According to an ACHD press release, the mayor spouts anecdotes like Ronald Reagan–worth a laugh, but shy on facts. The highway district brass claim to be “mystified” over an unsubstantiated Bieter claim over unfair impact fees for a restaurant which was not built.

If the Dems want a shot at the gov’s chair they better come up with a candidae who isn’t in the business of making enemies out of would-be friends. Bieter led the campaign to disenfranchise voters when it comes to approving debt for airports, but now claims to favor a $50 million bond for everything from fire stations to parks.

Team Dave apparently can’t live within its means despite increased budgets and no tax cuts during the recent economic hard times which saw every other unit of government cutting back.

He won’t talk with the GUARDIAN, but mainstream media needs to query him on efforts to increase city revenue through higher appraised values which increases taxes even if levies remain constant.

The local attorney who made a name for himself and changed the way American courts consider women’s rights had a long history of championing fairness causes. His famous victory in REED vs REED in the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Idaho law which gave fathers priority in legal matters when children die.

Outside the fly fishing shop on Vista, just south of Overland there is a stone monument proclaiming “SALLY REED lived here”–the woman whom Allen Derr represented resided at a house which once stood on that spot.

As a consulting member of the Idaho Press Club he helped journalists with issues from open meetings in government to public record access.
As details become available we will update this report.

We would like to hear your take on it. Anything from delayed trips to the market, increased business at your restaurant or hotel, to cost for coppers.

Who benefits, who suffers? Are the trade offs worth it?

The City of Mountain Home and Chamber of Commerce send a delegation to the Air Force at Langley Va. each year to lobby the generals to keep Mt. Home Air Force Base open. They note Mississippi recently budgeted $2 million for that state’s military lobbying effort. It’s scary to think the generals would make military decisions based on data from Elmore County and Mississippi politicos. Multiply that influence peddling by the number of other delegations from cities and states and it boggles the mind how much cash goes to airfare and hotels for politicos. Boise ponied up many thousands of dollars to lobby for the F-35 despite pretty fair opposition from residents. The efforts failed to sway the Department of Defense. The F-35 will not be based in Boise.

Speaking of airfare, how about BOI plans to offer up to $100,000 in landing fee concessions to airlines? The idea is to entice airlines to offer more flights to the Boise market and give business reason to locate in the city of trees.

The GUARDIAN growthophobe philosophy says, “We welcome all business as long as they pay their fair share of taxes (and landing fees) and living wages. If they can’t make it on their own, they should go to a location willing to make corporate welfare payments. Same logic holds true for airlines. If they can’t afford to serve BOI without subsidy, we probably don’t need them.

Meanwhile, with airlines pulling out or cutting flights and the number of passenger seats, they are building a new parking garage. Must make sense to someone. Fewer passengers, more parking spaces equals more business.

One good move at the airport is new hangars for Western Aircraft and Jackson Jet Center are being funded by the respective companies. While the tax exempt airport land is owned by the city, the structures will be taxed like any other property.” Both operations are expanding their business facilities and could increase their work forces. Nicely done apparently without government help.

Boise spent public money two years ago to influence a constitutional amendment vote which allows the airport to finance structures on the airport and then rent or lease the facilities. If financed using this method, city, county, ACHD, and schools all lose because government-owned property is tax exempt. The airport would collect lease payments to repay debt, but we all would suffer from the loss of tax revenues.

We have to admit a lack of comprehension regarding the link between motorcycles and tribute to the dead. We aren’t critical, just don’t understand it. Often hundreds of coppers on choppers are in funeral processions when an officer dies in the line of duty–like the Washington State trooper last week. Would anyone participate if these honor processions were comprised of silent electric cars?

About 70% of all water in the West comes from snowpack and this year’s low levels are already putting a crimp on everything from fish to power generators.

Here’s how the PUC explained the situation in a press release:
Declining water, reduced revenue from surplus energy sales and ongoing wind power expenses all contributed to a $140 million Power Cost Adjustment, the fourth highest in PCA history. To make up for the shortfall caused by these factors, Idaho Power Company’s residential customers will be assessed a one-year surcharge of an average 12.5 percent effective June 1. For all customers classes combined, the average increase is 15.3 percent.

