Finally, majority rules on bypass decision

All the real facts are on NICAN's side and that of "goodness and light," of course. While we're waiting for the fat lady's sister to join her for an encore, I thought I'd relate a day in the life of a downtown shopper, and why I don't go there anymore.

Mr. Shopper begins with a $4.50 16-ounce latte that is just the way he likes it, top half foam, the bottom half hot milk with a shot glass of coffee and a drop of sugar syrup.

Walking down down the avenue, he stops in for a $10 five-ounce bottle of bath oil. Out on the street, next it's into the card shop for a $4.95 greeting card.

Just the beginning of a full day, he passes several store windows with posters depicting the evils of the Sand Creek Byway. Next, a bottle of hot sauce for $11.95, paintings of fish, fancy clothes, knitting supplies. A look in a reality office, a stop at another fancy clothing boutique, another realty office, a bookstore, a reality office … a souvenir carved in wood … another reality office, a little specialty cafe … reality office … a title company, a wine shop … a reality office … a title and mortgage company, a souvenir shop selling glass thingies … another … reality … office …

Ahhh, finally, the Eagles, were he can get a well-deserved stiff drink. Some people may have come here to escape, but others have been here all their lives some for a couple of generations or more. Happy motoring in 2007 or 2008. Finally, majority rules.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint