Dave Frazier
More Than Money Needed For Buses
By Jimmy D. Bus Guardian Transportation Correspondent On Tuesday night the Boise City Council heard testimony from citizens about the crappy Valley wide bus system as the Council considers adding even more funds to the ever declining system. Crappy. That adjective was used at a recent Valley Regional Transit (VRT) Board meeting by none other […]
“Independent Body Corporate And Politic”
Urban renewal agencies were originally created to insulate federal finances from municipal finances. It was mandated by the Feds so cities didn’t commingle funds intended to fight blight with tax revenues intended to cover expenses like libraries, fire stations, and other municipal structures. Under Idaho law urban renewal agency membership prohibits the city council from […]
City Sells Booze To Minor, Gets Busted
When it comes to the business side of Boise City’s Ice World, it has been far from a slick venue. The most recent slip on the ice came when the City-owned booze license was suspended for selling drinks to a minor. Parks director Doug Holloway confirmed the incident to the GUARDIAN when asked about it. […]
No Need For Urban Renewal On Vista
With the increasing push to expand the reach of Boise’s Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) to include the “Vista corridor,” we took a closer look at the commercial properties which are targeted for urban renewal designation. One of the deciding factors to include an area into the urban renewal fold is BLIGHT. It appears to […]
GUARDIAN Takes A Victory Lap
A HUMBLE MESSAGE FROM DAVE FRAZIER Now that Gov. Brad Little has signed HB 217 into law, urban renewal abuse SHOULD be restrained. Projects that use urban renewal funds in Idaho would require a vote of the public if more than 51% of the total dollars come from public funds of any type – except […]
Flood Season Means New Dope Reporter Awards!
Misty Inglet of KTVB-7 is the newest winner of the coveted GUARDIAN “DOPE REPORTER” award. She was caught Tuesday wading up to her ankles in the flooded Weiser River. Each year, especially during high water season, the GUARDIAN gives Dope Reporter awards to the newsies who insist on donning a pair of boots and standing […]
More Baseball For Franklin School Playground
The GUARDIAN has learned Boise City’s aggressive urban renewal expansion will include the site of the former Franklin School Playground. City spokesman Mike Journee claimed the purchase using CCDC urban renewal funds will be a “win-win” for citizens and business alike with condos, cultural events, and affordable housing. Final cost has yet to be determined, […]
“Boise Kind” Is Brilliant Campaign Theme For Bieter
The GUARDIAN has often noted Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and his “Team Dave” to be the most adept politicos in Idaho. Not to disappoint, he has launched Boise Kind, which a city press release claims, “is a community-wide initiative that highlights, protects and promotes the community’s core values and helps to ensure Boise remains kind […]
Slow News, Some Points To Ponder
Our apologies for not offering up much lately. Old age, lack of motivation, and travel are the reasons. Unlike the city and state politicos, we will offer up some topics your can vote upon and comment. –BSU annual survey which has often been used by Boise and Team Dave to justify trolley spending, cops, fire, […]
Is Our System Of Government Broken?
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Whenever I see or hear comments from citizens saying, “They are going to do whatever they want no matter what we say,” I cringe. Throughout my years in school and while serving in the military the mantra was, “we have a government of the people, for the people, by the […]
Urban Renewal Battle Continues…
Guardian reader “Chicago Sam” offers this news bulletin on the progress of House Bill 217, the measure to force urban renewal agencies to gain citizen permission to go into debt for construction of public buildings. HB 217 just forwarded to House of Representatives with a DO PASS. I believe the vote was 14-2. A packed […]
Truckers Buy Dinner, Get Free Ride In Ada
In case you wondered why legislators failed to even debate a bill to charge fees to trucks over 8,000 lbs. in Ada County, an excerpt from the Trucking Association newsletter gives a hint. “Last week, the Idaho Truck PAC hosted its annual legislative dinner with House and Senate leadership and legislators that serve on the […]
Urban Renewal Under Attack By Legislators
UPDATE–Nampa city council endorsed the bill during Monday night’s meeting. Two bills before the Idaho Legislature, clearly aimed to restrain Boise City councilors and the mayor, are worthy of support from voters. In a nutshell they seek to require citizen approval before urban renewal funds can be used for construction of either a library or […]
Mayor Muffs Election Dates
“SHELL GAME”–CREDIT: GUARDIAN READER UPDATE 2/21/19–ADVISORY VOTE AUTHORITY UNCLEAR Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane spent much of Thursday researching the Idaho Code and consulting with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office. His conclusion is, “There just isn’t any clear authority for cities to conduct advisory votes, despite what the Association of Cities guide says.” McGrane […]
Boise Snubs Vista Over Potential Park
Vista neighborhood residents were dismayed two years ago when plans were announced to build a massive apartment complex along Victory road east of the Vista hill leading to the airport. Now the Vista neighborhood president is justifiably upset to learn Boise officials failed to share the news with the VNA when the owners of the […]
Trust, But Verify Library Vote
With pressure mounting from the GUARDIAN, former BSU Prez Bob Kustra, Vanishing Boise, and Rep John Gannon, Boise City councilors say they will discuss a possible public vote on the proposed library and stadium. See IDAHO PRESS story for details. There is a petition drive underway to obtain 5,000 signatures that would put the question […]
Behave Yourself Or No Candy!
Its no secret the Idaho Correctional facility south of Boise has had more than its share of problems in the recent past. In an attempt to encourage the assorted thieves, rapists, killers, and other assorted felons to behave themselves, prison administrators sent a memo to inmates and staff February fourth, announcing a behavior plan straight […]
Three Ada Officials “No Longer Work Here”
It took a couple of weeks, but the new Ada Commishes, Kendra Kenyon and Diana Lachiondo, have apparently made some personnel changes. Let’s hope they did a better job of crafting their staff than the previous pair that cost taxpayers about a million and a half dollars as a result of a lawsuit. Chief of […]
Ludwig Drops Out Of Council Race
Boise City Councilor (and counselor) Scot Ludwig announced Wednesday his decision to leave the Boise City Council at the end of his current term. The move leaves an unexpected opening in the council and to his credit, it looks like the election process will prevail rather than the common practice of resigning and allowing the […]
ACHD Leaves Vehicle Fee On Lightweights
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED. SEE NOTES AT END Despite claims that Idaho law prevented Ada County Highway District from charging fees on vehicles in excess of 8,000 lbs., the GUARDIAN learned Monday ACHD has dropped all efforts to seek legislation that would correct the omission of heavyweights. Senate majority leader Chuck Winder told the […]
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