How about some coverage regarding the improvements to the Simplot Sports Complex (SE BOISE). it is the largest sports facility in the valley…soccer and baseball. there is a major “issue” over parking when the 2 organizations (soccer/baseball) have games going on at the same time. parks & rec oversee the grounds but is situated on county land. seems the city could at least put some $$ in the mix to help build a suitable parking lot…add some amenities…heard the RUSH soccer organization and EAST BOISE BASEBALL organization have to raise funds for improvements. too bad its out of gbad territory-could use some of those funds on creating a really, REALLY nice sports complex.

EDITOR NOTE–Ivan, it is a financial nightmare out there. The place is not located within the city limits and there is a move afoot to annex it into the city. The “park” is privately owned by Columbia Village, but operated and maintained by Boise Parks, but only for soccer and little league baseball games–no practice. City pays a resident caretaker, etc. New Parks guy is working to clean it up and perhaps by the end of the year he can “get ‘er done.” City drilled irrigation wells when “salts” from Micron settling ponds clogged sprinkler heads. The place has heretofore operated below the radar, but hopefully it will soon be done right.

Irrigation. People have paid for irrigation for years but can’t have access to it. It’s across the street, but denied access to it. If you don’t pay the yearly bill, they put a lien on your property. Why do we have to pay for something we don’t have? Some don’t want it, some do, but everybody pays for it in certain areas of the city. Why and how do they use the money? Weather is greast but still havin a crabby day! Thanks!

Could the Fire Dept. be closing Fire Station 2 in the Highlands? Inquiring minds want to know.

EDITOR NOTE–Shadow, here is official word from Perry Oldenburg Deputy Chief of Operations BFD: “There are no current plans to close a fire station.”

Water….. Canal company’s and republicans rule in this State. You didn’t know that?

To Water: There is a way to opt out of the irrigation district. Just contact them and ask for the form to fill out and pay one last time and be rid of them.

Looking for something to write about? This is bizarre. You know of the city’s poet. Called upon to write 3 poems on the Boise 150 themes of environment, enterprise and community. please, Please, PLEASE read her first poem and tell me if it has ANYTHING to do with the Boise River, foothills, trees, sagebrush. What a waste. Please read it.

http://www.boise150.org/projects/city/boise-poet-laureate/

Tell me the Boise Poet is not a paid position.

1. More about corruption, incompetence, misguidedness, abuse of position abuse of discretion and immunities, and so forth by the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney, both before Bujak and continuing.

This is an extremely Target rich environment!!!

2. How police depts and prosecutors, as well as judges, have become revenue machines for broke municipalities such as Nampa and others, rather than safeguarding pulic safety, and so forth.

Unlike in Idaho, the economy is booming in another rural and small state named North Dakota. And, the state and local governments work much better than in my beloved “Gem of the Mountains”!!

Fewer cops writing tickets, better service from State and local govt. employees, fewer taxes, fees, and other assessments, less corruption, and so forth.

So, why is Idaho so non citizen friendly, I would like to know.

EDITOR NOTE–Citizen you left out massive traffic jams, huge spike in crime high rent for “man camps,” all brought about by the OIL BOOM. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-25/north-dakota-oil-boom-brings-blight-with-growth-as-costs-soar.html

BG’s “Poet Paul” does a much better job of capturing the moments! What the heck was the city’s poet writing about? I agree…no pay for her!

I’d like to learn more about Idaho’s infamous “vexatious litigator” — a Malad woman Idaho courts and some federal courts have said files too many frivolous or nuisance actions that clog the courts. Idaho Supremes just upheld a lower court’s decision to stick the woman with the “noxious weed”- sounding moniker. Does this mean she can no longer file any actions? Sounds inherently unconstitutional to me. I thought this country had gotten past “labeling” and “profiling” of people.

EDITOR NOTE–I believe future filings had to be approved by a judge–not unlike the U.S. Supremes choosing whether or not to hear a case.

Something positive:

Idaho native, three-time Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Famer Gary Stevens has come out of retirement and will saddle up on Oxbow for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby May 4. Go Gary! Giddyup Oxbow!

