If you’ve been wanting details about LCDC’s projects and expenditures over the years, we’ve just posted their spread sheet of information.  It’s here on OpenCdA, just click on “Documents & Reports” in the upper right hand corner of this front page, just under the “Register” button.  That will take you to several reports.  The last one on the list is the LCDC project spread sheet from July 2009, and gives loads of details.  Ok, it might not be everything you want to know, but it’s a start. Have fun!

Here’s a link to the video of tonight’s news coverage of the election problems here in CdA:

http://www.krem.com/news/local/CDA-council-candidate-claims-voter-fraud-in-November-election-87417797.html

Renovated Idaho Capitol

There are 7 urban renewal bills being considered by the Tax & Rev subcommittee this Tuesday morning at 8:30am! The subcommittee did not set a date or time to review them until last FRIDAY. It is so wrong for the legislature to make it impossible for citizens to participate in our government.  Dan Gookin checked into flying down, I’m not sure if he will, but the first flight he could get doesn’t get into Boise until 9am, so he’d miss the first hour of the meeting unless he pays even more to get there tonight and stay at a hotel and rent a car.  Probably $300-400 dollars per citizen.

Why the rush?  Why not arrange a time for teleconferenced testimony from citizens all over the state using the new technology our tax dollars paid to have installed in the new capitol?

You can bet LCDC and all the other Urban Renewal agencies across Idaho will have their paid lobbyists present to argue their side of the issues…our tax dollars at work, against us.

Ron Nilson

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

Ron Nilson spoke at the Downtown Rotary last Friday and I went to hear him tell “the other side” of several controversial political issues. His speech was important because Ron didn’t need to say anything at all.  He will get no obvious bonus for taking the risk, other than the immense satisfaction of doing what he believes is right.  But that’s Ron.  Anyone who knows him understands he is a man of principle.

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The City seems ultra-sensitive about McEuen Field.  They attacked me when I wrote about it two weeks ago, they attacked Steve Adams when he clarified  he was my source and that his info came directly from the City’s Troy Tymeson.  Then they attacked Steve for asking that his true words be used in the minutes of the meeting.  And Mike Kennedy ridiculed Steve and claimed he was lying.

Why would they be so defensive?  And WHY IS THERE STILL NO INFO ON THE CITY’S WEB SITE?

Could it be that the 2002 plan, shown on the left, taken from LCDC’s web site and listed as one of their top goals,  is radically different than the 1999 Walker Macy plan that the city spent huge money to pay for?

The City estimates the cost at nearly $2 MILLION dollars to “upgrade” McEuen, as is listed on the Parks Dept. 2008 Master Plan.

DO YOU FEEL INCLUDED IN THIS?

McEuen field baseball

“Of course there are plans for McEuen Field.  Does the city plan to hold yet more meetings on the development plans now that a number of years have passed since the Walker Macy plan adoption by the city?  Best the people keep an eye on the former decrepit tennis court area.  I find it curious that the courts are suddenly demolished as they certainly have been sitting there unused for months and months and months.  They certainly were not an example of the city’s attention to detail for citizens and visitors.”  (posted by Susie Snedaker, 1/27/10)

Any comments or questions?

“Citizen” asks, “Looks like Jai Nelson is throwing her hat in the ring and is running against Rick Curry for commissioner. She believes the rural community is under represented. All our commissioners live in urban settings. Does anyone have any opinions on the subject?”

Here’s the link to this morning’s Press article about Jai’s announcement.

Here’s an interesting email from one of our readers.  Do you agree?

Hi Mary!  I’ve always been perturbed about the amount of money NIC obviously spends advertising its program to the public at large.  I’m talking about billboards, movie theaters, television, etc.  I see their messages all the time so it’s not just a small campaign.  I doubt if the advertisements are really reaching many potential students who don’t already know of the programs they offer so they probably aren’t cost effective.  I also question why a public education institution feels it has the money to spend and need to advertise its programs that much.  They could get free public announcement spots for most of their information.

And now the government is demanding more money.  It’s starting here with the Idaho Unemployment Tax, which is one of the many taxes businesses are required to pay.  Our unemployment tax rates have QUADRUPLED since 2008, with this year’s new rate fully 3 times higher than last year’s.

Does this make businesses want to hire more folks?  Nope.  And this is just the beginning.  Wait until all the other taxes start piling on…NIC, city, county, state, federal.

Job creation?  Don’t hold your breath.