Coeur d'Alene Press Newspaper | CDAPress.com

Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho

Take a big bow, fellow Idahoans

Posted: Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 - 11:29:41 pm PDT
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First came the fortune.

And now, the fame.

Thursday's cover story on the front page of USA Today blazed with a photo of the Coeur d'Alene Resort and this headline: "Which state has the fastest-growing economy? It's Idaho, thriving quietly."

"With all due respect to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando, the heart of America's biggest economic boom is right here in Idaho," opens the Boise-datelined story by Dennis Cauchon.

It was more than the talk of town throughout the region, where the paper was sold out in most locations by mid-morning. According to USA Today, it was also the most emailed story of the day.

National spotlights shining on Idaho are basically great things. But residents can also feel some heat from those bright lights.

The good news is that exposure like USA Today's story can have a powerful, positive effect, encouraging desirable businesses to relocate here and bolstering the investment that has spurred growth for the past 20 years. As the story points out, we have showed the strongest economic growth in the nation since 2003 and now boast the lowest unemployment rate (2.4 percent).

Why? Economists agree that it is basically because our industry is so diversified, with every sector registering smashing success. Tourism, construction, farming, technology and service industries all are cited positively in the USA story.

We also benefit from most of the 30,000 or so new residents each year tending to be relatively wealthy and well-educated. We're attracting the kind of people every other state would like to get.

Again, why?

As most every Idahoan already knows, the real key is quality of life. We love the four seasons, the generally rural nature of our state, and the fact that two thirds of it is federally owned and broadly accessible to anyone.

We're also, as the story points out, a libertarian lot, believing in personal responsibility yet opening our hearts and our wallets to neighbors in need.

In other words, there's nothing not to like about Idaho.

Which is the only rub.

Those same 30,000 or so moving here each year are not all inclined to be exemplary citizens, so we must accept a little bad with all that good. Further, as our state and its economy grow, so does the disparity between the haves and the have-nots. That already is the source of untold rancor, and as wealthy retirees feed the local cash registers and municipal coffers, so, too, will they increase the cost of housing and increasingly burden the infrastructure.

Yet we appreciate the positive national exposure and confess to feeling proud that our little state is an economic titan among many dwarves. It's validation that our plans, policies and most of all, our people, literally have no peers.


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"A good community newspaper is a community in conversation with itself." - Walter Lippmann

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Mr GOP wrote on Oct 8, 2007 4:43 AM:

" The capitalist lottery, what else matters? "

Bob wrote on Oct 7, 2007 4:25 PM:

" God judges all, some here clearly like it hot! Love one another! "

Native wrote on Oct 7, 2007 3:47 PM:

" Winning what? "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 6, 2007 7:57 PM:

" And yet, I seem to be winning. "

Oh looky wrote on Oct 6, 2007 9:55 AM:

" MrGop shows up to slap the working man again with his arrogant values. "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 5, 2007 5:07 PM:

" No, no, this is NOT about either Cali's or locals being trash; it's the poor that are trash and need to be priced out of this beautiful place. "

Native wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:26 AM:

" to:? I don't care what you THINK I sound like. I've lived here my entire life, as well as my parents. You are the trash. There are so called 'locals' all over this site blaming 'Calis' for EVERYTHING. Whining and crying because they weren't educated in making smart real estate investments when they had the opportunity. If you didn't purchase property prior to 2004, you may want/have to wait until the market settles again. Jeezus. Take a little responsibility for your life. If you are not happy with your wages, get some training/education and change it. Quit blaming anyone/everyone else for your misfortune. It's embarrassing! Gawd, I am embarrassed FOR you. Thank goodness all native North Idahoans are not as pathetic as yourself. Are you the ones who have the zoo living in your trailer? You are, aren't you? "

To Faded Rose.. wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:47 PM:

" Whet the 80k figure you pulled out of your ear? Property as with anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Life moves on and we either figure out how to cope/move on with it or we are miserable and flounder. As a 50 year native whose parents were born here the growth is bitter sweet. Sad that life here has ans is changing but others see the beauty here that we old timers have enjoyed for decades. Can't really blame them for wanting to enjoy it as well. We need to deal with it responsibly as a community and look for more undeveloped communities if we want that. That's just life! "

