City Government
Tuesday’s Daily Paper A Pleasant Surprise
We honestly doubt the GUARDIAN can take any credit, but Tuesday’s STATESMAN was chock full of local news of substance! They even offered up an editorial opinion. –The Simplot family JUMP project got unanimous approval from the City P&Z commission and in the process the design review committee was publicly spanked for “overstepping the bounds […]
Green Belt Coppers On ATVs Nab Errant Cyclists
We got a note from the “Citizens for Open Greenbelt” (COG)–the pro bicycle group–expressing dismay and irony over the practice of Garden City Coppers writing tickets to cyclists pedaling on the greenbelt in a contested area. The coppers drive a 4 wheel gas powered ATV on their patrol to ban bikes. The pedal powered folks […]
Mayor Hotline November 27 to December 3
12/2/10 Joe Records Ellis Ave. Boise, ID 83702 ISSUE: The two handicapped spaces in front of city hall are a mess from the snow. They need to be cleaned so those who have to use them don’t end up ankle deep in water/slush when they get out of the car. ACHD Action Taken: Emailed ACHD […]
More Illegal Spending At YMCA by Caldwell
The Idaho Constitution and its pesky Article VIII, Sec. 3 has once again caused trouble for the City of Caldwell and its legal staff. The constitution bans obligations, liabilities and debts beyond a single year’s revenues without a vote of citizens. The reason for the law is to prevent a city council from obligating the […]
Mayor Hotline November 20 to 26
11/22/10 Lee Lives in neighborhood near Ustick ISSUE: Some people just moved into a rental house at 3269 N. Tylerson and he thinks they run a private wild land firefighting company because there are some huge fire vehicles parked in their driveway and in front of the house. The trucks parked in the driveway are […]
Mayor Hotline November 13 to 19
11/19/10 Robert Tremewan Haines Boise, ID 83712 ISSUE: The value of his property between this year and last year went down, but his taxes went up; that’s a 19 percent increase when we’re in a recession. He would like to have an explanation of how the city has come up with this budget. Mayor’s Office
Voter Rights Prompts Election Reflection
The Day Job took us to the Deep South following the election, hence a lack of new material on the site. By way of apology, we offer the following feature. Annie Pearl Townsend Avery proudly welcomes visitors to the NATIONAL VOTER RIGHTS MUSEUM in Selma, Alabama which is housed in a storefront at the foot […]
Garden City, State Force Bikers To Court
For almost three years the Citizens for an Open Greenbelt (COG) has attempted to reverse the bike riding ban in Garden City. The State and Garden City are resolute in maintaining no bike riding along this section in the Riverside Village area; the same section (our public trust lands) that had been called a “bike […]
Mayor Hotline October 30 to November 5
11/2/10 Marge Crosby S. Owyhee St. Boise, ID 83705 ISSUE: Complained about the Design Review Committee that won’t pass the JUMP Project. She doesn’t understand what the members of the committee are objecting to and would like to know. PDS 11/3/10 Diane Ayres S. Garden Pl. Boise, ID ISSUE: Concern about the city’s financial situation […]
Boise Council Hopefuls Avoid Election
On one hand it is nice to see so much interest from the 53 folks wishing to be appointed to the council seat being vacated by Vern Bisterfeldt, but on the other hand it is sad we can’t get viable candidates to run for election by the people. Mayor Dave Bieter appeared on KBOI 670 […]
Can’t Fight City Hall and Win
GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier issued a statement following the election which saw approval of three constitutional amendments he had opposed. Said Frazier, “I learned it is impossible to battle the might of government, regardless of the nobility of one’s cause. My only regret is that I didn’t get a commission on the advertising purchased […]
Mayor Hotline October 23 to 29
10/25/10 Cory Works for the State ISSUE: There are so many Boise High kids riding the bus in the morning that when they get off on State St. they jay-walk across on a “don’t walk” light. He thinks the police should patrol State St. more often in the morning, or there should at least be […]
David (Frazier) vs Goliath (politicians,media, money)
As we hit the home stretch in the mid-term election campaign, the GUARDIAN position on preserving the right of citizens to vote as detailed by the constitution and the supreme court seems in jeopardy. Local governments, hospitals, and politicians of all stripes have dumped tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours into their effort […]
Mayor Hotline October 16 to 22
10/15/10 Dave Frechette E. Nature Dr. Boise, ID ISSUE: Frustration with City budgeting and property taxes. His assessed value has gone down$6,200 but his taxes are going up almost $1,000. Everyone is tightening their budgets but the city is raising what they’re collecting for property taxes. Finance Admin. 10/17/10 Paul Koloski Fairfield Ave. (Randolph Robertson […]
Boise-Ada Taxpayers Suffer In State Land Deal
The Idaho Department of Lands sent us a well presented defense of their financials regarding the purchase of Affordable Self Storage in Boise–a state owned retail business. What it means is that Boise-Ada taxpayers get screwed out of tax revenues, but the schools get a boost. The IDL sent the details–and we agree with the […]
Mayor Hotline October 9 to 15
10/11/10 Scott Gurnsey N. 25th St. Boise, ID 344-8120 ISSUE: He thanked the Mayor’s office for their help Friday by getting things started with the Fire Department on his call regarding the new fire hydrant. He felt it would be good for citizens to be notified when they’re going to get something like that put […]
State Owns Tax-Exempt Commercial Storage, Competes With Private Business
Politicos are fond of attempting to “run government like a business” in these hard economic times, but how about government flat out running a business? The State of Idaho recently created a front company which discreetly operates a tax-exempt commercial public self-storage facility hiding behind the assumed name of “Affordable Storage” at 450 South Maple […]
Airport Seeks Public Financing Of Private Business Facilities
In a page one Saturday story by reporter Cynthia Sewell, the IDAHO STATESMAN ran a statement by Richard McConnell, Boise Airport’s director, which illustrates the need to oppose HJR5. “If a company says it wants to lease a cargo facility within the next 12 months for a 20-year period, the city would first have to […]
State Rep Joins Amendment Opposition
Another legislator has taken a public stand opposing the proposed constitutional amendents aimed at abolishing the right of voters to approve public debt at airports, public hospitals, and public electric utilities. In an Op-Ed piece in the Twin Falls TIMES-NEWS, Rep. Stephen Hartgen pointed out the pit falls in the proposed amendments and vowed to […]
Mayor Hotline October 2 to 8
10/2/10 Scott Lowe Dewey St. Boise, ID 83702 ISSUE: His wife took the phone survey; they were told it would take 15-20 minutes but it took almost 30 minutes to complete. If you are going to send out a letter saying that it should take only 15-20 minutes, that’s what it should take. Mayor’s Office […]
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