Mary Souza's Newsletter - Watch Out for McEuen Field

The Mayor called me a liar. In public, on a blog. And she refuses to apologize even though she now admits my information was not a lie.

Here’s what happened:

In last week’s newsletter about McEuen Field, I described what one of my readers reported about the city’s plans for the old tennis court site. He said that City Finance Director Troy Tymeson told him the city has the plans to build a two story parking garage on that site, with a rooftop viewing deck overlooking the park.

My newsletter was sent out late Friday afternoon. On Monday morning, a Spokane-based blog carried a direct quote from CdA Mayor Sandi Bloem, stating my information was “lies” and I was just “making things up”.

The source of my information about McEuen was former city council candidate Steve Adams. Steve is man of great integrity and felt very badly about the Mayor’s attack on me. He decided to go to the city council meeting last night to publicly explain to the Mayor that my information was not a lie. I also attended the meeting, at Steve's request.

Steve stood up at the podium during the Public Comments section of the council meeting and clearly and respectfully told what happened. He explained that after the last city council meeting two weeks prior, he walked up to Finance Director Troy Tymeson and introduced himself as the newest member of the city’s Parking Commission. (Troy is the staff representative to that commission.) After some chit chat, Troy asked if Steve had noticed the tennis courts were gone. Yes, Steve replied, and Troy went on to say that the city has plans to build a two-story parking garage on the site with a viewing deck on top, overlooking the park.

Steve explained to the Mayor and everyone present, that about a week later he was at a Reagan Republicans meeting, sitting at a table with Mary Souza and others, when the topic of the tennis courts came up in conversation, so Steve repeated what Troy Tymeson had told him.
(I had also asked Steve if I could write about his information and he gave me his permission.)

Steve declared to the Mayor that the information I published in my newsletter was indeed what Troy Tymeson had stated. (Mr. Tymeson was not present at last night’s city council meeting. The Mayor said he was sick.) Steve then went on to respectfully suggest that Mayor Bloem apologize to me for her public comment calling me a liar.

Sandi Bloem did not apologize. She openly admitted that Troy Tymeson would “not disagree” with Steve Adams’ description of their conversation, BUT, she said, “I will not take it back”.

She went on to describe McEuen Field and the city’s plans, their lack of plans, their old plans, possible new plans and of course they want the public involved in any plans.

Steve stood at the podium, quietly listening during Sandi’s long public relations program for McEuen Field and all of its potential. She did not speak to my information or her accusation about lies.

Then Steve nicely asked the Mayor, again, to consider apologizing to Mary Souza.

The Mayor ignored his request, thanked him for his testimony and moved on to the next agenda item.

There you have it, folks: The good and the bad; both sides of human behavior.

Steve Adams is a man of conviction who is willing to stand up and speak the truth. I did not ask him to go public on this, nor did I ask for an apology. Steve followed his beliefs and did the right thing.

Sandi Bloem did not. She lacks the professional integrity we need in our public officials. The Mayor had an opportunity to begin rebuilding trust with the community, but she showed her lack of courage and conviction instead.

It’s going to be a long four years. Keep your eyes on McEuen Field!

******************************************************************