State of the city — 2023

was also identified as an objective in the Strategic Plan.

Lastly, the city initiated a downtown waterfront design competition to cast a vision for a downtown master plan built around the waterfront at Sand Creek and City Beach. Phase 1 was recently completed, in which the top three design teams were selected to move on to Phase 2, which will yield design concepts from each team. The designs will then be vetted by the public and selection jury before a winning concept is submitted to the council for consideration.

The winning design team will have the opportunity to negotiate a contract for additional professional services toward a final design.

The final master plan aspires to leave a legacy for Sandpoint’s future that plans for responsible growth, implements existing plans, and supports public and private investment consistent with our community values and character.

In terms of infrastructure, the city completed the remodel of the and thinking. A group of parents — activated by a national network — protested the program and convinced the principal to ban the books. One of those banned books was The Hobbit.

Now, 30 years later, here in Sandpoint, a small group of people — again activated by a national agenda — is running for county and city board elections. This is a slippery slope. It is politically motivated and funded by those outside of our community.

Their agenda is not only to restrict freedom and control access, but also to disrupt and distract. Disruption and distraction are costly and we, as taxpayers, bear the burden. Look no further than the NIC board debacle and what that has cost in dollars, reputation and value of a degree.

If we want to protect what we love about North Idaho, we need to vote wisely in every election.

On May 16, elect Susan Shea to continue her thoughtful stewardship on the East Bonner County Library Board.

Thanks again,

Kathryn Larson Sagle

There’s no question: Susan Shea for library board…

City Council Chambers, city administration building and police station. Funded primarily from American Rescue Plan Act funds, the improvements dramatically improved the customer service experience, and facilitated better working conditions for police personnel and city staff. The city was also able to replace the roof at City Hall, which was needed.

The city received one the largest municipal donations in Idaho from the Russell family for construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center at Travers Park. The Russells donated $7.5 million for construction of a multi-use indoor facility located adjacent to the existing tennis courts. This project has been designed and contracted with ground-breaking expected later this spring. The final product will include a new splash pad inclusive playground with plans for expanded skatepark, cycle skills course and pump track.

The Strategic Plan called for creation of a five-year capital improvement plan that was completed last year. It was soon followed with an updated rate study to ensure that our utility services are properly funded into the future.

Implementation of the street and sidewalk improvements are underway, as identified in the Multimodal Transportation Master Plan. Council just approved more than $500,000 worth of pavement improvements on Ruth Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and Hickory Street this past Wednesday, April 19. It also approved going to bid for street and sidewalk improvements for improved safety on Division Avenue in front of the high school.

— we all know it and we all love it. A library doesn’t just become as great as the one we have, though. It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of smart people. Our library budget has been so well balanced that we haven’t needed to raise the levy to fund it for years. That’s incredible, isn’t it? Having an experienced accountant like Susan on the board is how we get to that point.

Meanwhile, the library has continued to provide a well-equipped and safe facility for kids in the community and has continued to expand programs and services for all of us. Having a dedicated, diligent, well-respected worker like Susan on the board to work smoothly with the rest of the trustees is how we can have that.

Most importantly, our library has a phenomenal collection. I’m always amazed at the variety and depth of our books, movies and music. It really feels like what a library should be: a collection of knowledge from around the world, without barriers or obstacles. Having a staunch defender of free speech and the First Amendment like Susan on the board is how we get to experience that.

I don’t think there’s any question: Susan is the right choice for Sandpoint this May.

Fortunately, voters approved a new local option tax last November, which dramatically increases the city’s streets, sidewalks and pathways budget so improvements like these become possible on an annual basis. Workforce productivity is also a priority outlined in the Strategic Plan. The city is committed to building a performance-oriented, integrated culture with the support of employees who are trained and resilient. Likewise, it is the city’s commitment to support employees who live up to this high standard. The city is fortunate to have attracted and retained such talented, professional staff. The list of accomplishments outlined above attest to the level of productivity and commitment that city staff have maintained.

Dear editor,

I’d like to publicly appreciate the work that Susan Shea has done for our library as a member of the board, and to support her reelection, loudly and proudly. We all know about the fantastic facilities, collection and programs. It’s amazing, for a community as small as ours, to have such a wonderful library.

I think about that a lot. You know what I don’t ever think about when I think about the library? Drama. Friction. Indecision. We’ve seen what happens when politics and personalities overwhelm priorities at some of our other North Idaho institutions (NIC for example).

Our library board works, because all of its members are committed professionals, without agendas, without ulterior motives and with a healthy respect for one another. Susan Shea is an important part of that. For the past six years, she’s earned the respect of the rest of the library board.

Dear editor, When my son was in fifth grade, he participated in an accelerated reading program to elevate learning

Dear editor,

So, there’s an election coming up on May 16 for a position on the library board of trustees, and I want to talk about why Susan Shea is the right person for the job. The library is great

Margaret Mjelde Kootenai

And you know what? The competent, steady, drama-free leadership that that mutual respect has produced has earned mine. Let’s reelect Susan Shea, and let’s keep our library board focused on what really matters: making sure we always have a library that we can be proud of!

Vote for Susan Shea on May 16.

Lee Christensen Sandpoint