Economy
Progress To Some, Ruination To Others
Photo Essay by DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor We took a little tour of our downtown area recently and sadly realized it is nearly impossible to see the foothills or much of any horizon thanks to the big city apartments and other structures. The state capitol used to be the centerpiece of the Boise skyline, but […]
What Happened To Our “Boise Way?”
Guest Opinion by RICARDO OCHOA On the road it meant driving with intelligence and realizing the speed limit is not a suggestion. Your turn signals are meant to be used in a timely manner. One of the most basic ways to be respectful is to use your turn signal. We can’t read your mind. So […]
“Respect The Culture!”
Just returned from a week of warm weather in Hawaii and came away with a thought provoking bumper sticker observation. RESPECT THE CULTURE was actually emblazoned on the tailgate of a small truck. It got us to thinking. How many of the thousands of newcomers to Boise and Idaho in general come here to join […]
Derail Passenger Train Folly Now
The GUARDIAN has repeatedly pointed out the insanity of trying to reinstate passenger train service to Boise. Politicos simply won’t take “NO” for an answer to the wish for the return to rails. There are many reasons it won’t work and yet another multi-million dollar survey is a waste of money. Boise is pretty much […]
Corporate Giveaways, No Workers
We find it perplexing that when we have a “worker shortage” and a shortage of “affordable housing,” the state and local politicos are offering tax breaks to corporate billionaires to move to the Boise area. The recent announcement of a Meta data center moving to Kuna would be great if the predicted 100 workers were […]
Boise Mayor’s Secret Trip Betrays Public Trust
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean has betrayed a public trust by entering into a secret agreement with an unknown business while depriving citizens of any knowledge of attempts to increase population and demand for services in the city. Her allegiance appears to be to corporate America rather than the citizens of Boise since she has a […]
Water Bond Has Gravitational Force
The GUARDIAN has a basic understanding of gravity and understands water runs downhill (downstream). The largest bond in the history of local government in Idaho seeks authority to build a sewer treatment plant in the eastern part of Boise. It is the ONLY item on the November 2 ballot which can be voted upon by […]
Dirty Tricks On Clean Water
In a classic “fox guarding the hen house” move, Boise city councilors favoring a sewer bond to accommodate development and increased population have approved a ballot proposal with no input from the public or folks who may be opposed to increasing public debt. Labeling the proposed sewer funding hike totaling $810 MILLION as “water renewal,” […]
“Did You Want To Add A Tip?”
In this age of automated car washes, supermarket checkout, and airline checkin we were taken aback at the Mister Car Wash when after handing over a credit card to the cutie who stood by the computer terminal she asked, “did you want to add a tip?” FOR WHAT? There was no one drying the car, […]
Latest #1: Most Over Priced Real Estate
Boise has made another “Top Ten” list, this time for the most over priced real estate, according to FORTUNE Magazine. We get a kick out of listening to the radio ads for real estate agencies claiming to get the “highest prices” for the houses they sell. Simple logic would suggest that BUYERS avoid those agencies. […]
Lament Of A Growthophobe (A Rant)
The GUARDIAN created the word “growthophobe,” welcomed new people and businesses if they wished to pay their fair share of taxes and offer good wages. Otherwise relocate elsewhere. Meanwhile local politico mothers and fathers work overtime to attract more population, cars, trains, planes, and buses through “incentives.” They want those of us who live here […]
Mayor Nixes SW Land Swap
Mayor Lauren McLean has put the brakes on the ill-advised land swap of 160 acres of designated park land in SW Boise. According to the STATESMAN Heronner declared the deal no longer made “financial sense.” The GUARDIAN broke the original story after neighbors contacted us crying foul, saying the land had been promised as a […]
Park Land Worth $128,000,000 Up For $15 million Trade
Irate neighbors in SW Boise were provided some deadly ammunition Monday when the Boise School District announced a deal to sell 15 acres of surplus land adjacent to the 160 Murgoitio Park site for $800,000 per acre. That 160 acre parcel is south of the Victory Road School District headquarters and West Jr. High, between […]
Politicos Ignorant To Past Study
Boise politicos and U.S. Sen Mike Crapo are riding the rails once again on the AMTRAK FOLLY. Banking on the short memory of voters or the lack of sound judgment, these officials are once again seeking Amtrak service to Boise. What a waste of effort and tax money to keep doing surveys, hoping the facts […]
Juneteenth Costly, But Boosts Wages
The spur of the moment Juneteenth declaration following the congressional approval (415-14 vote) and presidential signing Thursday will be an economic shot in the arm for some government workers, but cost untold millions of dollars for taxpayers. The “instant holiday” caught agencies as divergent as local police and U. S. Postal service unaware. As a […]
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 […]
Will Local Paper Go Paperless?
Word on the street says the Idaho Statesman is about to fold and not in a good way. A GUARDIAN reader tells us they talked to a retailer who claimed to have a letter notifying them the legacy newspaper would soon cease delivering papers to the store. The reader took that to mean the paper […]
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. […]
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 […]
Gas Pump Vaccine From Idaho AG
Idaho has a law that says it is not nice to raise prices during a crises (pandemic) and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has a treatment. Here is the press release explaining the details: Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has announced a settlement agreement with three Idaho gas retailers following an investigation into their fuel prices during […]
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