'Spingineer Hotline' is in full operation on byway

"Wasn't it back in '98 when the boss told us to go up to Sandpoint and sell those people on the byway?"

"Yeah. It was right after we graduated from Spin Doctor College."

"Remember, he said, 'Get cracking. This is a $90 million deal.' "

"Yeah. Didn't you love how we got the majority to vote for the Sand Creek route at that town meeting? Those folks were so fed up with traffic problems and we only gave them two choices — either the Sand Creek route or nothing."

"Yeah, and after putting a little spin on that, we could brag about having the majority in our favor."

"Yeah and can you believe that we still have most of the elected officials in our corner? It's especially hard to believe when I think of all the construction screw-ups we've had in that area. There was the bog hold on the Highway 95 North project but we covered that one up … ha, ha … with cedar bark. And then to keep from going over budget, we shortened 'er up a mile and a half. You know, I think we can get away with anything if we put the right spin on it.

"Shucks, with construction costs going up, $90 million isn't going to cover that there byway, but once we get started, there won't be no turnin' back."

"Yeah. The Highway 95 North project was only supposed to take two years, but it wound up taking seven years from the initial survey. Just think how long we can stretch out the byway project and, if we run out of money, they'll just have to settle for one lane or half a bridge. Heck, nobody complained about the Highway 95 North project 'cause we put the right spin on it."

Any questions? Can the Spingineer Hotline at 1 (800) ITD-CYA.

DANIEL HEINTZ

Sandpoint