? wrote on Oct 3, 2007 6:42 PM:

" To NATIVE:With that you don't even sound like a native just a cali transplant who bought cheap and are now trying to say I got mine to bad about your's. Take your attitude back to cali maybe you will fit in the trash bag with Mr.GOP "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 3, 2007 4:40 PM:

" Hey, I just lived the America Dream by using our Capitalist system to the fullest extent. Where in the country's founding documents does it say that I have any obligation to pay a 'fair wage?' That's the beauty of Capitalism, the better you play it, the wealthier you become. I did well, how you do is really none of my concern - seriously, why should I care? "

Native wrote on Oct 3, 2007 4:13 PM:

" WAHHHH! PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE! WAHHHH! THERE ARE TOO MANY JOBS WITH AVERAGE WAGES! WAHHHHH! MY CREDENTIALS ONLY QUALIFY ME TO TAKE ONE OF THESE JOBS! WAHHHH! I WANT THINGS TO GO BACK 30 YEARS! WAHHHH! I DIDN'T BUY A HOME WHEN THE MARKET WASN'T FLUCTUATING! OMG PEOPLE. SERIOUSLY. QUIT YOUR FRIGGIN WHINING. THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS ALREADY HEADED BACK INTO A MORE REALISTIC PHASE. BUT NO, YOU'RE PROBABLY NEVER GOING TO GET INTO A STARTER HOME FOR $80,000. GET YOURSELF SOME TRAINING AND GET A BETTER JOB OR SHUT UP. "

? wrote on Oct 3, 2007 4:06 PM:

" I think Mr.GOP has this idea he's better than everyone. Instead of paying a decent wage he only cares about making his money off the backs of the working man. Bet he never broke a sweat in any job. Cheap A$$ cali GO HOME "

JGT wrote on Oct 3, 2007 12:03 PM:

" By "take a bow" they mean bend over and hold your ankles. "

one thing to remember wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:53 AM:

" By "fellow Idahoans", we do not mean to imply that this includes Cali immigrants who are not, and never will be, Idahoans. "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:32 AM:

" It's been working out fine! Thanks for asking. "

ToGOP wrote on Oct 2, 2007 9:22 PM:

" I can see you like to slap the working man in the face,you do it all the time in this paper. The only trash i see is GOP.Your arrogance is your garbage,how do you live with that stink? Most people in trailer parks are working for a better life ,with the acceptance of a few. Dont you have any empathy for the working class,or are you so stinking rich that you are now blind,and cant remember when you first started out or are you a golden spoon baby who got a head start off momas teet? You sound like one of those every man for himself peoples,and thats ok. Hows that working out for ya by the way? "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:57 AM:

" Actually, the only trash I see around here are the trailer parks and the crap along the side of the road that people seem to feel the need to throw out of their cars. My place, on the other hand, is actually rather nice and well kept. Too bad you're so upset about us taking the place from you, but that's the way capitalism works, so deal with it. "

Grow food crops wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:12 AM:

" Then build plants to proccess that food, then sell it locally. We need more variety of industry and we need to become independant from mexican veggies. Also bio/fuels can be grown and refined here. First enough for our needs then sell the surplus. I am with "GOP" on many thoughts... now that I understand him better. We have worked hard and smart and are set for life with a lot left over. Done working for wages years ago and now work for fun. Are we going to share our surplus with you... nope, :0 :(:(:( Sorry... not really, just kidding. We were born with nothing just like you, so go get your own piece of the pie. We can afford ice cream on it, can you??? If not, then why not. Just what have you been doing all your life anyway??? Don't settle for less than all you can be, then learn to be content with what you have made for yourself and never expect others to pay for your coffee/life. Now get to work paying off those stupid credit cards and go to cash only. "

FadedRose wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:02 AM:

