Comments on: Group Drops Another Bombshell On Dynamis-Ada Deal, Law Should Allow AG To Investigate

By: My Two Cents

My Two Cents — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:05:01 +0000

I have to agree with Boise Cynic and respectfully disagree with Dave about the concept of a County Manager. Ada County has operated in this fashion despite not being constitutionally set up to do so, since appointing Rich Wright as the Director of Administrative Services back in 2009. He operated as a defacto County Manager in all respects other than title. He receives a high salary that is, I believe, just a tad less than the Commissioners do. A County Manager is untouchable (other than being fired by those who appointed him) and he can do the dirty work for the commissioners. This method of operating as what some fondly call “the fourth commissioner” is dangerous in my opinion because there are no checks and balances and creates a terrible situation where you have a non-elected official with no accountability to voters nor even any requirement to abide by the laws that regulate how elected officials operate. At least with an elected Board, one can vote a commissioner out of office as has just occurred with Commissioner Ullman. And why on earth would a three-person board earning $97,000 each need someone to do the work for them? Isn’t that what they’re being elected to do and being paid to do?

EDITOR NOTE–I believe those who advocate the “manager” plan assume there will be MORE representatives, but they will be part timers like a city council. That is what I discussed in the note with Boise Cynic. No one wants 3 commsihes at the high pay level AND a professional.

By: chicago sam

chicago sam — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:21:35 +0000

Sigh–Nampa just had another Icon resign Supt. Gary Larson. It seems the missing 2.8 million has caused him nightmares and more bad news coming. Cursury reading of the 2011 auditors report indicate red flags. Guess school board and Administration either did not read the report or took no action

By: Interested Citizen

Interested Citizen — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:44:24 +0000

Well, one should make no mistake: Canyon County and Nampa did not get rid of the corruption when Bujak resigned!!!!

And further, make no mistake: Many of the criminals have not been charged yet.

By: Bus Rider

Bus Rider — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:43:25 +0000

Well then….this explains why Ada County’s online Accounts Payable Archive has been down for a while!

http://adaweb.net/Commissioners/AdaCountyFinancials/OnlineAccountsPayableJournal.aspx

“Think of this as a check register that accounts for every check written to our vendors within the referenced timeframe.”

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:24:39 +0000

Guardian wrote: Sounds like you are advocating a “county manager” professional who is governed by a representative board. We hope you don’t want even more commishes making $97,000 who will have super retirement through PERSI.

Isn’t that a bit of a straw man? I did not state that I’d like to see more commissioners making that kind of money. $97k/year, when did that happen? Last I checked it was about $80k/year. It seems like there is only one argument against expanding the number of our representatives and that is— It will cost more. Well, we get what we pay for.

All of you, you cannot complain about how things are going at Ada County and ignore the fact that there are only 3 commissioners representing 215,000 registered voters (2010 general election). No wonder there’s the air of cronyism. Only 3 people running a government which oversees the activity of 400,000, how can we accept this?

I don’t know all the ins and outs of the County Manager system. I don’t like the idea of appointments at all. The County Manager should be an elected position and there should be at least 6 County Councilors. Isn’t this the checks and balances notion that the Guardian lauds in the note to poster James Bond on this very page?

All I’m saying is that we should seriously debate the larger issue, the big picture, instead of always focusing narrowly on one controversy after another. What we have here is a can’t see the forest for the trees situation.

EDITOR NOTE–Cynic, take a deep breath! We AGREE with you! It could easily be expanded with no extra expense. Paul has advocated a system which is in essence like the city council and city manager system. The $97,000 salary is correct. We could easily agree to paying a professional manager $150,000 and splitting the remaining $150,000 among 5 or 7 part time commishes (need odd number to prevent tie votes).

By: Ronin

Ronin — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:48:07 +0000

There are too many lawyers here, that is the problem plain and simple, get rid of all the greed (lawyers) and the corruption will inevitably fade away.

By: loser emeritus

loser emeritus — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:30:09 +0000

Sounds like some bank records need to be subpoenaed.

By: Voter

Voter — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:27:44 +0000

Part of the talk around the County Building is that the two Commisioners in question on this issue have stated that “there isn’t anyone who can call us on this”.

It is almost like they banked on the fact that no one can investigate the issue…thus no risk to them…or accountability.

By: Clippityclop

Clippityclop — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:12:47 +0000

After Tamarack, I think Scott Turlington became a lobbyist for the failed PC Avimor, now apparently has gone onto this. Curious. He’s not the issue, however, only doing his job. The issue is in the Commissioners’ lap. This is becoming surreal.

By: Branden Durst

Branden Durst — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:51:53 +0000

Absolutely I am. I have taken a lot of bi-partisan stands on things. I believe that transparency in government is critical and this falls well within that realm.