Economy
F-35 Could Double F-15 Noise Level At Gowen
An interesting report on the noise levels of the F-35 fighter jet proposed for Boise’s Gowen Field. According to the AIR FORCE TIMES–the unofficial newspaper of the Air Force–noise levels of the F-35 are double those of the F-15s which were here this past summer from the Oregon Air Guard. The AF Times went on […]
Governments Fight Each Other With PR Efforts
The last minute “panic attack” to to get the Air Force to locate not one, but two bases of F-35 fighter jets in Idaho brings to mind some the other ill fated government-funded Public Relations efforts we have seen over the years. If the F-35 follows in the footsteps of most of the other projects […]
“Non-Partisan” Think Tank Issues Pork Report
An outfit called the Idaho Freedom Foundation is gaining traction billing itself as a “think tank” and offering the public a variety of “reports” and op-ed pieces. While they call themselves non-partisan, it is fair to say there probably aren’t too many liberal Democrats within the ranks. Wayne Hoffman, an able journalist and former press […]
Macy’s Departure Is Due To Inept Government
Macy’s leaving downtown Boise comes as no surprise. For more than 40 years we have watched officials tout their “vision for the future” in downtown Boise. It changes with each new planner and consultant. The Bon Marche (Macy’s today), J.C. Penney’s, The Mode, Falk’s I.D. and many smaller merchants vanished, thanks to the far and […]
Bronco Nation Pays Well
Poet Paul offers this little diddy on Idaho’s highest paid state employee at a time when “Coach Pete” has the attention of most of Boise–if not much of the sports world. Peterson recently announced he will remain at the helm of BSU football for at least another half decade. There are those who work every […]
GUARDIAN Top 2009 Stories By Month
As the legacy media does its annual TOP TEN stories to fill space between the holidays, the GUARDIAN has done the same thing based on what we have posted in the past year. In rereading some of the posts and comments, it appears we have an inordinate number of comments on police and fire stories. […]
Hyped Development Now Pathetic Footnote
Interesting note for GROWTHOPHOBES out Eagle way. When the developers offered all the hype for a golf course community, the city fathers and mothers of Eagle jumped aboard and all crowed about pumping millions upon millions of dollars into the Treasure Valley annually. It never happened because the developers didn’t have the money–as with Avimor, […]
Politicos Seek To Mandate FAA Decisions
A story in the DAILY PAPER today by Joe Estrella says the Federal Aviation Administration is scurrying to get ahead of the politicos in their desire to move the local approach radar facility from Boise to Salt Lake City. Idaho and Boise politicians cite “economic and safety concerns” in their opposition to the move. After […]
Urban Renewal Agencies Plot State Law Revisions
While most of us are planning for the holidays and trying to finance toys for the kids, urban renewal agencies around the state are plotting legislation that will give them unbridled control of spending public funds for projects that belong under city control–like sewers, transportation, and public buildings. Their plan to get the state law […]
More On “Desire Named Street Car” (sorry)
EDITOR NOTE–We hate to keep beating this Trolley Horse, but the politicos and press just won’t let it die. Team Dave Just won’t quit Pushing this streetcar bit There is no way they can Cover this crazy plan They’ll just put a LID on it! –Poet Paul Both the DAILY PAPER and the BOISE WEEKLY […]
Internet Pricing Lesson Please
The day job has taken the GUARDIAN editor to Mexico, suck up smog, sun, and more images for the Photolibrary. It isn’t as cheery as a couple years ago–economy is bad, swine flu scare lingers with hand washing fluid everywhere, heavy police presence, drugs. As a result, you can get some pretty good hotel deals, […]
Homeless-No Solution, No End
FROM POET PAUL– Homeless have decided to sue These folks haven’t a place to sleep From he City we get nary a peep It’s objectionable to some No matter where from But there’s a difference Between Homeless and Bum As we travel around Boise these days, it seems like every corner–and every supermarket–has a homeless […]
The Apple Is Smaller, Bite The Same
Everything we oldtimers learned in economics classes seems to be as applicable to current events as film is to photography in this digital age. When interest rates go down, stocks go up. NOT! It pays to save–not when you get less than 2% for a CD. The list goes on. Talking to an Idaho government […]
If Only Boise Politicos Had Listened…
The Daily Paper reports Boise officials can’t find the cash to build bike paths near the new Park Center Bridge at a cost that is about the same as a trolley pitchman $93,000. We will admit to just a tiny bit of “I told you so” on the lack of money available to for a […]
STATESMAN Readers Bash Bieter Trolley
Mayor Dave Bieter continued his pitch for a trolley in the narrow streets of Downtown Boise with an op-ed piece in the Daily Paper Wednesday. Out of 10 comments posted so far, there was one flat out supporter, one “sorta for it” and eight who flat out were against it. Count the GUARDIAN in the […]
Who Can Drive Safely AND Text?
Lots of buzz today about proposed laws to ban texting while driving. One source claimed truck drivers were 23 times more likely to crash while texting than not texting. The Idaho branch of the American Automobile Association, AAA, endorses the idea of Idaho joining 13 other states banning texting while driving. But like everything else […]
Boise FD To Sell Services To North Ada District
Another “business plan” to come out of Thursday’s “strategic planning” meeting with city officials is the planned expansion of the Boise Fire Department by two dozen personnel in a “take over” deal which will have Boise selling fire protection to Garden City, Hidden Springs, and the rest of the North Ada County Fire Rescue (NACFR) […]
AMBUS Every Minute For Cost Of AMTRAK
For the cost of a daily AMTRAK train or two, the GUARDIAN can provide bus service that would run a bus EVERY MINUTE 24/7. That’s right. We got out the ol’ electronic calculator and punched in the numbers for the cost of the GUARDIAN’s fantasy AMBUS plan versus the cost of AMTRAK. Here’s how it […]
Study Shows Boise Amtrak Not In Financial Best Interest Of USA
After spending at least $374,000,000 to get the tracks and people up to speed, Amtrak would have to charge passengers an average of $353 for each ticket–IF they could get 102,000 riders–just to break even on the cheapest option for trail service to Boise, according to figures released in an Amtrak report. Politicos with overly […]
Team Dave Tries Brainwashing Public
We have long been unhappy with the efforts of Team Dave to shape public opinion on the “Trolley Folly.” Now it looks like the mayor and staff are following in the mold of the infamous Brent Coles Coles spent public funds to influence the outcome of the Foothills Tax Levy election, but it was only […]
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