Bisterfeldt won’t say if he is running (Mrs. Commish will make that decision), Ullman won’t talk to the GUARDIAN, and word on the street is former City Councilor, chief, drug czar Jim Tibbs is leaning toward a run at the seat that will be left open due to the boundry changes.

Also, the voting precincts have been streamlined and County Clerk Chris Rich, the chief election officer, says a more balanced set of voter precincts will emerge.

Here is the press release detailing the changes:
The Board of Commissioners approved new voting precinct and
Commissioner district boundaries for Ada County.

The redrawing of voter precincts follows the Commission on Reapportionment’sestablishment of new Congressional and Legislative district boundaries, requiring the County to modify its precinct structure. Rapid growth in Ada County had alsocreated a disparity in the number of voters between precincts.

With the new precinct boundaries in effect, the number of Ada County voting
precincts increases to just 145 from 141. This number is in line with where the Ada
County Clerk’s Office expected it to be when it began this process, given the
practical and financial considerations of increasing the number of precincts. The
primary goal in redrawing the district boundaries was to more evenly distribute
voters per precinct. Prior to redrawing the boundaries, some large Ada County
precincts had upwards of 3000 voters; today the average is around 1,400 voters per
precinct. The new boundaries will also help to eliminate confusion about polling
locations, and unify some communities and neighborhoods that historically may have
been awkwardly divided.

“The new precincts are good for the voters of Ada County. Some of our largest
precincts are now smaller, and some of our smallest are now larger. As a result,
voters should now see shorter lines and have shorter drives to polling locations,”
said Chief Deputy Clerk Phil McGrane.

The Clerk’s Office would like to thank residents for their valuable and influential
input provided at a December public open house. With the precinct boundary
redrawing complete, Ada County Elections will now be focused on getting the voter
database updated in time for the May Primary election.

In addition to the new precinct boundaries, the County Commissioner districts needed
to be redrawn so they would balance out based on district population, and in keeping
with the new Legislative district boundaries. This reorganization better equalizes
the Commissioner districts, resulting in approximately 130,000 people per district
under the new boundaries. However, this redistricting does leave the District #1
County Commissioner seat vacant for the upcoming election.

For more information on the new precinct boundaries, visit the Ada County Clerk’s
website at www.adaweb.net/Clerk.aspx, or click
here
to view a map of the new precinct, Commissioner district and Legislative district
boundaries.

Related Posts

1. Jan 19, 2012: Supremes Nix Redistricting Plan, Governments Just Change Laws To Fit Desires — 12 comments
2. Oct 21, 2011: Commish Ullman Talks Probation Issues — 12 comments
3. Jan 20, 2012: Another Example Of Change To Fit Desire — 4 comments

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.

Related Posts

1. Dec 5, 2011: Probation Officer Probe Moves To Canyon — 39 comments
2. Nov 11, 2011: Will Ada Probation Officer Get Probation? — 69 comments
3. Oct 27, 2011: Occupy Boise Marches In Solidarity With Oakland — 34 comments

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”.

Related Posts

1. May 31, 2011: Garden City Bike Ban Remains, Court Date Set — 14 comments
2. Aug 25, 2011: Judge: Boise Acted Frivolously Withholding Documents — 5 comments
3. Jul 28, 2011: Peddle Pushers To Protest Prohibitions — 7 comments

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.

Related Posts

1. Mar 20, 2011: Urban Renewal Remains Without Oversight — one comment
2. Mar 13, 2011: Urban Renewal Bills Moving Along — 3 comments
3. Feb 17, 2011: Different DIFFERENT Slants On Urban Renewal — 2 comments

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.

Related Posts

1. Jun 17, 2011: Dirt On Cleaning Contract Turns Muddy — no comments
2. Aug 15, 2011: GBAD Scuffle Turns Serious — 16 comments
3. May 11, 2011: GUARDIAN Turns Six, But No Party Scheduled — 8 comments

Chief Justice Roger Burdick signed the order which said, in a nutshell, the parties seeking relief failed to show a right to that relief.

