I used the Frazier decisions of 2002 and the 2006 to let them know that a new police station and a new parking garage are not “ordinary and necessary” on those case law examples and the latest decision handed down last Friday by the Supreme Court, Koch etal vs. Canyon County Commissioners granting citizens access to the courts on Art.8 sec 3. They were also put on notice that I wanted to know when they were headed to court for their judicial confirmaiton hearing as I intend to file a brief citing your cases as well as the requirements of Art.8 sec. 3.

These guys are hiding behind urban renewal law to get around the taxpayers. Shame on these guys for not letting the voters weigh in on spending this kind of money!

I have long been very troubled by this issue, but I have always felt that the courts would do the right thing, which has been the case for the most part. Yet, the growing evidence seems to be that the local officials and their lobbyists are undeterred and will still seek ways around clear law. It’s pretty maddening. It may be time again for a Ron Rankin-like crusader to take up this cause and ratchet up the heat even more by using the Initiative process in a way that actually might make it even more clear to these yahoos.

At some point, any lawyers they have that are helping them in these efforts should face bar sanction, and the bigger issue is using taxpayer money for private gain, which is a crime in many instances and should be in all instances.

Is anyone surprised? The pols know the know- nothing voters are an easy end run. They can just ignore the constitution. Look what they plan on doing with the constitutional water rights. They figure if Idahoans are the last big supporters of Bush, they will tolerate almost any kind of official corruption. Thats why they like to keep em stupid down on the farm.

I want a guardian bobblehead figure for my dashboard.

After reading this and the article regard the Nampa Urban renewal district, it kind of makes you sick. They are trying to find any loophole to spend our money.

You should sell Boise Guardian t-shirts on your site. If they move well, you could add capes for the complete Super Guardian look.

Dave, I hear what you are saying, but I just don’t understand where you are going. A constitutional amendment is an incredibly high bar to pass over. So high, that most efforts die in their infancy. The path that these groups are going down is the proper one and forces nothing on the people, since the people have the final say.

EDITOR NOTE–You are correct on the bar. The move for amendment simply widens the gulf between citizens and government. See today’s STATESMAN http://www.idahostatesman.com/westtv/story/279714.html on Nampa’s plan to go around the voters.

EDITOR NOTE–No argument from me. My problem as I have said previously is I doubt there is a ground swell of demand or concern from citizens wishing to give up their right to vote on the items listed in Article VIII, Sec. 3.