Gotta admit it is entertaining to watch the dominant political party in the state eat its young and disrespect its elders.

In a field of three names to be offered to Gov. Butch Otter to appoint as an Ada Commish, David Case came in dead last–despite his victory at the polls only two days earlier. Dan Dunham was the party’s first choice, followed by Gordon Browning and Case. We hear there were 63 party members voting.

Old wounds were ripped open and generous amounts of salt were poured in when a 2010 list of those supporting former Dem Congressman Walt Minnick was circulated at the Thursday night central party gathering. The list highlighted DAVE CASE and VERN BISTERFELDT as Minnick committee members. A photo with a “WALT MINNICK” campaign sign purportedly in front of a home owned by David Case was also circulated at the meeting.

Back in 2010 the party took a swipe at Bisterfeldt–with Commish Sharon Ullman actively calling for Bisterfeldt to resign his Commish candidacy due to his lack of party loyalty. Ullman lost to Case Tuesday and Case was strongly backed by Bisterfeldt…and the feast continues.

Related posts:

1. Republicans Hijack Primary Election At High Cost
2. Bisterdeldt Resigns– “I Just Can’t Answer The Bell”
3. After 52 Years, Vern To Leave Public Service

The applicable law states: “…but no purchase of real property must be made unless the value of the same has been previously estimated by a real estate appraiser licensed to appraise real property in the state of Idaho pursuant to the provisions of chapter 41, title 54,…”

County officials were quietly checking out the land as early as April 23. A county tax appraiser–certified to do tax appraisals, but not LICENSED as required by law–was contacted by a county lawyer regarding the legal description and value of the property commonly known as Red Hawk Subdivision.

The appraiser responded with an informal note–not a legal appraisal–saying: “I have looked (sic) reviewed the valuation on these parcels and have searched for market comparables within the North Ada County Area. From my review these parcels consist of sloping and rolling terrain, with limited access. From the market research that I have compiled, I have observed a comparables range of $1000 to $5000 per acre with variances depending primarily on access and overall site usability. Please let me know if you need any other information.”

Despite this activity two weeks prior to the May 8 meeting, the commishes made a last minute amendment to the agenda, met in a secret session and then voted publicly to authorize the legal staff to bid at the sheriff’s sale a mere two hours later. The 258 acre parcel was purchased by the county for $240,000. We see no justification for the secret executive session since the land was being offered for sale at a public sheriff’s auction and public knowledge of the county’s interest wouldn’t affect the auction price.

The county made no declaration of public need or public purpose prior to the acquisition. Commish Sharon Ullman told the Idaho statesman they were protecting the interest of the taxpayers with the purchase because the owner owed back taxes and legal fees. That logic simply doesn’t wash because liens placed on the property by the county would satisfy any back taxes or legal fees–there was no need to purchase the land and remove it from the tax rolls.

They may have gotten a good deal, but the deal was outside the law and we see a scramble afoot to cover their tracks.

No related posts.

Ullman’s troubles focused around the controversial Dynamis trash-energy project at the county landfill. At a candidate forum just a week prior to the primary election, Ullman showed up, but refused to participate–to the bewilderment of the audience.

The county rushed through a $2 million payment to Dynamis under the guise of acquiring federal stimulus funds. However, the Dynamis facility is to be privately owned and operated. The county would provide it with free fuel (trash) and Dynamis would retain all earnings from sale of electricity. Ullman repeatedly defended the deal and even boasted of working with the county attorney to formulate the contract. She claimed the $2 million was for the design plans to the private facility and would be repaid to the county prior to construction. Idaho’s constitution bans public loans to private organizations.

Case opposed the project, its lack of transparency, and the speed with which it was going forward–despite red flags regarding Dynamis and its financing. He was supported by folks living close to the landfill with three days of full page ads in the Statesman prior to the election.

No related posts.

He contacted the owner, only to learn the property was in the midst of a legal battle and subsequent foreclosure action. He followed the land dealings through the legal process and ended up on the steps of the Ada County Sheriff Tuesday at a public auction.

Long story made short: Ada County sent a couple of employees–at least one was probably from the Prosecutor’s office–and bid the price up in $10,000 increments fast enough to scare off Wood. They got it for $240,000. Opening bid started at $211,000.

The GUARDIAN has made calls and sent e-mails to the Commisioners and their administrator–no one has responded. Statesman reporter Cynthia Sewell had better luck and posted the COUNTY VERSION of events.

Based on the Statesman account the deal looks clean and tidy, all done for the benefit of county citizens. We hope that is true, but still note it is “irregular” to authorize a bid/purchase only two hours prior to acquiring land.

According to the Statesman report, Commish Ullman implies the county acquired the land at least in part to satisfy a tax lien of $10,403 and unspecified legal fees. While the county may now have land, it is off the tax rolls and cost taxpayers an additional $240,000 cash.

No related posts.

