Comments on: MAYOR’S HOTLINE May 22 to 26

By: Jon Q Publique

Jon Q Publique — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 03:34:39 +0000

I’ve noticed Tom’s sign on Orchard for awhile and wondered how he was able “to get away with it.” Apparently time has run out for the sign but thankfully not for Tom. He IS a Boise institution. I’ve also noticed the “wares” that Tom refers to and wondered how that merchant was able “to get away with it.” Between the two, the “wares” are a lot more visually offensive to me than Tom’s sign ever will be. But then that’s just my opinion.

I’d like to think the City just “overlooked” Tom’s sign until someone filed a compliant. On the other hand, the enforcement action may be the result of a code enforcement person “just doing their job.”

The one size fits all approach (kind of a federal government approach) definitely has drawbacks. It leaves little room for “common sense” judgment by government types. Folks I know that are long time government types tell me most agencies have had to adopt this approach because of the need to treat all citizens equally – or the agency gets sued. Then we taxpayers get to foot the legal tab. Agency staffers may be sympathetic to the situation but they have been “burned” so many times before in various situations that they are reluctant to “bend the rules”.

And no, I’m not trying to defend the City. I agree with Cyclops that a Team Dave staffer needs to be creative and find a legal way to grant (or continue) a waiver for Tom’s sign. Maybe something along the line of the sign goes when Tom goes.

As to the “wares” merchant, perhaps someone (Tom?) needs to file a complaint. Or, and this would be ironic, maybe displaying “wares” is legal.

It would be interesting to hear what the City response to Tom was. Anyone have any info on that?

Also, I’m having some difficulty understanding Tom’s “religious discrimination” claim. Thoughts anyone?

JQP

By: Joe moran

Joe moran — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 21:05:12 +0000

As for the person with the neighbor whose home is surrounded by trash- there use to be one near me, and here’s what I did. Places like that are usually a fire hazard, a health hazard,and violate numerous city laws. The fire dept. helped me the most and then the city decided to follow suit.
Now for the lady whose 14 year old daughter is being fined $100 for some CD’s.. well that’s totally unreasonable.You would hope that Mr. S. Cottrell, the libray director, would have the professionalism to assist patrons like this with similar problems.
as for the Clown who shot the dog in a neighborhood full of kids why not fine him a few thousand dollars to be contributed to the local animal shelter and give him a 100 hours of Community service in the local YMCA.
He’ll probably leave his shootin’iron locked up next time next time Rover gets rambuctious!

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Wed, 31 May 2006 09:53:23 +0000

It’s time, once again, for team Dave to make an effort to solve one of the little “problems” they have.

Tom Sweeney’s Dutch Oven Restaurant on Orchard is one of those Boise landmarks that deserve to be saved. As I understand the problem, Tom has been told to move his “sandwich” sign as it is illegal.

This 2×4′ sign has been on the street front for over 15 years. Tom’s restaurant was at Fairview and Maple Grove for at least 20 years prior to that.

Tom, who is 85years old and damned near blind, simply wants to continue making a living and visiting with some very loyal customers each morning. Let’s face it. This little “hole in the wall” is the reason he gets up each morning.

To compare that little Sandwich sign with the great big “temporary signs that the ordinance is supposed to address, is just plain silly.

How about it Mr. Mayor? Any chance we could get some “common sense” application of the ordinance??