Dave Frazier
County Probation System May Be Unconstitutional
While the GUARDIAN has been concerned with allegations of fee overcharges and other irregularities in the Ada County Misdemeanor Probation system, we question why the county is even in the business of offering probation services–private or public. We have been advised of constitutional issues which should stop the practice in its tracks. In a nutshell […]
Otter’s NY TIMES Spoof Could Generate Idaho Fame
NEW YORK TIMES columnist Gail Collins has named Idaho Guv Butch for the second time in two weeks as a man she would like to see as a presidential candidate. The Statesman’s political scribe, DAN POPKEY has piggy-backed on Collins’ piece and got an official spokesman statement that Butch is perfectly happy commuting from Star […]
For-Profit Ada Probation Agency Defendant In Class Action Lawsuit
Ada County’s private for-profit misdemeanor probation services, ACMPS has been named as the sole defendant in a class action lawsuit filed Thursday in 4th District Court. Plaintiffs could include “thousands” of people currently and previously on probation. The three named plaintiffs are Kenneth E. Green, Nicholas J. Hall, and Thomas Smith. They are represented by […]
Drink Up And Snuff Your Butts
Apart from the intrusion into individual liberties, Boise’s proposed smoking ban is about as likely as the 18th amendment (prohibition) of ever succeeding. Most absurd is the attempt to ban smoking in drinking establishments–debated at a public meeting Wednesday. To put the issue in perspective, consider this: It is perfectly legal to drink intoxicating alcohol […]
Private County Probation On The Way Out
An insider provided the GUARDIAN with a revealing exchange of e-mail messages in which the owner of Ada County’s misdemeanor for-profit probation department sings her “swan song” and expresses her desire to get a government job as director of what will be a county-run agency. She was apparently notified by Ada Commish chairman Rick Yzaguirre […]
Mayor Hotline September 24 to 30
9/26/11 Jennifer Owen S Vista Boise, ID 83705 941-4835 ISSUE: She would like the Ombudsman’s phone number. Ombudsman 9/27/11 Sgt. First Class Sam Glenn ISSUE: He feels that BPD has not fully addressed his complaints. Ombudsman/Mayor 9/27/11 David Morrison ISSUE: People are charging the public to park on public streets near Boise State during football […]
Nancy Cladis Responds To Probation Concerns
Following a series of mostly negative comments posted by GUARDIAN readers, Nancy Cladis has responded in her own words. The most revealing statement is her intention to retire in a year and turn over the private, for-profit misdemeanor probation program to Ada County operation and control. Her statement: Wow, I had no idea there were […]
Ada Seeks Taxes On Church Rental Property
Anna Webb over at the Daily Paper had a good page one story Friday about Ada County seeking property taxes on the First Presbyterian Church space being used to generate rental income. The issue has apparently slipped by those who make the decisions about tax exemptions. The Statesman notes that “by law and tradition,” the […]
Private Probation Pressures Offenders
This disturbing comment was sent to the GUARDIAN Friday by an admitted lawbreaker who claims he is being pressured by his private probation officer to support the for profit program. “So I was asked by my probation officer today to fill out this card asking if I wanted supervised probation to be run by a […]
McGee, Other Legislators Pad Expenses
John Miller of Boise’s Associated Press bureau posted an interesting piece today about legislators who get paid for having a residence in Boise during the session, but live within 50 miles of the Capitol. Senator John McGee, famed for recently surviving a DUI crash, avoiding auto theft charges, and terrorist attack in Turkey apparently collects […]
Spanking In Castleford Schools 5 Times Yearly
The small school district of Castleford near Twin Falls still practices corporal punishment, but no more than five times a year according to school officials. That report came in a story published today in the TIMES-NEWS newspaper. According to the story, Idaho is one of 19 states where it’s still legal to whap kids on […]
Eagle Council Wants Greenbelt Open To Bikes In G.C.
In a move that may be a wave of the future, yet another local government has joined the will of the people. The Citizens for an Open Greenbelt (COG) made its case to the Eagle City Council on Tuesday, seeking to get the Greenbelt opened to bikes in the Garden City stretch currently blocked to […]
Idaho Legislative Turkey Trot Redux
We previously questioned the propriety of a visit to Turkey by no less than 10 Idaho legislators and their spouses recently–especially after finding it was funded mostly by the Pacifica Institute, an organization with a less than stellar reputation on Google. More thought prompts the following questions: #1–Would the legislature appropriate funds to send 10 […]
Kudos To ACHD For Honoring Will Of People
Is it possible governments are starting to actually listen and ACT on the voice of the public? Citizens along NW Boise’s Collister lane opposed plans to widen their street and install curb and sidewalks–75% were happy with status quo and told the Ada County Highway District to leave it alone. At a public hearing Wednesday […]
Metal Dragging On Pavement Suspected Fire Cause
Metal hanging off a truck dragging on the pavement off South Cole Road is the suspected cause of multiple wildfires which erupted early Wednesday afternoon, sparking a multiple alarm response from firefighters. For the second time in two years Boise and BLM crews battled the wildfire in the same area to protect home under a […]
Labrador’s Humble Life Without Dishwasher
Idaho Congressman Raul LAbrador spoke to the City Club of Boise Tuesday, centering his speech on the economic woes of the USA. He was actually somewhat conciliatory in tone and refrained from much of the partisan bashing we have all come to expect in politics. He painted a picture of dire economic consequences if the […]
Mayor Hotline Sept 17 to Sept 23
9/19/11 Joe Caesar ISSUE: Car was taken while he was in the hospital for about a month and a half. BPD 9/20/11 Daniel Lawrence N Milwaukee Street ISSUE: Thinks the announcement about the “hole” downtown may be related to the Mayor’s re-election campaign. Mayor
Debt, Economy, Just A credit Card Thing
A GUARDIAN reader sent us this economic “comparison” which may be a bit simplistic, but it certainly puts not only our economic woes in perspective, but illustrates why so many Americans don’t see a problem. • U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000 • Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000 • New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000 • National debt: $14,271,000,000,000 • Recent […]
Coppers Cap (Another) Cornered Cougar
From Idaho Fish and Game comes this report of a human-cougar-dog incident along Mores Creek south of Idaho City. Score: one dead dog and one dead cougar. Thursday evening about 8 or 8:30 p.m. a young boy went out with his dad to look for a family pet bird dog that had been missing since […]
County Offers $5 Game Day Parking–No Booze or Tailgating
COUNTY PRESS RELEASE TEXT: Beginning this Saturday, September 24th, Ada County will offer event parking at the Civic Plaza complex just east of the Ada County Courthouse during Boise State home football games. There will be a $5 fee charged per vehicle, and all proceeds will go to support the Family Advocacy Center & Education […]
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