Archive for 2012
Meridian and Boise School Levies Pass
Both Boise and Meridian School Levies were approved by voters Tuesday. While GUARDIAN readers were upset about the obvious “sales language” of the Boise ballot, we have to conclude it was only one factor in an overwhelming victory for the voter-approved tax hike. Having the boss provide absentee ballot applications to teachers whose jobs could […]
GBAD Boys (and girls) Secret Government, Direct Violation Of Idaho Supreme Court Ruling–Case Law
BULLETIN 9:30 a.m. Wednesday— Following publication of the story below, GBAD blinked and released the name of ROB PEREZ, president of Western Capital Bank. We applaud release of the name and will provide more bio details soon–well before he is confirmed by the GBAD board at the Monday meeting. TUESDAY POST– Ignoring Idaho case law, […]
Ada Elections Office Busy Fielding Calls–Voting SNAFU In Pct. 50
BULLETIN– 10:08 p.m. MERIDIAN VOTERS CAST 47 BOISE BALLOTS IN PRECINCT 50 Ada Election Central has issued this statement: “A pad of the Independent School District of Boise City Supplemental Levy ballots was inadvertently placed with those of the Meridian School District Supplemental Levy resulting in 47 ballots being issued to Meridian Voters. This occurred […]
Update On School Levy Elections
We have received several comments from readers regarding the Tuesday School Elections. First are allegations that Boise’s ballot language disguises the fact they are seeking $70,000,000 which is broken down into $14,000,000 every year for 5 years. One reader claims the Meridian ballot is much clearer, adding the Boise cost pegged at a mere $7 […]
School Levy Election Tuesday–Be Sure To VOTE!
A bunch of school levy elections set for Tuesday because the Idaho Legislature has shifted much of the cost of education to property owners while proclaiming legislators have “held the line” on tax hikes. They may have held the line, but only with a massive shift. To learn where to vote following the statewide redistricting […]
Nampa Mayor Taps City Coffers For Lunch Money
FROM THE CALDWELL GUARDIAN Nampa City Councilman Bob Henry has raised concerns about spending $1,500.00 for 102 city employees to have lunch with the mayor at Nampa taxpayer expense. The City of Caldwell used to host a Christmas dinner party for Caldwell City employees to the tune of $10,000.00 until THE GUARDIAN pointed out Idaho […]
Trash Talk–Power, Politics, Economics, Ownership
A forum of experts in turning “Waste To Watts” was assembled Tuesday by the IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW and it completed the circuit for many not plugged into the energy circuit. Idaho Power rep M. Mark Stokes, along with attorney Peter Richardson who reps small electricity producers selling power–like wind generated and landfill projects, really cut […]
City Staff Reduced, Management Seeks More Efficiency
The GUARDIAN got a tip late last week claiming there were layoffs at City Gall. We sent a query to Team Dave and spokesman Adam Park provided the following statement: “In 2012 the City has laid off one employee and restructured one position following the retirement of another employee. Both of these actions were done […]
Elk And Deer Herds Gather In Garden Valley, Spring Is Coming
The GUARDIAN and Mrs. GUARDIAN made the annual jaunt to Garden Valley in search of big game concentrations and we weren’t disappointed. Spring is just around the corner. Deer and elk seem to be everywhere and with the increase in human critters, it won’t be long before folks are tired of their shrubs being chomped […]
Ada Probation Update–No Investigation Likely, Unconstitutional System Continues
UPDATED 3/5 Noting constitutional amendment has passed on this issue. When the GUARDIAN began receiving what appeared to be credible complaints about the operation of the private for profit Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Services we forwarded details directly to the Ada County Commishes. In May 2011 we posted the FIRST STORY which caused a brief […]
Boise School Levy, YES or NO?
After a coin flip at the GUARDIAN world headquarters, the YES folks won top billing for this story, but the GUARDIAN will stick with long standing policy and not endorse issues or candidates. We provide the forum to further public discussion of important issues. The election is March 13. (We really did flip for top […]
House Panel Votes To Keep State Out Of Commercial Ventures
On a 15-1 vote The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved a measure Wednesday to prevent the state endowment fund from purchasing and running businesses. This is a practice the GUARDIAN revealed in 2010 when the Dept. of Lands went into the private storage business with the purchase of Affordable Storage in Boise. With an […]
Navy Contract Reads Like Dream Ski Vacation
If you are swishing the Warm Springs run at Sun Valley and find a guy following you with machine gun and a bumper sticking reading, “WE GOT OSAMA,” you just might be in the middle of a training exercise. We feel a bit like the Wikkileaks guy in England, but since the information is already […]
Coppers Ask For Equal Treatment On Texting Ban While Driving
Idaho coppers including the State Police, Sheriff’s Association and Chiefs of Police offered testimony today before the Idaho House during a hearing on the proposed texting ban while driving. ALL THREE GROUPS ASKED THE LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FOR COPPERS. The House agreed and sent the bill back for amendments to remove the law […]
Statehouse Like Animal House, But Dumber
In what can only be described as “typical Idaho Legislative behavior,” we take note of the recent actions of the Idaho Legislature regarding humane treatment of animals. Under pressure from humane society advocates, a bill making animal cruelty a felony for repeat offenders is sailing through the lawmaking process. As it stands, it looks like […]
U.S. Judge Rules Occupy Protest Is Legal, Tents Are Symbolic Statement
U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill ruled Monday the Occupy Boise tent city is a “political protest of income inequality.” Since it is a preliminary injunction, the decision is not final. The final hearing for decision will be made on March 2nd. The decision appears to block the state from removing tents on […]
Dynamis Deal With Idaho Power Gets IPUC Approval
The so-called trash to energy project planned for the Ada County landfill has passed a hurdle with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The IPUC approved the rate contract Friday between Dynamis and Idaho Power saying, the agreement “contains acceptable contract provisions,” and is in the best interest of the parties and ratepayers. Dynamis was denied […]
Idaho PUC Proposes Power Payment Program
The Hoku Solar panel plant in Pocatello is still not up and running and it appears to the GUARDIAN it may never reach production, despite all kinds of taxpayer subsidies and tax credits. The company got behind in its payments to Idaho Power and now the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is proposing an agreement that […]
ACHD Commish To Challenge Ullman For Ada Seat
Dave Case, a hearing officer for the stet of Idaho and an elected member of the Ada County Highway District, has told the GUARDIAN he will run for Ada County Commissioner against Sharon Ullman. Currently Case represents the southwest part of the county for ACHD, but if elected to the Ada County Commission he would […]
Public Record Award Entries
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Max Dalton Open Government Award sponsored by the Idaho Newspaper Foundation. The 2012 award will be the 14th annual award given to each year since 1999 to a citizen or group judged to be an outspoken advocate of openness in either public records or public meetings on […]
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