Legal-Courts
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 […]
Despite Threats, No Fireworks Tickets
The GUARDIAN sympathizes with local police and fire officials in Boise when it comes to the dangers of illegal fireworks, but even after promises to crack down on violators, it seems no tickets were issued despite more than 300 reports of illegal fireworks over the July 4 weekend. Idaho law is without any teeth on […]
Big Brother’s Ill Conceived Spy Cams
The Big Brothers of Team Dave plan to to spend taxpayer dollars to prevent unwanted visitors at Boise City Hall and the police-fire City Hall West building, using FACIAL RECOGNITION cameras. Margaret Carmel over at IDAHO PRESS has a story about a creepy contract that will cost more than $100,000 to spy on everyone entering […]
Library Issue Gets Even More Confusing
In its continuing adversary relationship with the public, Boise City Councilors Tuesday allowed a citizen-passed initiative to require a vote on a new library to proceed to the ballot and voted to include their own “alternative” non-binding ordinance on the same November ballot. At issue is a measure to require public approval of a proposed […]
ACHD, Procecutor Disagree Over Website Use
Last fall, the Ada County Highway District used its official website to link to a private website advocating in favor of a ballot measure supporting passage of increased vehicle fees which exempting trucks over 8,000 lbs. Several citizens complained to Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennets who referred the matter to Grant Loebs, the Twin Falls […]
Library Petition Garners Enough Signatures For Vote
The Ada County Clerk’s office confirmed Thursday that enough signatures have been verified to place the questions of an $85 million Boise library and a sports park project on the November ballot. Mayor Dave Bieter released a statement saying, “I respect the citizen engagement behind it and the passion for our community it represents,” Bieter […]
Library Petition Drive Appears To Succeed
The following is an open letter from David Klinger, one of the organizers of the petition drive to allow citizens a vote on the proposed library and sports stadium projects. Dear Concerned Neighbor, Petitions for ballot initiatives have to be signed on paper, and attested to, in person, before a notary public. Online signing isn’t […]
Library Architect Fined By State
Timing is everything. The architectural firm awarded the $11 million contract to build the Boise Library was not licensed in Idaho at the time they solicited the job. A partner in the architectural firm Safdie and Associates has paid a $500 civil fine and $600 in legal fees to the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses […]
GUARDIAN Takes A Victory Lap
A HUMBLE MESSAGE FROM DAVE FRAZIER Now that Gov. Brad Little has signed HB 217 into law, urban renewal abuse SHOULD be restrained. Projects that use urban renewal funds in Idaho would require a vote of the public if more than 51% of the total dollars come from public funds of any type – except […]
Is Our System Of Government Broken?
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Whenever I see or hear comments from citizens saying, “They are going to do whatever they want no matter what we say,” I cringe. Throughout my years in school and while serving in the military the mantra was, “we have a government of the people, for the people, by the […]
Urban Renewal Under Attack By Legislators
UPDATE–Nampa city council endorsed the bill during Monday night’s meeting. Two bills before the Idaho Legislature, clearly aimed to restrain Boise City councilors and the mayor, are worthy of support from voters. In a nutshell they seek to require citizen approval before urban renewal funds can be used for construction of either a library or […]
Mayor Muffs Election Dates
“SHELL GAME”–CREDIT: GUARDIAN READER UPDATE 2/21/19–ADVISORY VOTE AUTHORITY UNCLEAR Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane spent much of Thursday researching the Idaho Code and consulting with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office. His conclusion is, “There just isn’t any clear authority for cities to conduct advisory votes, despite what the Association of Cities guide says.” McGrane […]
Behave Yourself Or No Candy!
Its no secret the Idaho Correctional facility south of Boise has had more than its share of problems in the recent past. In an attempt to encourage the assorted thieves, rapists, killers, and other assorted felons to behave themselves, prison administrators sent a memo to inmates and staff February fourth, announcing a behavior plan straight […]
Boise Tries To Curb Petitioners
“The initiative process is a mandate, significant enough to be embodied in the Idaho Constitution, that enables voters to address issues of concern. Sometimes it compels authorities to listen when nothing else will….Just as the Court would not interrupt the legislature in the consideration of a bill prior to enactment, the Court will not interrupt […]
Boise Schools, CCDC Collusion Over Tax
In a move that can be described only as a “conspiracy,” Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) has agreed to payoff Boise Schools in exchange for support (non-intervention) in a pair of new urban renewal districts. Hush money? The pay off is couched deep within a resolution: “WHEREAS the District, the Agency and the City desire […]
Boise Faces Urban Renewal Challenge
Boise City and the urbanrenewal agency are facing a lawsuit over the practice of subverting the Idaho Constitution’s requirement to seek citizen approval of debt exceeding a single year revenue. The IDAHO PRESS posted a story with the details. Two new urban renewal districts were created in December which divert taxes on improvements and appreciated […]
Chief Justice, 2C Commishes Have Disparate Views
Caldwell activist and long time jail bond opponent Paul Alldredge noticed two stories in a recent edition of the Idaho Press he thought noteworthy regarding an upcoming bond electing seeking nearly $200,000,000 for a new Canyon County jail. “It was amazing! On one page Chief Justice Roger Burdick is urging legislators to seek more parole […]
2C Commishes Seek To “Educate” Voters
Ysabel Bilbao, former KTVB news reporter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little public relations FLAK has gone into the education business on behalf of Canyon County for $3,500 a month in public funds. Seems the Commishes in 2C feel the voters aren’t very smart and need to get “educated.” While they give tax breaks to about […]
Boise Defers To Developer Wishes Yet Again
The politicos at Boise City Hall are at it again, placing their loyalties with the developer community rather than the taxpayer-citizens. They have given the California developer, Local Construct, an extra four years to complete a deal they have so far failed to live up to. After an illegal attempt in 2003 to build a […]
Reader’s Argument Against Property Taxes
A GUARDIAN reader sent in this comment on a previous TAX POST. For the sake of reader debate, we figured it worth posting up front. GUEST OPINION By Greg C I’m quite amazed at the back and forth between pro property taxes and against. This folks is exactly what politicians thoroughly want! The never ending […]
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