The GUARDIAN has learned the quiet councilor will be featured in a local version of “Dancing With The Stars” Saturday at the Boise Centre on The Grove, but one of the judges is Mayor Dave Bieter. We know politics makes strange bedfellows, but having a judge who needs to suck up to a councilor for funding pet projects seems “irregular” at best–and probably a conflict.

Since it is a fund raiser for MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, we can give them a pass on the obvious conflict. The legacy media needs to investigate who his dance partner is.

Related posts:

1. New Kuna Mayor In Billing Dispute With City
2. More Details On Kuna Mayor-City Squabble
3. Anti F-35 Post In Interest Of Fair Play

Betsy Russell of the SPOKESMAN-Review lists Mahaffey as a contributor to Labrador–who happens to live in Eagle where Dynamis is based–to the the tune of $3,500.

Russell also noted the Mormon Congressman was paid $5,000 by the National Beer Wholesalers PAC.

Related posts:

1. PUC Plugs Into Dynamis-Idaho Power Deal
2. Sparks Fly As Dynamis Deal Short Circuits
3. Dynamis Looks Like “Garbage In, Garbage Out”

Seven candidates discussed the issue while Commish Sharon Ullman refused to participate in the forum which was moderated by Dr. Jim Weatherby, a former political science prof at BSU. Ullman told the forum organizer she was “comfortable here” (in the back of the room with a laptop computer opened before her).

Weatherby, a veteran political forum moderator, told the GUARDIAN, “I have never seen anything like this. She shows up and then refused to participate.”

Of the seven who participated, all but one were opposed to the Dynamis project based on current information and urged that it should be delayed to allow more public input. Ada County, with the support of Ullman has already spent $2 million in public funds on the no-bid project.

Candidate views:
–Jim Tibbs wants proof of financial security from Dynamis before proceeding.
–Brad Rowen said the project needs an independent environmental inspector.
–Steve Halvorson was the lone Dynamis advocate and said the firm “answered all my questions.”
–John Howard said there was no “hard science verifying it would work and we shouldn’t be Guinea pigs.”
–Dave Case said there was “too much secrecy” by Dynamis and the public was left out of the process. He chided Ullman for sitting out the session.
–Larry Rincover declared the project to be in trouble and said the firm’s PR was a “disaster.”

Related posts:

1. Ullman Ousted, Case In Line For Appointment
2. Candidate Talks Trash Over Dynamis Plan
3. Yet Another Commish Candidate Forum

Sewell also confirms what the GUARDIAN has written over the past two years with regard to Mahaffey’s dodging questions from critics, tax debt in Boise County, and lack of performance on various projects that are “in the works or underway.” In addition to burning trash, the facility seeks to burn tires, claiming the super heated proprietary technology will eliminate concerns about emissions. Critics are skeptical.

Ullman is scrambling to make it all come together because she was instrumental in delivering $2 million in public money to Dynamis. It is unclear exactly WHAT the $2 million purchased if anything. Dynamis has become the focal point for the upcoming May 15 primary election.

The GUARDIAN feels it is time for Dynamis to “put up or shut up” with regard to financing. Ada County politicos have failed to obtain any proof of financial ability, relying instead upon promises and statements from a guy with a public record of deceptive and evasive statements and a history of non-payment of taxes.

We first QUESTIONED THE DEAL in July 2010 and the concerns are unabated.

No related posts.

Please attend the town hall meeting with the Ada County Commissioner candidates. All candidates have been invited. Six candidates have confirmed attendance. Come meet the candidates. The main topic is Dynamis.

“Dynamis plans to build a facility within the county-owned Hidden Hollow landfill that would super-heat and gasify trash to create a gas that can be converted to energy. The facility would process daily up to 408 tons of trash, including tires, to generate 20 megawatts of power.”

Town Hall Meeting Information:
When: Thursday, May 3rd
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Riverglen Junior High

No related posts.

Boise PD has a “bar team” which works Wednesday through Saturday with a Sgt. and at least six coppers assigned to the area in an effort to keep the peace. Without question the area is the highest concentration of booze vendors and resulting booze-releated crimes.

In the past we recall murders, near riots prompting coppers to call for firemen to hose down the crowd (firemen refused), and street clearing displays of force with coppers from throughout the Valley assisting. Taxi restrictions, private parking lot policies and petty theft all compound the problems faced by coppers.

Of course there were the two incidents with the Ada Sheriff’s Deputy getting popped for drunken escapades and the two drunks who peed on the passed out homeless guy.

EDITOR NOTE–Expect to see crime reporting stats soon that will show downtown is the place to visit without regard to shooting, stabbing, assaulting coppers, etc.

Related posts:

1. Melt Down At Boise’s Idaho Ice World Continues
2. Boise Continues Land Speculation, Swaps Property To Avoid Bid Law
3. Who Says Crime Doesn’t Pay?