Economy
F-35 Thoughts From Within The Service
The following narrative came in as a comment on another post. It is so well reasoned (dare we say “sound reasoning”) we thought it worth a stand alone post. He summarizes the thoughts of many in Boise. For fear of retribution, I am commenting anonymously. I am a military member, Combat Veteran, and very patriotic. […]
Air Guard AWOL At Vista Neighbor Meet
Despite a prior acceptance to attend a panel discussion about the F-35, both the Idaho Air NAtional Guard and a rep from the Boise Airport failed to attend a Vista Neighborhood meeting Thursday evening. Seems both the Guard and Airport folks are able to attend one sided support group meetings of Realtors, Micron, Chamber of […]
War Of Words Over F-35 Revealed In Documents
GUARDIAN ANALYSIS By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Using money donated by concerned citizens, the GUARDIAN paid to obtain three months worth of public documents from the City of Boise regarding the F-35 which paint a vivid picture of a single-minded battle plan with little regard for “collateral damage” to the home-owning citizens of the Boise […]
Boise Trains Not Tracking Well In Boston
Back in 2008 Boise’s Mayor Dave Bieter and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo were “allll aboard” using their political clout to force the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to purchase commuter locomotives from Motive Power. Turns out it is difficult to get the trains to leave the station with the faulty Boise-built engines. Here in-part is […]
Opponents Organize To Fight F-35
A standing-room-only crowd of about 80 citizens met Thursday night at Whitney School for a “discussion” about the proposed basing of the noisy F-35 fighter jet at Boise’s Gowen Field. With representatives from at least four neighborhood associations and a state legislator in attendance, the attendees voiced their concerns over the noise of the jets […]
Citizen Meet For F-35 Discussion Set
Henry Wiebe has once again called for a citizen meeting to discuss the F-35 noise issue. Thursday, Mar 30, 7:00 PM Whitney School 1609 S Owyhee St, Boise, ID 83705 (Owyhee and Nez Perce south of Overland) In case you don’t remember, Wiebe is the guy who brought a battery-powered drill to his last call […]
Boise City Ignores Citizens, Seeks $100,000 For F-35 Media Campaign
Ignoring the purchasing rules, Boise’s Team Dave has proposed an immediate approval of a $100,000 expenditure for a Washington, D.C. Public Relations firm to manipulate public sentiment in favor of the F-35 being based in Boise. The resolution, to be voted upon at Tuesday’s council meeting, says in part: “Section 2. That the Purchasing Regulations […]
Ada Taxpayers Could Take Hit In HP Deal
While it makes sense to consolidate State of Idaho offices in a single campus, Ada and Boise taxpayers will take a hit of at least $1.5 million per year in lost tax revenue currently paid by Hewlett Packard. HP built the 92-acre HP campus at 11311 W. Chinden Boulevard beginning in 1980. Current state code […]
F-35 Noise Issues Fall On Deaf ears
Gov. Butch Otter, with Boise Mayor Dave Bieter standing alongside, signed a bill Tuesday that will authorize expenditure of $100,000 in taxpayer funds to lobby on behalf of basing the admittedly noisy F-35 fighter in Boise. Stars & Stripes, the military newspaper in Japan, recently reported a Japanese court has awarded residents near Kadena AF […]
New Try At Community Journalism
We started the BOISE GUARDIAN as a news blog back in May of 2005. One of the motivating factors was the decline of newspapers nationwide and the drastic increase in government flaks, spokespersons, spin doctors, or other titled “information specialists.” We wanted to give readers a forum to air their opinions and provide “the other […]
Schools Suffer, Taxpayers Forced To Subsidize Developers
Recent events in Ada County serve to illustrate the plight of Idaho school districts and taxpayers who are forced to subsidize developers who suck money from the community, thanks to politicos who are blinded by promises of growth and jobs. PROGRESS! West Ada Schools, like all school districts, are prohibited by law from charging “impact […]
Opponents Of F-35 Denied Space Inside Open House
With armed police standing by, opponents of the F-35 and other noisy fighter jets being based at Gowen Field were denied space during an “open house” meeting Wednesday night at the airport, another chapter in the controversy. Airport spokesman Sean Briggs told the GUARDIAN the opponents were allowed to display protest signs and a petition […]
Otter Joins Bieter Using Citizen Money To Lobby For F-35 At Gowen
Residents of the Boise Bench have little chance of winning a battle against the noisy F-35 fighter jets now that Gov. Butch Otter has joined forces with Boise’s Team Dave to combat the anti-aircraft volleys being fired from folks seeking a little peace and quiet. With unlimited resources in the form of citizen’s tax dollars […]
Iowa Suit Claims Multi-State Lottery Was Rigged
Officials at Idaho’s lottery told the GUARDIAN Thursday “the Idaho Lottery is aware of the circumstances regarding Eddie Tipton and the Hot Lotto game. Eddie Tipton was not paid the prize. He was caught. The process worked.” The multi-State Lottery Association’s former security director, Eddie Tipton, is charged with installing software on lotteries’ random number […]
Trolley Folly, Desire Named Street Car Still Festers
We have spent years writing about the ongoing dream (nightmare) of tearing up the citizen’s streets to build an unwanted, unneeded street car, trolley, train in Boise. Today we have had numerous calls and e-mails on the topic. Each time it raises its ugly head, there is a public outcry, Team Dave defends their idea, […]
2017 Resolutions Unchanged From 2016.
The new year resolution list hasn’t changed, so we will gladly post anything you wish to add. The GUARDIAN promises to at least try to have a more positive attitude during the coming year. One step in that direction would be fulfilling the following list of New Year’s resolutions: –Boise city council will abandon any […]
State Sells Tax-Exempt Businesses, Locals Regain $300,000 Annual Lost Revenues
At a public auction Friday the Idaho Land Board sold state-owned commercial real estate holdings in the Boise area valued at $17.3 million. Apart from the ethical issue of competing with private enterprise in tax-exempt government own structures, The GUARDIAN was concerned about the loss of local tax revenues. At the current combined rate for […]
NO Means NO, Not Maybe, Or Later
The election of Donald Trump pointed out the fact politicos at all levels of government simply are ignoring the will of the people, hence the surprise victory. Some of these elected officials feel they are acting for the “greater good,” and voter/citizens just don’t know what they need. No doubt a many Dems feel that […]
School Officials Need Educating
No one (other than growthophobes) wants to stand in the way of growth–often erroneously termed “progress.” However like cancer, the Treasure Valley is on the verge of growing itself to death. Meridian beams with pride at being the second largest city in the state. Meanwhile they also have the busiest intersection at Fairview and Eagle […]
Houses To Bloom In Dry Creek Area
The Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on October 6, 2016 to consider an amendment to a “planned community” application to build 1746 residential units its Northwest of Boise. Growthophobes will note the development is nearly eliminating any retail services which will, of course, increase traffic to the city. “Planned […]
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