Dave Frazier
Daily Paper News Content Lacking
Apart from endless stories about BSU football, we have noticed a paucity of local news content in the STATESMAN of late. Not only have they cut staff–and consequently coverage–the paper has put staffers on a rotating “furlough” system that results in a week of no editorials with the pages being filled by syndicated columnists or […]
Green Belt Coppers On ATVs Nab Errant Cyclists
We got a note from the “Citizens for Open Greenbelt” (COG)–the pro bicycle group–expressing dismay and irony over the practice of Garden City Coppers writing tickets to cyclists pedaling on the greenbelt in a contested area. The coppers drive a 4 wheel gas powered ATV on their patrol to ban bikes. The pedal powered folks […]
Mayor Hotline November 27 to December 3
12/2/10 Joe Records Ellis Ave. Boise, ID 83702 ISSUE: The two handicapped spaces in front of city hall are a mess from the snow. They need to be cleaned so those who have to use them don’t end up ankle deep in water/slush when they get out of the car. ACHD Action Taken: Emailed ACHD […]
Moose & Elk To Get GPS Collars
We finally figured how all the moose and elk of Eastern Idaho are able to navigate the mountains so well: GPS! It must drive those critters crazy to hear, “Turn right in 400 feet. Recalculating. Arriving at Winter Range on left. Recalculating.” Apparently when the snow melts the collar sends the game to higher elevations […]
More Illegal Spending At YMCA by Caldwell
The Idaho Constitution and its pesky Article VIII, Sec. 3 has once again caused trouble for the City of Caldwell and its legal staff. The constitution bans obligations, liabilities and debts beyond a single year’s revenues without a vote of citizens. The reason for the law is to prevent a city council from obligating the […]
AG Sticks To His Principles On Land Issue
Gotta hand it to Lawrence Wasden, Idaho’s Attorney General. While we disagree with his Land Board position when it comes to the state owning and operating a storage business under the guise of “obtaining maximum return for the education endowment fund,” at least the guy is consistent. He has taken his fellow Land Board Commissioners […]
Mayor Hotline November 20 to 26
11/22/10 Lee Lives in neighborhood near Ustick ISSUE: Some people just moved into a rental house at 3269 N. Tylerson and he thinks they run a private wild land firefighting company because there are some huge fire vehicles parked in their driveway and in front of the house. The trucks parked in the driveway are […]
AP Braves Authorities, Court In Defense of Truth
Associated Press reporter Rebecca Boone works in the Boise bureau covering among other things, the courts. She released a WIRE STORY today of prison violence that is worthy of Pulitzer consideration. With the resources of the AP and a lot of good old fashioned journalism, the news organization has done itself proud with a frightening […]
Chamber Seeks Bankrupt Firms, Asian Boutiques
The DAILY PAPER ran a page one story Monday about a new guy at the helm of the Chamber of Commerce’s “Boise Valley Economic Partnership.” It’s a scheme aimed at attracting new businesses to the Valley. We certainly wish him luck, but after reading some of his plans and knowing the dismal failure of the […]
Generation Gap Has Many (electronic) Faces
We got a note from a typical “grumpy old GUARDIAN” reader today questioning the authority of the government to “get into our accounts” when we send them a check, prompted by the notice above. It brought to mind the half dozen clients who will pay us for the Day Job images only through direct deposit. […]
Land Board Defends Private Venture
After the GUARDIAN broke the story about the Idaho Land Board going into the private storage business last, Director George Bacon offered up a damage control missive in the DAILY PAPER Sunday justifying the need for the state to enter the tax exempt rental business. In addition to their $85,000 contract with the Guv’s election […]
Mayor Hotline November 13 to 19
11/19/10 Robert Tremewan Haines Boise, ID 83712 ISSUE: The value of his property between this year and last year went down, but his taxes went up; that’s a 19 percent increase when we’re in a recession. He would like to have an explanation of how the city has come up with this budget. Mayor’s Office
License Plates Sold Like Theater Tickets
Taking a page out of the concert and sports ticket business, Ada County’s assessor is now offering same day “will call” for license plates. The Motor Vehicles Division of the Ada County Assessor’s Office now offers a new “Will Call” window for pick up of vehicle registration renewals at the new Motor Vehicles office located […]
Idaho Urban Renewal Agencies Remain Unchecked
We figure Urban Renewal reform will be competing with the budget for legislative attention come January and it will be another round of Government vs the People. A Canyon County group is gaining momentum–and lots of facts to dump on the lawmakers and it is not a pretty picture. Once a city creates an urban […]
A New “Equal Rights” Amendment?
Of the hundreds of “spam” ideas that circulate on the internet, we got one recently that seems to make sense. Please take a look and share your thoughts. Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: “Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally […]
Crapo Seeks To Import Foreign Guns
When Boston sought permission to have a single prototype locomotive built in Spain for a rapid transit project, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo opposed the import deal under the “Buy America Act.” Today that same “Buy America” patriotic Senator is co-sponsoring “The Collectible Firearms Protection Act” which would allow import of military rifles from South Korea…perhaps […]
Government PR Offers Economic Bright Spot
Rather than offer any “GUARDIAN prose,” we will just share what a reader sent Thursday on the actions of Idaho’s Land Board. This type of spending in the face of budget cuts and economic tough times is why our citizens feel so betrayed by those who rule us. I’ve been thinking about this since yesterday, […]
Touching Without The Junk
When news reports surfaced–repeatedly–on local TV about the MTF lady (male to female transgender) conducting free breast exams in local Boise bars, our staff Poet Paul couldn’t resist weighing in–especially in light of the increased attention to groping at airport TSA checkpoints. She posed as a doctor In order to cop a feel The “patients” […]
Mayor Hotline November 6 to 12
11/8/10 Nick Kopp He has called in before about the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau and was assured both times that they’re going to be around and they’re vital but nothing has happened. He hopes this isn’t an example of how this city is run because it’s a circus. Mayor’s Office 11/11/10 Michael Sullivan He […]
G-BAD Boys Consider Demolishing Qwest Arena
If you don’t like driving on Capitol or Front at rush hour, just wait to see what the G-BAD boys have up their sleeves for future ideas. The Idaho Business Review broke a story Tuesday morning revealing plans to potentially demolish the Qwest Arena to make room for a convention center–despite untold failed attempts at […]
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