The following Guest Opinion was submitted to the Idaho Statesman in response to an editorial written by Kevin Richert. I hope you will take the time to read the two Idaho Supreme Court decisions about which I commented on my Facebook page. You can find them at the following links: Kessler […]
Since 2006, Ada County has spent almost $31 million digging giant holes at the landfill, so we can dump our waste into them and wait for it to decompose. In contrast, we have spent $2 million to purchase site-specific plans for the Dynamis waste-to-energy facility, money that the county will […]
Case Closed!
Next week, I will file to run for re-election to the Board of Ada County Commissioners in the Republican Primary. Why should you care? You should care because my re-election to this Board can have a significant impact on your property taxes. During the three years I have been back […]
Defending Your Dollars
The following guest opinion was prepared by Central District Health Department Executive Director Russ Duke, with small contributions by me. We have submitted it to the local papers for publication but I have not yet seen it appear. In December 2011 the Central District Health Department (CDHD) announced that it […]
The Business Case for Hiring Tobacco-Free Employees
I must apologize for having not written anything lately for my blog. It has been challenging to find time to write. As you might have realized by now, there is rarely a dull moment in the life of an Ada County commissioner! I have been working on some deadline-sensitive projects […]
Quorum Questions
Last Thursday, I received the following inquiry from a reporter at the Idaho Statesman: “This is from Boise: “’The City is not a part of any agreement that exists between Ada County and Dynamis. Up to this point, Ada County has not approached the City about the Dynamis project. Idaho […]
Not Necessarily News?
It has come to my attention that a disgruntled former employee is likely working with Commissioner Bisterfeldt to accuse the Board of Ada County Commissioners of having violated the Idaho Open Meeting Law nearly a year-and-a-half ago with regard to the Dynamis project. We have not done so. Here are […]
Turning Waste into Energy – and Jobs
Ada County is gearing up to take over the provision of misdemeanor probation services at the end of this contract term, which is September 30, 2012. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to call or write to my Board to express your concerns and frustrations with this […]
Update on Misdemeanor Probation
I have NEVER supported privatized misdemeanor probation. I have advocated against the concept since Ada County first contracted for the service a dozen or so years ago. Law enforcement and corrections activities fall within the limited role of responsibilities that government should fulfill internally, not contract out. I have lobbied […]
Let’s Talk About Misdemeanor Probation
Ever heard of someone being charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Ada County? Let’s take a look at the dramatic difference in distribution of court fines and fees between Boise City and Ada County. The cost of committing a DUI in Ada County, if caught and charged […]