When the legislature proposed a draconian law to clear the old courthouse lawn of Occupy Boise protesters, they included a clause that would classify their property as “litter” and destroy it.

Both Boise’s Top Copper, Mike Masterson and Super Trooper colonel G. Jerry Russell sent a letter to the Occupy folks thanking them for their civility during the protest.

Masterson told the GUARDIAN it was a tip from an Occupy protester that led to the arrest of the North End Tire Slasher, indicating the members are not “bad citizens.”

Here is the BPD stance if the legislation is passed:
If law enforcement is truly at the front line of safeguarding peoples liberties and rights then we (BPD) have an obligation to speak out and not wait for the courts to tell us they got the law wrong and thus our
subsequent actions were wrong as well. For this reason, I have advised the state we will not be participating in any activity associated with the removal of property should it come to that.

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It is a common move in Idaho courts, but it is the LAW.
This from the Committee for an Open Greenbelt. (Pardon the formatting, GUARDIAN is on small computer in Asia.)

Today Judge Cheri Copsey issued her ruling on our lawsuit to stop the Garden City bike ban. She ruled in favor of Garden City saying that the Citizens for an Open Greenbelt (COG) “does not have standing”. In other
words she could not rule on the merits of our case because COG, as an organization, did not suffer a particularized harm which would enable it to
bring a lawsuit against Garden City. Unfortunately, this ruling leaves citizens with little recourse to challenge the unjust actions of our elected officials. .
Specifically the judge wrote: “The issue is narrow. Until the Court
rules on whether the Plaintiff, Citizens for an Open Greenbelt, can meet
the requirements to establish standing, the Court cannot address the
merits(our emphasis) because standing is fundamental to prosecuting
any lawsuit.” She also went on to say *“…this does not address the issue of whether Garden City should open the greenbelt to bikes”.

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This was first suggested by Gov. Jerry Brown who let his distaste for these agencies be known when he went after way to cut the state deficit.

Here’s the entire L.A. TIMES article.

The abuses and waste in California are similar to what is going on in Idaho. Look for some legislation during the current Idaho session.

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The first steps in a “regulatory taking” legal case have been initiated on behalf of the owners of three hooka bars within the city limits. The gist of the claims will be they were operating legal businesses and were put out of business by the ordinance, including visits from Boise coppers who are doing their duty enforcing the new law. No arrests were made, only warnings.

One owner had made a substantial investment, rented space, and was put out of business prior to actually opening.

Miles Stirewalt and Mikel Hautziner, a couple of local activists, sought an analysis from the city last week in a memo to the city clerk. The city is due to report back in 42 days from January 23 on its conclusion of whether or not there is a valid claim regarding putting the hooka bars out of business.

The city can deny the claim, seek a settlement, or defend its actions in court.

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Plans enthusiastically endorsed by Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and the city council to locate F-35 fighter jets at Gowen Field could devestate the lives of thousands of residents, according to an opponent of the plan who based his conclusions on an official AIR FORCE REPORT.

A just released environmental impact statement conducted for the U.S. Air Force shows that at least 10,000 homes in a five mile swath between Columbia Village and Maple Grove would be classified as “NOT SUITABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL USE due to high noise levels according to an opponent of the plan who estimated the loss of home value will be in the $50 to $70 million range. Under one scenario nearly 7,000 acres off the airport would be in the impact area. Numerous Churches and schools have been identified as “noise sensitive sites,” in the report. The report also concluded “air operations” (take offs and landings) could increase as much as 50%.

Boise resident Monty Mericle has led the fight against locating the F-35 fighters in Boise, citing existing bases at Mountain Home and in Arizona as much more appropriate than a metropolitan area such as Boise.

“About 1,400 sorties will be with full afterburner and 1,400 will be at night. Four schools and 13 day care centers will exceed government noise levels for learning, and over 300 cases of hearing loss are estimated. All of this is documented in the 980 page EIS,” Mericle told the GUARDIAN.

Public meetings are scheduled for Friday February 27th from 5 till 8 at the Capital City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 63, 8931 W. Ardene St, Boise, and Saturday February 28th from 5 till 8 at the Boise Hotel and Conference Center at 3300 Vista, Boise.

“Hopefully State, City, Airport, and County representatives will be in attendance to explain why they continue supporting this plan with its now documented devastating consequences. After all, they are the elected officials who brought this catastrophe to us,” concluded Mericle.

Monty Mericle is the chairman of the SaveOurValleyNow.org group trying to inform the citizens of the valley what the F-35 mission will do to our valley. The web site is currently disabled.

More information can be found at these links:

BOISE SITE

MAIN SITE FOR EIS

HEARING SCHEDULE

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Newly elected and former Mayor Greg Nelson owns a restaurant and a bar which apparently never paid hook up fees according to the Planning Director, Steve Hasson. The GUARDIAN broke the story back in December revealing the dispute. The apparent lack of payment was caught in a State DEQ audit of the sewer department.

Now, Nelson wants the city council to review the matter and determine how much he owes–or doesn’t owe. Meanwhile Hasson is hitting the Oregon Trail west where he has been hired as the city manager of the small town of La Pine, south of Bend as their first city manager.

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Pete Rimkus, the organizer says BCW (Boise Cop Watch) will be on patrol in Boise, Idaho this Saturday Night, January 14th, 2012.

Their goal: accountability through transparency so the streets are safer for all who wish to set foot upon the pavement as free individuals. The BCW will join with others who believe in documenting police interactions through the lens of a camera. BCW hopes that the police – who purport to strive for openness – will welcome their efforts.

