Studied decisions, without motives, respected

A person who has studied the byway issue and has come to an honest, independent stand on the matter, for or against, I have no problem with. I hope this is the case for the author of the Aug. 3 guest opinion. I have studied what I can about the byway and came to a conclusion, with no ulterior motive, that it is the best possible solution for the north-south transportation problem, couple with the planner inter-community project.

My friend, the editor of the River Journal, has studied the byway issue and decided she is against it. We disagree, but I respect her position. She has no stake, financial or otherwise, in not seeing this built.

Likewise, if a true citizens group consisting of a cross-section of the public, with no financial gain to be made and who didn't hide anonymously behind a group name such as NICAN does, were to come forward against the byway, I would disagree but I would respect their decision.

Their main argument is the environmental impact on Sand Creek. Their name contains the words "North Idaho," yet their sole focus is the byway. Never mind that Bayview is in North Idaho where the kokanee spawning beds were ruined not long ago by a developer, or that they failed to scrutinize the Dover Bay project, where here was some very questionable handling of the wetlands. It's in North Idaho.

It's been suggested to me that NICAN can't be everywhere but there are nowhere else but the byway project.

Another point, Daniel Heintz makes in his guest opinion, the perceived failings of the ITD over past recent projects — some mistakes have been made. However, variations of the byway have been on the drawing boards for nearly six decades. Does their alleged incompetence extend that far back?

Further, what is obvious to my observation, individuals such as Mr. Sletager, have an apparent profit motive for their opposition. His marina, for instance, where the docks extend out past the lease area with the state, along with his acknowledged desire to develop the entire east bank with upscale condos, high rises, retail shops and even an amphitheater as he stated in his full-page ad a year or two ago.

Then there are Mr. Potter's motives, which remain a mystery to this day. He opposes the byway, parroting NICAN's arguments, then adds that the design wouldn't be safe without median barriers. Most of the highways, 45 mph or otherwise, don't have this feature.

Nonetheless, he has gone to great lengths in proposing a complicated, more expensive, 1200-foot tunnel alternative, all the while being a legal resident of Piedmont, Calif., where his business Docupoint is, and where he spends the bulk of his time. His only tie here is the condo he has owned at the Seasons for a couple of years.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint