Times are tough these days for small businesses everywhere. Many are forced to lay off valued staff, cut spending to the bone and dramatically decrease benefits. But here in Coeur d'Alene, we have a difficult situation made even worse by government intervention and now some local folks need our help.

The city is renovating the Fourth Street corridor, also called Midtown. This small but quaint part of our community is home to artsy, interesting shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Often described as our bohemian district, Midtown is proud and protective of its quirky character. So when the city announced its plan to update Midtown, citizens there quickly pushed to be involved.

The street and sidewalk reconstruction is currently in full swing and Fourth Street is blocked off. Last Tuesday's City Council meeting saw one Midtown business owner speak to the mayor and council, reporting his store was doing fine until the street was closed and now he's in a world of hurt. He said that during the community meetings last spring, the city pledged to keep one lane of Fourth open throughout the retrofit. (Another person who attended the spring meetings confirmed the city's promise.)

But at the council meeting, the mayor stated there will be emergency access only on Fourth Street. The street renovation is scheduled to last until October 2009, according to the city's Web site, which means three more months of low customer volumes.

So, people, it's time for us to come to the aid of our community. These Midtown businesses need our help!

Very small business typically operates month to month, and any disruption in cash flow can be fatal. Please make some extra time to visit Midtown. Park on the side streets and walk a couple of blocks to browse the shops, have a coffee or cold brew and keep our fun and funky district alive.

The widened sidewalks, an improved street surface with updated sewer and water lines will be great for Midtown, in the long run. But getting through the process, especially in this national economic downturn, will be an endurance contest at best.

President Ronald Reagan used humor when he described the effect that government intervention can have -- "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." But these are seriously treacherous times for small business, our major source for jobs and tax revenues. Above all, great care should be used by our officials, at every level, to avoid damaging private enterprise. First, do no harm.