CCDC
Root, Root For The Home Team !
As soon as citizens had an election lined up to vote on funding a minor league baseball stadium outside Washington, D.C. in Virginia, the minor league team owner forfeited his attempt at getting public financing. He was apparently out hit, out fielded, and out of money. That no hitter game sounds strikingly similar to the […]
Ball Park May Face Extra Innings
It looks like Boise’s downtown “field of dreams” ball park proposal could go into extra innings if the home team calling itself CONCERNED BOISE TAXPAYERS is able to keep the developer and local agencies from getting to first base. The group boasts Gary Michael, former Albertson CEO, as the lead off pitcher with a bullpen […]
Guess What? Another Boise Survey!
Seems that City Hall in Boise is awash in cash the past few weeks. First it was stainless steel “cottonwood trees,” in the plaza redo, then hefty raises for the mayor and council, a request to spend $100,000 for a “consultant” to attract the F-35, a clean up of lead at the ill-conceived police shooting […]
New Try At Community Journalism
We started the BOISE GUARDIAN as a news blog back in May of 2005. One of the motivating factors was the decline of newspapers nationwide and the drastic increase in government flaks, spokespersons, spin doctors, or other titled “information specialists.” We wanted to give readers a forum to air their opinions and provide “the other […]
Schools Suffer, Taxpayers Forced To Subsidize Developers
Recent events in Ada County serve to illustrate the plight of Idaho school districts and taxpayers who are forced to subsidize developers who suck money from the community, thanks to politicos who are blinded by promises of growth and jobs. PROGRESS! West Ada Schools, like all school districts, are prohibited by law from charging “impact […]
Developer Seeks Welfare From Boise Citizens
Used to be developers planned their subdivisions around golf courses. These days, thanks to urban renewal, tax increment financing, special taxes like Auditorium Districts, and planning associations the developers have a virtual buffet of taxpayer-funded financing options surrounding sports stadiums. Such is the case with the plans revealed today in the STATESMAN by Sven Berg. […]
Trolley Folly, Desire Named Street Car Still Festers
We have spent years writing about the ongoing dream (nightmare) of tearing up the citizen’s streets to build an unwanted, unneeded street car, trolley, train in Boise. Today we have had numerous calls and e-mails on the topic. Each time it raises its ugly head, there is a public outcry, Team Dave defends their idea, […]
Random Points To Ponder
Sorry for the lack of material of late, but the fire in my ample belly is not burning too hot. For the sake of discussion and hoping to stimulate some discussion I will offer points to ponder, admittedly not researched, but worth noting. –DAVE FRAZIER, editor ADA COUNTY–We have been informed that two former “operations […]
Drinkin’, Fightin’, Smokin’ and Uber Problems
We got a “please play nice” press release from Boise coppers and based on their own numbers it seems that smoking, drinking and Uber cars are keeping them in business in the “vibrant downtown” of what we seek to be the “most livable city in America.” We have previously noted that about 25% of ALL […]
Team Dave At Odds With ITD, ACHD Pros
Boise’s urban renewal agency, Capital City Development Corp., and Mayor Dave Bieter’s Team Dave are at odds with both state and county road agencies over how to operate the Front-Myrtle corridor in downtown Boise, according to Don Day’s BOISE DEV website. Day did some really good reporting as he explained how Bieter and crew continue […]
School Officials Need Educating
No one (other than growthophobes) wants to stand in the way of growth–often erroneously termed “progress.” However like cancer, the Treasure Valley is on the verge of growing itself to death. Meridian beams with pride at being the second largest city in the state. Meanwhile they also have the busiest intersection at Fairview and Eagle […]
BoiseDev Blog Hints At Stadium Deal
A new voice on the news/blogging scene is BoiseDev (elopement) operated by KTVB-7 refugee Don Day who ran the website for the TV station. His family has deep roots in Boise–family owns Vista Village and an uncle was once mayor. He recently posted a “Scoop” about Mayor Dave Bieter’s apparent behind-the-scenes efforts to build a […]
CCDC Looking To Expand Influence
With the Central District set to expire in 2017, Boise’s urban renewal is looking for new fields to plow, this time on the Boise Bench according to DON DAY who has a website with details of lots of growth–much of it gleaned from building permit applications and planning and zoning meetings–Good stuff! While a group […]
Low Flying News Under The Radar
The GUARDIAN has been enjoying some summer travel, fishing, and other activities–probably much to the delight of elected politicos. In an effort to offer some topics for discussion we will share some items which have popped up at coffee and lunch meetings. BATT CHIEFS of Boise Fire Dept. are highest paid city employees, beating out […]
Downtown Car Noise Bad, Bench Jets Good
We noticed a piece in the STATESMAN claiming guests at The Modern Hotel complain that noise from young “cruise” motorists keeps them up at night as they circle up and down Main and Idaho between Capital and 14th. The former Travel Lodge Motel is at 13th and Grove and is now a hipster trendy motel-bar. […]
GUARDIAN Bus Would Run Every 13 Sec. For Cost Of Trolley
In the quest to make downtown Boise the most “unfriendly car city” in America, Boise’s Team Dave has come up with, would you believe yet another…TROLLEY CIRCULATOR plan. The Boise WEEKLY’s George Prentice offers a look which prompted the GUARDIAN to turn to the calculator for perspective. Using the City’s figures, reported by Prentice, we […]
Wells Fargo: GBAD Deal Too Risky
After countless hours and thousands of dollars spent on legal advice, the Greater Boise Auditorium District learned their bank was no longer interested in making a loan. Wells Fargo Bank backed out of an agreement last month to fund a $24 million construction project that centered around a new ballroom in a building being constructed […]
She’s Baaaack!
Forget about the legislature. Forget about Obama’s State of the union. Forget about ISIS. We got SHARON ULLMAN. The GUARDIAN has sifted through the Ada County records and learned Ullman, former bombastic Ada commish of Dynamis fame, overpriced canned soft drinks, and endless topic for news stories has filed an “Appointment and Certification of Political […]
Valley Has $150,000,000 Annual Shortfall
We heard an ad on the radio recently from the Community Planning Association, COMPASS, which claimed Treasure Valley comes up short $150 million each year when it comes to transportation funding. The private agency which is funded by assorted taxpayer funded local governments explains details HERE. They say the big issue is growth and predict […]
2016 Resolution Requests…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The GUARDIAN promises to at least try to have a more positive attitude during the coming year. One step in that direction would be fulfilling the following list of New Year’s resolutions: –Boise city council will abandon any plans for a trolley or any other permanent tracks in our streets. –Taxes will be reduced across […]
Recent Comments