City of Boise official map of Vista portion of proposed Urban Renewal District.

Date: Wednesday 5/29 6-8 pm Location: South Jr High This will be an opportunity to learn about and understand the issues around the proposed Central Bench Urban Renewal District. Representatives from various agencies will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

The plan is to convert the commercial property along Vista, Latah, Orchard, and Curtis to an urban renewal districts.

Coincidentally, Boise City is currently running a mobile “history exhibit” which details the failed trolley that ran on similar routes around 1910. The GUARDIAN fears they may be “grooming” citizens as part of a “desire named street car.”

–BSU annual survey which has often been used by Boise and Team Dave to justify trolley spending, cops, fire, and open space. This year something like 70% of folks are concerned with the rampant growth. We ask, “Why so much effort to encourage growth and cut deals with developers?”

–A recent BOISE DEV story mentioned that STRATEGIES 360 is the PR firm representing Greenstone and the ball park proponents…they also hold a contract with Boise City. Sound like “collusion?” A GUARDIAN reader also revealed the PR Flaks had been paid to write “op-ed” pieces in support of the F-35.

–Lots of jet noise lately from Gowen Field. We are told it comes from F-15 Air Force and F-18 Navy planes. Look for a lot more F-18 noise this summer. How about an official NOISE ABATEMENT order from the Air Guard and BOI airport folks?

–Boise City is cutting a deal on purchasing the old Franklin School site at Orchard and Franklin. What are the details.

–News reports claim Tree Fort dumped $10 million into the Boise economy. Will we see a $600,000 hike in sales tax receipts? Where did all that cash go?

–Library petition and legislation to allow citizen vote on debt are still active.

The City of Boise seems to be deeply and obsessively involved in frenetic real estate horse-trading, to a degree rivaling the daily sales of a “ReMax” franchise. Large, complicated land swaps and deal-making to an extent I’ve never seen in other, similar-sized cities. When did Boise stop being a city government and jump headlong into the real estate game, which I thought was supposed to be the exclusive province of the private sector? A little history lesson, please, for any of us unused to living in a town that’s running a land office out its backdoor like the Oklahoma land grab. (And should we start donning gold “Century 21” blazers any time we do business at City Hall?)
Thanks, DAVID KLINGER

ANSWER
Mr. Klinger, You are spot on with your comments! It probably started out with 1970s Urban Renewal and evolved into elected officials telling each other they needed “a vision.” One group wanted a downtown mall and another did not. The big issue was women being forced to go to Salt Lake or Seattle for high end shopping.

The result was an impasse that left the vacant downtown core looking like a “war zone.” Dirk Kempthorne and Brent Coles were both younger mayors with an eye toward “running government like a business.” That created a period of executive car allowances, severance bonuses, phony business travel, credit card (P-card) abuse—all rather mundane and accepted in corporate life, but unacceptable with citizen’s money.

Bieter came in on an “ethics” platform, but he too has succumbed to the lure of having a vision and being able to build, grow, and “get things done.” Trouble is, he avoids bond elections and has spent $$$ on PR efforts and surveys to buttress his personal desires such as INCREASED DENSITY, GROWTH, A TROLLEY, F-35 JETS, KILLING ACHD, INDUSTRIAL PARK, ASSORTED ENERGY DREAMS. Citizens tend to get in his way, so he manipulates the media and stages highly managed workshop seminars and “surveys” aimed at supporting his plans.

That said, here are some GUARDIAN resolutions.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE–We would like to see more citizen activists working to preserve our city, county, and state. Victories over the F-35, a referendum over a development, stalling the CVS on State street may be short-lived, but it does show folks want to control their destiny. Lisa Sanchez’s council election is also part of the trend.

PEDALPHILES–Bicyclists are here to stay, but so is the automobile. We need to work toward accommodating both the two and four wheelers, rather than declaring either mode as the enemy. (Look for more use of “pedalphile”).

