Business
Citizens Prevail Again, No F-35 In Boise
December 21, 2017 
The United States Air Force chose Madison, Wisconsin and Montgomery, Alabama Thursday as the new home bases for the noisy F-35 fighter jet.
Dan Marler and his Citizens for a Livable Boise group can take some major credit for preserving the peace and tranquility of Boise skies. Heck, the GUARDIAN can probably also claim some credit.
State, City and County officials ignored the will of the people and spent thousands in public money and resources in promotional and commercial advertising efforts to land the F-35s at Gowen Field. They repeatedly claimed the decision was up to the Air Force alone, but kept spending public money attempting to lobby in favor of the F-35.
The Chamber of Commerce even speculated it could be the end of the Idaho Air Guard if the F-35 is not based in Boise. Noise issues and flying high performance fighter jets in the most densely populated area between Salt Lake and Seattle were the main points of protest.
The GUARDIAN and other logical minds suggested the IANG lobby to transition into C-130 firefighting tankers when the current A-10 is retired. With the National Interagency Fire Center across the tarmac, it would be a natural team.
Congratulations to all who devoted their time and intellect fighting free spending politicos who used citizen cash against them.
Now its time to allow us a voice in determining our future with regard to Gowen Field and the flying mission.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Dec 21, 2017, 12:45 pm
So the citizens won this round. Again. ‘Cause the same thing happened in 2012, and yet politicians continued to lobby and spend tax dollars to push for a move that would bring noise and pollution to the entire valley, as well as devastation to south central Boise. I noticed this morning the mayor touted his “survey” that shows “everyone” wanted the F35s at Gowen. What nonsense. Then the airport director guessing that F16s could be moved to Gowen. That also would be a disaster. I don’t believe for a second that this defense of Boise is over. The airport continues to expand it’s footprint, buying up properties north into Boise proper (frankly east and west as well, into neighborhoods) leaving them vacant & condemned for some future need. We really have to stay woke to this land grab, and understand that these authorities, in their quest for military money, have zero concern for Boise citizens. I appreciate the Guardian as being the only media in the valley who have understood what a disastrous direction our “leaders” are taking us.
Dec 21, 2017, 12:56 pm
Dear Boise Guardian.
I know I am the toughest grader on the planet.
I know we have been through the Boise, Idaho-orror(s) together…
for yeeeears.
You aced this one.
You get an A. I don’t give A s.
I don’t give A+s and I don’t grade on a curve, I grade on a Mason’s SQUARE.
I don’t believe in grade point averages higher than 4.0,
and I am a huge proponent of honest respectful, fair, uncorrupted, and Christ-honoring City Government…which includes the BPD, Mayor’s Office, and the Courts; the three of which I could use as a foundation to an Opus, mine.
Take a bow.
Accept my apologies for the 🔥 in my soul….you won the war on this one.
Boise River stole my hearing and more in 1980. As someone with hearing ‘challenges’….37 years now….from the water pollution….I want to say thanks for shutting down the noisy airpollution.
You fought the Titan on behalf of the collective ‘little guy’.
You graduated today.
Thank you.
Final Grade: A
Dec 21, 2017, 1:05 pm
It would be great to know what actually drove the decision, which I applaud.
Now that airport location may have caught public attention, it’s time to start serious discussion of moving the airport further out. It’s something every major metropolitan area has to face eventually. This is the fastest growing area in the country, and we better plan for it.
The Urban Land Institue study 20 years ago put airport relocation on our radar. We disregard it to our peril.
We also need to fix the way we pay for growth. The current tax and impact fee systems aren’t cutting it….Bad metaphor: Actually they ARE cutting into our pockets; our taxes have increased much faster than the assessed value of our homes, a value I was not planning on cashing in on.
Dec 21, 2017, 1:36 pm
I see way too many high ranking military leaders making choices as Quid pro quo for post retirement employment with defense contractors. Not what’s best for America. The military needs to be purged of the Bush-Obama era leadership. These leaders spent their entire careers turning small wars into big spending. Been at it since 1991 in the Muslim countries. 37 years and counting. 37 years to delete starving barefoot tribes armed with cheap machine guns. Really? These leaders got to go. F-35 is their baby. F-35 should instead be limited in production. Money saved should be spent to build weapons and forces idea for killing/intimidating current and foreseeable threats. VA folly needs to become a front and center problem for the Pentagon leaders too. No more discharge and forget.
