Mayors detail state of cities

SANDPOINT — Ponderay Mayor Carol Kunzeman summed it up best when she evoked Charles Dickens, saying “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …” during her state of the city address at Thursday’s Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce power lunch.

Kunzeman, along with Sandpoint Mayor Gretchen Hellar and Kootenai Mayor Maggie Mjelde, spoke to the 50-plus chamber members in attendance about the massive economic ups and downs the three communities are facing.

Despite their enormous challenges — including ever-present revenue shortfalls — both Kunzeman and Mjelde played up the positive aspects of their cities. As evidence that their communities are weathering the economic storm, Kunzeman referenced the new businesses moving into Ponderay and the existing businesses that are growing or renovating, while Mjelde made note of Kootenai’s large pool of jobs.

“We have almost as many jobs in Kootenai as we do residents,” she said.

The Sandpoint City Council has accomplished a handful of its long-term goals, most notably the newly-passed comprehensive plan, but Hellar said it will take more work and a greater cooperation between business leaders and the city if Sandpoint wants to reach its full potential.

To illustrate her point, Hellar recalled a conversation with a business owner who said the best way to survive the recession is to “just tough it out.” While she has empathy for the business community during these difficult times, Hellar said business owners need to work harder to ensure not only their own success, but the success of downtown Sandpoint.

“While we’re just toughing it out, other cities are being proactive,” she said. “I’m asking you folks, don’t wait for the government to do it. You’ve got to do it yourself.”

After addressing the audience, the floor was opened for a question-and-answer session with the three mayors. When nobody spoke up with a question, Hellar jokingly praised attendees for not bringing up the city’s recent controversial decision to trade the Cedar Street Bridge to a pair of local developers.

“I just want to thank you all for not asking me about the land swap,” she said.