GUEST POST by George Solverson (Boise, Idaho) —
Boise tax payers survive another Bond initiative promoted by out of touch, tax and spend Mayor, Fire Chief, media, and the north end cabal.
Mayor Bieter was quoted saying he was disappointed by the failure of two recent Bond measures, but felt he was on the "right track" because his so called "Yes! Yes!" campaign convinced 16,000 like-minded residents to raise taxes on every property owner in Boise. Fortunately 9,000 engaged voters sent a message "Please! Please!" give us a break. Many residents generously supported a recent tax increase to keep teachers working and are still paying for the last foothills purchase scheme, but are now feeling tapped out. Taxpayers are working harder than ever make ends meet. They are experiencing high unemployment, suppressed wages/hours, increased insurance costs, and worries about the record demand for food stamps. Homeowners are under growing pressure to maintain a basic standard of living and survive continual rate increases for water, sewers, electricity and natural gas due to more government regulations and spending.
Proponents of these Bonds displayed remarkable insensitivity and lack of situational social and political awareness regarding the economic security concerns of many residents. An average of $144.00 per year in tax increases might be tolerable for the campaign’s targeted northenders, but for many it adversely affects any of the following common living standard measures: four auto gas tank fill ups, four nights out on the town, two-month utility bill, vehicle license/emission test renewal, or a cherished donation to the local animal shelter. For me, it is a loss of over $3,000 dollars in the next 18 years toward my granddaughter’s college fund.
What would make our Mayor and others think the most pressing issue facing the City of Boise right now is creating more parks and expanding the foothills fire protection district? The last time I checked, we have more wonderful parks and open space then we can take care of properly. How about showing some restraint in spending and figure out how to effectively protect and maintain the existing infrastructure and environment we enjoy before begging for more?
Contrary to what Fire Chief Dennis Doan has implied, Boise will be able to maintain a highly capable and trained fire department. As a 36 year veteran firefighter, I am confident that Boise firefighters are the best no matter how fancy the training facility. I was troubled when the Fire Chief was quoted as saying that now that his door-to-door campaign to his neighbors in the northend failed, that he might have to engage in budget negations directly with other city departments like Parks and Arts. As a former Fire Chief, it sounds like it is time he performs the primary duty of a Chief: Fight for department staffing, maintenance and improvement needs within the prescribed city budget process. Also, a strategic thinking Fire Chief would save the default scare tactic warning about impacts on "response time" for the inevitable crunch that threatens most fire departments around the country: A need to raise taxes to pay for pension commitments and maintain current engine staffing levels.
In addition to a new 6.8 million dollar fire training center, it is clear that other upgrades and replacement should be integrated into the regular budget process and decision making. We were told that Station 9 needs 1.2 million dollars in order to meet the latest suppression/sprinkler and alarm system fire code standard which is required by the city for new construction. I urge City Government officials to use some common sense and simple grant a code variance in the case of fire stations. Come on, surely a building occupied by team of professional firefighters meets and exceeds the intent of this fire code.
The Mayor needs to demonstrate he represent all corners of the city and has learned from his costly Bond failures. He should abandon the trolley car spending mentally that apparently motivated voter to oust incumbent mayors from around Idaho this last election. The folks still upset with the Bond/rate increase failure are free to perform an act of civil disobedience and park their cars in the wrong direction on side of the streets in the northend. I am sure the City would accept a donation in the form of parking fine.
Yes! Yes!, the new "No Panhandling Law" should apply to the City of Boise and not just the homeless.
Boise tax payers survive another Bond initiative promoted by out of touch, tax and spend Mayor, Fire Chief, media, and the north end cabal.
Mayor Bieter was quoted saying he was disappointed by the failure of two recent Bond measures, but felt he was on the "right track" because his so called "Yes! Yes!" campaign convinced 16,000 like-minded residents to raise taxes on every property owner in Boise. Fortunately 9,000 engaged voters sent a message "Please! Please!" give us a break. Many residents generously supported a recent tax increase to keep teachers working and are still paying for the last foothills purchase scheme, but are now feeling tapped out. Taxpayers are working harder than ever make ends meet. They are experiencing high unemployment, suppressed wages/hours, increased insurance costs, and worries about the record demand for food stamps. Homeowners are under growing pressure to maintain a basic standard of living and survive continual rate increases for water, sewers, electricity and natural gas due to more government regulations and spending.
Proponents of these Bonds displayed remarkable insensitivity and lack of situational social and political awareness regarding the economic security concerns of many residents. An average of $144.00 per year in tax increases might be tolerable for the campaign’s targeted northenders, but for many it adversely affects any of the following common living standard measures: four auto gas tank fill ups, four nights out on the town, two-month utility bill, vehicle license/emission test renewal, or a cherished donation to the local animal shelter. For me, it is a loss of over $3,000 dollars in the next 18 years toward my granddaughter’s college fund.
What would make our Mayor and others think the most pressing issue facing the City of Boise right now is creating more parks and expanding the foothills fire protection district? The last time I checked, we have more wonderful parks and open space then we can take care of properly. How about showing some restraint in spending and figure out how to effectively protect and maintain the existing infrastructure and environment we enjoy before begging for more?
Contrary to what Fire Chief Dennis Doan has implied, Boise will be able to maintain a highly capable and trained fire department. As a 36 year veteran firefighter, I am confident that Boise firefighters are the best no matter how fancy the training facility. I was troubled when the Fire Chief was quoted as saying that now that his door-to-door campaign to his neighbors in the northend failed, that he might have to engage in budget negations directly with other city departments like Parks and Arts. As a former Fire Chief, it sounds like it is time he performs the primary duty of a Chief: Fight for department staffing, maintenance and improvement needs within the prescribed city budget process. Also, a strategic thinking Fire Chief would save the default scare tactic warning about impacts on "response time" for the inevitable crunch that threatens most fire departments around the country: A need to raise taxes to pay for pension commitments and maintain current engine staffing levels.
In addition to a new 6.8 million dollar fire training center, it is clear that other upgrades and replacement should be integrated into the regular budget process and decision making. We were told that Station 9 needs 1.2 million dollars in order to meet the latest suppression/sprinkler and alarm system fire code standard which is required by the city for new construction. I urge City Government officials to use some common sense and simple grant a code variance in the case of fire stations. Come on, surely a building occupied by team of professional firefighters meets and exceeds the intent of this fire code.
The Mayor needs to demonstrate he represent all corners of the city and has learned from his costly Bond failures. He should abandon the trolley car spending mentally that apparently motivated voter to oust incumbent mayors from around Idaho this last election. The folks still upset with the Bond/rate increase failure are free to perform an act of civil disobedience and park their cars in the wrong direction on side of the streets in the northend. I am sure the City would accept a donation in the form of parking fine.
Yes! Yes!, the new "No Panhandling Law" should apply to the City of Boise and not just the homeless.
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