First, Do No Harm

"First, do no harm." This historic mantra, typically associated with doctors, should be included in the oath of office for our local government officials. Some might even say that it is the primary responsibility of government to protect, not hurt, its citizens. But, sadly, there is harm being done. Just look north to the city of Hayden's renovation of Government Way.

More than a mile of Government Way, a central business corridor for the small city of Hayden and a major connector to Coeur d'Alene, was ripped up last March. Have you been on that long stretch of chopped up road? It's a mess. I was up there last spring and went again this week to compare. Four months after the start of this project, the roads are still almost impassable. And the latest projections are that the work won't be done until late October. Seven months.

The official signs allow "Southbound traffic only" but reassure drivers that "Local businesses are Open". Yes they are, barely, those that are still hanging on. I stopped at many, and believe me when I say it was not easy to get across construction and into any of the parking lots. Business owners were happy to see a real person. They told me their sales have plummeted. Most of them estimated a 50% drop in their usual customers, some even more. They ticked off a list of businesses that have folded because of the roadwork, more than 10 so far and there are months to go. A few were not seriously affected because they are internet-based, but they felt sorry for their neighbors, especially the restaurants.

March through October. That's an entire season for many of these small local businesses. They thrive during the warm weather months when tourists and summer people are mixed in with their regular clientele. For government to take a whole season away from a business is serious financial harm.

What could have been done differently in order to protect the business community along this corridor? Working 'round the clock was one suggestion proffered by a shop owner. Perhaps adding the extra shifts could have cut the overall time frame in half. A call to the State's coordinator for this project clarified that the city's agreement with the private contractor allows for work at night, but doesn't require it, except for a couple intersections. The private contractor has chosen to work daytimes only and when I asked the State project coordinator why, his answer was simply, "I don't know."

Another idea was to tear up only one section at a time, do all the underground work, finish and move to the next section. While this was possible, the State coordinator told me, it would be very complicated. I'm sure that's true. But maybe it's worth dealing with the complications in order to preserve and protect existing commerce.

Small business owners put their hearts, souls and savings accounts into their endeavors. Our local governments should be more considerate in the planning and management of public renovations. And they should remember the mantra: First, do no harm.

So come on, citizens of North Idaho, now it's up to us. Take a drive to Hayden -- remember you have to go north on Hwy 95 first, then cut over East to go "south only" on Government Way. "Local businesses are open" and they desperately need our support.