Copper Rides Likely To Change

Boise Coppers are likely to have a slightly European flare with their ride matching their duties as Chief Mike Masterson and topper copper command staff look for ways to save taxpayer dollars in these tough times.
Throughout Europe and South America, police use compact size vehicles which are used mostly for transportation rather than high [...]

Mayor Hotline November 8 to 14

LEAVES AND DOGS
11/14/08
Joanne Springer
650 San Jose Way
Boise, ID
342-1587
Leaf Recycling: I’m trying to connect to the recycling number in the phone book, which
is 384-3901 to report that my leaves were not picked up even though my neighbor’s
were. I keep getting this circular – hit #, then this repeated, repeated, repeated hit #, hit
#, hit #, and [...]

Idaho Near Top In Lack Of Gov’t Integrity

Idaho made it on another National List recently, placing near the top of the “Lack of Integrity In Government” survey. Probably won’t see any press releases from Team Dave, the Commishes, or Guv. Butch’s spinmeisters on that one.
THE SURVEY by the Chicago-based Better Government Association examined open records laws, open meeting laws, whistle-blower laws, [...]

Politicos Stop Competition For Motive Power

Boise choo choo train maker Motive Power will have the bid for locomotives in Boston all to itself thanks to a ruling by the Federal Transit Authority Friday.
Apparently the agency bowed to political pressure from Idaho politicos if a press release is accurate. The FTA has agreed to reject the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority [...]

Note The Kiosks With Notices

The Veterans had trouble getting publicity for the November 11 parade without getting crosswise of an ordinance that prohibits posting flyers in the downtown area.

Not only is it illegal to post on signal boxes and lamp posts, merchants were reluctant to place the signs in their windows. Doug Foote, a retired Idaho Air [...]

Audits Should Be Routine In Government

At least three issues involving audits–or lack of audits–in Idaho governments have hit the GUARDIAN in the past few days. Readers have asked for comment.
The State of Idaho caught a couple of crooked employees embezzling funds at an obscure agency of the Agriculture Department, but there seems to be a difference of opinion among [...]

Boise Seeks Trash Fee Increase

The legal notices in the Daily Paper Monday were full of information tidbits including an across the board increase in fees for Boise trash pick up.
Boise City Council is off Tuesday for Veteran’s Day, but there is a public hearing set for November 18 since the proposed increases exceed 5%. In fact, the proposed [...]

Hockey Mom vs Joe Six-pack At Ice World

The Hockey Mom who called the Mayor’s Hotline complaining about drinking and empty beer cans in the locker room of the City-owned Ice World might sound overly protective of her little boy, but two nights in a row should prompt some “surprise inspections” by management.
If the bike coppers are writing tickets in the park [...]

Mayor Hotline October 25 to 31

HOCKEY MOM AGAINST “JOE SIX PACKS,” HOWLING ABOUT DOG LEASH MEET, FEDERAL CASE, MORE CALIFORNIA NUT
10/28/08
Anonymous
Ice World: I’m a concerned parent. I wish that you guys would do something about the
drinking that goes on in Idaho Ice World in the locker rooms with the adult leagues. I
was under the assumption that that is [...]

Simplot Housing Not Welcomed By All

We got a message from some folks in Eagle who complained about the low cost houses being “Touted in the Daily Paper.” They said the landscaping was nice, but claimed the units on tiny lots didn’t meet city design standards.
A check with Eagle’s planning department indicates the concerns of locals may be well founded. [...]