The Tattler

I want to tell you how I got my name. I was over at the museum looking through some papers and I saw an old article by The Tattler. Now you know that is not my real name but my husband would kill me if I used my real one. He works in town and is in a position to hear and experience much of the action in our community. He and his friends are my sources, so check out what I say and determine the truth for yourself. I spend my time chasing kids, scrapbooking, genealogy, and volunteering. I guess my man needs a name so I will call him “Joe." (click to read more)

Joe was furious when he learned that those people on the city council wanted to out do the federal bailout by giving away the store to Panhandle State Bank. He thought the vote  might come down to a tie even though he knows the mayor will always break any tie in favor of the three guys who almost always vote as a block. In fact, Councilman John Reuter, who was not elected but appointed by this mayor, dubbed her nothing more than a seventh council member before he got on the council.  .

Here is why my husband was so angry. A couple of years ago when the City of Sandpoint let Panhandle State Bank build their new building without putting in the required parking, PSB agreed that before they could permanently move in, they would have to provide 108 more parking spaces, or pay something called in lieu parking fees of $702,000.00 + interest if they didn’t provide the parking spaces, and pay $25,000 toward the cost of a study for a parking structure.   Meanwhile, the city worked with ITD to get use of their right-of-way and PSB improved it for temporary free public parking until PSB could build their permanent parking spaces. PSB signed a written agreement with the city promising to do all of those things.

Here is what some of those people who are supposed to represent YOU did. Knowing just how plush we are in these economic times, they waived all the requirements listed above but the $25,000 for part of the cost of a study and PSB is relieved of responsibility of maintenance and operation of ITD right-of-way used for free public parking and the city (that’s us taxpayers) will assume the cost of that maintenance and operation.  You might want to go around and ask all of the other businesses that have built in town in the last couple of years how much money THEY had to spend meeting the city’s parking requirements.  No reductions or waivers for them!

I would like you to answer this question. Do you think those people on the council, who voted for the PSB bailout, have the best interest of our city in mind? If not, what can citizens do to exercise some control over those we put in office to do our business?