City Government

Mayor Hotline June 30 to July 6

–NO WAY HALFWAY
–GOOD COP, BAD COP
–KUDOS TO SUMMER COUNCILOR
–NASTY MOUTH COUNCILOR

6/29/07
Gaylon Hughes
1273 N. Astor Pl.
Boise, ID 83704
Half-Way House: I was calling to voice my concern on the new Christian Hope or whatever Mr. Mansfield’s organization is called. They’ve opened the house on Astor Place that has what I believe put my children and family at risk, and I would appreciate any opportunity I could get to discuss this with the Mayor. Thank you very much.
M/CC PDS

6/29/07
Lorraine Kerr
5851 S. Horseshoe Pl.
Boise, ID 83716
Parks & Rec: I’m calling on behalf of a Fort Boise summer class that my son just completed. It was called Sprockets Beginning Mountain class, and his instructor was named Meredith. I’m just letting you know that she was the best teacher that we could have ever hoped for. This woman had 10 kids in her class, 9 boys and 1 girl. Most of the boys were between 7 ½ and 8 and she had complete control over the class. She taught them so much about safety and control, she was patient and encouraging. I have already told a good dozen people to get their kids in the class because this is a great place to learn how to mountain bike. My son came home with a smile on his face after 3 hours of riding his bike up in the foothills with Meredith, so I actually called Fort Boise and found out her supervisor’s name, Kay Mack. Meredith was very punctual, she gave us updates; she was such a caring person. More people like her need to be in that Fort Boise summer program because she really gave great marks for the whole summer program.
M/CC BPR HR

6/29/07
Monty Gamble
1274 N. Astor Pl.
Boise, ID 83704
Half-Way House: I’m calling concerning the group homes that are starting to spread throughout the city. It is a concern to me and other citizens within the city, and this is something that we need help on from the city, elevating it to the proper levels, which ultimately could be the federal government. We have to help our congressmen understand the importance of this. We certainly are trying to work with the Mayor, and hopefully we can resolve some issues with Dennis Mansfield’s group homes because there are several group homes in the city. We look forward to hearing from you to help us resolve these issues. Thank you.
M/CC PDS


6/29/07
Glenn Miles
1306 N. 26th St.
Boise, ID 83702
Neighborhood Watch: I’ve tried several times this week to get hold of Neighborhood Watch, and the number says it has been discontinued. I would strongly argue that we put a neighborhood program back in place through volunteers or what have you. I think it’s an important thing for the security of the town, in particular the North End. Please consider this in the budget and realize that you too will get older at some point and may want to be in dialogue with one of the people in the Neighborhood Watch program. You can’t do it if they don’t exist. Thank you very much.
M/CC

6/29/07
Kathleen Kiefer
712 N. Stanley St.
Boise, ID 83706
VRT: I was just involved in a rather ridiculous ruckus involving rapid transit in the City of Boise. I am a regular bus rider and tonight was the Miracle Mile Race. Apparently Valley Ride failed to communicate with the city, or the city failed to communicate with Valley Ride that the streets were going to be closed. They re-routed all the bus routes with no information to anyone, no signs posted anywhere, nothing. I just got home an hour and a half later than usual because we were told when we called Valley Ride office that the buses would be running at the intersection, are you ready, get this…of Jefferson and Grove Streets. Anyone who lives in Boise knows that Jefferson and Grove Streets do not cross. Apparently it was 9th and Grove or 9th and Jefferson. Once again, Valley Ride, with their information, had no information about this travesty at all. I am, as you can tell, quite livid over the whole situation, not just this, but the Valley Ride functions as a whole. Something has got to change and I intend to get it done. If you would like to write or call me, please feel free to do so because the bus system is important in this city; we’re not longer a small community; we need it, but it needs to improve. Thank you.
M/CC BPR

6/30/07
Penny Taylor
Police Contract: Dope and dog food, are you kidding me? I just want to say that I would start the recall petition myself if it wasn’t for the fact that the money spent on it would absolutely give these fine police officers the raise that they desperately deserve. If they’re eating dog food, it’s because you and your group don’t see fit to pay them properly. I’m just outraged and amazed.
M/CC

6/30/07
Liz Chifler
Police Contract: I was just calling to complain about the Boise Police. They’re getting so demanding with the city. You know, they’re the highest paid law enforcement officers in the whole state, that’s what I’ve been told, and quite frankly I don’t think they deserve any more than that, and with all the problems we’ve had with the Boise Police Department, they don’t even deserve what they’re getting. Most people with only two years of college can’t make near what they’re making. I just hope that the City Council and the Mayor won’t give in to their bullying tactics. Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.
M/CC