DESIRE NAMED STREET CAR–This trolley folly is so fraught with pitfalls and expense that it needs to be derailed immediately. Team Dave is simply off track on this one. A well run and funded bus system would be much better for all concerned.

GROWTHOPHOBES–The old axiom of “if it isn’t growing, its dying” should apply to cancer, not communities. Its time to stop making concessions to developers and paying businesses to locate in Idaho. If they want to pay their fair share of taxes and wages, welcome to Idaho. Schools, highways, and other services simply cannot keep pace.

TAXES--One of the big draws for businesses and newcomers is the low taxes in Idaho. We would suggest a freeze on current property taxes to protect current owners and then raise taxes to reflect current value upon sale (like the California Prop 13). Instead of using increased revenues to facilitate growth, our politicos need to spend OUR money on fixing what we have, including schools, highways, and environment.

BOUNTY HUNTERS--Coppers and prosecutors need to work toward curbing the “have gun will travel” mentality of those guys dressing like cops and calling themselves “agents” of various sorts. Currently there is no regulation of these remnants of the Old West and there have been several serious shooting incidents in recent years, one deadly.

CONTINUING CAUTIONS–The F-35 is not coming soon, but until the current politicos are gone, lookout for more spending to attract it. Also, vigilant citizens can save us from the ill-conceived sports stadium. Watch out for a CCDC move to take the commercial properties along Vista and Orchard off the tax roles as a new urban renewal district.

As always, your views and suggestions are welcome.

From this side of the computer, the F-35 story wins hands down. The effort and expense to expose the clandestine efforts of the local politicos to land the noisy fighter jet was massive.

Other topics we covered:
–Snow season and Mayor Bieter’s ongoing attempt to do away with the ACHD.

–The sports stadium plans and resulting opposition.

–Growth continues to dominate the Valley and cause heartburn for school districts strapped for cash.

–Developers continue to seek (and often receive) concessions to create urban sprawl.

–Governments continue to offer corporate welfare to businesses to locate in the area, forcing taxpayers to fund growth.

–Of course the Trolley Folly, Desire Named Street Car scam raised its ugly head again for a mere $111 million along with the usual assortment of “surveys.”

You may have your own favorites to share with readers. Use the ARCHIVE search at the top of the page beneath the photo to job your memory.

And of course we wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Holli Woodings was in second place in the money game with $18,187. She also accepted $1,000 payments from Barber Development and Randy Harris of Harris Ranch.

Mayor Dave Bieter’s former law partner, Frank Walker, came in third with $1K payments from Republic, Barber, and Harris. He also took $1,000 from the Boise Fire Chief Officers. His total take as of the Oct. 10 filing deadline was $14,338.

Namoi Johnson raised $6,366, Lisa Sanches collected $5,900–mostly in $100 entries, and Logan Kimball raked in $3,440.

The rest of the candidates either showed “0” contributions or insignificant amounts.

Absent any professional polling, the GUARDIAN is predicting TJ Thomson has a lock on his council seat 4 as the incumbent. He has the developer community and a massive well oiled social media network.

Frank Walker could either benefit or suffer from his long time association with Mayor Dave Bieter, but with the developers and fire department brass on his side, he probably has the edge. Sanchez and Kimball will split the seat 2 vote which could help Walker, barring a change in the political winds.

Holli Woodings, former legislator and Democratic candidate for Secretary of State is well funded, and backed by the Dems. She has been the “heir apparent” for the seat being vacated by fellow dem Maryanne Jordan, who qualifies as either the “grande dame” or institutional memory of the city council. She has no serious opposition for seat 6.

ALL CANDIDATE COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!

Logan Kimball offered up comments below.
The election season is definitely entering its final weeks and it has been interesting to read the various financial disclosures of candidates. It’s hard to deny that a better funded campaign allows more potential voters to be reached. While this may be true, there is still one other factor to consider: message.