As for Gowen, just as many or more can be employed with a quiet military mission. Also the closing of MHAFB is a larger possibility than the closing of Gowen. Our politicos should focus on that very real possibility.
The Boise Airport leadership should be fired for not yet having several non-stops to the east coast. Fastest growing State in America but no
Dec 21, 2017, 1:43 pm
I see way too many high ranking military leaders making choices as Quid pro quo for post retirement employment with defense contractors. Not what’s best for America. The military needs to be purged of the Bush-Obama era leadership. These leaders spent their entire careers turning small wars into big spending. Been at it since 1991 in the Muslim countries. 37 years and counting. 37 years to delete starving barefoot tribes armed with cheap machine guns. Really? These leaders got to go. F-35 is their baby. F-35 should instead be limited in production. Money saved should be spent to build weapons and forces idea for killing/intimidating current and foreseeable threats. VA folly needs to become a front and center problem for the Pentagon leaders too. No more discharge and forget.
As for Gowen, just as many or more can be employed with a quiet military mission. Also the closing of MHAFB is a larger possibility than the closing of Gowen. Our politicos should focus on that very real possibility.
The Boise Airport leadership should be fired for not yet having several non-stops to the east coast. Fastest growing State in America? No flights past MSP and ORD.
Boise City and Idaho State leadership purge needed too. Our wages and benefits SUCK. You leadership people are glad handing the businesses that pay so little.
Dec 21, 2017, 2:00 pm
Thanks to the Guardian for being an outlet for sound reasoning and free speech.
Dec 21, 2017, 2:10 pm
Not to worry Guardian, another boondoggle is right around the corner.
Do you want me to start a list?
1. Trolly
2. Baseball
3. Fairground
etc, etc,
EDITOR NOTE–So many windmills at which to tilt. Call me Don.
Dec 21, 2017, 2:26 pm
It’s been interesting. F-35 has created the strangest of bedfellows here in Boise. The same newspaper advocating the destruction of the Snake River dams thinks F-35 is perfect for Idaho. So many other examples. Money would change my mind too, but they are not forthcoming and I have to oppose.
Dec 21, 2017, 2:42 pm
SOOO HAPPY. I WROTE THREE LETTERS TO THE SECRETARY SENDING COPIES OF THE STATESMAN ARTICLES LETTING HER READ THE FACTS ABOUT OUR “LEADERS” IGNORING THE CITIZENS OF BOISE.
AND THE BRONCOS WON!!!!!
Dec 21, 2017, 5:37 pm
http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article189395479.html
another win?
Dec 21, 2017, 6:03 pm
Everyone needs to stay Alert and vocal about this. It sounds like Otter is angling to get the F-35 Noise Monsters here one way or another. It will be important to submit comments on the EIS detailing how bad the impacts will be. THIS today:
“Although we are disappointed that Gowen Field will not receive primary consideration as a site for the F-35 mission, as a reasonable alternative we will undergo the same evaluations as the four other primary and alterative locations,” said Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter in a prepared statement. “We are confident that through this process, Gowen Field will be recognized as a logical choice to receive these state-of-the-art aircraft.”
So watch out for more F-35 propaganda from the Statesman, Idaho Power (where the Statesman’s former publisher now works as does Megan Ronk formerly Otter’s Commerce dip head), Idaho Dept. of Commerce, Bieter et al,, and the rest of the Gowen Wrong Gang cheerleaders.
http://www.kmvt.com/content/news/Boise-loses-bid-for-F-35s-at-Gowen-Field-465730673.html
Dec 22, 2017, 10:56 am
Yup: The daily paper spinned the story the mayor’s and gov.’s way: We lost, but Boise’s still in the running if it all falls apart—i.e., your $100,000 to promote this boondoggle was well spent (not to mention the $1+ trillion the F-35 will add to the national debt). 😡
Dec 22, 2017, 12:18 pm
The way Mayor Bieter received the news about the F-35 you would have thought there was a death in his family. I am happy to not have those noise and pollution making war machines not in our backyards.
