State Government
Stop The Presses! Use Up Existing Supplies
The printers still aren’t going to be making much money from the state of Idaho. Guv Jim Risch’s staff cut out paper dolls of former Guv Dirk Kempthorne from a self guiding State Capitol history tour brochure rather than print new copies without Dirk’s photo. (see UNKIND CUT). Now, New Guv Butch Otter has quietly […]
Dirk Gets Unkind Cut
Taxes aren’t the only thing the Risch Administration has cut in state government. The GUARDIAN has learned that hundreds of multi-page brochures for self guided tours of the Idaho Capitol building are available in the rotunda–with part of the cover missing. Seems it was cheaper to make a final cut and sever any identification with […]
Historical Director Travel Questioned
Mainstream media continues to raise more questions about the expense account reporting of Idaho Historical Society Director Steve Guerber. KBCI-TV Channel 2 reporter Thanh Tan has jumped on the story like a pit bull and seems to come up with more revelations each day. Monday she showed that Guerber had claimed travel to Sun Valley […]
Sex And The Constitution
The GUARDIAN tends to shy away from legislative issues because it is impossible to keep up on issues and lawmakers love to introduce bills that should be left alone. That said, we are going to honor a request from LENA JOHNSON to “post something” so the upcoming constitutional amendment regarding MARRIAGE can be debated. The […]
Developer After Public Land For Road
Looks like the Idaho Transportation Department not only holds the key, but they also own the door to the proposed Cliffs subdivision overlooking Lucky Peak Dam east of Boise. Long time opponent of the project, Tony Jones, claims ITD owns land that Skyline Development has designated as primary entrance to the plateau. He says the […]
Contractor Law An Exercise in Futility
Idaho’s Bureau of Occupational Licensing has been busy for the past year implementing a law passed by the 2005 legislature requiring contractors to register. They have found no violations and are currently investigating 40 complaints. The law is administered haphazardly at best. Boise City requires registration before a permit is issued, but Ada County claims […]
Councilor AND Czar
Jim Tibbs has had a lot of titles beyond the old movie name of “Mr. Tibbs.” He has been lieutenant, chief, councilor, chairman, and now CZAR! It all stems from doing nothing but public service for a lifetime, mostly as a Boise cop. It was a surprise move Tuesday when Guv Jim Risch appointed Tibbs […]
Whaddya Want In A State PArk
Idaho Parks is looking for opinions from GUARDIAN readers about a new park in Eastern Idaho. You can offer your opinions here and they will read them. Feel free to be pithy, but don’t waste our space or their time with outlandish suggestions. GUARDIAN likes the living history idea. We offered it to Ada County […]
Eagle Residents Balk at Gravity
Reader “Sisyphus” suggested we take a look at a piece by reporter Than Tan of KBCI TV. “Guardian, I bet your readers would be interested in talking about the threatened lawsuit against the federal and state agencies by the homeowners in Eagle Island arguing that government is not doing enough to stop the flooding. Yes, […]
Guv Risch At Your Service
Note to Lt. Gov. Jim Risch: “Get down to Secretary of State Big Ben’s office by 5p.m. Friday with $300 if you still want a shot at that lifelong dream of being ELECTED governor.” Friday is the filing deadline for statewide office. Risch has already filed for Lt. Gov. and had previously said he would […]
Special Treatment for Tamarack
The foreign business interests controlling TAMARACK Resort in Valley County continue their successful courting of Idaho government officials. Their latest coup came as André Agassi and Steffi Graf along with their Canadian real estate partners got the Idaho House of Reps to pass a bill to give them a special exemption from the Idaho liquor […]
Gun Merchant Senator To try Again
Meridian Arms dealer, Senator Gerry Sweet, has vowed to introduce his controversial concealed weapons bill next year, but it will be a pared down version with different language. He wanted to allow people to carry weapons concealed in vehicles without a permit, but cops and sheriffs raised a ruckus and the media got to picking […]
Costly Closed Meetings Considered
Illegal closed meetings could be a bit more costly for local Idaho officials if proposed amendments in the OPEN MEETING LAW are enacted by the legislature. House Bill 620 would raise the fine for violation from $150 to $500 for a first offense and top out at $1,000 for a second offense. Representative Russ Matthews […]
Conflict or Coincidence?
A little work on the internet by GUARDIAN sleuths turned up some interesting data on a Meridian arms dealer who happens to also be a state legislator pushing a bill to allow people to carry weapons concealed in vehicles without a permit. Seems that Sen. GERRY SWEET (R) Meridian is president of an Idaho corporation […]
GUARDIAN News Briefs
–Former Gov. Phil Batt sees Guv Dirk’s highway building plan for what it is–borrowing into the future on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Legislators are also concerned about the GARVEE bonds which are to be paid by future federal gas taxes. Much of annual highway budget is eaten up by debt service. –The […]
Are You Packin’ Heat?
A bill being discussed in the Idaho Legislature would allow people to carry loaded firearms concealed in their vehicles–a practice which is currently illegal and not a favorite with cops. Before the lawmakers start diddling with the law, they should read it. A simple reading of the current law seems to say that Federal Express […]
Detox…Just Do It!
Ada County needs a drug and alcohol detox treatment facility–no question about it. Who will pay, provide treatment, and administer the badly needed facility is a big question. Ada commishes were pushing the city for a commitment to repay half of $35,000 from United Way. United Way recognizes the need for a detox center, but […]
Prop 13 For Idaho
EDITOR NOTE–THE FOLLOWING IS A GUARDIAN READER CONTRIBUTION — NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OR PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SUBJECT GROUP When charismatic Idaho Property Tax Reform Vice Chairman Charlie Pottenger spoke to a frenzied crowd of about 60 energetic seniors, at a Boise meeting on February 9, he had plenty of support to put a Prop […]
Random Observations
–IDAHO’S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS is in its usual state of disarray. Director Tom Beauclair tells the legislature he needs money for pay raises, but uses it to rent cells for the overflow of inmates. Meanwhile one in three guards leaves each year. Nothing has changed in over 30 years in this department except the size–more […]
Dump on Dirk
Legislative season brings out all the kooks with weird ideas and it looks like Gov. Dirk is doing his best to lead the pack. No other way to put it folks, we are being deluged with bad ideas. –Gov Dirk wants to buy about $2 million worth of bare ground around the J.R. Simplot “free” […]
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