Mary Souza’s Newsletter 
Two days ago, CdA City Attorney,Mike Gridley emailed me an invitation to be part of the special breakfast meeting for his Vision CdA 2030 group.  A reporter from the Press emailed me moments later for a comment. So I decided the best way to respond was with an open letter to Mr. Gridley, fully explaining my reasons for turning down his invitation.  And the Press Editor was willing and able to find room to print my letter as a My Turn column in yesterday’s paper.  I thought you might like to read it too:

Dear Mr. Gridley,

Today I received your invitation to be part of the Visioning CdA 2030 group. While I appreciate the consideration, I am choosing not attend.  In order to be polite and helpful, however, I will openly explain my reasons for not participating at this time.

Planning is good.  Involving citizens is good. Vision is good.  But your timing could not be worse.  (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter  

(OpenCdA.com Note:  Bill’s post, below, is looking for comments on this same meeting. Here’s my take on what happened:)

This past Saturday morning there was an open, public meeting between our area legislators and the citizens who got out of their houses on a Saturday morning to express their thoughts and concerns. This type of local Legislative Update happens about twice during the three months the legislature is in session between January and the end of March. Usually there are about 25 people who brave the morning cold to attend the meeting. This time there were more than 100. Quite a turnout. And these people had some things to say! (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter 

On January 10th, our City Council voted to take away the Front Street driveways of two businesses across from McEuen Park.  This decision will negatively impact the value of these properties. But, in a highly questionable move, the Council allowed another business, on the same section of the street, to keep its two driveways. Want to know why?  Me too.  Here are my observations:  (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter  

—Yes, this is the public meeting we’ve been wanting; this is the public, televised meeting between the City Council and the School Board to cut through the obstacles and find an agreement on Person Field. Please join the fun in the lower level of the Library downtown, if you can, tomorrow, Thursday, at 5:00pm, or watch on Channel 19.

The School Board has been painted by many as being uncaring and money hungry in this process, which I think is wholly unfair.   Let me tell you why:

1.  The School Board is trying to be cautious with public money.  They are trying to fill budget shortfalls by reducing spending and selling unneeded assets.  Person Field will not be used for a school or any other district purpose, so it should not continue in the district’s possession.  But the School Board has ALWAYS said it should stay a park.  (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter  

Happy New Year!  I’m writing on this holiday to tell you that the CdA City Council is meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6:00 pm on the lower level of the new library, to talk about McEuen Park and Person Field.

I know it might seem sneaky for them to be dealing with these and several other major issues while most people are distracted by the just-completed holidays, but it’s par for the course with this administration.  They really don’t want you to show up—unless you agree with them. (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter 

As promised yesterday, let’s talk about Obamacare in Idaho.  This is a serious problem that needs our prompt attention.  Decisions will be made over the next few weeks that will impact our state, our economy and our nation forever.  (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter 

There are important things happening right now which will seriously affect the future of our city, our state and our nation.  But it’s the Christmas season and no one really wants to pay attention to two pesky, huge problems. Yet we must.    (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

Mic Armon lost his recent election and had to give up his seat on the NIC Board of Trustees.  At last week’s board meeting, he was thanked profusely by others for his years of service to the school.  Mic then went on to compliment himself and the board for a detailed list of accomplishments.  I watched the rerun on Channel 19.  (more…)