Boise Guardian » Federal Government

Good Cop, Bad Cop GPS Use

dave — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:33:38 +0000

A small town “hick sheriff” from Burley should get national acclaim for his use of sophisticated GPS tracking gear to fight crime the RIGHT way with a tactic that would have made Andy Griffith of Mayberry fame “right proud.”

Cassia County Sheriff Randy Kidd had a problem with folks stealing copper wire from farms and construction sites, so he embedded a GPS tracking device in a coil of unattended wire at an irrigation pump. On Sunday the device alerted coppers of the copper wire movement which led to an arrest where the suspect in a vehicle had the ill gotten goods in his possession.

On the flip side of the “good cop” high tech copper caper is the case of the “bad cop” FBI agents who violated the constitution by placing a similar device on the car of a suspected drug dealer WITHOUT A WARRANT OR COURT ORDER. They tracked the suspect in the Washington, D.C. area, made an arrest and got a conviction. The dealer was sentenced to life in prison, but the FBI’s illegal conduct prompted the United States Supreme Court to overturn the conviction Monday, according to NEWS REPORTS.

The conclusion is that placing GPS monitors on vehicles without permission is a violation of the Constitution of the United States of America and amounts to a warrantless search. Same device placed in goods prior to theft is good police work.

Jul 3, 2011: E-15 Fuel No Good For Older Cars — 22 comments
Oct 24, 2011: Ada Commish Says “Good Ol’ Boys” Pervade County — 35 comments
Mar 16, 2011: Idaho Ag Heritage Park Is Good Fit At Expo Idaho — 9 comments

Draft Environmental Statement Paints Dark Picture For F-35 Fighters In Boise

dave — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:07:29 +0000

Based on news from more than a year ago, it appeared the U.S. Air Force had abandoned plans to base the F-35 in Boise. Now, a report dated January 20 has surfaced along with a schedule for hearings in Boise this week. The EARLIER NEWS said Boise would possibly get Italian cargo planes rather than the F-35.

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

Jul 27, 2011: Optimistic Developer Gambles On Boise “Hole” — 8 comments
May 17, 2011: Boise Budget Grows 8 Times Faster Than Population — 16 comments
Dec 5, 2011: Boise Continues Land Speculation, Swaps Property To Avoid Bid Law — 2 comments

Eastern Idaho Energy Dreams Slowly Crumbling

dave — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Eastern Idaho’s grandiose efforts to attract business with “incentives” taken out of the pockets of taxpayers are slowly crumbling despite feeble attempts at life support.

First it was the Hoku solar panel plant in Pocatello falling on hard times with plummeting stock prices and Idaho Power ready to pull the plug on its electricity. Now the planned AREVA nuke waste processing facility near Idaho Falls is on “hold” and recent industry reports don’t paint a glowing picture for that industry.

The French-owned AREVA continues its design phase because they get money from the citizens of the USA, but this nuke industryREPORT doesn’t bode well for the future of the firm.

The GUARDIAN has read reports from the HOKU home state of Hawaii and their business future doesn’t look very bright either. Both of these firms depend upon public money to survive, but politicos are getting the message during this election year to end subsidies for energy schemes ranging from corn fed ethanol to windmill farms.

Feb 19, 2011: Landfill Energy Project May Be Just Garbage — 20 comments
Dec 30, 2011: Idaho Power May Pull Plug To Hoku Plant — 10 comments
Mar 21, 2011: Idaho Offers Businesses A Welfare Home — 6 comments

“Buying” New Business Not Worth The Price

dave — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:08:10 +0000

We’ve all heard of the husband who purchased a new boat the couple couldn’t afford so the wife gets even by remodeling the kitchen and installing new carpet they also couldn’t afford.

That same silly fiscal policy is being advocated by government and editorial writers from Idaho Falls to Boise–if a business isn’t financially sound enough to survive on its own, give them some cash and tax breaks from citizen’s pocketbooks. After all, if Idaho doesn’t attract these firms, they will go to the “competition” in California, Oregon, or elsewhere.

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.”

