City Government
“Scorched Earth” Policy Could Raise BOI Dust Cloud
A pilot contacted the GUARDIAN today, claiming last night’s dust storm at the airport was probably caused by recent removal of grass and vegetation along the runways. Seems that in an effort to eliminate gophers, ground squirrels and the birds that prey upon the little critters officials at BOI scraped the area along the runways […]
How Do You Get Help At City Hall?
The following is a message we receive all too often from GUARDIAN readers who are at wit’s end when it comes to help from City Hall where the standard line is “You have to file a written complaint.” What ever happened to enforcing the law? DEAR GUARDIAN– Please direct me to someone I can talk […]
Ombudsman Office Cut In Half After 2 year Vacancy
The office of the Community Ombudsman that did so much to restore community faith and pride in the police department has been reduced to a part-time position, it was announced today. No official word, but it is probably the only city department to have its staff cut in half in recent years. The new person […]
Where Are Boise Council, Mayor Candidates
Unlike the Republican presidential race which is 15 months away, no one seems interested in running for office in the city of trees. Dave Bieter is already calling around begging for campaign donations, grabbing air time during the recent soccer match promotion and not a single person has even offered so much as a hint […]
The exciting Topic Of Taxes!
It’s about as interesting as watching paint dry, but somebody has to discuss taxes. Any way you cut it, local property tax bills are likely to go up this year in Ada County. First off, the ASSESSED VALUE of most property has increased. That figure is used as the basis by cities, the county, ACHD, […]
Circus vs Zoo Debate Sparks Passion
When we posted the previous story (scroll down) we were intrigued that Boise City Councilor TJ Thomson opposed the exhibition of animals in the circus, so we asked about his position on the captive critters at Zoo Boise. Thomson offered an explanation of his feelings about the circus vs the zoo. A careful read shows […]
“No Circus Animals,” What About Zoo Boise?
In a Boise WEEKLY story, Boise City Councilor TJ Thomson and Meridian Councilor Genesis Milam were said to add their voices to the “loud call to end the public exhibition of exotic animals in Idaho.” The politicos jumped on the anti-circus animal band wagon during the recent run of the Shrine Circus at the Century […]
GBAD, Gardner “Got Some ‘splainin To Do”
In the old time “I love Lucy” TV comedy Ricky would say, “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin to do.” Today in Boise the Gardner Company and the Greater Boise Auditorium District have some explaining to do. Gardner doesn’t own the so-called Parcel B where they plan to build a hotel, condos, and a parking garage. […]
Land Board To Get Out Of Business
Five years after the GUARDIAN first broke the story of the Idaho Land Board going into the business of running businesses, the Board has voted to divest itself of more than 20 commercial real estate parcels, most of them in downtown Boise. The big story back then was a STORAGE business. The poster child property […]
“Energize Vista” Project Well Intended, But Not Well Thought Out
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Boise GUARDIAN I have been a resident and home owner of the Vista Neighborhood for nearly 50 years. Over that half century I have watched as Boise’s city fathers and mothers–past and present–have dumped house trailers, low cost housing, sex offenders, skinny houses, refugees, and assorted “assistance programs” in our […]
Boise Top Cop Moves To City
Just a short note to give a shout out to Boise Police Chief Bill Bones for showing respect to the citizens with a sensitive personal gesture. Once Bones was selected by the mayor and confirmed by the council to replace the retired Mike Masterson, Bones moved from his suburban home into new digs within the […]
City-Wide Conservation Areas Worth The Price
It is gratifying to see Mayor Dave Bieter and his “Team Dave” field a proposal based on a GUARDIAN suggestion. We join other conservation groups with our tentative support of his new plan for a two year “conservation” serial levy. Protecting open spaces throughout the city for wildlife and recreation is a worthy cause. We […]
Ada Property Values Up About 6%
Ada County tax assessment notices have hit mailboxes of property owners and there shouldn’t be too much sticker shock. The median increase was just under 6%–this means that half the values increased more than 6% and half less than 6% (or decreased). It also means there could be some really big increases or decreases. We […]
Downtown Coppers Cost 25% Of Calls
A recent story in the Daily paper about Boise PD creating (recreating) a downtown precinct strikes a revealing cord, not so much about crime, but about financing crime-fighting coppers. While ALL of the tax revenue on new buildings and appreciated value on existing structures in the downtown area goes to CCDC, folks on the bench […]
Boise Public Land Deals Have Dubious History
Latest revelation from CWI is the apparent fact they are attempting to pay 35 times more per acre for land in Boise than land they just purchased adjacent to the Nampa campus. They will close next week on 32 acres for less than they are paying for a single acre in Boise. The recent fiasco […]
Bike Nazi Endorses Bieter Bikes
Guest Opinion by BIKEBOY GUARDIAN bike Nazi A bike share – just like in the Big City! – is on the horizon, here in li’l ol’ Boise! The honchos are predicting that by the end of April, 114 shareable bikes will be available at 15 stations, scattered around the city center, north end, and BSU […]
Some Growths Can Be Cancer
Growth for the sake of growth spawns GROWTHOPHOBES. We growthophobes welcome anyone willing to pay their fair share of taxes and fair wages. In recent months the GUARDIAN and Mrs. GUARDIAN have been wracked with guilt and ridiculed by friends for our practice of taking “Sunday Drives,” to places like the Riverside Restaurant at Horseshoe […]
Free Speech Back On City Social Media
Mike Murphy isn’t a quiet kinda guy. He will let you know how he feels right off the bat, just like he did on a Boise Police Facebook page a couple of years ago when he was critical of a copper. The issue — which dealt with Murphy’s treatment as a taxi driver — is […]
Tough Sledding At Eagle Snow Park
The operator of Eagle’s Snow Park on Old Highway 55 is facing a meltdown of sorts. Ryan Neptune is facing a lawsuit claiming he has not repaid loans from Scott and Amelia Carter amounting to $226,000 in principal and interest. Neptune also purchased the old Lazy J tavern property next to the Gateway Park (snow […]
CWI Bursting At Seams, May Seek Tax Hike
Boise City and College of Western Idaho officials have met to discuss their violation of a conditional use permit which allowed 420 students at the “Boise Campus” located in the Black Eagle Business Park at Overland and Maple Grove Roads. It turned out the school’s Boise facility has nearly six times –some 2,400 students– the […]
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