County
C. College Vote Means Windfall For CCDC
Unless someone can prove differently, the GUARDIAN is of the opinion that approval of the Community College ballot measure will mean yet another windfall profit for Boise’s urban renewal agency, CCDC (Capital City Development Corp). Here’s how it works. Under the tax increment financing scheme that funds the CCDC (and urban renewal agencies around the […]
Wanna SuperSize That?
Here are some GROWING ideas worth discussing on the GUARDIAN. Growthophiles should have to register and have their photos published on the sheriff’s website. We see a mental disorder in working to increase the population and then spend all your waking hours figuring ways to deal with GROWTH. Boise leaders are ill advised to continue […]
A Third Side to C. College
BY AN INSIDER As an employee of TVCC in Ontario (and an Idaho taxpayer), I obviously cannot comment publicly about the proposed election, but think there are several points being glossed over in the discussion about a community college district for Canyon and Ada county. 1. “Local control” is vastly overrated. Oregon community colleges are […]
C. College Cheaper Than Private Sector
It didn’t take long for the community college advocates to offer their view. This piece is by the communitycollegeyes.com spokesman. By ART SWIFT The new school will be the first comprehensive community college in the Treasure Valley. It will also use an existing campus, so there won’t be new construction needed. The school will be […]
Private Sector Fills Education Gap
While the cost of the May 22 election itself seems a major concern to commishes in Ada and Canyon Counties, GUARDIAN reader TIM RHODES offers up opposition to a proposed community college district. It requires a 2/3 approval. By TIM RHODES Creating a community college taxing district is a duplication of efforts and creates an […]
Taxes Fund Chamber Business Programs
The GUARDIAN has discovered Boise and Ada County are SPENDING at least $150,000 of YOUR TAX MONEY to CREATE GROWTH. Then they turn around and PAY $300 a head to attend a seminar in Sun Valley to figure out how to handle the massive growth problems they paid to create! This year’s retreat at Sun […]
GUARDIAN Overwhelmed, Seeking Help
The GUARDIAN has been overwhelmed with information on stories the local media has either missed or refuses to research and publish or air. We have actual e-mail texts below or summaries. I simply cannot do the research and writing on these with no staff and continue to make a living with my photo business. If […]
Bieter Wants Control of ACHD
Team Dave’s coach, Mayor Bieter, declared on a Thursday KTVB-7 newscast that cities–not Ada County Highway District Commishes–should be in charge of roads. We don’t know exactly what Team Dave wants–control of ACHD or responsibility to fix roads. Legislators ignored a proposed bill to give control of the district to city officials. It sounded like […]
Commish Raises Funds For Chamber
At $25 a head for 500 heads, Wednesday’s “Live Aid” (State of the County) breakfast speech by Ada Commish Fred Tilman grossed at least $12,000 for the special interest private lobbying group commonly known as Chamber of Commerce. For years the GUARDIAN has suggested the commishes and mayors of the valley are out of line, […]
Develop At All Costs Everywhere
The GUARDIAN admits a lack of knowledge about the funding details of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, but we know when things don’t smell right and a bill to expand bond authority for IHFA has an aroma. We know IHFA is created by Idaho law, but it isn’t a state agency. People who work […]
“Positive Momentum” For “At Will Workers”
Interesting note from the Ada Commishes on the “at will employee” ordinance they rushed through on December 27. The commishes ordered a policy handbook be developed. Well, in the past two months the Human Resources Staff has the book “99.9% complete,” according to a county press release. The HR folks are now laying down the […]
“Positive Momentum” For “At Will Workers”
Interesting note from the Ada Commishes on the “at will employee” ordinance they rushed through on December 27. The commishes ordered a policy handbook be developed. Well, in the past two months the Human Resources Staff has the book “99.9% complete,” according to a county press release. The HR folks are now laying down the […]
“Positive Momentum” For “At Will Workers”
Interesting note from the Ada Commishes on the “at will employee” ordinance they rushed through on December 27. The commishes ordered a policy handbook be developed. Well, in the past two months the Human Resources Staff has the book “99.9% complete,” according to a county press release. The HR folks are now laying down the […]
Monkeys In Urban Jungle
Southwest Ada residents against annexation are conducting their annual legislative battle with cities who want to capture them–and their taxes–against their will. We thought it was time to roll out this early GUARDIAN post. In the realm of Southwest Idaho Cities, Boise stands head and shoulders above the rest as the “800 pound gorilla” with […]
Blaine Voters Approve Jail
After being turned down several times and losing a court fight over an illegal financing scheme for a new jail, Blaine County officials are ready to start construction–after getting permission from the voters. Voters Tuesday approved a county sheriff’s office, consolidated dispatch center and county jail. About 76 percent of the voters supported the bond […]
Old Canyon Sheriff Vows To Return
A group of Canyon County watchdog voters have been fighting their commishes over a proposed jail and sheriff’s office on land that has been acquired through long term debt with no vote by taxpayers. The group has had a rough time getting any traction (“standing”) in court and a majority of commishes has pretty much […]
Vote Them Out Of Office
Boise’s urban renewal director and the Chamber of Commerce lobbyist were able to convince legislators to hold an urban renewal reform bill in committee Friday, effectively killing the proposal. From the reports and quotes we have seen–especially the great reporting by Lora Volkert at the Idaho Business News web site–it is another story of government […]
Inside Ada County Spin Machine
In case there is any doubt about Ada County’s position on the Cliffs development near Lucky Peak, we share an e-mail which is purportedly written by the County spinmeister Rich Wright. If true, this exchange is disturbing in that it portrays opponents of the development as as the enemy. In part because of this e-mail, […]
Homecoming Is Sweet Sorrow
After two weeks in “unruly” Brazil where everyone from cops to street vendors warned this camera-toting Gringo of potential violent assault and theft, it is good to be home in the number one rated “most secure” place in America. Checking the old news there was a double ax murder, a boy killed his school teacher […]
Commish Spins AT WILL Job Ordinance
Guest commentary by: SHARON ULLMAN, former Ada Commish Ada County Commish Fred Tilman can offer more “spin” than a Yo-Yo when it comes to talking about what he did or didn’t do to county employees’ job status. Recently on NewsRadio 580 KIDO, Tilman talked about the County’s new at-will employment policy: “I think a lot […]
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