COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Kind. Generous. Respectful. A leader, a mentor and a friend.
And a professional grandpa.
Those were some of the words used to describe Coeur d'Alene Mayor Jim Hammond during a farewell party attended by about 50 people in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room.
It was a time of praise, thanks, hugs and laughter.
"I think he’s been a great asset to not only the city of Coeur d’Alene, but the entire North Idaho area,” said John Goedde, a past Idaho senator who served with Hammond.
“The citizens of Coeur d’Alene owe you a ton,” said Jon Ingalls, who serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
“It humbles me to even be in the same room with you,” said Councilman Woody McEvers who was appointed to fill out the remainder of Hammond’s four-year term through 2025.
Hammond has served as mayor since 2022. He recently resigned effective Aug. 31 to move to Colorado to be near family, including two young grandchildren.
He said when the farewell party was announced last week, he joked that nobody would show up. He was happy to see otherwise.
“I’m glad I’m going to be missed,” he said.
Hammond has had a long career in public service, holding key posts along the way.
He served as an Idaho State senator for six years, mayor of Post Falls for five years and was a Post Falls city councilmember for nine years. He was an administrator for both Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, worked as a principal in Washington and Idaho, and served on scores of commissions and boards.
To read the full story, visit our news partner, The Coeur d'Alene Press.