" I was born and raised here in CDA. I moved with my mother to Cali when I was 15 and spent the next 24 years roaming the country. I came back to my "beautiful, little, home town" six years ago and I was amazed at the growth that had taken place. We moved back here for a better quality of life for my two younger children. We were looking forward to being home buyers at last, but our dreams were dashed when in the last six years we saw a proprty that actually is worth only 80,000.00 soar up to double that amount because people were paying the price, and gladly. In San Diego, rents and properties doubled and almost tripled in some areas. It would have forced my family into the "seedier" neighborhoods, and we just couldn't do that to our kids, much less ourselves. While I believe that growth is necessary, I think it should be good for all, not just for those with the money to easily move with the changes. Idaho has been full of working class people, who have had to survive, not just live. It looks as though that is the only thing that has not changed with all this growth. "

To MR GOP wrote on Oct 2, 2007 4:28 AM:

" Why don't you take your sorry A$$ back to Cali where you belong. This was a very nice place till the A$$holes like you showed up. People here had a respect for the land,trees and lake now it's trash everywhere yourself included. "

RadRevD wrote on Oct 2, 2007 4:15 AM:

" the 'bare bones infrastructure' lags LCDC-manipulated development by four years or better. The densification of CDA has resulted in traffic congestion, increased housing unaffordablity, more domestic violence and neighborhood crime. Our welcome mat has greater curb appeal for the tourist and newcomer. There are new places to dine or share a drink with friends. We can also anticipate higher taxes in the future yet the burden will be evened out as CDA population swells to 125,000 and KootCo to 300,000 by 2020. --------- The big losers: Those who did not buy a home prior to 2004. ----------- The big winners: those who had large real estate holdings and are taking the opportunity to cash in. ------------ What went wrong: Unavoidable progress was accelerated without public authorization (voting) and lacked respect for the comprehensive Plan. "

tj wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:00 PM:

" To bad there are not enough employers here to pay a livable wage. A large percent of the working class of people here can not afford to buy even a starter type home. The economy sucks here. There are lots of help wanted signs around with the majority being low pay and NO benifits. "

danf wrote on Oct 1, 2007 3:48 PM:

" we make chips?? and we have plenty of dips to go with it. libertarians? the state has the same tax rate as taxachusetts. what we need is a return to the old when we actually made things, blue collar factories, i can see a big pulp mill in kellogg or pinehurst-- that will help boost the wage earners standard of living in this area. the river-- well -- i sure don't see many outdoor people taking advantage of it anyway. "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 1, 2007 2:46 PM:

" To Bucktooth Sally - you bet'cha that's why we come up here! If we paid more, it would cut into corporate profits and our stock prices would drop, hurting my compensation stock options. "

Bucktooth Sally wrote on Oct 1, 2007 2:07 PM:

" These companyies come into Idaho because they know that they don't have to pay a living wage. They make millions, live in big houses and drive fancy cars. They only pay 12 to 15 dollars an hour, no medical or dental insurance. If I had dental insurance I could fix these freckken buckteeth. "

rpm wrote on Oct 1, 2007 1:34 PM:

" Cda fan is right on the money. All the negative people are complaining about new growth while the positive people embrace it-not as an obstacle, but an opportunity. Its sad to see all the grumpy and morose people post nothing but negative comments to every story on here day-in and day-out. "

Niles wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:43 PM:

" There's a right way and a wrong way to develop an area. What's going on here is the wrong way and it is being done quite unethically. The good old boys politicians are stuffing their own pockets and those of their developer friends. They're allowing high end developments with bare bones infrastructure. The rest of the infrastructure comes at the peoples expense. This area can expand but for the good of everyone not just the few. Stop being ridden like mules and VOTE OUT THE INCUMBENTS. "

Bucktooth Sally wrote on Oct 1, 2007 11:46 AM:

" It is time to start the "DRIP" campaign. Don't Relect Imcumbent Politicians. "

Tater wrote on Oct 1, 2007 11:13 AM:

" Lazy local hicks. I believe that is the biggest problem from all of the whinning about developers. Yes, obviously, I am a native and I love the developments. I remember back when this place was stale with no growth, not a terrible thing, but tough to make a living. I believe the whinning comes from the locals who are too lazy to get out and stake their own claim, or the Cali's who want their own little piece of Idaho and don't want anyone else to crowd them. Either way, neither group can handle the truth!!!! So shut and deal, it is going to happen. "

Thurston Howell III wrote on Oct 1, 2007 9:01 AM:

