Politics
School Bond Would Add $3400 Debt To Median Value Home
DISCLAIMER: The GUARDIAN does not endorse or oppose candidates or ballot measures. We try to stimulate discussion of issues and present facts often ignored by proponents or opponents. The March 14 bond election in the Boise School District is an important event. Entering into $171,000,000 of public debt is not to be taken lightly and […]
When the Insane Manage The Asylum…
EDITOR NOTE: PLEASE, NO POLITICALLY INCORRECT COMMENTS The office of Senator Mike Crapo sent out a press release today which defies reason. In short, his proposal will make it easier for people to get guns who are so mentally incompetent they need a third party to manage their Social Security affairs. Here is the entirety […]
Local Schools, Governments Orchestrate Money Grab From Citizens
We feel like a tourist in a Paris subway full of pickpockets as we observe all the politicos in Boise after our cash. The local “community planning association,” (COMPASS) has been running paid commercials on radio claiming there is an annual $150,000,000 shortfall in transportation funding in Southwest Idaho. Probably more than a coincidence the […]
So Much For Unbiased City Survey Results
Boise’s Team Dave has used surveys to guide their efforts for everything from trolley cars and baseball parks to City budgeting efforts. Mayor Dave Bieter is fond of using the “survey results” to justify decisions about public safety and transportation. A reader sent us these Facebook screen shots today, questioning just how valid any survey […]
Firemen And Coppers Call For Fireworks Ban…FINALLY!
Some twelve years ago the GUARDIAN called for a fireworks ban, dubbing the July 4 incendiaries as “arson kits.” Now after we have suffered the disastrous Table Rock fire in 2016, there is a bill before the legislature to ban fireworks. It was always with a wink and a nod that folks would purchase aerial […]
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 […]
Bieter Bashes ACHD, Seeks Control Of Streets
In the wake of the worst series of snow storms in modern history, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter is calling for the demise of the Ada County Highway District. Long critical of ACHD, Bieter has taken to the airwaves of KBOI AM 670 radio and the Op-Ed page of the Idaho Statesman to make his case. […]
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 […]
Caution Advised On Airport Easements
GUEST OPINION BY Monty Mericle Our Boise City elected officials are playing a dangerous game trying to both encourage Boise Airport expansion while at the same time approving massive new subdivision development just south and west of the airport. The airport expansion includes bringing in F-15 and F-35 fighter jets that are 8 to 16 […]
F-35 Challenge: Let Us See And Hear It!
The Idaho National Guard announced Wednesday that Boise’s Gowen Field is one of five locations the U.S. Air Force is considering as a base for about 18 F-35 fighter jets. The announcement, featured in the STATESMAN is just another in a long line of moves which have never included direct citizen input to the Air […]
Build It, But Don’t Let It Come
GUEST OPINION By STEVE HULME Idaho old-timers (and perhaps some not-so-old-timers) will recall that in 1995, an agreement was signed between the State of Idaho, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The agreement was championed by then-Governor Phil Batt (Republican) and former Governor Cecil Andrus (Democrat), and ratified by a popular referendum […]
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 […]
CWI Bond Try Paid Big $$$ To Local Media
College of Western Idaho Paid $370,000 to consultants and local media outlets in the campaign to pass the $180 million bond which failed to pass November 8. The IDAHO FREEDOM FOUNDATION did a great job of tracking down the financial details which they revealed this week. The RECORDS request revealed a pattern of unseemly spending […]
Boise Council Knows Better Than Fed Experts
Once again Boise City Councilors have continued the policy of “we know better.” This time it is with the Government of the United States of America’s flood experts. Seems the Feds have redrawn the flood plain map along the Boise river to include additional acres of land subject to a “100 year flood.” That term […]
Boise Council Continues Urban Sprawl Policy
Boise City Councilors continued the policy of “urban sprawl” Tuesday night when they ignored dozens of citizen’s concerns and approved a massive 2,000 home development south of the airport. Syringa Valley–which has no syringas or valley–will be nearly adjacent to a planned third runway at the airport which is already subject of citizen outrage due […]
Frazier’s Time With Fidel Castro
BY DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Yesterday’s death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro brought back memories of one of my biggest international photo assignments nearly 40 years ago as I accompanied Senator Frank Church on a historic visit to Cuba in 1977. I had a friendly relationship with Sen. Church and managed to get the only […]
Airport Open House Crowd Turns Hostile
High performance fighter jets may sound like a wisper compared to the roar of angry citizens on the Boise Bench. Boise Airport manager Rebecca Hupp faced an angry crowd Wednesday evening as she attempted to present the latest “master plan” for the airport. About 150 citizens packed the meeting room, expecting to have a talk […]
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 […]
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