Comments on: Power To The People Prevails

By: ab

ab — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:47:19 +0000

I would like to ask a question about this overall article – power people. (Please don’t everyone get totally angry) What is wrong with city governments trying to improve and bring new services to communities that have grown significantly over the past decade?

For example, Nampa has grown a lot… maybe it needs a new police building and a new Libary. Also, what is wrong with Rexburg putting in a swimming pool that can benefit the whole community, esp. the kids. I just get the feeling that most people here just don’t want to put anything back into the community because their taxes go up. For those of us that have young families (we pay taxes too) we like it when communities have good, well stocked, clean libaries or swimming pools that the entire family/community can enjoy.

Also, to be safe if the police force is growing due to an increase in population. I am unsure why so many of you are against these things. Is it simply you don’t wany to pay for any updated community services because you don’t use them and don’t think they are needed for anyone? Unsure..?

EDITOR NOTE–There is nothing wrong with cities building facilities. Cities often need new and better facilities and citizens want them. The constitution (and common sense) dictates they seek approval of those voters. Regardless of the “sense” you get, the cities have not asked voters for permission to go into debt.

Imagine your mother deciding YOU need a new car and getting a loan in your name without your permission, not allowing you to decide the brand, model, or price…you just pay. We think you should at least get to say, “Here is $20,000. I trust you to get me the best car for the price.”

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:41:41 +0000

And yet, NO ONE has indicated that United Water is even officially interested in purchasing the Eagle Water Company EXCEPT for the City of Eagle. A member of the trust for the Eagle Water Company testified at the last public hearing that most of the trustees don’t even want to sell the water company and if they did, they have other local buyers from Star and Middleton who have expressed interest.

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:28:52 +0000

Wow–good job Dave, testifying against that idiotic constitutional amendment to hamper local options.
The Eaglers should be aware that any muni-owned water company is better than any privately owned one, especially if it’s owned as United Water is by a foreign global frog outfit, named Suez!
Jo

By: 2 out 3 Ain't Bad

2 out 3 Ain't Bad — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:17:39 +0000

Those are certainly items of good news.

Unfortunately, in the waning minutes of the session the legislature passed the Suncor Bill (HB 680). Under certain circumstances, a property tax district can be set by as few as three people, the developer and two county commissioners. The bill allows a portion of the risk of failure of the subdivision to be assessed on the people that buy lots in a subdivision. Caveat Emptor, indeed.

By: Wade

Wade — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:47:03 +0000

Thanks, Dave, and anyone who contributed to this getting killed.

By: John Mitchell

John Mitchell — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:43:00 +0000

THE CITY IS STILL BEING COY (TRANSLATION: IGNORANT) ABOUT WHAT THE EAGLE WATER COMPANY IS ACTUALLY WORTH. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS AS SEVERAL EDITORIAL LETTERS HAVE POINTED OUT. aN ACCOUNTING FRIM GAVE AN “OPINION” OF WHAT EWC WAS WORTH. WHY HAVEN’T THEY GOT AN ACCURATE APPRAISAL??? (OR TWO!!)UNTIL THEN I WILL VOTE AN UNEQUIVOCAL “NO” ON PURCHASING EAGLE WATER.
MAYOR BANDY SAYS “ITS A GOOD DEAL”…….PROVE IT!

By: Boise No Pants Day

Boise No Pants Day — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:08:50 +0000

Dave-

Thank You for your efforts on everyones behalf.

You should consider becoming a “Lobbyist for the People”.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:38:55 +0000

Yes, we get to vote on the water company purchase – does anyone think the Mayor and council will actively try to convince the residents of Eagle that the purchase is a good thing and the price is fair, or will it go like the city hall, the bond for which kept failing, so the city built it anyway and are paying rent.

By: dog

dog — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:16:44 +0000

Glad I wrote a letter to my State Senator and Rep.
My Senator, wrote me back with a simply inane letter saying he thought it needed to be decided by the voters on the fall ballot.

He also included some voodoo economics supporting the measure, which I called him on and he neglected to reply. My feeling is the Senate pols are a big lazy bunch who only care about the food chain for them.
Go Guardian! Idahoans owe you big time. I think we all need to throw a big party for the Guardian at the Boise Train Depot. Any of you sympaticos in?

By: Bob Blurton

Bob Blurton — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:10:43 +0000

Hooray for justice, and a HUGE thanks Dave.

Going into debt right now for anything would be about the most stupid thing we could do. Learning to pay as we go, AND learning to ask the people if that is the way to go are vital.

If thousands of experts around the globe studying ‘Peak Oil Theory’ are correct, we are about to become one of the poorest nations on the planet, since we are the most dependant on oil.