6/30/07
Kenneth Kesner
1362 Novel Ln.
Meridian, ID
Police Contract: I’m currently a pilot with an organization called Netjets Aviation, Inc., but more specific to my comment is that I’m a retired sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department. I just heard on the local news comments attributed to Councilman Shealy regarding the Boise City Police Department Union’s informational picket. I find it unconscionable that Councilman Shealy would make the sort of comments that have been attributed to him by the local media. The officers were simply engaging in constitutionally guaranteed rights, the right to assemble and freedom of speech. For a government official to make such a comment about his employees, I think as I said, is unconscionable and certainly embarrassing to him and to the city, and I would hope that the councilman will render some sort of an apology to what I’ve seen in the last four years that I’ve lived in Boise, as very fine members of the Boise City Police Department. Thank you.
M/CC

6/30/07
Richard Munson
1037 Warm Spring Ave.
Boise, ID 83712
Cycle Patrol: Mayor Bieter, boy I want to tell you your motorcycle patrol is getting innovative. Friday morning, top of Americana, dead lane, two motorcycle patrols, one with radar. Boy they looked just like U-Boats from World War II waiting. You couldn’t see them until you got half-way up the hill and they had you long before you even crossed the bridge on Americana. It was a classic. Boy my hat’s off to those guys. Appreciate your time, sir. Have a good day. Oh contract…oh well; we’ll talk about that later. Thank you.
M/CC BPD

7/1/07
Katie Davis
2603 Annette St.
Boise, ID 83705
Infill: Mayor and Council, my husband and I moved here with our family in 1974 when MK brought their world headquarters here to Boise. We chose the Northcrest neighborhood off of Vista and Canal because my husband traveled a lot (he was in environmental waste) and it was close to the airport and freeway. I’m at a loss; I’m baffled why you and the Council are determined to scar our neighborhood with all the infill. It’s really disheartening. We are the gateway to the city and it seems to me that you’re completely uninterested in making the first view for all our visitors a beautiful view. It is a beautiful city; I’ve lived here a long time, recently retired, and I’m really saddened by the way you’ve treated our neighborhood. Thank you.
M/CC

7/1/07
Anonymous
Police Contract: Hello Mayor Bieter. Dogonnit, Carolyn Holly and all those people on View Point, have no idea, no idea what it’s like to live in your city. You call the police, you call the police sometime when you need them, then you pay them, and you don’t negotiate, do not negotiate, I hope, I wish they wouldn’t negotiate for a lesser medical benefits. They should not have to negotiate for less than anything. Are you out of your mind? What’s the matter, Carolyn Holly, you know what the deal is, you know what the score is? Teachers and police officers do not get enough money and they do not get enough benefits to help their families help us have a safe and friendly environment to live in. Brian Lee, the police negotiator, should not negotiate for less than what they already have. No, don’t take away anything, do not take away anything. Whatever.
M/CC

7/1/07
Anonymous
Police Contract: And Dee Sarton doesn’t know the first thing about it either. If you’re going to have someone report about it, then have a proper reporter. I’m glad I’m not a shop steward and a union steward now. Do not negotiate for lesser than what they already have, negotiate for something more. Teachers and police officers keep us safe, keep us educated. H-E-L-L-O-O-O.
M/CC

7/1/07
Mika Holloway previous 2 calls
Police Contract: You probably heard of me and I want you to keep the police force in good standing with the City of Boise and take out people like Don Kitchen. I’m still talking about him; Don Kitchen needs to get a different profession. He’s dangerous and he’s going to shoot or kill somebody in our city, then you’ll call the police, then you’ll call someone who is trained in matters of negotiation, in matters of peace. H-E-L-L-O-O-O.
M/CC

7/2/07
James Otradosky
652 N. Morningside Wy
Boise, ID 83712
Airport: I’ve noticed in the paper what the city has budgeted for the coming year, and future plans for the city. Out at the Airport you have budgeted money for runway construction and all that. I think that you need to go a little further out at the Airport because any given day of the week when you’re going out to the Airport to take a flight out, the parking garage is almost all full, if not totally full and closed. You drive down the road to the off-site parking and that site will be anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 full. I don’t know what’s going to happen when you come to the holiday season, because last year both the parking garage and off-site parking were virtually full. With Airport traffic increasing, you’re faced with a little bit of a dilemma. When the bond plan for the addition to the parking garage went up in flames by vote, I think the way the city handled it was bordering on incompetence. The city needs another parking garage out there, and if the Mayor and City Council haven’t got the will power and guts to handle the situation, I think they better get out of office. There’s no excuse for not adding to the parking spaces out at the Airport; it’s pure incompetence, and I’d like to have someone to call up and tell me why the city wants to shy away from that situation when it should be improved. Thank you.
M/CC Airport

