State Government
County Attempts Cover Up On Questionable Land Deal
Ada County officials are squirming over the recent purchase of land without an appraisal mandated by Idaho law. The GUARDIAN has confirmed that neither elected Assessor Bob McQuade nor his chief deputy, Tim Tallman, were consulted about the so-called appraisal and no one with a commercial appraisal license ever supervised the appraisal as claimed in [...]
Ada Republicans Eat Their Young
Ada County’s Republican Central Committee–fresh off the first ever closed primary election–snubbed their newly elected County Commish candidate, making him a third rate choice to fill the vacant seat created by Vern Bisterfeldt’s resignation. Gotta admit it is entertaining to watch the dominant political party in the state eat its young and disrespect its elders. [...]
Assets vs Liabilities In Banking, A lesson
Boise’s SYRINGA BANK is in trouble and faces a merger or takeover from state and federal regulators because it’s capital level is less than 10% of its assets. Terms used to describe banks are somewhat reverse of what we normally think. When we DEPOSIT funds in a bank–savings, checking, or CDs–the institution shows that as [...]
West Neighborhood Hosts Candidate Forum
The West Boise Neighborhood Association is hosting a candidate forum–which will be more of a “meet and greet,” but still a good effort on their part. Date is Wednesday May 2nd at 7:00 PM at Library! Cole and Ustick Here is what they say about the event: We are inviting candidates from contested primaries in [...]
Republicans Hijack Primary Election At High Cost
When U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled that Republicans had a right to determine their candidates at at closed primary election, few people understood the ramifications of that decision. The net result is massive confusion about who can vote for what or whom. Also we predict many voters will be so overwhelmed they will simply [...]
AG Needs Permanent Canyon Corruption Office
Idaho’s Attorney General seems to have enough criminal business among Canyon County staffers to open a branch office in Caldwell. A “clean sweep” revealed problems even with the janitor. Our recent memory includes the former prosecutor embezzlement case, another former prosecutor’s son with kiddie porn, a pair of DMV clerks making off with nearly three [...]
ACHD To Move Lines For Commishes
Just like the Idaho representatives and Ada County Commishes, the Ada Highway District has to tweak boundry lines for commishes following the 2010 census. They have posted a couple of proposed change options at the ACHD SITE, but there will be little noticeable change since no incumbents will be affected. Option A seems to come [...]
Ada Commish Candidate Resigns 16 Year Job Over Conflict With State Anti-Political Statute
BULLETIN 2:25 p.m. Monday– Ada County Commish Candidate Dave Case has announced he has resigned his state job with the Board of Parole. The complete text of his PRESS RELEASE can be seen at the bottom of the page. News outlets in the Boise area including the GUARDIAN got the following message (or a similar [...]
Of Ethics, Conflicts, Right and Wrong
We are left shaking our head almost daily asking the rhetorical questions, “What were they thinking?” and “doesn’t anyone know the difference between right and wrong?” Mom and Dad would be aghast. The recent mess incident at the City-owned Idaho Ice World was a disaster waiting to happen. It all started back in 2008 when [...]
Bad Legal Advice Leads To Bad Gov’t
A rash of bad legal advice and lack of transparency at the local level is taking its toll on local government budgets and preventing the “system” from having a chance to prove itself–leading some to question the democratic process. A few examples: –Boise county got bad advice about zoning a halfway house for troubled youth [...]
Update On School Levy Elections
We have received several comments from readers regarding the Tuesday School Elections. First are allegations that Boise’s ballot language disguises the fact they are seeking $70,000,000 which is broken down into $14,000,000 every year for 5 years. One reader claims the Meridian ballot is much clearer, adding the Boise cost pegged at a mere $7 [...]
School Levy Election Tuesday–Be Sure To VOTE!
A bunch of school levy elections set for Tuesday because the Idaho Legislature has shifted much of the cost of education to property owners while proclaiming legislators have “held the line” on tax hikes. They may have held the line, but only with a massive shift. To learn where to vote following the statewide redistricting [...]
Trash Talk–Power, Politics, Economics, Ownership
A forum of experts in turning “Waste To Watts” was assembled Tuesday by the IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW and it completed the circuit for many not plugged into the energy circuit. Idaho Power rep M. Mark Stokes, along with attorney Peter Richardson who reps small electricity producers selling power–like wind generated and landfill projects, really cut [...]
Ada Probation Update–No Investigation Likely, Unconstitutional System Continues
UPDATED 3/5 Noting constitutional amendment has passed on this issue. When the GUARDIAN began receiving what appeared to be credible complaints about the operation of the private for profit Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Services we forwarded details directly to the Ada County Commishes. In May 2011 we posted the FIRST STORY which caused a brief [...]
House Panel Votes To Keep State Out Of Commercial Ventures
On a 15-1 vote The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved a measure Wednesday to prevent the state endowment fund from purchasing and running businesses. This is a practice the GUARDIAN revealed in 2010 when the Dept. of Lands went into the private storage business with the purchase of Affordable Storage in Boise. With an [...]
Coppers Ask For Equal Treatment On Texting Ban While Driving
Idaho coppers including the State Police, Sheriff’s Association and Chiefs of Police offered testimony today before the Idaho House during a hearing on the proposed texting ban while driving. ALL THREE GROUPS ASKED THE LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FOR COPPERS. The House agreed and sent the bill back for amendments to remove the law [...]
Statehouse Like Animal House, But Dumber
In what can only be described as “typical Idaho Legislative behavior,” we take note of the recent actions of the Idaho Legislature regarding humane treatment of animals. Under pressure from humane society advocates, a bill making animal cruelty a felony for repeat offenders is sailing through the lawmaking process. As it stands, it looks like [...]
U.S. Judge Rules Occupy Protest Is Legal, Tents Are Symbolic Statement
U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled Monday the Occupy Boise tent city is a “political protest of income inequality.” Since it is a preliminary injunction, the decision is not final. The final hearing for decision will be made on March 2nd. The decision appears to block the state from removing tents on [...]
Dynamis Deal With Idaho Power Gets IPUC Approval
The so-called trash to energy project planned for the Ada County landfill has passed a hurdle with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The IPUC approved the rate contract Friday between Dynamis and Idaho Power saying, the agreement “contains acceptable contract provisions,” and is in the best interest of the parties and ratepayers. Dynamis was denied [...]
Idaho PUC Proposes Power Payment Program
The Hoku Solar panel plant in Pocatello is still not up and running and it appears to the GUARDIAN it may never reach production, despite all kinds of taxpayer subsidies and tax credits. The company got behind in its payments to Idaho Power and now the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is proposing an agreement that [...]
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