Really? Dave, REALLY?? What good doeas it do to kick a dog when it’s down?

EDITOR NOTE–The documents were requested last week prior to the election.

Jonathan–I take offense at your inference that Sharon is a dog. She is a human being with feelings.

Guardian–shame on you for suggesting that laws should limit the visionary actions of our elected betters.

Jonathan, you don’t seem to understand the bigger issue. We the citizens are required to comply with the laws, no execeptions. When does government get to decide which laws they comply, or just ignore? The county attorney who approved the BOCC to purchase the land without an appraisal should be disbarred.

Communism was a good idea, until they introduced corruption, socialism was a good idea, except for corruption, and capitalism will fail, due to corruption… in time people, in due time, like Rome like Egypt (twice), like Germany and so many others, we too will have our turn on the chopping block and our “leaders” here in Idaho seem to be well on track to that ultimate goal.

Paul M, problem is and the elected officals know this, I don’t believe there are any sanctions for direct violation of the statute. Laws are only for the taxpayer, not elected officals.

Dave, it is no surprise that the “deal was outside the law and we see a scramble afoot to cover their tracks.” This is how the Ada County Commissioners have operated for years, while made up of Tilman, Yzaguirre and Ullman, and continuing while Yzaguirre and Ullman. Behind the scenes is the defacto County Manager Rich Wright doing all the media and other maneuvering needed to cover tracks. Unfortunately, the county attorneys support everything they are told to find support for because they are afraid to stand up for themselves. This is sad, as the very reason there is a separate elected official for the prosecutor’s office is to have a division of power and a system of checks and balances. But the way things operate in practice, anything the commissioners demand, the commissioners get. Legal or illegal. At their behest, their attorneys find a way to make it appear to be legal.

I echo Paul M’s request for a formal complaint so an investigation can be commenced by the AG into this recent land purchase, into what went on with misdemeanor probation, into the Dynamis illegally arranged contract and violations of open meeting laws, and the fact that they have been running a County Manager system of government since Ullman came on board in 09, and that, too, is illegal.

Thanks for all you have done for Ada County, Dave, to bring these things to light.

EDITOR NOTE–You have a sound understanding of the situation. Several factors come into play.
–First, the prosecutor properly sees the commishes as his “client.” The client tells the attorney what they want to do and seeks advice on how best to do it. The advice is for the client–not the citizens, hence secret executive sessions.
–Second, under Idaho law the only way the AG can come in is by invitation of the prosecutor.
–Third, to file a complaint one has to have “standing” which requires a “unique injury.” In the case of the land deal, I would suffer the same damages as any other citizen and it would not be unique or constitute “standing.” Mr. Wood, who was outbid by the county attorney, would have a better chance of having a case heard because he has a unique injury.
–Fourth, as a reader noted, there is no sanction or penalty for breaking the law. It says they have to get an appraisal from a licensed appraiser, but there is no penalty, fine, or jail time if they don’t do it. The defense is, “Our lawyer told us it is OK,” AND of course the lawyer is the prosecutor who is the only one who can file charges or invite the AG to investigate.

All this lawyer talk of loop holes and back door shenanigans is disgusting, This land grab, (along with so many other things that Idaho politicians do) is wrong, we know it is wrong, they know it is wrong, and the justification of their actions through legal mumbo jumbo is nothing more than facilitating their ability to keep doing these types of things. Lets hold them accountable and fire them for their misdeeds

Dave, as a follow up, I would add that while there are separate elected officials in place, such as Assessor, Treasurer, Sheriff, Prosecutor, and the Commissioners have no say over how they run their departments, the Commissioners CONTROL THEIR BUDGETS. I think the legislature should change things so each elected official can make their own budgetary decisions. How can a Prosecutor (or Assessor or Sheriff) be asked to be up front, honest, disagree when necessary and have constructive conflict with the Commissioners, when it is those very Commissioners who will decide if they get $1 or $100 in the next fiscal year? County structure is inherently without appropriate freedoms to enable true checks and balances.

Then these same elected officials, republican and democrat wonder why there is a TEA PARTY. When they raise their hand to uphold the constitution and laws, they lose their ethics. Biggest issue, they just take too much of our money, then complain they don’t have enough. Reduce overall tax collections, then they won’t have the money to commit illegal acts.

Group think pressure is so strong in this state that even women elected to various offices, originally able to think independently, succumb to it–like Ullman did.
The only exception: Nicole.

Davis–
Nicole did succumb, by quitting. Read her letter about not seeking state re-election, 3rd paragragh, she is quitting because it is just too hard. She quits, cites partisan politics, then now seeks federal elected office. Does she think there is less partisan politics or stress at the national level? If she could not hack it anymore at the state level, why should I think she can in the major leagues? She will acomplish nothing by loosing in a landslide against Simpson, staying in the state senate she may have been able to do something. My humble opinion……