None of the money collected in the surcharge can be used to increase Idaho Power earnings or salaries, but is kept in a deferred account, audited by the commission, to be used only for paying extraordinary power supply expense. While base rates cover fixed costs, the PCA, adjusted every June 1, covers costs that vary from year to year, and are largely outside the company’s control. These costs are related largely to water levels, gas and fuel expense, transportation expense and renewable power contracts for projects mandated by federal law. In six of the last 11 years, the PCA has been a decrease or no change, but this year’s is the fourth highest on record due largely to a 19 percent reduction in water the company uses to power its hydroelectric plants.

The morning guys at KBOI AM 670 discussed the issue with listeners and the cumulative result is the council has wisely bounced the ordinances back to staffers for a second look to seek answers to some of the issues raised.

The city proposed the three ordinances earlier this month in an effort to curb harassing and unsafe panhandling in the city, sitting and lying on sidewalks and other issues that “negatively affect the city’s public spaces,” according to a city news release. Problems arise when an ordinance is aimed at a particular segment of the population.

Chief Deputy Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane has made his final tabulations and reports the cost of the May 21 election was just shy of $150,000. Even with few issues on the consolidated election ballot, it still took around 700 workers to run the machines, staff the precincts, and supervise.

McCrane noted only 9,457 ballots were cast. That means each vote cost nearly $16–the price of democracy.

Greater Boise Auditorium District’s election drew a whopping 6,104 votes out of a total eligible electorate of 122, 850. That means about 5% of the voters turned out.

Eagle voters took top prize with an %18 participation in the democratic process.

With more staff, ballots, and planning involved, the November presidential election costs came to about $750,000. Turnout in November was 184,000 which comes out to $4.07 per vote. There is obvious economy in numbers. The GUARDIAN encourages “bulk purchases” in future elections to reduce the cost per vote.

John Brunelle, who serves as Mayor David Bieter’s assistant for economic development, has been offered the position of executive director of the Capital City Development Corp., the agency announced Wednesday…recently Bieter appointed himself as a member of the board.

The (CCDC) is the urban renewal agency described in legal terms as an “independent body, corporate and politic.” It is not an “alter ego” of the city, but two city councilors and the mayor are on the board and the new director will be from the Mayor’s staff. A clear victory for Team Dave.

Following the Greater Boise Auditorium District (GBAD) election three of the five members are now Bieter people. Clear win for Team Dave, 3-2.

It seems the city councilors subscribe to the wisdom of former President G.W. Bush, “If you ain’t wish us, you’re agin’ us.” Another win as Team Dave has been able–through appointments–to shape a city council absent of any “loyal opposition.”

All those consultants and analysts who get both public money and campaign funds are also winners. They are paid for such things as promoting the F-35, a constitutional amendment to deny citizens the right to vote on airport debt, trolley trains, a baseball park, and political candidates. Secondary winners all.

The GUARDIAN challenges the legal department and makes fun of pet projects. The result is a total news black out. No press releases or responses to routine questions. The so-called Mayor’s hotline which was once a font of information, attitudes, pet peeves, and chronic bitches from citizens has been reduced to cryptic sentences such as “Camper trailer tagged for being on street.” Close match, but victory to Team Dave.

Congratulations to Team Dave for a near total command of local politics. He has the CCDC, GBAD, City Council, but still needs the Ada Commishes and the ACHD directors to declare total victory.

To make evening payments easier, the city is planning to purchase 200 credit card or cash meters a year for $800 each. We are waiting for someone to challenge the parking enforcement on 8th Street between Bannock and Main. That is a stretch officially “vacated” by the Ada County Highway District, owned by the CCDC (Capital City Development Corp.) which is not part of Boise City. The City tries to bluff motorists, claiming the private street parking is enforced under a contract. We doubt a judge would find anyone in violation of a parking ordinance on private property.

We contend it is improper to enforce private parking under a city parking ordinance. Anyone up for a legal challenge?

Of course, if you just want to have a relaxing meal, not worry about parking tickets and a high concentration of booze joints you can always try the places on Vista, Overland, Orchard, State, and Fairview. They have free parking.