City Government
There May Be Hope
After reading her statement of purpose and intent on the Boise City website, we have hope for some actual changes at the office of Mayor Lauren McLean as “Clan McLean” takes over the big corner office on the third floor. Here are the main points of her message: Public Online Calendar: My calendar will be […]
Ludwig Steps Down From CCDC
Former Boise City Councilor Scot Ludwig stepped down from the CCDC, Boise’s urban renewal agency in order to give newly elected Mayor Lauren McLean to a chance to appoint someone who shares her vision for downtown. Ludwig suggested in his letter of resignation that McLean appoint a current City Councilor to fill the vacancy he […]
Clan McLean Staff Changes Announced
You may not be able to choose your relatives, but if you are Clan McLean you can choose your clan members. Here are some roster changes in the office of Mayor Lauren McLean, courtesy of Margaret Carmel at the IDAHO PRESS Since Tuesday, four of former Mayor Dave Bieter’s employees left the city’s payrolls, including: […]
“Clan McLean” Arrives At Boise Mayor’s Office
With police bagpipes wailing and drums beating, Lauren Mclean and “Clan McLean” marched into the city council chambers Tuesday night as Boise’s first elected female mayor took office in front of a standing room only crowd. McLean exchanged a very brief arms length handshake from former Mayor Dave Bieter as he strode across the dais […]
Schools Takeover “Be Kind” Scheme
Despite spending $80,000 for ad agency services, the Boise “Be Kind” program is shifting to the Boise School District. KBOI TV NEWS reports the scheme touted by Dave Bieter during his ill-fated run for reelection will be run by the schools in the future. Team Dave awarded Spark ad agency $80,000 for an annual contract […]
Bieter’s Lack Of Understanding Should Serve As Signal To New Crop Of Boise Politicos
We have read two post election interviews with Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and it is obvious to the GUARDIAN that he lost the race because he lost touch with his constituents. In a STATESMAN piece based on a letter to a supporter, Bieter was quoted complaining that it was terrible to allow “a small minority” […]
Supremes Turn Down Boise Camping Case
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday denied an appeal by the City of Boise to decide on the constitutionality of Boise’s anti-camping law. Boise had earmarked more than $400,000 for attorney fees after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the city ordinance as “cruel and unusual punishment.” The issue was one of the main topics […]
On Again Off Again Bieter Staffer Back
Exhibiting the precise type of behavior that lost him the Boise Mayor’s race, Mayor Dave Bieter rehired a campaign staffer into a city job the day after his failed election bid. BOISEDEV reports that Amber Pence served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs until June of this year. As of December 4th, she is back in […]
McLean Wins By near SUPER MAJORITY
POLITICAL COMMENTARY By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Boise City Council President Lauren McLean is now “Mayor-elect” after trouncing incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter in the Tuesday special runoff election. The win was a foregone conclusion for most savvy observers, fueled by a deep seated “Bieter fatigue” among the electorate. Bieter was able to garner only 30% […]
Non-Partisan Mayor Race Turns Right
When we got our Friday mail at the Boise GUARDIAN world headquarters it was a bit of a shock and a bigger amusement to see Donald Trump supporter and self-proclaimed “CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN” David H. Leroy supporting Dave Bieter in what has jokingly been called a “non-partisan” mayor race. Leroy is a fixture in Republican politics […]
Government Sponsored Growth Fans Tax Hikes
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Ada County’s property tax notices have come out. Any way you care to spin it, growthophobes who have lived here for any length of time are funding the growth to benefit the mortgage lenders, developers, contractors, planners, consultants, etc. Growth is costly and does NOT pay for itself. There are […]
Incumbent Politicos Favor North End, Ignore Bench In Rezone Attempt
Mr. Wiebe’s post illustrates the current administration’s bias favoring developers and those who profit from growth as well as obvious disrespect for Boise Bench residents when it comes to planning and advice on a zoning ordinance update. GUEST OPINION By Henry Wiebe, Vista Neighborhood Assoc. Pres. Last Thursday, as the Vista Neighborhood Assoc. President, at […]
The Joys (and benefits) Of Incumbency
The GUARDIAN got slammed Thursday with requests to “start a thread” on the brilliant move by Mayor Dave Bieter’s handlers to start a PODCAST on the city website to give hizzoner some exposure during the runoff campaign. After 16 years in office, this is his first podcast. As we have often said, Team Dave and […]
Mobile Phone Law Should Be For All
If driving with a cell phone in your face is like having a six-pack under your belt, would you send a copper out on patrol with six beers in him? A proposed Ada County ordinance would prohibit SOME drivers from using cell phones while driving, but there would also be exemptions for coppers and other […]
Links To Mayor Runoff Race
KTVB Channel 7 has video of the City Club CANDIDATE FORUM with Lauren McLean and Dave Bieter. Bill Manny does a pretty good job moderating the questions from the audience as well. Don Day at BOISEDEV did a nice interview with incumbent Dave Bieter. Bieter refused to say if he would repeat his letter in […]
Nearly 70% Vote Against Bieter
Tuesday’s local election results had incumbent Boise Mayor Dave Bieter failing to garner even one-third of the votes as city council president Lauren McLean came in with more than 45% of the votes cast among the seven candidates. According to city ordinance, a run off election will be held December 3, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving […]
Local Media (Un)Covers City Election
Local media is full of stories today (Wednesday) about the local election. And folks, it ain’t a pretty picture. BSU RADIO has a story of a fund raising member of Team Dave mixing city work with campaign work. Hayley Harding at the STATESMAN details some of the big spenders in the mayor and council elections–few […]
Where Boise Candidates Live
EDITOR NOTE–We feel it is important to know where those who seek to represent us and spend our taxes may live within the city. As a concession to privacy, we omitted exact addresses in the list provided by GUARDIAN reader Steve Hulme. There has been some discussion, particularly in the City Council campaigning, regarding the […]
Bieter Targeted By Foes As Mayor Race Intensifies
The GUARDIAN: has been inundated with biting comments on the Boise Mayor’s race today. Our limerick-loving Anonymous poet offers this ditty: If what some coppers say is true Then crime in Boise has grew Now there is talk Of extending the Basque Block Will it be safe for me and ewe? Don Day at BOISEDEV […]
No Talk Zone For Meridian Coppers
The new MERIDIAN city ordinance banning CELLPHONE use while driving will apply to coppers despite an exemption in the law. Meridian Police Chief Jeff Lavey told the GUARDIAN, “Using the phone while driving can be as bad or worse than driving with a six-pack under your belt.” He went on to say the new ordinance […]
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