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City Government

Mayor Hotline June 27 to July 3

 July 7, 2009 ⋅  Post a comment

BALANCED BIKE TALK, NOISY JETS, FALCONS, TRASH

6/26/09
James B. Byrnes
155 W. Hulls Ridge Ct.
Boise, ID
433-8784
Bike Safety: I’m a retired Colonel and still very active. My comments are concerning the article
in the paper today about bicycle riding. I would like to have written this, but I couldn’t find a
place to put it in the email; however, I am just absolutely amazed that the solution to the killing
of four bikers here that have been hit by cars is to put restrictions on the bikers. I ride every day
20 to 30 miles; I do it for recreation, I do it for health. This to me does not seem like the solution
to the problem, and it’s going to irritate the bikers as it does me. It’s almost as if the solution is
for the people who don’t exercise or don’t use their bikes to commute, that the police and the
City Council who probably do not exercise and do not ride bikes, is to take out the problems on
the biker. This is the reverse of what’s supposed to happen. We should be looking at
cooperation, not penalties on this. As I look at the papers, I see very few people punished for
what the drivers do to the bikers, and on about a weekly basis I am blown off by a driver that is
driving too close. Nobody does anything about that. Why do you come up with the sole solution
of just punishing the bikers? I’m concerned about it as a citizen of Boise and as a citizen of the
US and some of us concerned about health. Thank you very much.
BPD
Action Taken: left msj

6/26/09
Howard Roofe
6004 S. Pierre Way
Boise, ID 83716
Bike Safety: I’m calling in regard to my concern of the Boise Police Chief and the Boise Police
Department appeared attitude toward cyclists. It appears from reading recent news media
releases that the Mayor has inappropriately stated or cited law regarding when cyclists must or
must not stop at stop signs, and furthermore, to make emphasis in regards to citing cyclists for
their inappropriate riding, which I agree needs to happen, but makes not mention regarding
having his officers also focus on motor vehicle operators, who could be interfering with causing
safety issues for people riding bicycles that are abiding by the law. So, perceived or real, it is a
perception, hence a reality that I view, as I know other cyclists do, the Boise Police
Department’s opinion and/or views toward cyclists seems to be largely on the negative side, and
that bothers me very much. I was hopeful that they would have a more favorable impression
about people trying to reduce carbon in the atmosphere on days when this community should
not be under a yellow or any other kind of air quality alert, due to motor vehicles operating and
the number of people in this valley who are using carbon producing carbon, (dust from traffic on
the roads, wear and tear, etc). I mean there’s many reasons why people should be on bicycles,
let alone talk about health to those individuals who are riding, providing they don’t get run over
by a motor vehicle, and the increase cardio, etc. So, there are many positive attitudes for riding
bikes, but the Mayor seems to be trying to stifle that, so that’s my concern. Bye.
BPD

6/26/09
Richard Nestor
1300 E. Pineridge Dr.
Boise, ID
Bike Safety: I’ve been a resident here for 30 years and I wanted to compliment you on the
action against cyclists, issuing citations. I think that’s good; there are a lot of people on bikes
who don’t follow the laws, however, I would also like to see a more aggressive campaign
against motorists who are out there endangering our lives with their reckless behavior as well.
That’s all I have to say and thanks again for your time.
BPD

6/26/09
Kent Delana
401 E. Carter
Boise, ID 83706
345-7904
Bike Safety: I’m an avid long-time bicycle rider and I was very disappointed in the stance that
the city is taking highlighting the offences and charges that bicyclists can receive.
Unfortunately, we have experienced three tragic deaths, in which case all three were well within
the laws and requirements of the traffic, yet we do not have a focus on increasing penalties to
drivers who violate laws and do not recognize cyclists as having equal rights to the road. I think
this is a disservice to the community and places the wrong picture in the mind. Certainly with
this irate drivers who do not like cyclists, will be a reinforced by saying that we should not be on
the road.
BPD
Action Taken: left msj

