A Word from Ace Jones ...

re: recalling Queen Sandi's neo-Gang of Four:

In reaction to the annexation decision people keep talking about remembering this at election time. As I have said before the method Coeur d'alene uses in electing council members is heavily weighted toward

incumbents. What people need to do is get organized and use the tools in place to have an impact much sooner than November 05. A referendum could be place on the ballot to repeal the annexation ordinance, A move could also be started to recall the four yes voters. In both cases all it takes to start is the signatures of 20% of the voters in the 2003 election, or 834 signatures. Repealing the ordinance and\or recalling four council members would send a clear message of who really is in charge. Elected officials serve at the pleasure of the citizens. Nothing wrong with making that point.

Ace Jones

DFO: Actually, it's more complicated than that. You have to get signatures equal to 20% (3,341) of the total registered voters (16,704) at the 2003 city election. That'd be tough. What the city really needs is an election that forces candidates to run for a position rather than in our current horse-race setup in which the top three vote-getters win election and incumbents have the inside track. Council prez Dixie Reid has clung to her seat despite finishing third in each of her last three elections. A good candidate who forced her to defend her record could take her out, one-on-one.