Politics
Marshmallow Campaign…Soft and Sweet
November 6, 2005 
Just finished with the Sunday Statesman and the early morning news-talk shows all devoted to the Boise City Council race. Conclusion: bunch of sissy candidates and marshmallow questions from the newsies.
The GUARDIAN attended three candidate forums and heard the same thing over and over with no fresh ideas, bitches or promises. They were so low key and devoid of fireworks, promises or challenges the media hardly covered the forums.
The only real issue was whether the forces of true evil were the Christians buying Brandi Swindell or the Conservationists buying the election for Maryanne Jordan.
Here are just a few issues we would like to have seen and heard:
— Why did you as an incumbent allow the Depot to close to the public and why don’t you as a challenger demand that it open?
–How do you feel about the outbreak of murders in Boise’s downtown area–60% of murders in the city this year have been downtown?
–Why do you as an incumbent allow the fire department to routinely answer calls outside the city limits where NO FIRE DISTRICT exists and the people do not pay for fire protection. Why aren’t you as a challenger aware of this? What position do either of you have on providing free fire service outside the city?
–How can you as an incumbent profess to annex people so they will “pay their way” while providing free services east of town. Why aren’t you as an incumbent on their case?
–Why did you as an incumbent vote to go around the voters on the proposed $27 million airport parking garage instead of forcing a bond election as required by the Idaho Constitution? What is your position on “judicial confirmation.”
–Why did only one councilor demand an audit of the “Poop Farm” when it became obvious there were financial difficulties out there? Why didn’t you challengers push for reform?
Instead we got questions like these killers:
–What is your vision for Boise?
–What would be your top priority if elected?
–Why are you running for office?
–Should the council have held a hearing over the 10 commandments move?
We learned everyone is in favor of: libraries, “collaborative coalitions,” listening to citizens, good infill projects, preserving neighborhoods, supporting the police, all the good workers in the city.
Things the GUARDIAN hopes to never hear again:
–“I will look you in the eye, listen and never lie.”
–”I have a degree in architecture and sociology.”
–”I seek collaborative coalitions.”
–”We have a good show on channel 11 Tuesday nights at 7:30.”
–”Homeless people are citizens too.”
–”I have a degree in political science. Unfortunately we have to come to a decision after listening.”
Everyone of you has a duty to vote Tuesday for the candidate of your choice. The GUARDIAN will not offer any endorsements, but whoever gets elected needs to know there is an emerging group of intelligent, caring citizens demanding excellence from our elected officials. AND we are watching them!
To insure more advertising-free Boise Guardian news, please consider financial support.
Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Nov 6, 2005, 8:02 pm
Wish I still lived in Boise, Guardian, so I could encourage you to run for mayor. Well, I will anyway. I own property in Boise and whatever happens in Boise affects the rest of the valley anyway. Go for it.
Nov 7, 2005, 2:42 am
Watched the same program.
Channel 7 did you move from Boise?
Where were the issues?
Nov 7, 2005, 6:38 am
Everyone knows how to flog the Statesman. Get a new hores.
Nov 7, 2005, 7:51 am
Indeed, you pose some excellent questions.
I presume you mailed, or called the candidates and asked for their responses.
If so, what please share the results.
If not, why are your beating up others for what you have failed to do?
Ed note–
Just because the GUARDIAN likes to eat good food doesn’t mean he has to cook.
We don’t have to provide the answers to our good questions either!
Nov 7, 2005, 9:21 am
I live in Ada county outside any city limits and pay for fire protection through my property taxes paid to the county. Hopefully the county is passing what I pay for fire protection to the fire departments outside the city limits (and to the fire departments inside any city limits that respond). What parts of Ada county are not paying anyone for fire protection?
What free services are provided by any city to any people that live outside any city limits?
Ed note–
Any area outside a FIRE DISTRICT has no fire protection. There is NO county fire department. All of the area east of Boise along the freeway like the Boise Stage Stop is without fire protection. Also south outside the Kuna District.
Nov 7, 2005, 2:59 pm
Based on the {lack of} quality of the candidates this year, my family has decided there should be a “none of the above” option. If 50% or more of those voting choose the “none of the above” option, the current candidates have to stand down and new candidates be found for a subsequent election.
Whaddya think?
Sure could take the pain out of what we see as a lesser-of-two-evils race.