7/2/07
Rita Davis
1338 Candleridge Dr.
Boise, ID 83712
Fireworks: I’m calling about a great concern I have and it’s about foothill fires, especially right now in the light of the California fires at Tahoe. The sale of fire crackers and such in Boise has been a great concern of mine since I moved here 28 years ago. I came from Chicago where all the fire works and displays were city-sponsored civic fire works. It was wonderful and I’ve never understood why in a place like Idaho, that especially in the month of July, and especially more than ever this year, is like a tinder box. Why we allow the sale of fire works for recreational use is beyond me; I can’t understand it. We are endangering the lives of the fire fighters and the citizens by licensing these sellers of fire works and I really think this is something that should change. Thank you very much.
M/CC BFD

7/3/07
Glenn Miles
Police: There have been repeated citings of white vans in our area with license plates that haven’t been renewed from January. In giving this to the Mayor’s Hotline, I got Valenti. My lawyer has been trying to get a hold of Valenti for quite some time, so if the Mayor’s Hotline relates the name of Glenn Miles to the lawyer John L. Runft, Valenti needs to talk to my lawyer, John L. Runft, who has called two or three times and Valenti has blown it off. My suggestion to the City Council and the Mayor is not only doing away with ACHD, but we need to move to a city/county police system in which we do away with the police union and we do away with the little favoritisms that are being played around. Again, Mr. Valenti needs to contact John L. Runft, whose phone number is 333-8506. Thank you very much. I realize that some of these things must seem tedious listening to.
M/CC BPD

7/5/07
Richard Knox
Police Contract: I’m very concerned about the current negotiations with the Police Department. I very strongly support the police side of this issue. Every time an officer gets out of their car and walks up to another vehicle, they absolutely do not know what they face. I’ve seen some of the information in the Statesman that I consider appalling. In addition to that, well paid public officials, or public officials that are not nearly as tempted to be corrupt, I think it’s very important that they police be paid well; I think they deserve it. I’m also concerned about the loss of officers to other departments. This is a very great concern to me. I very much appreciate the Mayor’s position on the Ten Commandments and the Parks system, but I have to say that this issue to me is even more important. It’s a serious public safety issue, and it is an issue of fairness. I just can’t say enough about how I support the Boise Police and the positive encounters I have had with them. I think they deserve better treatment than they’re getting under the present negotiations. Thank you so much for taking my call.
M/CC

7/5/07
Anonymous
Fireworks:I wanted to say that last night’s fireworks at Ann Morrison Park were just fabulous. Thank you for putting those on and for the people who did that. However, I do have one comment; Crescent Rim really should have been closed off. The traffic was very dangerous. Also, it was hard to enjoy the fireworks with headlights all over the place. Most of all, it was people walking, cars speeding, so I would suggest when we have it again, that Crescent Rim be closed. Once again, thank you for the fireworks, they were great.
M/CC BPD

7/5/07
Jason Steele
Boise Grocery Outlet
5544 Fairview Ave.
Boise, ID 83706
Graffiti: I’m calling to report some graffiti on the back of my building. It showed up this morning. Thank you.
Graffiti Team

7/5/07
Anonymous
Fireworks: I think it’s time that Boise City, and at least Ada County or all of Idaho pass an ordinance banning fireworks. The Safe and Sane fireworks are still noisy, they’re going off all night long, they’re going off at 1:30 in the morning around 28th and Davis and 22nd and Brumback in the North End and I’m sure other areas of Boise. There are enough large professional fireworks displays in the valley now that it ought to make everybody happy without everybody having to call in sick the next day because they were up all night long.
M/CC

6/5/07
Sheila Nadeau
1093 N. Dalton Ave.
Boise, ID 83704
Fireworks: One of my concerns is about this past 4th of July and all the illegal fireworks that were shot off in our subdivision. I have one request, I don’t know if this is possible, but maybe people who purchase fireworks should purchase some form of a permit for some form of accountability. Last year I felt the program they had worked tremendously in preventing this abuse and dangerous behavior. We have a very bad mess on our street left over from the fireworks last night, which were not cleaned up. These were shooting onto our rooftops where we have canopies or patio covers, trees, decks, etc. that could have caught fire. I would appreciate a thought on some sort of permit that people purchase when they get fireworks, like a fishing license, hunting license, etc. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate fee, but maybe that would create more accountability. Thank you kindly.
M/CC BFD

7/5/07
Martha Boeckling
West Boise Resident 83704
Half-Way House: I’m still calling about Dennis Mansfield and his group home. I find it very interesting that a group home in West Boise has a car sitting in front of it with congressional plates on it. That really doesn’t bode well for our state legislature. I wonder when the Mayor is going to get off his little heiney and do something about this and address this issue while our neighborhoods go down the tubes in the name of helping one another and people sneaking around and all this sort of stuff. It really is very unIdahoan like, I think. Thank you.
M/CC

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