Comments on: Star Fire Commishes Resign Amid Tangled Financial Web

By: JamesBond

JamesBond — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:18:14 +0000

We have incompetents at all levels of government, for sure. And I don’t mean people you don’t agree with. I mean people who are actually dumb. In my experience, it was most often people that you did not necessarily expect. Public image is often not reality. Anyhoo, the local level is special. We have tons and tons of local entities, from counties to cities to the various districts, with elected officials, boards, etc. The sheer number of dumbies on these boards and commissions and elected to office is stunning. I have dealt with elected officials who make my jaw drop with their dumbness. Seriously. It scares me. We most definitely need real teeth in the law to not only punish, but also to dissuade people from getting into these positions. I wouldn’t mind an IQ test, quite frankly. I am not looking for genuises or even college graduates, just people with a brain and some common sense.

EDITOR NOTE–We have often said, “They aren’t bad people, they just need some supervision.”

By: chicago sam

chicago sam — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 01:44:15 +0000

Auditors do cost money and it is much more expensive when nobody bothers to read the auditors report.

By: costaprettypenny

costaprettypenny — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:41:07 +0000

DOC,
Actually,the Mayor needs a full time job and he thinks by adding a fire department he can justify being full time. Pretty lame but that’s what you get when the little City of Star has a million (plus) dollars of the taxpayers money and no one is looking!

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:30:59 +0000

There seem to be more scandals right here in Idaho with state and local governments than in the whole of the federal government. We settled for good the issue of states rights in 1865. My allegiance and loyalty are with America, not Idaho, Ada County, or the City of Boise.

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:26:34 +0000

One would have to assume, at this point, that FD assets (like fire trucks) in Star would continue to reside in Star and serve the residents of Star, even if they soon come under the management of the Eagle FD. So, that is kind of a straw isssue.

By: Something Seems Fishy

Something Seems Fishy — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:52:51 +0000

I have seen the press release where the fire commissioners accept responsibility, but I have yet to see any mention of the Star Fire District’s chief. Certainly they must have one. It would also seem to me he had a high level of culpability in this debacle. Come on chief show your face.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:36:15 +0000

Great idea Flyhead

Lets get rid of the all mayors the gov’s. and state legislatures then we can let the crooks in DC run things.

By: Eagle DOC

Eagle DOC — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:18:38 +0000

DOC, You state that the City of Star is proposing to pay for something they already have paid for, yet according to reports the Star Fire District is almost $700,000 in debt. So apparently the Fire Fighters, Star Fire District, and Eagle Fire District have been enjoying the benefit of equipment and buildings that no one has paid for. You state that EFD and the Fire Fighters want to take on Star’s (district) debt. Seems to me that the EFD taxpayer is the one getting screwed in that deal while the Fire Fighters get to enjoy new equipment and the Star (district) taxpayer gets to get rid of their debt. It appears to me,in my humble opinion, that the only people who benefit from a consolidation are the Fire Fighters and the taxpayers get left holding the bag.

EDITOR NOTE–There is also concern of Star CITY taxpayers getting hosed as well because they already are taxed by the DISTRICT and if they as CITY taxpayers pick up the debt it would be a double taxation.

By: DOC

DOC — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:03:54 +0000

To: Just Wondering First, the EFD will not be paid by the City of Star and never have been. Both Fire Departments are there own individual taxing districts and the Star District under the former Joint Powers agreement contract only manpower from Eagle, the property belonged to Star opperated by Eagle employees “just like Boise contracts with North Ada County and Whitney Fire Districts. What the City of Star is thinking of doing is going to cost the citizens of star by creating there own department is only going to make them pay for something are they have already paid for. The City of Star lies within the Star Fire District. What the Eagle Fire District and the Firefighters are asking is to combine the two district into one,taking on Stars Debt, In my humble opinion is the best way to go. Five or so years ago a blue ribbon panel actually recommended this during the Paramedic battle between the City of Boise and ACEMS.

By: Flyhead

Flyhead — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:15:07 +0000

What amazes me is the persistence to have and financially support all the fire, school, highway and other districts. It would seem to me consolidation and elimination of all the administrative overhead would make sense. “Local control is just some 19th century thinking that won’t go away. Just think of all the administrative overhead that would go away not to mention all the snafu’s and bungling with public tax dollars. More people paying attention to what is going on in one large v. smaller and more districts makes sense to me.