State Government
A Matter Of Taste: Geese From Canada, Not Italy
Hoping the geese which have become pests at local parks are purebred Canada geese and not of Italian descent, tests are underway at Sandy Point below Lucky Peak to see if garlic spray works to deter geese at the swimming area. Following a tip from reader Dave Ellis of Homedale, the GUARDIAN cut a deal […]
Boise Council Wisely Approves State Garage
With the state of Idaho’s legal ax hanging over its head, the Boise City Council used some wisdom and approved a parking garage to built by the state near the Capitol Building. As predicted in a February POSTING “higher authority” prevailed over the over zealous design review committee. Council President Maryanne Jordan publicly spanked the […]
Do Charter Schools Comply With Idaho Constitution?
The financial failure of the North Star Charter School in Eagle–and at least six other charters– has raised questions for which the GUARDIAN is finding it difficult to get answers. While these schools seem to be following the Idaho Code, there are some legitimate legal questions regarding the Idaho Constitution. These step children of traditional […]
Idaho Senator’s Wife Draws Ire Of U.S. Judge
In an order issued Monday, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill suggested Renee McKenzie, wife of lawyer and Idaho Senator Curt McKenzie, may have violated Idaho Code by practicing law without a license. The judge characterized Renee McKenzie’s dealing with a prison inmate as a “side show” for the court, a “serious security risk for […]
No Drunks Or Walk-Ins At Detox Center
While working on a story about Boise’s relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous, we learned Boise’s Detox Center is not what it was cracked up to be. The facility may be well intended, save money for the hospitals, and provide services to some of those in need. It doesn’t fill the role it was touted as filling. […]
ISP Lt. Colonel “Sprouts Wings”
Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Powell has sprouted wings as the new “Bird Colonel” for the Idaho State Police. The promotion by Gov. Butch Otter puts the career trooper/bird colonel at the top of the pecking order for ISP where he has served throughout Idaho including posts in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and eastern Idaho. Most recently he […]
Bonner County Violates Law In Effort To Skirt Voters
In the latest example of local officials skirting voter approval for debt in excess of a single year’s revenues, Bonner County finds itself crosswise of the Idaho Constitution. Instead of asking permission of citizens as prescribed in Article VIII, sec. 3 of the Idaho Constitution, Bonner Commishes simply took a lesson from their Federal counterparts […]
Politics Is Tearing Us Apart, City, County, State, And National
Rather than jump at every stupid move by government, we have been reluctant to post much in the way of comments on recent political events…”no news if good news” reasoning. Contrary to popular belief among some politicos, the GUARDIAN does NOT like to have a negative slant on every topic that comes along. However, we […]
Star Fire Commishes Resign Amid Tangled Financial Web
The entire Star Fire District board of commissioners has resigned today in the midst of a tangled financial web that is bound to rival that of the Nampa School District mess, although over fewer dollars. Here is the official press release: Commissioners Gunnar Howarth, John Miller and Jeff Sedivec of the Star Fire Joint Protection […]
Smooth Sailing At Crow Hill, Spring Planting
After a year of talks with glider enthusiasts, Idaho Fish and Game has agreed to allow folks to take to the skies east of Boise at the Hammer Flat land purchased from Boise City. The Season will begin May 1 and run through November 15. This Saturday, March 2nd at 8:00 am folks will be […]
Mayor, Council President Jordan Sent “Poison Valentine”
Mayor Dave Bieter and Councilor Maryanne Jordan acted without the knowledge of at least half the City Council when they caused an anonymous letter to be delivered to legislators claiming ACHD had a bad relationship with other Ada County cities and other allegations. The GUARDIAN sought responses from the entire council so citizens would know […]
Boise Attempts “Valentine Day Massacre” On ACHD, Shoots Mayor, Council In Foot
A bungled attempt by Boise City to ambush the Ada County Highway District’s relationship with the Idaho Legislature on February 14 has ignited a unified firestorm of disgust and outrage from the mayors of Meridian, Kuna, Star and Eagle, the Ada County Commishes, and the ACHD board. The sleazy attempt by those in the office […]
State Seeks To Hide Security Video From Public Scrutiny
In what appears to be an overreaction to the armed guy prowling the legislative chambers with a troop of Boy Scouts, the Idaho department of Administration is pushing a bill in the legislature that would deny “security video” recorded by public agencies from public viewing. That means citizens of Boise wouldn’t get to see the […]
Governor Forgot Most Important “Stakeholders”
This guest post comes from long time GUARDIAN reader “IDAHOLIC.” He makes a valid point that individual property owners will get whacked in the pocketbook if the personal property tax–paid in large part by big operators like power and telephone companies–is repealed. I can’t believe the lack of information and discussion of this proposal that […]
Boise Gives Away Fire Service Outside City
Each budget season local governments across the USA look for ways to fund essential services. According to the Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE there is a move to charge fees to tax-exempt properties ranging from churches, and hospitals to government agencies and institutions of higher learning. In Boise the most glaring example of free city services lies with […]
“State of Boise” Asserts Baseless Authority Over Idaho Parking Garage
Boise’s Design Review committee is probably getting just a tad too big for its britches over denying approval of a State of Idaho parking facility near the capitol and it could backfire if the conservative legislature is asked to approve things like local option taxing authority. There is no legal requirement for the state to […]
PTSD, Mental Diagnosis Cloud Gun Issues
The DEATH of a U.S. military veteran allegedly shot by a former Marine suffering from PTSD in Texas put the issue of mental illness in the forefront of concealed weapons discussions. Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his neighbor Chad Littlefield took former Marine Eddie Ray Routh to a Texas gun range to help him, […]
Where To Find More Local Tax Revenue
We are starting to hear rumblings about assessing property taxes on the Idaho Department of Lands for its commercial enterprises like the 10 Barrel Brew Pub and Affordable Storage operations in Boise. If the legislature abolishes the personal property tax, it will devastate local cities, counties and schools–more so in smaller counties that lean heavily […]
Lobbyist, Reporter Too Close For Comfort?
GUARDIAN reader Clancy Anderson passed along some research on the issue of reporter vs lobbyist with the Idaho Freedom Foundation and its editor, Wayne Hoffman. By CLANCY ANDERSON I do not see enough separation between the Idaho Reporter and the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Mr. Hoffman states the day to day operations are independent of him […]
Controversy Over Video Record Of Legislature
Video coverage of the Idaho legislature, who can record the action, who owns the recording, and preserving the record–often punctuated with jokes and banter–is shaping up as a big issue at the legislature. Idaho Public Television records all the floor action by the politicos, but they have a deal that calls for the recordings to […]
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