For more information about this topic or to volunteer, contact Pete Rimkus 208.570.1945 or email boisecopwatch@gmail.com

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The so-called “local option sales tax” is already allowed in resort towns under 10,000 population–such as McCall, Donnelly and Ketchum. The latest move is to allow the tax hike in cities of ANY size. Previously, the big issue has been the percentage of votes needed to hike the sales tax. Cities were after a simple majority to institute the tax and the legislative leaders wanted a 2/3 majority.

Here’s a thought:
Since the Idaho recall law requires 20% of REGISTERED VOTERS to sign a petition just to get a politico whom they want out of office on the ballot, why not use the same threshold for a vote on local option taxes–approval of 20% of registered voters? Good for the goose is good for the gander.

Congress currently has an approval rating of a mere 11-15% of citizens and with campaign donation laws so loose that businesses can donate massive amounts to candidates, incumbents are nearly “bulletproof.”

Local politicos run mostly unopposed, or with only token opposition–they claim it is due to voter satisfaction. The GUARDIAN suspects people are simply beaten down and apathetic. The rise of the Tea Party on the right and the Occupiers on the left attest to dissatisfaction at all levels of government.

Years ago when the legislature changed the recall petition law from “20% of those voting in the last election” to “20% of registered voters,” they made it nearly impossible to remove the bad guys. Perhaps tax hikes should be just as difficult. The recent Boise City election had a turnout well under 20% of registered voters.

Is it really wise to allow people with such a low voter approval the authority to tax and spend on the entire populace unless we can remove them from office easier than gathering signatures from 20% of registered voters?

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How about simple fixing up existing Greater Boise Auditorium District facilities and make them better–not bigger?

The Wall Street Journal published a story Saturday (Dec. 31) which revealed that cities from “Boston to Austin” are building bigger convention centers at a time when the convention business is totally over built as it is. A Boston Globe writer is quoted as declaring convention center building as “a racket.” The WSJ piece cites Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Austin as places that continue to expand facilities and fail to live up to predictions.

Those cities and many others across the nation all cite surveys with the central message of, “If we build it they will come.” Problem is, they don’t come. Convention business is on the decline and it isn’t just a “bad economy.” In 2010 the industry reported 86 million conventioneers compared to 126 million in 2000.

The GUARDIAN has reported frequently on the need for directional signs for visitors. With at least $11 million in room taxes burning a hole in their pocket, we think directional signs, promotional maps, and more “user friendly” policies like free parking could go a long way toward enhancing the visitor experience and getting repeat customers. More construction and higher overhead aren’t exactly selling points that attract visitors.

We could fix up Table Rock as a “Vista Viewpoint” to view the entire valley, open the Boise Depot to the public daily during summer months and include some free bus shuttles–that way visitors would have a feeling they are getting something for the taxes they pay at hotels.

Mayor Dave Bieter constantly declares, “Boise is the most remote city in America for its size.” He is correct and that is one reason we will never be a destination travel location. Better to attract folks wishing to experience the Payette and Salmon Rivers, Sawtooth Mountains, and great skiing (when we have snow) than to attempt to compete with less remote cities featuring naked dancers, Mickey Mouse, Broadway Shows, or Lake Michigan shoreline dotted with museums.

One of the signs of “worldliness” is knowing one’s place in the world. And Boise’s place is not as a major convention city which has no directional signs and closes it’s best assets to public access.

The WSJ story also noted cities tout expansion of facilities as a sign of local pride and confidence rather than just a way to build more hotel rooms and restaurants.

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Micron holds its “jobs” club over the heads of policy makers and gets all sorts of tax breaks–meanwhile the government pays all the workers who were laid off when jobs went offshore.

The Chamber of Commerce’s “Boise Valley Economic Partnership” is drumming up support for a $5-10 million fund to pay businesses to locate in the area. This, after their previous $5 million scheme to attract “high paying jobs” fell flat. Businesses don’t come here to pay higher wages.

Guv Butch is proposing a fund for local entrepreneur start ups. That’s better than helping the Chinese Communists and out of staters, but still not a good place to spend public money. If the idea and product are good, investors will buy in and profit.

In Twin Falls politicos are tripping over themselves as they pony up public promises of about $29,000,000 for a Chobani yogurt plant–a culture unto itself. That area has a history of attracting–and closing businesses.

Pocatello is about to fall victim to an ill-fated solar panel plant backed by the communist Chinese, but not backed with enough cash to pay their electric bill to Idaho Power. Hoku is teetering on the brink of financial failure despite massive infusions of urban renewal funds diverted from schools, the city and county. They also are beneficiaries of state and federal funds.

A hearing before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission over the proposed shut off of electric service to Hoku will be an interesting indicator regarding whether regulators go with the politicos and the POTENTIAL of “jobs” or rule to allow Idaho Power to cut its losses from a deadbeat customer.

Despite repeated promises, hoopla, and assorted pandering Boise can’t even get a Whole Foods chain store going. No doubt the folks at the Co-Op won’t shed tears over that news. If they have the money and Boise looks like a place to do business, Whole Foods would beat down the door of city hall with fists full of cash.

Citing Boise’s “proximity to west coast ports,” there was a big media push a month ago for a Zonda electric bus factory in Boise. The company had even moved its headquarters here. Don’t stand in line for tickets to ride that coach.

The overall message from we GROWTHOPHOBES is similar to that of former Gov. Cecil Andrus who opposed deal sweeteners: “If you have the money to pay your taxes and a fair wage, we welcome you with open arms. If you are shopping for rubes willing to PAY you to come here, please take your business elsewhere.”

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