Legal-Courts
A Relaxed Recall Law Would Be Ultimate Ethics Panel
When Idaho’s Republican senators met Wednesday to determine whether or not to leave Caldwell Senator John McGee in a leadership post, they did something that citizen voters are all but denied–vote on the conduct of an incumbent politico. Under Idaho law, citizens must obtain signatures of 20% of the REGISTERED voters just to get a […]
Idaho Power May Pull Plug To Hoku Plant
The Hoku solar panel plant struggling to get itself up and running in Pocatello can’t even pay its agreed upon electric bill to Idaho Power, it was revealed in a filing before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission Thursday. The Chinese backed company has been the beneficiary of all kinds of public largess including local urban […]
Now EVERYONE Wants To Sue Nampa
Yet another lawsuit has been filed against the City of Nampa over the stormwater “fee” levied against property owners. If class action is granted, Nampa could have every property owner in the city seeking refunds for a sewer fee that many claim is an illegal tax. A class-action complaint filed Wednesday seeks to have Nampa’s […]
Nampa Stormwater “Fee” Could Go Down The Drain
A tax by any other name is still a tax according to the Idaho Supreme Court, but Nampa officials are holding tough on their position a new storm drain tax revenue scheme is just a “fee.” The Supremes ruled on a Lewiston case last month. The GUARDIAN first broke the Nampa story back in April […]
Ada, Canyon Clerks Urge Supremes To “Get ‘er Done”
Ada County Clerk Chris Rich and Canyon’s Chris Yamamoto have filed “friend of the court” briefs with the Idaho Supreme Court essentially urging the justices to act quickly on several lawsuits brought by other counties contesting the newest state and federal legislative district boundaries. The problem lies with the Idaho law which requires candidates to […]
Glider Fans Up In Air Over “Bottum Line” At Hammer Flat Launch Site
By John Kangas For 35 years, silent and beautiful Hang Gliders and Paragliders have graced the Boise skyline above the Highway 21 and the iconic Crow Inn. Many have enjoyed eating steamed clams and just watching the gliders. Generations of Boise gliders have enjoyed their first flights on the Crow’s gentle hill. There is nothing […]
Boise Continues Land Speculation, Swaps Property To Avoid Bid Law
Boise City Council continued the long established pattern of secret land speculation and urban sprawl recently with a series of land swaps at a gateway freeway interchange southeast of town. GUARDIAN sources speculate part of the secret deal likely involves city acquisition of 200 acres northwest of Eagle. In summary, it appears the city has […]
Probation Officer Probe Moves To Canyon
The grand theft case against Ada County Misdemeanor Probation officer Austin Plew was moved to the Canyon County prosecutor Monday at the request of the Ada County prosecutor. A preliminary hearing is set for December 22. In the poorly worded complaint, Plew is charged with taking cash in the amount of “more than $1,000” over […]
Coppers Capture “Tire Terrorist” Suspect
We don’t want to sound sexist, but to the surprise of many folks the North End tire poppin’ terrorist suspect turns out to be a 29 year old woman–not a malicious kid. Boise PD detectives acting on the tip of a citizen arrested Diana Leigh O’Leary, 29, of Boise Monday morning. Here is how it […]
Boise County Explores Bond Sale
Boise County Commishes issued a press release Tuesday saying they are exploring options to satisfy a multi million dollar federal court judgement. The DAILY PAPER quoted the release saying they may be able to have a smaller levy spread out over 20-30 years—just as the GUARDIAN suggested recently.
Boise County Debt Easily Solved
DISCLAIMER: The GUARDIAN is not an attorney, but plays one in court when necessary. As a public service to the citizens of Boise County, we will offer some “municipal finance” advice about the ill advised actions of your Commishes with regard to bankruptcy and zoning the property for troubled teens. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn […]
Meridian Sexting Ban Better Suited For Coppers
While well intentioned, a proposed “sexting policy” for the Meridian School District may be better suited for law enforcement. As written, the policy is constitutionally intrusive with potentially illegal searches into student telephones and communication devices. Rather than the following proposed policy, the District may be better served to have a simple policy stating, “If […]
U of I, Penn State Cases Share Similar Facts
We are surprised how few seem to have connected the dots between the tragic murder of the University of Idaho Coed and the child rape allegations at Penn State. In both cases university officials were advised of horrible crimes and/or threats, but no action was even taken to launch full fledged investigations. All concerned should […]
Eagle Candidates Cautioned On Use Of City Trademark
A concerned citizen in Eagle sent us the following message that was sent to candidates for city offices: Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 Candidates should be aware that the image of the eagle with the starburst behind it, that is used on the City of Eagle entry signage and the arch above Eagle Road is […]
Commish Ullman Talks Probation Issues
By Sharon Ullman. Ada County Commissioner Ada County is gearing up to take over the provision of misdemeanor probation services at the end of this contract term, which is September 30, 2012. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to call or write to my Board to express your concerns and frustrations with […]
Execution Will Put Idaho In National Spotlight
It would appear convicted Idaho death row inmate Paul Ezra Rhoades won’t be having Thanksgiving Dinner behind bars or anywhere else. He is scheduled to be executed November 18 following the issuance of two death warrants Wednesday by Seventh District Judge Jon J. Shindurling. Rhoades has exhausted all appeals and every court in the land […]
Ada Commishes Approve Probation Contract On 2-1 Vote
Despite a class action lawsuit, legal questions about the constitutionality of county operated misdemeanor probation and numerous complaints, Ada County Commishes voted to approve a 12 month contract extension with the private for-profit Ada County Misdemeanor Probation Services, Inc. The outfit is run by Nancy Cladis and has been subject of numerous complaints and online […]
More Questionable Spending By Politicos
The DAILY PAPER ran a good page one story Sunday detailing questionable spending by the Idaho Water Users on behalf of its director who is running for mayor of Eagle. The short version is the nonprofit group which represents water users (mostly irrigation customers) has acted as banker on behalf of the group’s executive director, […]
Constitutionality Of County Probation Remains A Question
The Idaho Association of Counties has sent a memo to its members in the wake of media coverage first reported by the GUARDIAN, advising them not to panic when it comes to handling misdemeanor probation programs. Counties are being advised by the association director, Dan Chadwick, “At this point, it is my advice to the […]
County Probation System May Be Unconstitutional
While the GUARDIAN has been concerned with allegations of fee overcharges and other irregularities in the Ada County Misdemeanor Probation system, we question why the county is even in the business of offering probation services–private or public. We have been advised of constitutional issues which should stop the practice in its tracks. In a nutshell […]
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