Growth
BSU Seeks To Close Boise Streets
EDITOR NOTE: In a meeting July 1, the ACHD commishes changed directions on last week’s street decision. They voted to reconsider the June 24 action as requested by BSU. An insider tells us that doesn’t mean the vote is likely to change and the matter “starts from scratch.” Seems that Boise State University officials won’t […]
Clan McLean Proposes $34,000,000 Budget Cut
Mayor Lauren McLean is offering up a major cut to the city budget, but due to increased property values, most homeowners will still see a tax hike for the coming year. Several of the proposed cuts are long overdue such as an extra command position in the fire department. Even so, she is planning to […]
Dem Opines On Legislative Session
The following was posted as a “comment” on our April Fools edition, but deserves more prominence as a point of discussion. By STEVE BERCH (D) State Rep. Dist. 15 When one party controls 80% of all legislative seats, they have 100% control over determining what bills ultimately get introduced and voted on. The minority party […]
Bieter Joins Gardner Firm
To the surprise of very few, former Boise Mayor Dave Bieter has found employment with a development firm. According to KTVB NEWSBieter is joining Dave Wali at the Gardner Company, the development firm responsible for major downtown Boise projects like the Zions Bank Building and the underground transportation hub, among others. Bieter was mayor when […]
Legislature– Quit Picking On Boise
The Idaho Legislature doesn’t have Dave Bieter to kick aground anymore, so they need to quit picking on us. Former Mayor Dave Bieter was often downright pugnacious with legislators, but he is gone and there is new blood at Boise’s City Hall. The statehouse boys need to give Lauren Mclean an the new council a […]
Too Many People, Too Much Hype
Idaho State PARKS has more happy campers than they can handle, forcing the department to make the wise move to stop advertising for visitors. The GUARDIAN has long held the GROWTHOPHOBE position that state and local governments should do the same thing–stop paying businesses to come to Idaho. It makes no sense to us for […]
The Case For “Term Limits”
We just returned from a visit to Hawaii’s “Big Island” where we observed a public notice sign on Alii Drive–the posh oceanfront street packed with hotels and condos. The proposed project included “60 condos and 20 AFFORDABLE HOUSING units!” That prompted us to ponder just exactly what constituted “affordable” on the trendy real estate? Then, […]
McLean Wins By near SUPER MAJORITY
POLITICAL COMMENTARY By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Boise City Council President Lauren McLean is now “Mayor-elect” after trouncing incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter in the Tuesday special runoff election. The win was a foregone conclusion for most savvy observers, fueled by a deep seated “Bieter fatigue” among the electorate. Bieter was able to garner only 30% […]
Government Sponsored Growth Fans Tax Hikes
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Ada County’s property tax notices have come out. Any way you care to spin it, growthophobes who have lived here for any length of time are funding the growth to benefit the mortgage lenders, developers, contractors, planners, consultants, etc. Growth is costly and does NOT pay for itself. There are […]
Incumbent Politicos Favor North End, Ignore Bench In Rezone Attempt
Mr. Wiebe’s post illustrates the current administration’s bias favoring developers and those who profit from growth as well as obvious disrespect for Boise Bench residents when it comes to planning and advice on a zoning ordinance update. GUEST OPINION By Henry Wiebe, Vista Neighborhood Assoc. Pres. Last Thursday, as the Vista Neighborhood Assoc. President, at […]
Ada Seeks Ideas For Fairgrounds Rebirth
Ada County Commishes met Wednesday and decided that “horse racing is out” at the fairgrounds. Details at IDAHOPRESS. The GUARDIAN has long advocated creating an agricultural-based historical park on the site which could serve as an educational destination venue. We will roll out our plan which so far has received no reception from past or […]
Eagle May Have Violated Idaho Constitution
Tommy Simmons at the IDAHOPRESS posted a front page story today detailing what appears to be an illegal land purchase on the part of the Eagle City Council and Mayor. In short, they agreed to make installment payments in excess of a single year’s revenue without citizen approval. GUARDIAN editor Dave Frazier has spent well […]
Bike Park Costs Mount?
This came in from a GUARDIAN reader today on the bike park near Ft. Boise… Was I the only person in Council chambers during the Bike Skills Park “hearing” who heard Parks Director Doug Holloway, in response to concerns about hidden costs of a “public” park being developed for an Albertson Foundation Board member who […]
Retired California Developer On Impact Fees
GUEST OPINION By Dick Evons Retired California Developer Growth and the resulting problems it causes are a top priority for many voters in the approaching city elections. I haven’t heard any candidates offering to slow the growth or protect those who already live here. Boise and Idaho have been discovered, and are drawing multitudes–just […]
City Election: Many Candidates, Few Issues
We haven’t seen much in the way of controversy in the upcoming city election. There have been plenty of calls for CHANGE, LISTENING, BE KIND, LESS ARROGANCE, RESPONSIBLE SPENDING, but little in specific allegations or cures. Here are some issues we would like to see addressed: –Increase impact fees to slow the growth and make […]
More Expansion Plans At BSU
Boise State University is a “city within a city” with millions upon millions of dollars worth of tax-exempt public buildings. Those buildings and the people who live and work in them are protected by Boise taxpayers. Yeah, yeah, all those people and construction mean jobs for locals and economic benefits for Boise businesses. They also […]
More Sneaky Boise Lease Details
Under the terms of a proposed amendment to a City lease deal with a Salt Lake City developer, taxpayers will be forced to pay for infrastructure costs traditionally borne by developers. The area in question is 159 acres of industrial park land owned by the citizens of Boise. Bieter has signed a lease deal with […]
City Library Vote Off, Project “On Hold”
Wiser heads have finally prevailed on the question of an advisory vote regarding the controversial Boise Library project. Ada County Clerk and chief election officer Phil McGrane sent a strongly worded Letter to Mayor Bieter 8.16.19 to Mayor Dave Bieter Friday refusing to place a confusing advisory question on the November ballot along with a […]
Boise Councilors Oversight Failure
If a development near the airport with as many as 22 industrial buildings is allowed to proceed, Boise citizens will be deprived of property taxes and forced to pay for the infrastructure to benefit the private project, thanks to a contract signed by Mayor Dave Bieter. Here’s how it works. Boise City retains ownership of […]
Library Study: Boiseans Are Fat, Poor
Included in the $12 million design fee for an $85 million library is a $40,000 study completed by Boise-based Vitruvian Planning. We note Chris Danley is the founder of Vitruvian Planning and is a former member of Boise City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. In an unbiased report, IDAHO PRESS reporter Margaret Carmel offers some results […]
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