http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/13/lsu-85m-lazy-river-leisure-project-rolls-on-despite-school-budget-woes/?intcmp=trending

Given the way this has been handled, anything short of a scrupulously-prepared appraisal will do nothing but fan the flames of voter skepticism.

And absent a credible appraisal, as well as CWI addressing other issues surfaced here (brownfield and flood plain potential), I’m going to have a really, really difficult time w/ the bond vote.

CWI: Why not have one of the trustees (Stan Bastian, perhaps, an honest and credible source) respond on this board? Your silence isn’t helping.

Right now, I see this as CWI jumping through a hoop because of the Guardian coverage. JJ’s right–this is spin. Maybe this is the perfect property for the expansion…why doesn’t CWI thoroughly explain why, as well as verifying the reasonableness of the price being paid, instead of essentially stonewalling…”talking” through press releases?

Dave: Again, invaluable public service on this issue. It’s a big deal.

I challenge the CWI board to ask The Ada County Assessor to choose three appraisers to provide appraisals for this land.

If the folks with pockets to be filled with taxpayer dollars choose the appraisers, kiss the bond issue goodbye.

They have about 60 acres at the main site in Nampa that can be built on. Give up the idea of super plush admin offices on the river in Boise.

2) I am bit discouraged by the condescending tone of the CWI media release. After admitting this was a mistake and holding an emergency Trustee meeting to set it right, their media release tries to make us believe this is just a normal part of the process and a consistent approach to acquiring property. A lecture on real estate best practices from people who obviously know nothing about it. In actuality the best practice is when the purchase agreement is in advance of the appraisal, the purchase agreement is subject to an appraisal at or below the purchase price.

I would have gained more respect for CWI Trustees and Administrators had they continued the proper tone that this was a mistake, they apologize, and to set it right they will now get an appraisal and consider the real value of the property before they complete the purchase.

That may have won my vote for their bond election, as opposed to their new spin that what they are doing is normal.

Yes, yes, it’s urban renewal and those taxes wouldn’t arise for 15-20 years. However, someday they will if the land is developed appropriately. If CWI builds there, it never will be on the tax rolls. CWI should build out in Nampa. If CWI goes through with this lame idea, particularly paying this much money for the land, I’ll never vote for a bond. And if others think as I do, that land will be fallow AND off the tax rolls, forever.