6/26/09
Arn Allemand
1391 E. Hunter Dr.
Meridian, ID 83646
870-6443
Bike Safety: I’m calling regarding the concerns about cyclists. First off, I am an avid cyclist, I
mountain bike, I road bike; my wife is an avid cyclist, she mountain bikes, road bikes; our little
son is 2 years old and has a little scoot bike that he likes to push around already and I hope
someday he can ride on the street safely as long as he’s abiding by the laws. I have some
concerns, and I am in the club that Kevin Pavlis was in, the most recent tragic death, and my
concern over the whole issue, which is part of the reason why I’m calling, is that it appears that
aligning with the Statesman’s article this morning, that I’ve been told about although I haven’t
had a chance to read it yet, I saw an article on KTVB.com that had similar material quoted. I
guess one of my concerns is the promotion in the area of information that appears to be putting
the brunt of the responsibility on the shoulders of the cyclists, and I have some real concern
over that. Cyclists, no matter how wrong they are, no matter how aggressive they are, there is
no comparison between the danger that they cause in the situation versus the danger a vehicle
or a car can cause to the situation. Over my years of cycling I cannot tell you how many times I
have been cut off by moms in their SUV’s or people texting or talking on the telephone as they
cut across traffic right into my path. I do abide by the laws and the rules, but you know one of
the things a lot of people don’t understand is the laws pertaining to stop lights and stop signs.
Those laws pertaining to cyclists mean that as long as you are not impeding traffic you must
stop at a stop light if it’s red and then you can proceed as long as you’re not impeding the traffic
that’s coming. Stop signs can be treated as yield signs, again as long as you’re not impeding
traffic. I can’t tell you how many times, especially lately, now that everybody is aware; people
have yelled, made comments, been aggressive, said vulgarities, and I am perfectly within the
law; I was not affecting them at all and these were instances where we were going in the same
direction. I’ve heard this happen a number of times. It almost seems this is happening more
and more and the drivers are becoming more aggressive because they’re viewing this from the
standpoint of – you guys are being killed because you’re being stupid, and certainly that is the
case with some cyclists and motorists. People die every day, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians
walking the streets because people make poor choices, and that certainly appears to have been
the case the other night. Again, the media blitz, I think there needs to be a balance. I find it
interesting that the perception coming across, at least from the cycling public and I include
myself in this, is that we’re the ones that are in the wrong; we’re the ones who must adjust our
behaviors. I mean let’s face it, these roads while engineered primarily for larger vehicles, are
intended for public transit, so these roads that we all pay taxes on, are for all of our uses
whether we’re walking or riding or driving. To place the responsibility, or even the perception,
that it’s on the shoulders of the people who are least protected, cyclists and pedestrians, I think
is wrong. I don’t think that the message being sent is the right one. I certainly don’t want
motorists feeling empowered to just play their game and drive their drive. I want motorists to be
scared to death; every time they go out on the road I want them to be afraid that they might
cause the death of someone whether it’s me, somebody on a motorcycle, or somebody in a car.
That’s what they should be worried about because it really does happen. Since this has
happened, I have been more aware of my own situation, my interaction with bikers.
BPD

6/27/09
Rachael Hugens
139 Willoway Dr.
Boise, ID 83705
344-6801
Bike Safety: I’m calling in regards to the discussion that’s going on between bicycles and cars.
I am a bicycle commuter and I applaud the effort to have police out addressing cyclists not
following the rules of the road. As a bicycle commuter, I too have even discussed things with
fellow cyclists, but the other hand of the discussion also needs to be about the distractive driving
that occurs. I just recently came back from State St. coming up to Vista (Capitol Blvd.) and in
that five minute time span, I witnessed a car oblivious to a red light, going through an
intersection cause the cross traffic in both directions to stop, and never had a clue that they had
gone through a red light. Within a few minutes coming up toward Vista and Federal Way, there
is a one-way street and I watched a car turn left with a sign that says “No Turn on Red”. Even
when I drive back from work I have witnessed very aggressive driving. So in this discussion
between the bikes and the cars, I applaud that now at least it’s including cars because in the
past the discussion has always been against cyclists. I’m greatly concerned about what’s going
to happen out of all of this, is that the law is going to get changed against bicyclists. For
example, as it stands now, stop lights can be considered a full stop, and then yielding and
continuing on. A stop sign can be considered a yield sign as long as it’s safe to cross. I’m
greatly concerned that what’s going to happen is instead of addressing the driver driving issue,
that laws will be changed against cyclists. That’s my comments and thank you.
BPD

6/29/09
Shirley Kunter
314 Ruby St.
Boise, ID
Code Enforcement: There is a home on my street that is for sale, but I don’t know how they
think they’re going to sell it; it’s all full of weeds and all kinds of stuff in the back yard. I would
think those people selling the home would clean that all up. I don’t know what can be done
about it but I appreciate your receiving this call. Thank you.
6/29/09

Anonymous
Fire Department: I’m just concerned; over here at the Fallen Fire Fighters’ Memorial, they had
the flags up, but the one we see that’s missing is the Boise Fire Department flag. I just think it
would really look nice if we could get a flag up there. I sure would appreciate it. Thank you.
6/30/09