Dec 22, 2017, 2:48 pm
So happy and relieved about the decision to not base the F-35’s at Gowen Field.
Great job everyone involved in resisting this.
Now our unbeloved mayor wants to build a giant sports stadium/complex which he is already shoving down our throat.
Time for a new mayor imo.
Dec 22, 2017, 3:49 pm
Yay and thanks for your support and help in stopping this monster! Major kudos to Dan Marler for keeping the pressure on and running Citizens for a Liveable Boise!
From the articles back east, it really made a lot of sense to put the f-35 at Montgomery. The f-16’s they have there now are going to be retired. The airport is not surrounded massive growth. Plenty of other supporting air bases and practice ranges to use and train with. The big reason we “lost” or “won”(?) is that they decided to keep the A-10 in service. Basing the F-35 here would have required relocating that mission to another base. Time to rally around the A-10, the next super a-10 and close air support mission! I sense that our state government will wish the a-10 gone, so they can vie for the f-35 in the future.
Dec 22, 2017, 3:58 pm
GROWTH
IMO the main driver for our growth is our quality of life and conservative politics. It isn’t taxes or new businesses bringing the masses. The masses just want to live here. It is quieter, cleaner, slower and safer with an abundance of public lands to play and hunt in. IDFG has sold out all of their non resident tags for the 2nd year in row after a 10 year gap. Most of the people I am working with to find them homes are retired or close to it or can work remotely from home. They are coming with a lot of equity from their old homes. The retired bring their pensions and 401k’s with them to spend. Notice all the new RV stores and how expensive boats have become? Other’s working from home bring their big city salary. IMO this is a great for our local economy as we don’t have to sell our souls in tax breaks and exemptions. Plus there isn’t a large employer to bust the local economy when it closes and goes overseas. Of course the Dept of Labor and local politicos don’t have a big employer to brag about bringing into the state(bribed with tax exemptions).
Dec 22, 2017, 4:00 pm
Let me get this straight.. Paul Ryan is from Wisconsin.. One of the finalist bases is in Wisconsin… Beiter is a Democrat that hates Trump…. and our Whiskey soaked, chewing tobacco Governor has had at the most luke warm support to Trump….and if I remember right Labrador might as well called trump a racist.
Did any one really think we had a chance to bring those jets in. Don’t pat yourself on the back folks. It never was going to happen.
Dec 22, 2017, 8:14 pm
Citizens prevail?
“Ignored the will of the people”?
“Dan Marler… can take some major credit” ?
Seriously?
Montgomery Alabama + Jeff Sessions = … what, do you suppose?
Madison Wisconsin + Paul Ryan = … what, do you suppose?
Crediting this infantile caterwauling to driving the final decisiom seems, if I may say so, pretty self serving.
EDITOR NOTE–Of course it is self serving! Do you think it was “sound fiscal policy” for Butch and Dave to spend OUR money to attempt to otherwise influence those politicos?
Dec 22, 2017, 11:06 pm
The floor [at least the comment box] is open for nominations.
Dec 24, 2017, 9:17 am
Congratulations also to those who fought clumsy and heavy handed censorship by the Administrators on the Nextdoor.com website.
We successfully transformed Nextdoor from a Stranger Danger, lost dogs and garage sales site into something truly useful to our neighborhoods; a place for citizens to share REAL NEWS and come together to create strategies and plan meetings to counter the FAKE NEWS and PROPAGANDA relentlessly spread by the Corporate News outlets.
Shame on the Idaho Statesman and local TV “fake news” for ignoring the massive neighborhood meetings and the near 100% citizen opposition to basing insanely loud jets in the middle of Idaho’s largest population center.
Dec 24, 2017, 11:09 am
Many factors probably resulted in the decision, that I welcome with open arms. But, we should keep our ears to the ground, and the skies for any other basing changes on the horizon. I agree that the A-10 mission plays a block role in keeping Gowen more resident friendly and current jobs in place for ANG units. We should still keep favoring a C-130 mission at all times. Good job one and all who kept the vocal opposition up.