" Why, look, lovey, they even have little people in tiny shacks who'll serve you coffee IN your car. We don't even have to get out of the Bentley and mingle with the lazy local hicks. We shall have to call our broker and have him purchase a couple of hundred acres. Have Smithers warm up the Learjet... "

BW wrote on Oct 1, 2007 4:37 AM:

" "Are people literally have no peers"????? That is a bizarre and elitist statement. We have plenty of peers. "

Mr GOP wrote on Oct 1, 2007 4:31 AM:

" to cda fan wrote: "So, my question to you is, do you have enough money to be a have? " *** Yes, yes I do. Thanks for asking! "

William Kauper wrote on Sep 30, 2007 4:10 PM:

" Don't you mean 'bend over and kiss you a$$ goodbye'! Growth may be good for some, but the jobs are going to the people moving in, not the worker slowly being squeezed out. If anyone bends over, let it be the politicians and realtors that caused this to happen. "

to cda fan wrote on Sep 30, 2007 12:57 PM:

" I think you need to listen with fully open ears! I am a cda business owner and see the missuse of OUR tax dollars via lcdc to feed the cancerous developers that are destroying this area. We need well balance. Not just eliteism. We need industry here so ALL can thrive and not just the chosen few as our city council, county commissioners and lcdc would like to have. What they do not realize that in THEIR grand idea of what they would like to build here is, they too wiil not be able to afford to live here. When the building boom is over, and it will be, under the current mode you will have the haves and the have nots and NO middle class. The elite and their servants. So, my question to you is, do you have enough money to be a have? "

richard wrote on Sep 30, 2007 10:51 AM:

" "Every sector a smashing success." "An economic titan among many dwarves." "There's nothing not to like about Idaho." Oh, ha, ha, hee, hee..stop it! You're killing me. Whoo! Whee! So funny. Are your editors high? "

cda fan wrote on Sep 30, 2007 8:45 AM:

" I heard people whining about this story at work the other day, and the fact is, those who were complaining are the lazier, "what have you done for ME lately?" employees. Several of the smarter, harder working people didn't have that attitude at all. They were pleased, proud and talking about what they can do to keep our great state growing. "

YA wrote on Sep 30, 2007 8:37 AM:

" Where does everyone work and live? I ask my self that everyday I am stuck in traffic. LAKE TAHOE ANYONE? "

Niles wrote on Sep 30, 2007 7:57 AM:

" CDA city officials allow developers to build infrastructure anemic developments targeted exclusively for the wealthy. Through the LCDC they do this with taxes taken from the working class. Literally they are taking from the poor and giving to the wealthy. And they are PROUD of their work. They built a posh, opulent library to serve their new wealthy friends instead of a well appointed functional library for the children of CDA. The Mayor misappropriated $4.5 million taxpayer dollars to get another jewel to impress the upper crust, the Kroc Center. All the while they've buttered up their developer friends and even got direct business from this work for themselves. What do regular CDA citizens get? They get to fix city sidewalks at their own expense. They get their property taxes sent through the roof because of outlandishly inflated property values. They get traffic on the roads and waterways unlike any ever experienced. They get poor fire and police services as they are way over worked. They get to pay for every bit of LCDC city services until 2021. They get to pay for new schools, fire stations and roads while developers take their profits and run. They also get to vote in one month. Any incumbent running to keep their office is your enemy. Any candidate recommended by any incumbent is another toady. The area certainly can grow but NOT at the expense or the working class. It is Bastille day in Idaho. Vote out the incumbents and vote in candidates like Gookin and Snedaker who WILL support legal gov't above board operations and fair and balanced oversight of our regions growth. The time for a change is past due. VOTE EM OUT! "

Randall wrote on Sep 30, 2007 7:50 AM:

" When are you people going to get a webcam on the lake so we can see what we are missing ?????? "

Leaveusalone wrote on Sep 30, 2007 6:25 AM:

" The man said "most of all, our people, literally have no peers. I agree but how long will Idaho remain such a great place to live with unlimited growth and along with it all the social, environmental and political pitfalls associated with it. If we're not careful and allow the bureaucratic corruption and greed to continue you can flush that statement. As long as the almighty dollar sign looms over our land the money grubbers will continue to come out of the woodwork. "

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