Boise is not a convention destination. You have to think Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, Chicago and all the other big cities that have the big city vibe going for them.

Boise is not well served by the Airlines, it isn’t close to anything close to the cities mentioned above. But, we do have a bunch of loose cannons who can’t wait to build another Idaho Center or worse that will have to be fed millions to stay afloat.

If we build it, they ain’t gonna come. Boise offers a lot for those who live here but it is not convention bait by any stretch of the imagination.

The “independent report” says just what those commissioning the report want said. It isn’t worth the paper and ink used to put it together. How many times do voters and citizens have to say HE!! NO to this flight of fancy?

FAMILY ADVOCACY FACILITY http://www.facesofadacounty.org/

I am trying to understand Anne’s comment about Antiques Road Show. We build a new convention center they come to town and then what? I am still waiting to hear an audited number of how well the Special Olympics did here in Boise. I know the promoters did well but just how much money did this venue bring to Boise?

The easiest thing is the world is to spend other people’s money. The recession we find ourselves in right now is more about self control or should I say lack of self control.

Who would have thought people with no money and bad credit would default on their cookie cutter, over-priced house. Not everyone should own a home and likewise not every city is going to be a major convention city. If we build it they more than likely will not come and the place will sit empty.

I remember when the Lakers left the LA Sports Arena for the Forum. The Sports Arena sat empty for years and years at taxpayer expense. These things are White Elephants and are a huge drain on taxpayers. Not even LA could figure out a use for the Sports Arena when the Lakers left.

People who think a bigger convention center is better and will generate business are the same people who think stimulus money will create jobs. All it will create is massive debt and no jobs.

Actually, dog, stimulus spending DOES create jobs. The right kind of stimulus, that is. However, the last stimulus package (2009, I believe) was about 50% tax cuts, which NEVER produce ANY jobs.

Upon receiving very good advice from a prominent citizen, I have issued the following Press Release to the Boise Guardian and other Representatives of the Fourth Estate . . .

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Re : Open Governance

With the support of Boise City Councilman TJ Thomson, Boise City Councilwoman and CCDC Board Member Lauren McLean, and GBAD Chairman of the Board Hy Kloc, I – as a Private Citizen – call upon any-and-all present and future “Sub Political” and “Quasi Governmental” entities (i.e. CCDC, GBAD, the “Must Join” DBA and the de facto quasi governmental Capital City Public Market) within the City of Boise to begin immediately Webcasting and Archiving any and all meetings, as does the Boise City Council [ http://www.cityofboise.org/city_clerk/councilvideo ].

Whereas their meetings are presently generally held in the Middle of the Day, in the Middle of the Week, this will allow greater transparency and accountability to the average citizen and the media who may not be able to attend these meetings, nor have the time to pour over transcripts that do not necessarily convey the “whole story” in the first place: and,

Whereas webcams can be had for for as little as $20.00; and,

Whereas services such as YouTube and UStream provide cost free video streaming and archiving; and,

Whereas I can see no reason whatsoever why any “Sub Political” or “Quasi Governmental” entity that purports to operate in an ethical and efficient manner would object to such a proposal;

It is my hope that the Members of the Fourth Estate will consider and present this proposal to their readers, listeners and viewers for their consideration.

In parting, it bears mentioning that while the aforementioned support this call for more open governance, TJ Thomson – and presumably Lauren McLean and Hy Kloc – understandably do not support my previous efforts to provoke the public discourse and awareness of the CCDC [ http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2011/07/06/boise-man-has-choice-words-for-ccdc ].

Additionally, I have no political aspirations, nor an agenda beyond what I have stated herein.

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END OF PRESS RELEASE

Thank You for your time and consideration of this matter,

Sincerely,

Mike Murphy

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I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. Corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. – – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln

Actually Rod, any stimulus that relies on a measurement so fluffy as ‘Jobs created or saved’ is not a stimulus but is instead a partisan slush fund…as it was.