City Government
Tourists Come See The Rusty Iron Trees
A pair of Idaho legislators have spawned a letter campaign by Boise City’s arts department to seek support for a move to kill House Bill 311. Introduced by Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger and Sen. Regina Bayer, HB 311 would require public art costing $25,000 or less be approved by a simple two-thirds majority vote from […]
Reader’s Open Letter To Legislators
The following is a self-proclaimed rant by Dave Kangas about the state of the Idaho legislature and legislators. GUEST OPINION By Dave Kangas There have been few times in my life, when I have been as outraged by actions or proposals of or by government officials as I am now. The current bills limiting local […]
Former Boise Councilor Seeks City-wide Reps
GUEST OPINION By Sara Baker For years, we Boiseans have been represented on the City Council by those who live basically within spitting distance of each other, the North and East Ends. Those council people never wanted to create districts by geography. So finally, the legislature in 2020 changed the law to require cities over […]
Thoughts On The “Homeless Problem”
The GUARDIAN has thought long and hard on the “homeless problem” and we have concluded its a conundrum with no solution. We figure answers would be forthcoming if the folks living behind Albertson’s at Vista and Overland and along or near Shoreline were to relocate to Warm Springs or Harrison Blvd. or even Harris Ranch. […]
What Does That Mean In English?
A reader sent us this excerpt from the IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW regarding a new hire in the office of Mayor Lauren McLean We don’t know if the weekly paper wrote the story or if the text came from a City of Boise press release, but it is one of the better examples of obfuscation we […]
COVID, Answering Machines, Missent Mail
The following is a guest opinion and MAY be indicative of the experience of other Boiseans. We post it as an open letter to the Mayor and Council in the public interest, knowing many staffers are working from home and city hall is closed due to the pandemic. By JIM AULD Boise Citizen On nov […]
Sky Is The Limit For “Ludwig Tower”
We don’t have a TRUMP TOWER in Boise, but if things go right for a former City Councilor we could have a “LUDWIG TOWER”. Scot Ludwig, the former city councilor and CCDC member, is proposing to build a tall building in Idaho at 5th and Broad Streets. If approved, it could be 19 stories tall […]
Multiple Factors In Boise’s Unrest
Tension fueled by the Trump presidential election defeat, COVID-19 actions by local health departments, and neo Nazi activity have combined to thrust Boise into the national spotlight. The noisy protest Tuesday at Central District Health was widely reported by the national media. However, GUARDIAN sources don’t see any immediate link between the hell raisers intimidating […]
Bar Staff Must Cover Nose, Mouth, But Little Else
The GUARDIAN has to admit we “had a vision” when the Torch 2 on Vista, Boise’s answer to a (almost) topless bar, received a warning from the Central District Health Department because the “mask mandate” was not being enforced. Think about it. The girls have to wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth, […]
Boise’s Subtle Marketing Logo Change
With rules for anti COVID-19 masks, new police and fire chiefs, and budgeting taking center stage, it takes the scrutiny of a GUARDIAN reader to notice Mayor Lauren McLean has placed her own stamp on the “Boise Brand.” We are no longer seeking to be the “Most Livable City In The Country.” Today Boise’s vision […]
Fire Chief Choice Ignites Councilors
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean made a point of using buzzwords like “transparency, listening, community outreach,” and similar terms when she took office in January. Now, 11 months later, when it came to naming a new fire chief to head a department with a $57,000,000 budget, she not only failed to allow citizens to be involved […]
City Car Displayed Anti-Trump Sticker
A GUARDIAN reader sent us this photo over the weekend of an anti-Trump sticker displayed on the dashboard of a city vehicle. STICKER SHOCK? The photo is circulating on conservative social media and has outraged some folks. We sent it to the office of Mayor Lauren McLean. The mayor confirmed early Monday they had already […]
What About The Council Districts?
Idaho’s legislature passed a law mandating that cities of more than 100,000 population have to elect city councilors from districts within the city. In Boise an inordinate number of councilors live in the “Northend.” The GUARDIAN inquired of City Hall as to the progress officials are making toward compliance with the districts which will need […]
Scientist Warns About Waste Water In Canal
GUEST OPINION BY Richard Llewellyn, PhD Biochemistry Boise City plans to dump water they claim is “treated” into the Farmers Union Canal and the practice could be costly for water users and property owners alike. Turns out the water is laced with trace chemicals from dozens of sources and it just may lead to a […]
Foothills Levy Spending Update
The recent purchase of 325 acres of foothill land by Boise City from the family of Gov. Brad Little prompted one GUARDIAN reader to do a little research on the activities of the committee entrusted to spend the $10,000,000 levy. Here are some results of their examination. The (Little) parcel is not within the current […]
Gov Little Family Paid 79 Cents Per Acre In Taxes On Foothills Land
The recently announced deal between Boise City and the family of Gov. Brad Little to purchase family-owned land in the foothills to be set aside for public use points out the need for property tax reform in Idaho. The six parcels are taxed at the rate of 79 cents per acre. The Little’s paid $255 […]
Coppers Plead “Not Guilty”
Amid a growing awareness of a recall effort aimed at Mayor Lauren McLean and Councilor Lisa Sanchez Boise coppers have gone on record denying any connection with the effort. The Treasure Valley Fraternal Order of Police also denied involvement with recall of the Boise mayor. Just to show our support of law enforcement, the GUARDIAN […]
COVID 19 Mask Laws Create Threat To Some
A Michigan man was stabbed and the stabber was shot to death by police Tuesday–all over a new mandatory COVID mask law in the Great Lakes State. Based on social media comments on the GUARDIAN and elsewhere, don’t be surprised if it happens in Idaho as well. The risk as the GUARDIAN sees it comes […]
Education Over Enforcement
Idaho is getting more difficult to understand as time goes on. Apparently the politicos think we are all pretty stupid. They pass laws, but work to EDUCATE us rather than enforce the laws they pass. Perhaps they should pass a CURRICULUM. For instance, it is illegal to hold a phone or other device–even at a […]
BSU Seeks To Close Boise Streets
EDITOR NOTE: In a meeting July 1, the ACHD commishes changed directions on last week’s street decision. They voted to reconsider the June 24 action as requested by BSU. An insider tells us that doesn’t mean the vote is likely to change and the matter “starts from scratch.” Seems that Boise State University officials won’t […]
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