Here’s the link to a You Tube Video that’s well worth 4 minutes. It’s testimony from US Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) speaking on the floor of the House. She is outraged by the mafia-style deals being made by the Federal government and its 20 “Czars” that are akin to gangster deals pedaling influence for a select few. She tells of actual car dealerships that are her constituents and shows how they have been treated.
Please watch this video and pass the info on to others. This craziness must be stopped! Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thR-lVuztIY
In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court has just ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, CT, were unfairly denied promotions because of their race. The case is RICCI et al v DeSTEFANO et al.
This case pointed out the possible conflict in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 pitting disparate treatment against disparate impact.
Any comments?
The City’s Pulse Newsletter, by Mary Souza
Our lives are full of complex issues, but “tax increment”, which is the kind of money used by LCDC to fund urban renewal projects, is not difficult. Understanding the concept is easy if you ignore the layers of big words LCDC likes to use in describing tax increment; they want it to be intimidating. (more…)
It’s becoming so common that it’s hardly news any more — city, county, and state officials accepting bribes for votes. When it does make the news, it’s usually because the corrupt public officials have been caught up in an FBI sting following a thorough investigation.
The latest fish to get reeled in is Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers (shown left), wife of Michigan US Representative John Conyers. She has just pled guilty in federal court to one count of conspiring to commit bribery. She could get five years in federal prison for her guilty plea.
With her guilty plea Conyers acknowledges receiving approximately $6,000 in bribes in return for her vote to approve a $1.2-billion city waste disposal contract for Synagro Technologies. The charging document and plea agreement provide the elements of the case.
Monica Conyers is hardly some uneducated public figure worthy of sympathy. (more…)
Parkside Tower, 3rd floor public patio
As we head into the weekend run-up nearing the 4th of July, I thought it might be fun to try to name the “public” places we all have a right to go. I’m talking about places that LCDC gave money to fund “public” amenities. I’ll start with a few and you can chime in with any you might remember: (more…)
An interesting article in today’s Press about Mt. West Bank requiring collateral for a LCDC loan to work on Midtown. What many folks may not realize is that LCDC regularly buys up property to hold, off the tax roles, until they want to use it for some project. Many/most Urban Renewal Agencies around here don’t: Post Falls does not buy and hold property, and Hayden also avoids it. LDCD now owns almost two dozen properties.
The loans between Mt. West Bank and LCDC for six of the properties are where Charlie Nipp got himself into legal trouble with the Idaho Attorney General. Charlie, as then Chairman of the LCDC, did not disclose his business relationship and position on Mt. West’s Board (he is also an owner in the bank’s parent company. along with his business partner Steve Meyer), as Charlie signed all six loans as Chairman of the LCDC. Oops. He never apologized or admitted to any error. LCDC announced no plans to change their protocols or disclosures. (They just threw a big party for Charlie!) (more…)
The Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management is hosting a series of four meetings to review the Draft Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan. The remaining dates and locations are:
Wednesday, June 24 – Mica Grange, 6 p.m to 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 25 – Rathdrum City Hall, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Those who attended the first series of meetings were told that attendees at the earlier meetings would receive email messages telling us of the dates of the current series. We received no such email.
In February 2008, shortly after our present sheriff announced his candidacy, I put up an OpenCdA.com post which invited voters to consider several questions they might want answered before making their choice and voting.
In November 2009 Coeur d’Alene’s mayor and three city council seats will be up for election. Here are similar questions, slightly revised, that might apply to them: (more…)
Is the public overlooking the behavior of these, and other, elected officials just because they’re “nice”? Or maybe their irresponsible behavior is accepted because of their longtime CdA family names, or the fact they’ve been around for many decades. What do you think? Here are Gary’s words:
“I’m tired of reading on this blog that Woody is a nice person. Every buffoon I’ve ever encountered is a nice person. His reasoning is non existent, his use of the English language would embarrass his elementary school teachers. His presence on the city council is more importantly, dangerous.” Comment by Gary Ingram— June 21, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Ironman is done and the barricades should be down now, another successful competition complete. The weather seemed the worst in years. Did you go? Any other comments, ideas, suggestions for the week ahead?
