Ignoring the purchasing rules, Boise’s Team Dave has proposed an immediate approval of a $100,000 expenditure for a Washington, D.C. Public Relations firm to manipulate public sentiment in favor of the F-35 being based in Boise.
The resolution, to be voted upon at Tuesday’s council meeting, says in part:
“Section 2. That the Purchasing Regulations (BOM Reg. 8.04c(II)(D)(1)-(2) and Reg. 8.04d(II)(A)-(B)), limiting departmental purchasing discretion for professional service contracts to under $100,000 is hereby waived.”
Gov. Butch Otter has already taken $100,000 in citizen cash from the state coffers, now Mayor Dave Bieter wants to add another $100,000 to the pot.
According to Sven Berg at the IDAHO STATESMAN, Bieter and Otter are soon headed to Washington to make their case to have Boise be selected as the base for about 18 F-35 fighter jets.
There has been massive public opposition to the F-35 at various open houses and meetings regarding the noisy jets. The GUARDIAN has attended many of the meetings and hosted numerous comments on the blog. The general mood of those commenting is support of the Air Force, Air Guard, national defense, motherhood, and the nation. Most people seem to think the military should base the loud, fast, deadly aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base instead of at the busiest airport in the state amidst the most densely populated community between Salt Lake City and Seattle.
With the Mayor and Governor working hand in glove with the chamber of commerce to toss the views of taxpaying citizens under the bus, there is little chance of the voice of the masses being heard in Washington. There is little chance they will direct the “deciders” to the many posts on the GUARDIAN.
To rub salt in the wound of those opposed to the noise and air pollution, they are using the citizen’s own cash to defeat them.
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Mar 20, 2017, 4:42 pm
The F35 Vaseline is being applied; the citizens must wake up and rest this annoying and obnoxious visitor.
Mar 20, 2017, 5:04 pm
So Dave, it looks like good ol “quality of life” Boise has it’s own swamp.
Mar 20, 2017, 7:50 pm
“To rub salt in the wound of those opposed to the noise and air pollution, they are using the citizen’s own cash to defeat them.”
You are right on!
Mar 20, 2017, 7:53 pm
They ignore us on the convention center, they expand the urban renewal district and reduce tax revenue, they spend money on trolley studies over and over…..no surprise they use our own money against us.
Mar 20, 2017, 8:27 pm
Is there a decent politician out there that is willing to take on Bieter? There wasn’t last election which is why he’s still there.
Mar 21, 2017, 3:49 pm
We need to start flooding Beiter & Otters office with calls & letters letting them know that we oppose this and why….and will remember their actions when we vote!
Mar 22, 2017, 7:12 am
For such environmentally concious people, they sure seem to ignore noise pollution. Ah, noise pollution, the Rodney Dangerfield of pollutions, it don’t get no respect. People snicker or worse, believe one to be mentally ill when noise pollution is brought up.
City council and Mayor talk endlessly about sustainability and walkability and being America’s 2nd finest city, San Diego is the finest of course, according to their PR dept.
Anyway, the suburbs continue to create housing faster than the infill areas. Wonder why that is?
For more in depth reading:
this is a legit site that’s done its homework
http://www.nonoise.org
As far back as glorious ancient Rome, chariots were banned from the cobblestone streets at night.