Jun 2, 2011: It’s Couponers, Not Readers Buying Newspapers — 5 comments
Jun 28, 2011: Guv: Storage Business Purchase “Was A Mistake” — 9 comments
Sep 22, 2011: Chamber Wants YOU To Pay While Business Gets Tax Breaks — 3 comments

Nampa Stormwater “Fee” Could Go Down The Drain

dave — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:18:42 +0000

A tax by any other name is still a tax according to the Idaho Supreme Court, but Nampa officials are holding tough on their position a new storm drain tax revenue scheme is just a “fee.”

The Supremes ruled on a Lewiston case last month. The GUARDIAN first broke the Nampa story back in April when officials planned to implement a tax similar to the one the Supremes ruled was improper in Lewiston. The city is caught in a bind, but was inept when it came to honestly telling residents they needed to raise taxes.

Now the City has to defend a lawsuit asking for declaratory judgement to cancel the “fee.” Paul Alldredge of the Caldwell GUARDIAN filed this report:

Republic Storage of Nampa (aka Twin Islands LLC) is seeking declaratory or injunctive relief from “Nampa Storm Water Utility” fees imposed by Ordinance 3928. Republic is asserting the storm water fee is a tax implemented without Constitutional, State Legislative, or police power to enact. Further, Republic is citing this tax/fee as a violation of the Idaho Constitution Art. 7 sec. 5 as the tax/fee amounts to a non uniform tax on all property. Republic also claimed there is no discernible service connected with the Storm Water Utility fees.

Republic is seeking injunctive relief to preclude any further collections of the Storm Water Utility fees pending litigation challenging the validity of Nampa Storm Water Utility fees.

Nampa’s privately contracted legal firm will potentially be able to have a really happy New Year with more legal fees if they defend a class action suit representing 80,000 residents. Seems more responsible to call a tax a tax and live with it.

Apr 17, 2011: Nampa Homeowners Face $48 Flat Tax Hike — 8 comments
Nov 7, 2011: Idaho Supremes Put Damper On Storm Drain “Fee,”Affirm GUARDIAN Assertion — 4 comments
May 30, 2011: Nampa Seat Belt Campaign Skirts Idaho Law — 11 comments

Obama, Feds Exempt Coppers From Tech Ban While Driving

dave — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:52:16 +0000

When the national media announced a proposed Federal Government ban on ALL in car devices–with emphasis on eliminating texting while driving, the GUARDIAN sought clarification from the United States Transportation Department in Washington, D.C.

We wondered if the ban would apply to coppers who we all see driving down the road looking at computer screens or trying to punch info into their computers while driving. Here is what we got “on background” and attributable to the NHTSA (national highway transportation safety administration).

“No matter who is sitting behind the wheel, distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible, and could have devastating consequences. However, the nation’s public safety professionals – including first responders such as police, fire, and EMS – have a special mission, information needs, and training that clearly distinguish them from other motorists on our roadways. In particular, law enforcement officers need certain in-vehicle equipment to do their job safely and effectively. As a result, law officers are trained to operate their vehicle and its equipment without compromising their own safety or that of other road users.”

Also here is a link to the President’s EXECUTIVE ORDER 13513, “Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving”. In section 3C there is an exemption for law enforcement individuals.

We have yet to find a copper–or any other human who can look down and right while also looking straight ahead scanning the highway. Must be some really super training for these heroes. Perhaps they will exempt other motorists who master the police training courses.

Jun 22, 2011: Coppers On Choppers “Have Guns Will Travel” — 17 comments
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Ada, Canyon Clerks Urge Supremes To “Get ‘er Done”

dave — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:52:46 +0000

Ada County Clerk Chris Rich and Canyon’s Chris Yamamoto have filed “friend of the court” briefs with the Idaho Supreme Court essentially urging the justices to act quickly on several lawsuits brought by other counties contesting the newest state and federal legislative district boundaries.

The problem lies with the Idaho law which requires candidates to file for office by February 27 for the MAy 15 primary election. If the lines are not carved in stone by that date, there is no way all candidates will know what district they may reside within and ballots cannot be printed.

The entire press release follows below.

Ada County Clerk Chris Rich and Canyon County Clerk Chris Yamamoto have filed an application to appear as amicus curiae in the challenge to the Legislative Redistricting Plan that is before the Idaho Supreme Court.

