Dave Frazier
Topic For Legislative Discussion
The issue of tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations has raised its head once again with the J.R. Simplot Foundation challenging a property tax bill on JUMP during the construction phase. The STATESMAN provided a detailed look at the property tax issue. Private hospitals like St. Als and St. Luke’s pay top staffers huge salaries and […]
Cali Fires Spark Idaho Concerns
Fire fighting pros call it the “Urban wilderness interface,” but for us Idaho folk, it boils down to “the foothills or the Boise Front.” In California similar properties are called ASH. Apart from the devastation in Ventura county and the terrible tragedy faced by so many people, there is an object lesson for those of […]
Give Us Some Blinking Directions!
From a GUARDIAN reader… How many people has the blinking arrow injured/killed? They have signs to explain left turn must yield on steady green but no such sign explaining to yield on flashing yellow. We do have a problem with bad drivers and careless drivers to be sure, but this stupid flashing yellows are misread […]
Growthophobe Movement Gaining Ground
Under the heading of “You saw it first on the GUARDIAN,” we are taking heart at recent success of the North Enders who are fighting the proposed CVS pharmacy at 16th and State. The group of citizens who are looking to preserve the character of Boise were able to convince the Boise Planning and Zoning […]
Bounty Hunter Fires Shots In City
Another incident with a bounty hunter “bond agent” brings to light the practice of bondsmen chasing criminals–people charged with crimes–and using deadly force. Legitimate law enforcement has issues with bondsmen because the laws regulating them are either non existent or vague. That, combined with legal concealed carry of firearms makes the issue even murkier for […]
CCDC Pot Of Gold To Stay “Protected.”
“POWER CORRUPTS AND ABSOLUTE POWER IS HANDY WHEN YOU HAVE IT” Here’s a dirty little secret when it comes to gaining access to the CCDC urban renewal pot of gold (bonding authority). Members are appointed by the mayor of the “governing body” (usually a city). Once appointed, the board is “an independent body, corporate and […]
Boise Has 50,000 Uncollected Parking Tickets
According to Craig Croner, administrative services manager and the man who oversees Boise’s parking systems, Boise currently is holding 50,000 delinquent parking tickets which in theory are worth a hefty $1,500,000 or $30 each ($15 fine and $15 late fee). Officials are talking about raising fees to encourage motorists to use parking garages and otherwise […]
Happy Thanksgiving !
Here is a note from “EAGLE WRITER” worthy of a stand alone post. Editor, you mention Thanksgiving, and it also gives us the opportunity to reflect on all that is good. – We live in a beautiful and great state with little violent crime, a balanced budget, “manageable” taxes, and a nice quality of life. […]
Where’s the NEWS?
We offer an apology for not offering much to our loyal and faithful readers, but there hasn’t been much in the way of legitimate news upon which to comment. We feel obligated to let you know the GUARDIAN is still around, but with little to offer. –We really don’t want to discuss who patted whom […]
Meridian Dream (nightmare) Comes True
Ten years ago the GUARDIAN reported on the potential accounting problems when a developer is allowed to divert Idaho sales tax to personal use. That’s what ITD did at the VILLAGE Mall in Meridian. The developer created his own urban renewal district with sales tax from retailers. The resulting traffic, growth, and ham-handed accounting are […]
Solution For Downtown Parking Rate Hike
The Capital City Development Corp. voted Monday to raise parking rates 20% to $3 per hour and the monthly rate from $135 to $170. The reason for the hikes is said to reduce demand–and of course make more money from downtown workers and shoppers. For an office worker making a take home pay of $40,000, […]
Shameless Pandering For Christmas Gift Idea
If you want to give a very limited edition book to a parent, friend, or veteran that will never be on the NY TIMES bestseller list, consider DRAFTED, VIETNAM at War and at PEACE. “DRAFTED!” is GUARDIAN editor Dave Frazier’s behind-the-scenes account of the mostly involuntary Army of the 1960’s and his personal quest to […]
Woodings Only REAL Winner In Boise Election
Tuesday’s Boise election saw only a single REAL winner and that was Holli Woodings who garnered about 52% of the votes cast for seat 6–the only candidate to have a majority in a crowded council race with 13 candidates vying for 3 seats. Incumbent TJ Thomson tallied 47% of the votes for seat 4 in […]
Corporate Welfare Costly To Idahoans
Corporate monsters gobbling up local businesses like the Pac Man monsters was easy to understand when the K-Mart, Wal Mart, and Home Depots ran the neighborhood hardware and local clothing stores out of business. When the cities and states created “economic development” departments and urban renewal agencies the equation became cloudier, but no less devastating. […]
Top Copper Creates Community Commission
The GUARDIAN has called for a POLICE COMMISSION for more than 20 years in Boise–most recently in July 2013. Today, Chief William Bones has announced the next best thing to a true police commission with his plans for a “Chief’s Advisory Council” comprised of Boise citizens. Hopefully, the group–yet to be selected–will be a cross […]
GUEST OPINION: Oppose CVS At 16th And State
By Stephen C. Fischer It’s a longshot, but a grassroots effort of average citizens in Boise is taking on the big corporation of CVS Pharmacy and their plans to build a 15,000-foot store at State and 16th – with a petition that has garnered more than 300 signatures in its first week. This proposed CVS […]
Early Voting For Ada Elections Saturday 28th
This Saturday, October 28th, Early Voting will be available from 9am to 4pm at the Ada County Elections Office. Voting is taking place for the November 7th local elections. This is an opportunity for those voters unable to vote on Election Day or during regular business hours. Early voting will continue at all early voting […]
BSU Takes a Walk on Boise Stadium Deal
Boise State University President Bob Kustra on Thursday declared the school a free agent in the Downtown Stadium Saga with a surprise announcement the school will not participate in the subsidized real estate development plan put forth by Boise City officials, opting instead on creating its own ball park. The announcement from BSU said, “In […]
GBAD To Hear First Comments On Stadium
While Boise Mayor Dave Bieter has been promoting his pet downtown stadium project to any group that will listen, he has factored in a $5 million payment from the Greater Boise Auditorium District, but the District has never discussed it or been presented a formal proposal. Concerned Boise Taxpayers, the group organized to oppose the […]
F-35 Decision Delayed Until December
Friends in the Detroit area report that Sec. of Air Force Heather Wilson has delayed the decision on basing F-35s at two undecided locations until December. The Michigan folks feel their Selfridge Air National Guard base is an ideal location. Of course, there are four other final venues who think THEIR location is best for […]
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