We really like to see “instant justice” dispensed in a timely and logical manner like that.

Related Posts

1. Jan 24, 2012: Idaho Speaker’s Actions Open Him To Humiliation — 13 comments
2. Jun 21, 2011: Cleaning Record Case Takes On “Life Threatening” Aspect — 6 comments
3. Dec 8, 2011: Ada, Canyon Clerks Urge Supremes To “Get ‘er Done” — 2 comments

Idaho House Speaker Lawrence Denney’s decision to file legal action in the Idaho Supreme Court against Secretary of State Ben Ysursa will probably lead to political and personal humiliation.

The speaker has overstepped his bounds in an effort to rid the redistricting commission of a member he deemed not loyal enough to Republican interests.

Denney and his lawyer, Christ T. Troupis have made a fundamental legal blunder–failure to consider the SEPARATION OF POWERS doctrine. Our system of government has LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, and JUDICIAL branches to create a “balance of power.”

Denney thinks he has appointed Dolores Crow to the reapportionment commission. He has not. He “nominated or designated” her, but the authority to convene the commission clearly lies with the Secretary of State. Same holds true for Republican party boss Norm Semanko. He suggested Randy Hansen be a member of the panel, but Semanko is without authority to appoint anyone.

The law requires the commission to file its report with the Secretary, not the legislature. In short it is his duty, not that of the legislative branch or a political party hack who has no official capacity in ANY government branch.

Since Denney and crew wrongly claim the authority to “appoint,” they certainly would have no authority to “dismiss” any members.

The law also prohibits any member from running for office for 5 years after serving. Lobbyists, and former legislators within two years of holding office are also banned from serving.

It would be counter intuitive to give a sitting politician the authority APPOINT or DISMISS any member to a redistricting panel. They can “suggest” but the authority to actually appoint members lies with the Secretary of State. Based on the opinion of the Attorney General, no one can fire or dismiss members–there is no provision in the law to do so.

Related Posts

1. Jul 13, 2011: River To Open, Sandy Point Polluted With Poop — 13 comments
2. Sep 29, 2011: Eagle Council Wants Greenbelt Open To Bikes In G.C. — 6 comments
3. Jun 22, 2011: Megaload Group Curtails Use Of Idaho Official Seal — 2 comments

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.

Related Posts

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

The issue in a nutshell is commishes Dolores Crow of Nampa and Randy Hansen of Twin Falls were not loyal (partisan) enough toward the Republican Party.

Idaho Code 72-1502 provides for appointments, but no dismissals. It looks like death or resignation are the only ways to create a vacancy.

Word “unda da rotunda” has it that Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden will be duty-bound to represent the Redistricting Commission and Secretary of State Ben Ysursa if the issue hits the courts.

Chief Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst told the GUARDIAN Monday, “The reapportionment commission meets Thursday with the current members and there are no vacancies being recognized by Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.”

With no vacancy on the commission, no new appointments are in order despite a planned announcement Tuesday morning by Denney. Let’s see who blinks first!

Related Posts

1. Jan 19, 2012: Supremes Nix Redistricting Plan, Governments Just Change Laws To Fit Desires — 12 comments
2. Jan 27, 2012: Ada Redistricting Could Spawn Commish Rivalry — 6 comments
3. Feb 13, 2011: Cities Seek More Authority Without Oversight — 11 comments

Translation: the lady wasn’t partisan enough.

Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, the state’s chief election officer sought advice from the Attorney General. Looks like Denney will have to CHANGE THE LAW to suit his personal bias, but that’s nothing new for an Idaho legislator. The AG opinion said there is no mechanism in the reapportionment law to dismiss members–they have to resign or apparently die to “create a vacancy.”

Related Posts

1. Jan 19, 2012: Supremes Nix Redistricting Plan, Governments Just Change Laws To Fit Desires — 12 comments
2. Feb 7, 2012: Ada Precints And Commish Districts Change — no comments
3. Jan 23, 2012: Repubs “Fire” Redistricting Comnmishes Without Legal Authority — 4 comments