Al Zolanski
Meridian
Oregon Jets: I wonder when the flying hours of those jets are going to end because this is
going too far and too much. Knowing that they have so many thousands of square miles on the
desert, we have to put up with this urban flying. I don’t think that’s fair. Thank you.
Gave him ID NG phone #
6/30/09

Robin Young
83702
344-5705
Peregrine Spotters: We’re working very hard with the Urban Peregrine Falcon Relief Group
spotters downtown and would like the City Council and the Mayor to either issue a Resolution or
have some talk with the police. The birds are in a fragile state at this point; they’re just learning
how to fly and we’ve had some land on the middle of the streets and we’ve had parking lot
attendants and police tell us to move on because we’re blocking traffic. So we would like some
cooperation from the city about the Peregrine Falcon Relief. They’ll only be here probably for
another two weeks then they’ll disburse. Since the Peregrine Falcon is on our Idaho coin, we’d
like a little more respect shown to the falcons. Thank you so much for taking this under
consideration and I hope it can get on the Agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Action Taken: contacted

6/30/09
Frank Norbury
1677 S. Bent Rock Ave.
Boise, ID 83709
484-5482
PDS: The purpose of my call is to voice concern regarding the Planning and Development’s
lack of action on an issue of property damage to our home property by a contractor and
developer. This has been brought to P&D’s attention; I’ve sent them pictures and explained to
them what has happened. They’ve taken no action as far as I know; nobody has contacted me
to tell me what they’re doing about it. They’ve contacted me to let me know that they’ve gotten
my email, but I’ve received no notice from them of what they’re doing about it. Consequently,
I’ve had to contact the Boise Police Department and involve the police into an issue that they do
not need to be involved in; this should be settled between the property owner (me) and the
developer/contractor who did the damage. The developer and contractor do not want to deal
with me, so I go to P&D and have them deal with the contractor and developer. That doesn’t
seem to be working so now I’ve had to go to the Police Department. Now it’s a case in the
Police Department and will probably end up being a criminal case. We don’t need to tie up the
city’s resources on nonsense like this. If P&D would just go out and force the contractors and
developers to follow the codes, then these issues would not have to be brought up to the level
that they’re brought up to. Mr. Riddle knows this issue; I don’t think he or his office has done
anything about it and it’s inexcusable. This is just voicing my concern that if the proper
agencies would take action at their level, it would not have to escalate and go up to the next
level. So, if P&D would do their job and keep these contractors and developers under control
and to code, then we as citizens of Boise would not have to start working our way up the chain
of command, and here now I am talking on the Mayor’s Hotline, which is ridiculous; I shouldn’t
have to be doing this, but I’m finding no other resolution. Other than the Police Department,
who has been excellent, I have had nothing than the best service from the Police Department
regarding this issue. Thank you very much.
7/2/09

Anonymous
Allied Waste: Good morning Mr. Mayor and City Council. Please do not record my name or
phone number; I do not desire to have it released to the media. I’ve noticed that the contracted
garbage service for the city and also portions of Ada County, they frequently will drive off the
pavement onto the curb and gutter adjacent the pavement. The curb and gutter tend to be very
fragile when relative to the pavement and causes a lot of cracking to the concrete, which we
then have to pay for later. I was wondering if you could please talk to the waste collection
services and ask them to keep their very heavy truck on the paved area so as not to be costing
us money later on. I do have appreciation for the hard work that these men do on the trash
trucks, but let’s not do any more damage than we have to. Thank you.
PW

7/2/09
Kevin
794-4464
Dogs Off Leash: I would like to know when this controlled off-leash situation in the Boise
Foothills trails will end because there doesn’t seem to be a lot of control with the off-leash
situation. Dogs run freely dozens or hundreds of yards ahead of their owners and around them.
They jump up on people and they are generally annoying and disrespectful. I would like to
know when those new steps and measures are going to be implemented for the Foothills trails,
especially Hulls Gulch.
BPR

7/2/09
Maryann Stevens
11559 W. Six River Ct.
Boise, ID
340-7834
Rally: I’m calling on behalf of a group called Treasure Valley Organizing for America. We’re
hoping to have a rally possibly at Senator Risch’s office next week on either Thursday the 9th or
Friday the 10th and I need to know what procedures we need to go through to make sure that it’s
legal to have such a rally in the City of Boise, what permits we need or applications we need to
file. If you could please call me at your convenience, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
very much.
Action Taken: contacted

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