Is highway project the forest or tree?

It warrants mention that a diverse group of residents have diligently involved themselves in a series of comp plan meetings held at Community Hall.

More gratifying is the fact that elected officials have also been present, lending weight to the process.

Some might be surprised to learn that there has been general consensus in identifying the town's more vexing problems including (but not limited to): Affordable housing, solving traffic and parking problems; preserving and expanding our systems of parks and waterfront; making Sandpoint more user-friendly to walkers and bikers, etc.

Creating solutions will require imagination, planning, money, teamwork and compromise. Meetings have been civil and conducted in an atmosphere of cooperation and thoughtful discussion and debate.

Developing a plan is only the first step; implementation will require years of fortitude and hard work on the part of our elected leaders.

Recently, Stephen Drinkard showed a documentary film about Ketchum at the chamber's general member luncheon. The film was very sobering and should be required viewing. It depicted a town weary of its inability to fill the ranks of its teachers, fire and police departments and retail outlets.

Job candidates' initial enthusiasm would quickly turn to applicants withdrawing after a jaunt into Ketchum's housing market (median home price was $410,000).

Without proactive wisdom and planning, Sandpoint could be going down the same road. The real tragedy would be the erosion of our community's people resources and close knit sense of community.Ketchum has become a ghost town in the real sense of neighborhood identity. Is that what we want?

PAUL KRAMES

Sagle