Comments on: Mother of All Skinny Houses

By: Sharon Ullman

Sharon Ullman — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 14:10:55 +0000

To Inside: I understand that you can’t speak out without risking the loss of your job, but you CAN provide information to those of us out here who like to investigate such tips. There is a growing group of people that is working to shine more light on problems in government. It is a lot easier to do so, though, with some idea of where to look.

If you are worried about your identity being discovered, you can e-mail anonymously, using a “yahoo” or “hotmail” type e-mail address and a public computer, such as one at the library, Kinko’s etc.

I am particularly interested in stories involving local government, and I know the GUARDIAN has been known to follow up on stories at both the local and state levels, when the topic is one of interest. If you want to reach me, my e-mail address is: sharonu@cableone.net, or you can reach me by telephone at 362-0843. Of course, you have access to the GUARDIAN everyday, through this website.

By: Inside

Inside — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:57:37 +0000

You guys are starting to get it! Those of us on the inside hope you will continue to speak out (and dig) because those of us inside cannot…without paying a heavy personal price.

The real purpose of the CCDC is to give the city the ability to DIRECT AND CONTROL development downtown and be another arm of the City Council agenda, as well as the Downtown Association. It is also the tool for collecting and spending tax money OUTSIDE the normal city tax structure.

By: Porcupine

Porcupine — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 13:03:37 +0000

And the city wonders why the taxpayers are voting down all of the new library, school, convention center bonds??? Maybe the taxes to us poor property owners aren’t fair? Just a thought.

Sure hope the State of Idaho can give us more liquor licenses. I think all of us property owners are going to need a stiff drink when we get our next tax bill.

By: TJ

TJ — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 01:50:29 +0000

I am not proud to admit that I worked for Broadbent Development Co. in the 1970’s when that company was selling off all their downtown holdings to Boise Redevelopment Agency – the Sonna Building, the Mode Building, the Eastman Building, the Idanha Hotel, the Broadbent Building. After selling all that stuff it only took a few years before a once profitable company managed to go bankrupt after spending all their profits. Isn’t that the story of American business these days? The BRA morphed into the CCDC and I still don’t understand what their purpose is. It doesn’t seem like they have created any value for the people of Boise. Perhaps I just don’t understand. It just seems like the rich keep getting richer. If someone out there can explain this stuff please reply.

By: Joe Moran

Joe Moran — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 23:08:44 +0000

Why does the word ” Funhouse” pop into my mind?
Perhaps because the developer wants to get as rich as possible at the expense of the people and their city government by building a monstrosity and then laughing all the way to the bank?

It does follow the local political trend, which is to enrich city,county and state govt. and their developer friends while impoverishing the People. Here’s the real joke: CCDC ( City govts. bureaucratic baby) gets to enrich itself by $ 400,000 in tax from the project which will house luxury condo’s while the city get’s nothing but still has to provide police,fire and other services. The city can however tax the people another $ 100,000 annually to cover these CCDC expenses. Does that sound like the politicians on our city council helping CCDC and real-estate developer friends enrich themselves or am I missing the Gag Line? The Mayor and City council need to put a stop to irresponsible developers saddling the Citizens of Boise with the price of their get rich schemes!

EDITOR NOTE: Joe got this one dead on and he is right.