BTW, what’s happening at Ada Conty’s Les Bois on Derby Day and beyond? Any changes out there? Did 2013 Legislature pass the “historical horseracing” measure that would allow Les Bois and two other Idaho racing facilities to offer betting on previously recorded races? Passed the House, but not sure what happened after that.

These are the kinds of things that interest me.

I recently was driving on chinden through garden city and noticed that the quarter barrel had shuttered its doors. Not long ago there was quite an uproar about a smoking ban in Boise bars. Many Boise bar owners were convinced that all their business would seek smoky refuge in our inland neighbor’s establishments. I don’t imbibe in such libations so I haven’t paid attention to the impact of the ban in Boise bars. However, I would be interested to receive an update of the economic impact of such a controversial piece of legislature. I myself am grateful for similar smoking bans in Boise. Activities such as bowling and enjoying a scone at Merritts have vastly improved without the haze.

I agree with XACE. The push for time extensions for planned communities in the rural tier (where adequate infrastructure does not exist) is tiresome. They were a bad idea in the first place and should be allowed to die a natural death at the expiration of their entitlement. This could be such a wonderful opportunity to avoid burdensome development that will never meet the requirements of sustainability laid out in the planned community ordinance. Commissioners, please, reread that ordinance before you help create more stalled out Avimors by allowing endless time extensions…

Guardian readers – The Guardian may be able to shrug off comments and angry words from other readers but I can guarantee you he can not dodge the bullet this time! Whilst reading “Got Any Story Ideas” I could NOT help but notice his self-description -” We welcome any tips or suggestions. Remember the entire staff is a SINGLE part time old guy, so be prepared to do some leg work and provide facts.” SINGLE? REALLY? I shall be interested in reading this story.
Mrs. Guardian

EDITOR NOTE–Granted, I should have said: “LONE part time old guy.”

I see the Governors in Washington and Oregon (and many of their constituents) are fighting the shipment of coal by rail from Montana and Wyoming due to concerns about coal dust and pollution generated by its use. Seems like the route from loading to unloading must pass through Idaho and, perhaps, UPRR main lines through the Treasure Valley. Has Butch said anything about taking a stand on the increase in rail traffic and environmental concerns that are being cited by his neighboring states?

EDITOR NOTE–As we noted in 2011, there are multiple issues at play on this one. https://boiseguardian.com/2011/10/12/gateway-west-power-line-will-dominate-future-news-of-the-west/

Now that the new Brew Pub 10 Barrel has opened downtown, I assume the recent legislature made changes to our law, thus permitting the establishment to open in a State owned building. If I recall, last August the Guardian had an article about the delay and changes to the state law was necessary to permit their opening. What changes were made and our the tax payers footing the costs again?

EDITOR NOTE–The taxpayers paid for the “Tenant Improvements.” Not sure if 10 barrel got around the importing issue (from Oregon) by going through a distributor or if the law was changed.

I know the Daily recently ran a piece about the humble boise mayor playing creator with the Greater Boise Auditorium District, but seriously … what the heck is going on here? In my many years as a registered voter, I’ve never received a GOTV call for GBAD candidates. Yesterday, I got a voice message left by a boy who couldn’t have been old enough to vote. Can’t remember the group he said he represented, but sure tried hard to convince me that the mayor’s three hand-selected candidates would work miracles for Boise and its economy.

How deep does this rabbit hole go, an why??? Feels like all this effort is a little much for a baseball field of dreams.

I haven’t been to Seaman’s gulch to dump any trash for about 4 years. Recently I found the fees to dump up there have roughly doubled.
Is this due to the Dynamis debacle?
Or did I just miss this and it is old news?

Editor:
You seem to be quite eager to skirt and dismiss readily substantive issues with the cops, with unethical prosecutors, with broke and mismanaged munis like Nampa, cops writing tickets for jaywalking or a few mph over, etc. What gives?

Don’t care, don’t agree, or don’t you give a pinch???

EDITOR NOTE–Actually there are those who think we are too harsh on coppers. We try not to get into “cop bashing,” but we have exposed crooked coppers who have been fired, detailed legal settlements ($150,000 to the Taser up the butt cop), and others. We are expecting some Federal action in the future, but no time frame yet available.

Well, Editor:

Let me say this: hats off to those who nailed the creep already in the Idaho pen who killed the young woman under the Americana bridge in 1998!!! Nice work and well done!!