Comments on: Bieter Seeks To Abolish Citizen’s Right To Vote

By: Fire81chief

Fire81chief — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:53:01 +0000

The Guardian knows better. The issuance of bonds for the airport is not a use of tax dollers. The bonds are sold to investors, the debt fromn the bonds is retired by user fees. So let me explain this: As a Boise citizen, I can purchase these bonds of my own free will, not with my tax dollars. I will make a small but probably secure rate of return on my investment. Didn’t I just vote with my wallet? As Boise’s previous fire chief I built several fire stations using “ordinary and necessary” bonds, as provided in the Idaho Constitution. Those investors who bought the bonds took all of the risk. They too, voted with their wallets. But then my view is factual not sensational, so feel free to ridicule it.

EDITOR NOTE–Your illegal and unconstitutional use of “ordinary and necessary” resulted in forcing the city to pay taxes on those privately owned fire stations to ACHD, Boise Schools, and Ada County. The Idaho Supreme Court defined “ordinary and necessary,” ruling against your former employer as well. THAT sir, is why they seek to abolish our right to vote on the sale of bonds at airports.

While airport bonds are retired by user fees, every cent of those fees is “public money.” Any structures for air freight, hangars, rental cars or anything else contemplated in the proposed amendment which are built with airport (city) bonds are PUBLIC PROPERTY and not subject to taxes.

The airport will get paid rent from the users, but Citizens will suffer the loss of revenues which would otherwise be collected on private real estate. Good for the airport, bad for citizens–unless they choose to allow the deal.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:37:12 +0000

Folks,

I continue to commend the BG editor for insisting on openness in government at all levels. Unfortunately, the problem goes much deepter. There is no credible OVERSIGHT of public officials, even if you discover they’ve done something wrong. One hand is tied to the other. The chain of command in this state and in other states is fractured. Openness, ethics, morals, etc. are dismissed as ho-hum. Until we can find a chain of command that listens to the people not its own colleagues, then we will continue to see corruption, inflation, recession, depression, over-taxation, etc. I hate to sound so cynical, but I will be until I see somebody step up to the plate and work on behalf of the people. If a public plan is kosher, then why not just make it public. That’s what our officials, who work for the electorate and taxpayers, are paid to do. Do not deny the electorate the right to vote on any plan that would deny them their constitutional rights. Good luck, BG!

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:46:45 +0000

Just the stuff we don’t need to vote on is all he wants. Given the voter turnout he is nearly there anyway. Let the Plutarcs rule out universe.

By: cyclops

cyclops — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:14:08 +0000

Absolutely!

By: Karen Ragland

Karen Ragland — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:46:05 +0000

I want to thank you to Zippo. Mayor Bieter maybe a legacy DOES pay. sigh

EDITOR NOTE–What about retaining our right to approve bond sales?! Will you guys help me in November? You can bash Bieter any old time. We need to preserve and defend the constitution like loyal GUARDIANS!

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:43:51 +0000

Interesting Zippo Thanks!
Now how do we find that same information on the folks that run our schools. Not the school teacher but the admistraters.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:09:45 +0000

This is what Team Dave is dreaming about in the future and why he needs to spend without the voter approval.

http://www.businessinsider.com/mta-salaries-2010-6

By: Mr. Logic

Mr. Logic — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:39:36 +0000

Jon and Timm–
Please offer some LOGICAL comments with regard to voter rights. Your snarky comments offer nothing in the way of debate or info. G-Man at least is trying. Even if YOU don’t want to vote on airport stuff, at least let the rest of us vote.

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:12:38 +0000

We need to get rid of the sales tax. Actually, we need to get rid of local government. The only thing local government should do is take care of the streets and roads, and the federal government can do that better.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:45:15 +0000

Yawn….