The Clerks have taken this unusual step because delays in the redistricting process may prevent Ada and Canyon County’s Elections Departments from being ready for the May 15, 2012 Primary Election. Combined, the two counties account for more than 37% of Idaho’s population.
Legislative and congressional boundaries must be finalized before the Clerks can begin their work. That work requires first mapping out new precinct boundaries, then entering all changes into the Idaho State Voter Registration System (ISVRS). ISVRS is the tool used to identify the districts and precinct in which all Idaho voters and candidates reside.

To quote from the amicus application, “All federal, state, county and precinct candidates must file for candidacy on or before February 27, 2012. I.C. § 34‑704.” For a person to file in the correct district or precinct, those boundaries must first be defined and then entered into the Idaho State Voter Registration System. The clerks must have sufficient time to enter and proof the data that defines those districts and precincts.

Should the application to appear as amicus curiae be granted, the clerks will detail how the delay could jeopardize the upcoming election.

Jan 19, 2012: Supremes Nix Redistricting Plan, Governments Just Change Laws To Fit Desires — 12 comments
Dec 5, 2011: Probation Officer Probe Moves To Canyon — 39 comments
Jan 25, 2012: Supremes Refuse Republican Speaker Case — 13 comments

Boise Artists Are All Losers At City Hall

dave — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:37:07 +0000

Boise eagerly recruits out of town businesses and when it comes to public art that’s exactly what they got.

Boise’s artists were all shunned by a city committee selecting public art for the new City Hall remodel project. Not a single Idaho artist, let alone a Boise artist is being considered as a finalist.

Some 44 artists applied for a grant to create public art for the City Hall Plaza. The committee has narrowed the field to three. They hail from Texas, New York, and Seattle. Below is the form letter sent to all the local losers whose work will not appear in the city. So much for “Buy Idaho” and local preference for vendors.

Nov 1, 2011: Free Candidate Space And Roster For Boise City Elections — 24 comments
May 19, 2011: Flood Threat Eases, But Boise River Remains At Critical Capacity Through City — 3 comments
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Census Figures Explain Corporate Interest In Idaho

dave — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:03:34 +0000

The folks at the Emmett newspaper came up with an interesting little nugget from a recent government report in the form of wage comparisons.

Depending whether you are buying or selling, the Gem State is either near the top or near the bottom when it comes to wages. Our relative ranking among states explains in part why businesses are willing to locate in a “business friendly” area like Idaho.

Apr 12, 2011: Politicos Favor Self Interest In Election Laws — 4 comments
Mar 21, 2011: Idaho Offers Businesses A Welfare Home — 6 comments
Mar 16, 2011: Idaho Ag Heritage Park Is Good Fit At Expo Idaho — 9 comments

Will Politicos Squelch China Demo Bus?

dave — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:45:11 +0000

It will be interesting to see if Idaho politicos are as adamant about enforcing the “Buy America Act” when it comes to a demonstration electric bus for Camarillo, California as they were when Boston sought a waiver of the federal rules to get a demo locomotive in 2008.

Zonda USA–which sounds a lot more like a franchise deal than “Chinese capital investment in America”–has announced plans to locate a corporate HQ in Boise with a production facility nearby. They claim to have technology for electric buses capable of running 300 miles on a single battery charge.

On its website, Zonda USA quotes Camarillo, Calif., Mayor Mike Morgan praising the company after a tour of its all-electric bus and battery manufacturing facility in China. He’s hoping to get a Zonda bus for a demonstration project in his city next year, he said Monday, according to the STATEMAN’S ROCKY BARKER.

If it really is a Chinese company, ZONDA’S website is absurd. It purports to “support the troops and veterans.” They made no mention of the BSU Broncos or the Idaho Humane Society.

A Spanish firm wishing to build locomotives in Kentucky was denied a waiver in 2008 for two prototype engines to be built in Spain. That deal was identical to the one proposed by Camarillo, CA. They are after a demo bus (presumably built in China) with subsequent vehicles to be made in the USA.

Nov 23, 2011: Communist China Learns Capitalism From USA Government Subsidies — 5 comments
Mar 22, 2011: TVCTV Favors Democratic Politicos — 14 comments
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Boise Guardian » Federal Government

Good Cop, Bad Cop GPS Use

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