Ten local residents bid for three open seats on Coeur d’ Alene’s City Council.
With elections quickly approaching, and the McEuen Field revitalization proposal drawing controversy from Coeur d’ Alene residents, the Sentinel took a closer look at those who will make the final decision.
Proposed changes to the McEuen area include moving the Third Street boat launch, American Legion ball fields, softball fields and most of the surface parking.
They want to replace them with vast green space, walking trails, an amphitheater, a children’s play area, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park and an ice skating rink on a section of the lake.
In addition, a handicap-accessible trail would be cut in on Tubbs Hill’s north side, and water features would be added.
Opposition to the proposal states that these changes commercialize the area too much at too high of a cost, while proponents call the changes a necessary investment.
This week we explore seat 1 candidates RonEdinger, incumbent, and Adam Graves.
Ron Edinger has been a member of the Coeur d’ Alene City Council for nearly 30 years. He has been active in the preservation of Tubbs Hill and has also openly opposed any removal of trees from the dike road area bordering North Idaho College.
Adam Graves is a local businessman. Adam is the co-founder of Range NW, a branding and marketing firm with offices in Dallas and Coeur d’Alene.
Next issue we will hear from candidates viewing for seat 3.
Ron Edinger
Do you support or oppose on the potential changes to downtown’s McEuen Field?
I am not in favor of moving the boat launch or the baseball field. I think this project is making too many unnecessary and expensive changes. But I would like to see some improvements made to the playground, skateboard park, basketball courts and tennis courts. I am also opposed to removing the trees from the Dike road.
What is your vision in running for City Council? Are there any changes you’d make if you were elected?
I would like to see more transparency in the city council. I do not feel that city council has listened enough to the public, especially on the McEuen issue. I think we need to make an effort to listen more to the people in the city.
Adam Graves
Do you support or oppose on the potential changes to downtown’s McEuen Field?
It is a prime piece of land that is under utilized and a deteriorating blight on the downtown environment. The cost of the investment, which is what I see it as, an investment, is large. But if done correctly it would have an even larger return on the investment.
What is your vision in running for City Council? Are there any changes you’d make if you were elected?
It’s time for a new style of government with fresh, creative ideas to make positive future change happen. The city of Coeur d’Alene needs to focus on a long term growth strategy, one which attracts high paying jobs that brings money from not just around the country but from around the world.
