Decorum For Hayden

"City planning done in Hayden affects all of us. Joy Richards, in writing “Choose Good Candidates,” does not say what a good candidate is, but Pew Research says voters gravitate to candidates who share their political views. I’m sure Joy is no different.

As a prominent (faux) North Idaho Republican, Joy’s preferred candidates are often NIR members too, or they are malleable enough to become one. Although Joy “strongly supported” Sandy White for Hayden in 2021, she does not tell us why. Supposedly, Sandy’s voting record is the reason she will not support her again. Let’s examine that record.

Joy claims: Sandy is “constantly prioritizing administrative issues.” Fact: Sandy White inspired our state Legislature to pass HB172, which amended the open meeting laws all over Idaho. Small cities across the state benefited from its passage and expressed gratitude to Sandy for her work. HB172 will prevent the logrolling of consent agenda items that should be considered separately.

By contrast, Ed DePriest (Joy’s preferred candidate) testified against this bill. Ironically, during his testimony Ed let it slip that Hayden city officials were not using any rules or procedures to govern their meetings. Thanks to Ed, now Hayden has the reputation in Boise of being the “Wild West of North Idaho.”

Joy uses half-truths and false comparisons to paint Sandy in a bad light. Yes, Sandy has voted no on several things. She stood against removing the safeguard to over-development in Hayden, known as Special Use Permits. That put developers and landowners squarely in the driver's seat and made it far more difficult for Hayden City Council to prevent over-building.

Joy claims Sandy voted against improving the FLUM. The new FLUM has serious, unresolved problems, so being in favor of slowing down the transition is a good thing. Sandy’s vote on the Ramsey Road Extension was due to a concern over private property rights. Her vote on placing the statue had nothing to do with Ron McIntire, and everything to do with not setting a precedent for placing art in the city that hasn’t been approved or reviewed by the City Council.

Ed DePriest reminds us often that the base tax rate in Hayden has been too low for decades, and now, ‘It has caught up with us.” What is his plan to remedy this? He proposed a zero % increase in 2026 rather than the recommended annual increase of 3%. This was political theater for his reelection and would dig the financial hole even deeper. Ed ignored the warnings of the city administrator and the city attorney, who said “don’t bank on a levy to bail out the city finances.”

Sandy voted to fully fund the sheriff’s contract for 2026. The Hayden Safety Commission, set up to study the matter, recommended this, citing effectiveness, cost savings and community safety. Ed DePriest ignored their recommendation and opposed a budget increase that had already been worked out, putting months of planning and negotiations in jeopardy. Ed seems to not be listening to sound advice. Is it because he thinks investing millions in a police department is a better idea? Would he have law enforcement answer to a mayor rather than to the voters?

Sandy White is polite, intelligent and responsive to the needs and wants of the citizens, just like fellow councilman Tom Shafer. Being likeminded, they stand for slow growth and maintaining Hayden as a suburban rural community. Putting Luke Sommer on the council instead of Ed DePriest would greatly enhance the council’s ability to find workable, reasonable solutions to Hayden’s problems.

Luke has brought to voter’s attention real-life examples of the unnecessary rezoning that is quietly happening and promises to put a stop to it. He is an expert in parliamentary proceedings. As you saw when the spotlight was on Hayden during the legislative session, having rules to govern city meetings is essential.

Luke will bring law and order and proper decorum to City Council meetings. There is still time to amend the disastrous 2040 Comprehensive Plan and FLUM, but only good leadership can make it happen. Vote for Luke Sommer and Sandra White for Hayden City Council.

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Anne Patterson is a Coeur d'Alene resident."

(CDA Press - My Turn)