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Topics For Discussion, Little Real News
June 8, 2017 
BOISE RIVER continues to flood, there are so many reporters wading in the water we can’t justify any more “dope reporter awards.” Seems like Mother Nature is the only culprit to blame for the extra snow and runoff, but it does seem like there are a lot of structures close to the river. DOWNTOWN is […]
Trump Budget Keeps A-10 Aloft
News reports coming out of Washington seem to have given new life to the A-10 “Warthog” close air support attack jet, rendering needless all the efforts of Boise City and Idaho State officials to attract the F-35 to replace the A-10. Idaho Air National Guard spokesman Major Chris Borders told the GUARDIAN Wednesday, “We have […]
Everything Old Is New Again
Using the same old tactics of surveys, studies, and lots of manipulation of public opinion, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter’s “Trolley Folly or Desire named Street Car” has risen from the ashes of bad ideas like a Phoenix. IDAHO STATESMAN‘s Sven Berg has the latest edition of the rails-in-the-street plan posted today with an even bigger […]
ANG, BOI, City Refuse Vets Neighborhood Meet
Despite invitations from the Veteran’s Park Neighborhood Association to appear on a panel discussion of the F-35, All three of the major proponents refused to appear. The VPNA extended the invite to the usual players, including the Mayor’s office, Boise Airport, and the Idaho Air National Guard. They also invited reps from the Vista Neighborhood […]
“Gowen Strong” Is Private Non-Profit Using City Staff In Violation Of “Public Purpose Doctrine,” Ethics Conflict Waived
UPDATE 5/9/17 A GUARDIAN reader sought more information from the Boise City Ethics Commission. To our surprise they had already considered the facts and here is a summary: QUESTION: May the Airport director form a non-profit and sit on its Board of Directors? OPINION: The Airport director may form the non-profit and sit on its […]
Air Guard AWOL At Vista Neighbor Meet
Despite a prior acceptance to attend a panel discussion about the F-35, both the Idaho Air NAtional Guard and a rep from the Boise Airport failed to attend a Vista Neighborhood meeting Thursday evening. Seems both the Guard and Airport folks are able to attend one sided support group meetings of Realtors, Micron, Chamber of […]
Guard and BOI Snub Vista Neighborhood
When it comes to doing battle in the Mideast, Idaho’s Air National Guard is ready to serve, but when meeting with Vista Neighbors, both the ANG and Boise’s airport officials avoid confrontation, refusing to join a panel discussion on the F-35. The Vista Neighborhood Association will hold a meeting 7 p.m. Thursday April 27 at […]
Guess What? Another Boise Survey!
Seems that City Hall in Boise is awash in cash the past few weeks. First it was stainless steel “cottonwood trees,” in the plaza redo, then hefty raises for the mayor and council, a request to spend $100,000 for a “consultant” to attract the F-35, a clean up of lead at the ill-conceived police shooting […]
Bieter May Have Come To His senses
In a surprise move Saturday, Mayor Dave Bieter did an about face over using $100,000 of hard-earned taxpayer dollars to hire a promoter to attract the F-35. In a prepared statement, Team Dave told the GUARDIAN, “After careful consideration we decided to leave the money in the city treasury. While the F-35 seems like a […]
New Try At Community Journalism
We started the BOISE GUARDIAN as a news blog back in May of 2005. One of the motivating factors was the decline of newspapers nationwide and the drastic increase in government flaks, spokespersons, spin doctors, or other titled “information specialists.” We wanted to give readers a forum to air their opinions and provide “the other […]
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 […]
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 […]
Airport Noise Plan Calls For Home Buys
Boise airport officials in a press release have claimed support from the Federal Aviation Administration for a recently approved noise plan at the facility. The FAA RECORD is full of acronyms and references. Long time opponent of noisy F-15 and F-35 fighters being based in Boise, Monty Mericle offered up the following report based on […]
Downtown Car Noise Bad, Bench Jets Good
We noticed a piece in the STATESMAN claiming guests at The Modern Hotel complain that noise from young “cruise” motorists keeps them up at night as they circle up and down Main and Idaho between Capital and 14th. The former Travel Lodge Motel is at 13th and Grove and is now a hipster trendy motel-bar. […]
Tracking Boise’s Mayor
It has been admittedly slow on the local news front, so here are a couple items for discussion . A reader sent this city council agenda item: “This was on the agenda for the June 7th, seems cryptic and Brent Coles like.” “David H. Bieter, Mayor’s Office, to attend meetings with potential city benefactor in […]
“Sound of Freedom” Different in Foothills
Many residents of the Vista and Hillcrest neighborhoods have expressed opposition or concern about noise if F-15 or F-35 fighter jets are based at Gowen Field. Proponents of the noisy aircraft claim “That’s the sound of freedom!” City officials have lobbied to get the F-35 based in Boise and their mantra is, “You knew the […]
A-10 Quietly Remains On Guard
An article in yesterday’s edition of AIR FORCE TIMES claims the top guns in the military have put retirement of the A-10 Warthog air-to-ground attack fighter on hold. That should come as good news to folks living near Gowen Field who have been fighting local and federal politicos to keep the noisy F-35 and F-15 […]
Holiday Greetings And Year End Review
We are not offended at “Merry Christmas,” and want to wish one to everyone. Also to those whose beliefs may not include Christmas, “Happy Holidays.” This is also the time of year when we review the past year’s offerings from the GUARDIAN and ask readers to share thoughts about best, worst, and most stories we […]
2,000 Homes To Hear “Sound Of Freedom”
The Idaho Statesman’s Sven Berg posted a STORY Wednesday detailing plans for 2,000 new homes in an area which seems within earshot of city councilor Elain Clegg’s $60,000,000 third runway for military fighter jets. Clegg has been an advocate of a new runway “south of the airport” to accommodate the F-35 combat fighter jet which […]
Writer Claims Airport Study “Manipulated”
The following story is by a longtime well known opponent of the Boise Airport plans to locate the F-35 combat fighter in the most densely populated city in Idaho. Other GUARDIAN readers attending the Wednesday meeting claim comments were 30 to 1 against the F-35 plan. By MONTY MERICLE The 2015 Boise Airport Noise Study, […]
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