Both of my opponents, Frank Walker and Lisa Sanchez, are in support of continuing to “build on the success” of the current City Council. They have gone on record to support spending millions on the downtown trolley and danced around the issue of public funding for the downtown stadium proposal. Their platforms are virtually identical and for this reason, I would say that it is Sanchez and Walker who are going to be splitting votes, not myself.

I’m extremely proud to oppose the downtown trolley and the publicly funded stadium 100%. I am an avid supporter of voter rights and believe the citizens of Boise should be allowed to vote on these issues. Both issues simply don’t benefit the hardworking taxpayers of the community. They reward the elite and private developers and pass risk onto citizens.

I’m running to bring change and common sense to the City Council and to give a voice to citizens who are all too often forgotten. I believe there is a ton the city can be doing better to advance our community in a better direction for everyone.

Spending $90,000 on a one block bike lane in front of City Hall, or remodeling City Hall for hundreds of thousands of dollars, or spending $900,000 to renovate the historic Castle house, does not demonstrate fiscal responsibility. It demonstrates leadership that has grown out of touch with the taxpayers of Boise.

I’m running to be an advocate for the people of Boise and to bring fiscal responsibility to the City Council. Please email me via my website with any questions or concerns at VoteLoganKimball.com.

I hope to have your vote on November 7th!

It seems that today’s politicos don’t feel they are doing their job unless they are growing the size of the city, building more fire stations, attracting deadly F-35 fighter jets, planning ball parks and building schools. Ang each agency has designs on someone else’s money. BOISE DEV has a step-by-step scenario about the ballpark financing options.

GROWTHOPHOBES are maligned for wanting to improve the bus system, limit city growth, repair fire stations, refuse the condo developer’s ball park, and retain a quiet flying mission at Gowen Field. You simply cannot spend your way to prosperity.

In other “Old News”–
We used to enjoy poking fun at the TV newsies wading in even the most minor floodwater by awarding “Dope Reporter” status. Today, with few exceptions, they all manage to find a wetspot to stand within. We still get a laugh watching an adult standing in ankle-deep water looking into the camera trying to be taken seriously.

The GUARDIAN will answer the theater question for free. WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER VENUE! The Morrison Center, Shakespeare Festival, Taco Bell Arena, Boise and Capital High auditoriums, Boise Little Theater fill the bill just fine when it comes to cultural venues.

If someone wants to build a theater with plenty of parking, pay fair wages and full rate property taxes we welcome them with open arms. If plans call for urban renewal funds, property taxes, or other subsidies, no deal!

Can’t imagine the high-paid out of town consultant coming back with a report mirroring the GUARDIAN any more than we can imagine consultants voicing opposition to a trolley, convention center, or curbing pay hikes.

Here is a letter from a Boise City engineer that went out to numerous local officials. Seems like after thousands of $$$ in surveys, promotional campaigns, and meetings the selected players ran out of objections to the “Trolley Folly” also known as “Desire Named Street Car.”

Dear Steering Committee Members,

3. Accommodation of existing or emerging technology to potentially include wireless and driverless systems

CIRCULATOR OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, March 14 • 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Lobby at 150 N. Capitol Blvd.
The circulator is a public transportation optiondesigned to connect major destinations in downtown. Learn more about the recommended route, funding
and how the circulator fits in the overall vision of Boise’s Transportation Action Plan.

“We envision a city where all people enjoy real transportation choices that offer safety, optimize infrastructure and support vibrant neighborhoods.” Boise Transportation Action Plan, 2016

Mayor Dave Bieter is fond of using the “survey results” to justify decisions about public safety and transportation.

A reader sent us these Facebook screen shots today, questioning just how valid any survey results may be. Sorta like the various Statesman and Boise Weekly “Best of Boise” features. The fire chief is promoting his department to folks who contact the city. Looks a lot like a Trump “tweet” to some folks.

NOTE–the entries below are screen shot images. The formatting may be confusing. You need to visit the Facebook pages to gain access to the complete posts.