City Government
Urban Renewal Remains Without Oversight
Despite the efforts of urban renewal reform proponents, non-government agencies funded by tax dollars remain without oversight, thanks to a legislature apparently averse to allowing citizens a voice in their government. At least 10 bills were considered during the session–most aimed at allowing citizens some sort of vote to either create UR districts, approve debt, […]
BoDo Developer “Passionate” About Niagara Falls
We got a tip about Boise developer Mark Rivers’ attempt to hustle some bucks out of the city of Niagara Falls, New York–not unlike the parking garage deal he got from Boise’s CCDC for the Hampton Inn. When we looked at the details of the deal and the way the mayor dishes out studies and […]
Mayor Hotline February 26 to March 4
2/28/11 Dan Todd Economy Transmission Service 7024 W Overland Road Boise, ID 83709 ISSUE: He received two letters from PDS notifying that his electronic sign is not in compliance with City Code. He doesn’t understand and would like to talk to somebody about this issue. PDS 3/1/11 Betty ISSUE: Thinks people should not be allowed […]
Boise Officials Avoid Public Scrutiny
Boise officials have continued a legacy of backroom deals and deceptive behavior on a foothills convservation project that probably is a worthwhile endeavor. The Hammer Flat land acquisition was done in secret using $4 million in Boise tax funds with the explanation the deal had to be secret to keep the price low–action permitted by […]
Goose Dog Spared Death Penalty
An orphaned pooch facing the death penalty has gotten a reprive, but will still go to prison–and she hasn’t even committed a crime! We did a story about GOOSE HERDING dogs two years ago and it looks like only recently has the Boise Parks Dept. followed up on action passed by the ParK Board at […]
Mayor Hotline Feb 19 to 25
2/23/11 Zach Greer Zip: 83607 ISSUE: Are there rules against playing guitar on a bench in downtown Boise for money? Police EDITOR NOTE–Zach, it depends on whether the musician can play well. Anything helps, God bless! 2/23/11 Anonymous ISSUE 1: Police should go to the alley between 1010 W Franklin Street and 1016 W Franklin […]
City Sends Jr. Steelheads To Penalty Box
Once again the Idaho Junior Steelhead hockey team is on thin ice with Boise City Parks for flashing more than their skate blades. One stupid pucker has ruined it for the entire team. The folks at the City-owned Ice World took exception when one of the players “mooned” a teammate in a public lobby. There […]
Mayor Hotline February 12 to 18
2/12/11 Joanne Solomon Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Issue: Got a parking ticket for being two minutes over the time limit. Action taken: Contacted via e-mail 2/15/11 Angela Anderson ISSUE: Would like to speak with someone about her sewer bill, which is double her water bill. She has been in contact with her sewer company, but nothing […]
GUARDIAN Supports Urban Renewal Reform
AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN BILLS ARE CURRENTLY BEFORE THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE AIMED AT CUTTING AUTHORITY OF URBAN RENEWAL AGENCIES AND CREATING CITIZEN OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES. NEWSPAPERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE (NOTE IN BOISE HOWEVER) HAVE REPORTED ON THE ISSUE. MOST HAVE LEANED TOWARD THE VIEW OF LOCAL POLITICOS, BUT WITHOUT FACTUAL DETAILS ABOUT WHAT HAS […]
Different DIFFERENT Slants On Urban Renewal
At least four bills aimed at getting more citizen approval for debt, election of commissioners or creation of Urban Renewal Districts are headed for the floor of the Idaho House. Politicos bent on keeping the public from having any authority over their tax spending as mandated by the Idaho Constitution are rallying to oppose the […]
Powerful Trash Talk On Ada Landfill
Boise’s much touted no-sort blue bin recycle program could face some major alterations in the future if the electric generator project at the county dump doesn’t get short circuited. The DAILY PAPER had a page one story Tuesday on the project with details about the technology of superheating trash to reduce emissions. This a new […]
Mayor Hotline Feb 5 to 11
2/7/11 Barbara Pond North End ISSUE: Traffic at Collister Drive and Hill Road is heavy around 5 in the evening. It is a great place to put in a traffic signal. She also likes the new timed crosswalk signs. ACHD 2/8/11 Stephen Graham PO Box 1069 Homer, Alaska 99603 ISSUE: In a call to Utility […]
Cities Seek More Authority Without Oversight
While at least 7 bills are pending in the Idaho Legislature aimed at limiting Urban Renewal by allowing citizens to vote on board members and creation of districts, Idaho”s cities are pushing for a law allowing “Intermodal Commerce Authorities” with no voter control. SB 1060 passed the Senate Friday and is headed for the House. […]
Frequent Flyer Grounded In Boise, Banned From Future Flights
A frequent flyer with more than 40,000 hours in the air over the past 31 years arrived in Boise Wednesday, never to fly again. Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson was among the officers on hand to take the elderly flyer into custody at Gowen Field. Pilots were instructed to use a secure runway just south […]
Mayor Hotline Jan. 29 to Feb. 4
1/31/11 Nancy Sheets Boise, ID 83704 ISSUE: She is partially disabled and tried to walk her leashed dogs in the park with a cane. An enforcement officer gave her a ticket for dogs at large even though they were at her heels and still on their leash. She is on a fixed income and would […]
City Should Strike Out On Foul B’ball Survey
Boise’s City Council will consider a wind up and pitch from Team Dave on Tuesday to commission yet another survey–this one on baseball–and no doubt the results will claim a home run on a bunt. This field of dreams will be built on the premise that a big stadium will be worthy of a AAA […]
Paramedic Trade Worthy Of Major League Baseball
In a four-way trade between Ada County, The Western Idaho Fair (Expo Idaho), North Ada County Fire & Rescue, and the Ada County Emergency Medical Services, the Chinden Blvd. fire station will reopen… sort of… sometimes. In October the fire station was closed when NACFR ran out of money due to lower assessed property values. […]
Local Issues Cropping Up In Legislature
The GUARDIAN is familiar with much of what’s on the plate of lawmakers this session. We brought the issue of a state-owned storage business to the attention of readers last fall. Sen. Russ Fulcher of Meridian went after the deputy director of the State Lands Department in a Senate State Affairs committee hearing Wednesday over […]
Cheatgrass And Growth Are Hot Topic
Range managers and scientists from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are meeting in Boise this week to figure out a way to reduce the invasive cheatgrass species found throughout the southwest Idaho desert, according to a DAILY PAPER report. If they find a solution it could save Ada taxpayers some money. Last summer in […]
Mayor Hotline January 15 to 21
1/17/11 Anonymous ISSUE: Concerned about the roof at the Cole and Ustick Library. Every time it rains, the roof leaks, and it’s a brand new building. Library 1/17/11 William Martin Metro Express Car Wash Front St. (between 13th & 14th) ISSUE: As cars enter the driveway to his business, vehicles are stopping for panhandlers and […]
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