Business
GBAD Seeks Second Chance To Deny Public Vote
December 21, 2014 
The Greater Boise Auditorium District has spent tens of thousands of dollars in a quest to deny citizens their constitutional right to approve long term debt for a new ballroom and kitchen. That quest continues with the filing of a new petition in 4th District Court.
GBAD was ordered by 4th District Judge Melissa Moody to either “pay cash or go to the voters,” when she denied their petition for judicial confirmation in August. That petition and hearing was an attempt to get a single judge to declare a convoluted lease/purchase agreement as “ordinary and necessary,”
GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier challenged GBAD’s plan and Moody ruled in his favor. According to a story in the Sunday STATESMAN, the group claims to have addressed the “judge’s concerns” and has refiled a petition. Frazier will likely challenge this attempt to go around the voters as well.
“My main concern is not so much with the project, but the process. Once we allow government to deny a constitutionally mandated right, we open the door to similar actions in the future,” said Frazier.
In a previous hearing September 18, GBAD’s legal counsel declared, “This is a very complex project. It would frankly be hard to explain to the public.” They also added, “Voting is simply inappropriate.”
The GBAD board has voted on an agreement to borrow $23.5 million from Wells Fargo Bank – pending judicial approval of the new petition. The bank would lend the money on a seven-year term at an interest rate of 2.25 percent, or a 10-year term at 2.65 percent.
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Comments & Discussion
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Dec 21, 2014, 8:02 pm
I bought a book… I will now buy another since I can see the money is going to good use!
EDITOR NOTE–Thanks! I am confident you will enjoy it. Full of laughs, little known facts, and interesting encounters.
Dec 22, 2014, 8:31 am
I’m glad, (and surprised) to hear that the editor of BG is wiling to stand and fight for constitutional rights, especially in a state where people who support the constitution are deemed as “extremists” by the local LEOs.
“In a previous hearing September 18, GBAD’s legal counsel declared, “This is a very complex project. It would frankly be hard to explain to the public.” They also added, “Voting is simply inappropriate.”
Proof of the mentality of those who think that they should be left to making all the decisions for everyone, as they do not see the general public as being competent enough to make rational decisions.
Which, however wrong it is, can be at times a valid argument.
Dec 22, 2014, 11:57 am
I don’t live in the GBAD area so not entitled to opinion but remember all the discussions at the time it was formed after being defeated a couple times. It was claimed that despite the opposition of local hotels/motels, it wouldn’t really compete with them, since the hotels/motels could only handle up to 600, GBAD was to have the 600 to 1,500 person events. I have never seen an accounting as to how many events actually fell in that category, now that they want to compete for events over 1,500.f Is that information available?
Dec 25, 2014, 11:40 pm
Members of the GBAD Board will never allow the people the opportunity to vote on anything as long as the Legislature gives them the authority to skip voting.
We need to change the laws (guidance)allowing millions to be spent without a vote of the people. I also question the need for more convention space. Where are the documents supporting a NEED?