“The taxpayers of Boise are subsidizing this private club in a city building.” I think someone either missed the whole idea of what AA is.. or they got up on the wrong side of the bed. If you want to complain about tax payers funding private functions… complain about the trip to Sun Valley. I have never been to an AA meeting but I’ll bet it’s not what you would consider a club event. Maybe good ole Dave could use some of that money for art to fix the roof and keep the rent where it has been. Let’s face it, this place will do ALOT more for the community than some abstract pictures will ever do.

I would like to hear Gary Complainey speak about what better program he runs than AA and why the detox center has not worked. AA according to medico’s is a primary resource for treating alcoholism.. and it seems that the judges think it’s a good idea too. I would imagine he feels they are ineffectual mainly because he has no control over how they are run. He is a narcissistic megalomaniac who cannot stand to not have total control. The jail is absolutely the wrong place to put these folks the jailers have neither the training nor the temperament to deal with this type of individual. The treatment a detoxer will receive will only lead to events detrimental to those individuals he attempts to house there and the community as a whole.

EDITOR NOTE–Not to defend the good sheriff, but he certainly didn’t disparage AA and we don’t want to leave that impression. He was indeed critical the “detox center” has not turned out to be what it was touted to be several years ago. We also caution against name calling and conclusions. Your comments serve only to detract from their substance.

City owned “private club” use – such as – oh, say, the Train Depot, perhaps? Gimme a break, Research has long shown that the AA approach of voluntary participation with others in a plight similar to one’s own is high successful to both the individual(s) and the community(ies) Let us spend the tax dollars to fix the roof and any other structural deficiencies and continue the arrangement of the community benefiting activity.

Calling AA a “private club” might be technically accurate, but it completely miscolors what we are talking about. It is unfair, and it is a foolish thing to attack. The taxpayer funded shindigs to Sun Valley and the country club-like Train Depot are much better examples of the government funding the accoutrements of luxury. AA, NA, Al-Anon, and the other similar groups are extremely valuable support groups and to the extent that they can be helped, I personally find it to be a very important and good use of money.

Count me as one more city/county taxpayer who would like to know more about Allumbaugh House “not working out.” (Times are tough, and I’d rather keep my dollars than throw ’em down the drain.)

I think the problem with the Allumbaugh House is easy enough to figure out. They can only take ‘voluntary’ people. So if the police take an extremely intoxicated person to the Allumbaugh House – the person could walk out 5 minutes later. This puts liability on the police, and the Allumbaugh House if something were to happen to that person. The police only put people on a detox hold when they are so intoxicated they aren’t able to provide for their own safety – and when a family member or friend isn’t willing to take the person.

The problem is still addiction, and it is a choice for a person to want help. Most people have to hit complete rock bottom to want the help, and sometimes they still don’t. We throw money at a lot of programs with good intentions, but human nature still prevails.

Tom’s description of Raney is perfect! He must know him personally. The narcissism clouds good judgment needed by a county Sheriff. It would be helpful for the Guardian to seek correct information on this topic by educated individuals knowing the dynamics of addiction.

There are always people who have some requirement to attend a rehab program. AA is common, but there are some others. While not all AA programs will validate attendance, many do via what are called “green slips.” If I was mayor, I would see if I could get something organized in terms of a cleaning of the outside. That should not be too hard. I am not familiar with the details of the Grapevine club, although I know where it is.

The Grapevine Club building is a sad sad excuse for the local government “doing the right thing.” By keeping the rent obnoxiously low, it has enabled the city to turn a blind eye to the structure, the grounds, and the behavior of the tenants. It’s easily the worst looking building in the surrounding neighborhood/area. I support the cause, just not the current method.

Unfortunately, being an AA support location, the city is in a position where anything other than renewing the lease would be the viewed as the unethical thing to do. I’m hoping they can make the tough decisions that are necessary for this property.

EDITOR NOTE–We listed some factors to consider. What are the “tough decisions” in your opinion?