Archive for January, 2006
Justice Center Unjust to Taxpayers
EDITOR NOTE–THE FOLLOWING POSTING IS BY FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHARON ULLMAN. THE GUARDIAN HAS READ THE CONTRACT AND IT LOOKS TO US THAT ULMAN HAS IT RIGHT ON THIS ONE. THE COUNTY WILL PAY TAXES THEY SHOULDN’T PAY AND THERE IS NO VOTER APPROVAL FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A LONG TERM DEBT. Ada County has […]
Library Plan Needs Refining
A GUARDIAN correspondent received a slick brochure urging residents to “Vote Yes for Boise’s Library!” The brochure is from “Great Libraries for Great Neighborhoods” and offers Shauneen Grange at 345-2125 as a contact. The GUARDIAN correspondent lives a good mile and a half from the Boise City Limit and cannot vote on the measure! We […]
Library Type Ice Rink
We knew the city council couldn`t resist finding a way to plug their library bond at a meeting. For you non-library types, the councilor was trying to say “it didn`t look like they were going to make any money.” Councilor Alan Shealy, after hearing a report the city owned Ice World was about to break […]
Infill Gone Wild
PINAMAR, ARGENTINA– The smart growth infill advocates would love the way things are done on these broad Atlantic shores of Argentina. Millions of Argentines flock here each summer, leaving the cities nearly empty as they soak up the sun and pay mucho pesos for shade as they jam together cheek to darkly tanned and perfectly […]
Power To The People
Congratulations and a pat on the back to John Weber, Richard Kaylor and Tish Hetrick who have each paid $174 to file an appeal on the Boise planning commission’s Jan. 9 approval of the two natural gas-fired plants. Among other reasons for filing the appeal, the trio have cited the importance of the decision to […]
Open Space Lesson
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA– This city of several million people (97% European)seems to have a clear understanding or urban planning and open space. Not only is 9th of July Avenue the widest street in the world, it is lined with shade trees and has “frontage roads” on both sides of the main drag. The GUARDIAN editor […]
Masterson Meets Motorists
If you want to have a personal chat with Boise’s Police Chief all you need to do is zip past him in traffic–he has made nearly 40 “contacts” with motorists during his first year on the job–along side the road. No doubt those he meets call him “sir” and say “thank-you” when he lets them […]
Guardian Heads South
Contrary to popular belief, the GUARDIAN editor has another life–operating a stock photo agency providing images to textbooks, encyclopedias and magazines around the world. That means a strictly business trip to South America during the next couple of weeks recording lifestyles, government, industry, transportation, and the people of ARGENTINA. We have to update these images […]
They’re b a a a ck!
Teenage boys are taught that “no means no,” but the Greater Boise Auditorium District G-BAD boys are at least a generation too old to understand that message. Voters told them “NO” at the polls on two occasions when they wanted to build a new convention center in downtown Boise. Developer Gary Christensen briefly considered doing […]
Economics of Wolves
Elk herds have a way of growing too large when the majestic mammals are not hunted or reduced by meat-eating predators like wolves. In some areas it is difficult to maintain elk herd numbers. In Idaho, wolves have been successfully introduced and they love elk steak. Hence they efficiently reduce the size of elk herds–too […]
Dump on Dirk
Legislative season brings out all the kooks with weird ideas and it looks like Gov. Dirk is doing his best to lead the pack. No other way to put it folks, we are being deluged with bad ideas. –Gov Dirk wants to buy about $2 million worth of bare ground around the J.R. Simplot “free” […]
Common Cents at Post Office
Wow! Intelligent manager at the Overland Station Post Office on Federal Way. When the price of a first class letter went from 37 to 39 cents on Monday, patrons were lined up out the door waiting to buy 2 cents worth of postage. Along came manager Teri Stites who placed a Post Office tray full […]
Power Plant Poses Problems
The proposed gas-fired electrical generating power plant on Boise City owned land presents some ethical concerns of potential financial conflicts of interest. The site of the proposed generating facility is on a desert sage covered parcel off Gowen Road near the Outlet Mall. It was originally purchased as an “Industrial Park” site during the Brent […]
Downtowners Fight 8th Street Project
(A GUARDIAN correspondent report) Downtown residents have appealed the Design Review approval for the proposed 81 unit apartment complex slated for 100 N. 8th St in the heart of downtown. Residents and business owners fear the project, with little additional parking will cripple the vital Capitol Terrance garage, which is already heavily used by visitors […]
Boise Council Starts 2006
The first Boise City Council meeting of 2006 looked more like a 60’s love-in than new millennium meeting of hard boiled politicians. Lots of hugs and kisses as Jerome Mapp said his farewells and just as many as Councilors Vern Bisterfeldt and Maryanne Jordan took their oaths of office. Former councilor Mike Wetherell, dressed in […]
Poop Farm Problems Persist
Just when we thought there was a some movement on the irregularities at the City owned “Poop Farm” we hear the internal auditor has quit. Steve Rehn would not discuss his departure, but said he is leaving by his own choice to accept a “better job opportunity.” The GUARDIAN has been deluged with information about […]
Mapp Gone–Almost
While we are not as exercised as a GUARDIAN reader about former city councilor Jerome Mapp remaining on the board of the urban renewal agency (CCDC), we fail to understand why only council members are appointed to a pair of seats, but they keep their CCDC positions after being voted out of office. Former Councilor […]
In With New Out With Old
Jim Tibbs gets sworn in as new City Councilor Tuesday as he takes the chair Jerome Mapp has occupied for the past twelve years. To his credit, Tibbs has been doing his homework. He campaigned hard to get elected and then made it a point to attend council meetings after the election and prior to […]
Tale of Two Cities
Eagle and Boise represent a tale of two cities when it comes to development philosophy. A proposed high end development in Eagle built around a designer golf course along with a designer swimming, tennis, and soccer sports programs is a far cry from Boise’s penchant for “infill.” Boise provides those amenities at taxpayer expense. Both […]
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