The privatization of City Beach is the wrong decision

As Republicans, we believe in free market capitalism, private entrepreneurship, and private property rights. Still, we also believe in the inalienable collective property rights citizens have in commonly held communal recreational property.  

Additionally, we believe in a “best practices” policy for all government operations, focusing on procedural propriety. 

We are compelled therefore to vigorously object to the recent “giveaway” to private developers of the 180-room hotel complex at City Beach.  

The unilateral decision, with no public input, to reduce the Sandpoint Code required 245 parking spaces down to 144 and convert City Beach to fee-based parking with an alleged “discount” for locals: 

I) violates all principles of procedural fairness and “best practices.”

II) effectively privatizes City Beach as an extension of the hotel / event center / restaurant complex to the detriment of locals who have for decades utilized it as a treasured sunning, swimming, boating, picnicking, gathering, communal oasis of tranquility and pleasure. 

III) defies logic in the numbers: 180 hotel rooms plus 4000 feet of restaurant space (operating lunch/dinner) and an Event Center (hosting a wedding of 100 or a big convention) cannot be accommodated with 144 spaces. 

All this extra capacity will spill over into City Beach causing major congestion but, more importantly, inaccessibility to a vital, dearly loved public recreational resource. 

Is a mother with two toddlers and a baby in her arms who has sand toys, floaties, beach blankets, suntan lotion, diaper bag, picnic food, beach chairs, books, etc., —supposed to deposit everything, then park up on Second Avenue if she’s lucky, walk 15-20 minutes with her children (who she can’t leave unattended at the beach) to finally get settled at the beach (and then repeat the process going home)? 

The dramatic reduction in code-required parking for hotel complex use constitutes a “usurping” of City Beach for the principal use and enjoyment of out-of-town tourists and the financial benefit of the hotel owners. These proposed actions come perilously close to an illegal “taking” by the government of that which belongs to the public. 

We, as Republicans, are perhaps the least likely group to speak out against this untoward action by the city government. But the gravity of the offense requires a proportional response! 

We invite our Democratic sisters and brothers to make common cause and raise their voices also — to protect this treasure that is the symbol of Sandpoint and embodiment of all we love about it. 

Bonner County Republican Women, Inc. (BCRWI)

VICTORIA QUINN

President

ANITA AURIT

Vice President

THEA FEW

Treasurer

SANDRA RUTHERFORD

Board member

DIANNE HOUTS

Board member

DEBBIE KEELEY

Board member

JAIME SCHMUNK

Board member

JENIFER COX

Board member