelves stocked.

Murals of City Beach, Tubbs Hill, and the Coeur d’Alene Resort give Trader Joe’s its signature neighborhood local feel. While many customers have commented on the atypical large parking lot for TJ’s, it was surprisingly packed, inspiring some patrons to park down the street and walk.

Welcome to CdA, Trader Joe’s!

Besides national and state elections that CDA voters cannot impact, Coeur d’Alene voters will elect three NIC Trustees, vote on an amendment to the Idaho Constitution, (Prop 1), and a school district levy.

NIC Trustees

Voting for blocks of individuals in non-partisan races seems unwise and inappropriate. The official local Republican party, known as the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) endorsed three candidates, including incumbent Greg McKenzie. Opposing candidates Durbin, Knudtsen, and Havercroft enjoy the support of a Political Action Committee, North Idaho Republicans. The CDA News endorses Durbin, Knudtsen, and Havercroft given the dire circumstances. Ideally, a more diverse board could be elected but KCRCC-endorsed local candidates have nearly destroyed all of the public institutions they’ve touched in the last four years.

Prop 1 (Ranked choice voting)

CDA News endorses Prop 1 to make every vote count. In addition, we will elect more moderate candidates. In theory, this will lead to greater compromise and put power back in the hands of the people. Prop 1 will give power back to voters rather than a committee conducting a backroom litmus test. In addition, it appears to be a fiscally responsible proposition.

CDA News supports and endorses the school levy.

Predictions

Prop 1 will fail. The levy will narrowly pass. Knudtsen will win by a large margin due to name recognition. Durbin and Havercroft will have tighter margins and win. Barely. While we largely avoid county races, it will be interesting to see how incumbent Kootenai County Sheriff Norris will fare after he removed “inappropriate” books from the public library. Trump will win Idaho by a large margin but lose the electoral college.