The Bushnell Report

A presentation of all the art pieces being recommended by the CDA arts commission happened first. Council member Evans asked the presenter to explain the process for the arts commission to recommend art to the city council. She stated she would be happy to recommend anyone if they are interested in being on a committee. Council member Mcevers asks if we are buying the pieces. It is stated that the prices are what the artists thinks it is worth, and that the city is not paying for the pieces. Council member English asks why these weren’t on the webpage before being brought before the council. (Good point.) Council member Wood states that she is uncomfortable with 7 people telling the community what to look at. She does think the city council has a responsibility to not be divisive. www.thebushnellreport.com

Lynda states that the fist statue is a communism symbol more than solidarity. She then quotes CDA City Council member Amy Evans from a video from the CDA Arts commission meeting. Evans said she was energized by the statue. Lynda mentions that Dan Enligsh wants us to respect the arts commission. She asks, "How about respecting the oppressed and the citizens of cda?" And she says shame on the arts commission for even bringing this piece of art to be voted on. She mentioned in the arts commission video that commission member Jennifer Drake laughed when someone suggested that this piece would be controversial and said oh well. At this point Mayor Hammond starts to interrupt. Hammond says that Lynda needs to criticize the issue not the people. (Even though Drake was allowed to criticize during her public comment.) Lynda says she is making a statement of fact. Lynda mentions that Drake’s Facebook page has devil imagery on it. Hammond interrupts again. Lynda keeps talking. Hammond asks her to step down. He then asks the CDA police officers to remove her. I find it interesting that the camera is kept on Hammond. There is video I posted previously of the police going towards Lynda and the reaction of the crowd. At the end of the video Mayor Hammond says to the police - take her. ww.thebushnellreport.com

Mike thanks the council for letting him talk even though he dIdn’t put his address down. He doesn't do that due to receiving threats at times. He states that he is a veteran. He asks why we want to put up a symbol that creates division and hate. Mike states that art is a good thing. There is zero good in this piece of art. The majority of the free world would disagree with the artists interpretation. He adds on that this statue disrespects all veterans. www.thebushnellreport.com

Brooke said she didn’t know what the fist meant when her black kids posted it on their social media. Did research into it. She also mentioned that in the 19080s that the fist stood for white power. We have worked hard to get racism out of North Idaho. www.thebushnellreport.com

Randy focused his public comment time on the issue of requiring a home address when commenting. He spoke on harassment at his home due to him putting a political sign in his yard. www.thebushnellreport.com

Wendy spoke. Her daughter is a woman of color. Her daughter didn't want to speak, but wanted her mom to say that she is not ok with the raised fist statue being in CDA. www.thebushnellreport.com

Jennifer is a member of the arts commission and also gave public comment regarding the fist statue. She said that she thinks the majority of the people speaking today are ignoring the artist intent. She thinks that the fist statue focuses on oppressed people. "Of Course we thought this would be controversial." Jennifer went on to state that she thought the other public commenters are a group of local malcontents that are trying to impose their beliefs on a community that has been here far longer than they have. www.thebushnellreport.com

Alan speaks against the fist statue. He states he is an artist too. We are not Portland. We need to respect our police. This symbol is a symbol of harming our police. www.thebushnellreport.com

Joe Alfieri gave public comment talking about how the clinched fist is not a symbol of solidarity. That is a symbol of communism. He also stated that this symbol of communism is responsible for the deaths and slavery of millions of people. www.thebushnellreport.com

My favorite public commenter is back! Remember this is Babylon Bee level sarcasm. Justin spoke in "support" of public money being spent on art. He mentioned how hard it is to sell art to the public. Then stated it sounds easy to get art sold to local government. He also showed the city council his “art” for sale. www.thebushnellreport.com

Rachelle commented on the address policy first, stating that it is illegal. She then went on to say that controversial art should not be tax payer funded. www.thebushnellreport.com

Tony, a local Idaho State Representative, spoke on his family's history with communism during World War Two. He mentioned that communism wants a classless society. He also, mentioned that there have been 100 million deaths from communism. www.thebushnellreport.com

Laura repeated what other commenters said, that the fist is a symbol of communism. She stated that the arts commission is very dismissive of the public. They don’t care what the public thinks. Laura said that she thinks that this statue is disrespectful to the people of this area, and to veterans and police. www.thebushnellreport.com

Megan talks about the attitude of the arts commission on a video from the meeting. She also mentions that the "fist statue" is more suited for Seattle neighborhood. www.thebushnellreport.com

After Rosalyn's public comment. A member of the public went up next to mayor hammond to ask to sign to speak. She was asked to step away. Then a citizen started speaking about why he didn’t want to put his home address on the form due to previous harassment. Take a recess called for by a city council member off camera. One of the female city council members says we need police here. Showing the video from the recess for context. Video cuts off. Then the video comes back on during the recess.

Rebecca gives public comment regarding the "fist statue." www.thebushnellreport.com

Cheryl spoke against the "fist statue" during the public comment section of the Coeur d'Alene City Council meeting. Note that she gets corrected by Mayor Hammond. www.thebushnellreport.com

Sharing a meme that someone else made.

Sharing a meme that someone else made.

It is so powerful to hear 700 people recite the Pledge of Allegiance together at the Idaho GOP 2022 convention. www.thebushnellreport.com

Mark Fuller giving his speech to ask to be voted the 2nd vice chair of Idaho GOP at the 2022 Idaho GOP Convention. www.thebushnellreport.com

Local resident Judy gives her thoughts on North Idaho College. www,.thebushnellreport.com

Lynda reads a statement from Billy also know as Kitty Demure. Billy's statement is regarding the appropriateness of drag queens in terms of minors. He thinks it's not appropriate for minors.

Coeur d'Alene resident Kara speaks on the activities during the Pride in the Park event recently. www.thebushnellreport.com