Moyle
Mike Moyle’s disingenuous opinion piece regarding Meridian’s budget is typical of his constant attempts to force his views onto the operation of municipalities in Idaho. Moyle’s condescending “we know best” attitude has resulted in the legislature insinuating itself into the business of city government’s dealings in the service of his attempts to offer token property tax reductions which he thinks will paint the legislature as having done something for homeowners.
As a resident of Meridian, I can tell Mr. Moyle that I have a great deal more faith in Mayor Simison and the Meridian city council to run our city affairs than I do in him.
Mind your own business, Mike. If we want your self-serving opinion, we’ll ask for it.
Bruce Harris, Meridian
Farmland
When we purchased our farm south of Kuna and began operating our dairy back in 1995, we were surrounded by other farms. In line with growth in the region, there’s been a steady growth in the number of houses in our vicinity. While we didn’t particularly like to see homes being built next door due to potential conflicts with ongoing ag activities, we believed in our neighbors’ right to develop and use their properties as they saw fit, and the law allows.
Now there’s an orchestrated attempt to mislead others about the Powers Butte project and raising money, buying billboards and websites, all under the banner of “Save our Farmland.” Our land is not theirs to save. This is an attempt to control the way we use our farm for the benefit of others without any compensation and to scare others and deprive us of our private property rights.
If Ada County gives in to this campaign, then it’s a sad day for property rights and individual liberty in Idaho both of which are important principles supporting the economic health of our state and nation.
Denis Dunlop, Boise
Heat
July 23 was the 17th consecutive day that the air temperature at Ontario, Oregon, reached 100 degrees or more. In 1984, I had the opportunity to become the director of the Oregon State University Malheur Experiment Station in Ontario, and continued my employment until 2018. A weather station had been established at the station in 1942. In 1985, we examined the weather patterns over the past decades. On average there were two or three days each year when the air temperature reached 100 degrees or more. The summer heat patterns in recent years are very different from previous decades. This heat places both native vegetation and crops at great risk. The heat also increases crop water demands.
Clinton C. Shock, Ontario, Oregon
Wildfire smoke
Why is it that half of the year, the climate-conscious states to the West allow themselves to burn, thus putting millions of tons of smoke and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? Anyone tired of breathing smoke half of the year. We should charge them $1 billion per day for their failure at basic land management practices, which would largely eliminate the yearly burn.
Brook Garrettson, Eagle
Election
What an interesting set of circumstances presenting itself to the electorate. Reminds me of the Democratic National Convention in 1968 held in Chicago. Conventions used to be a lot of fun, what with deal making and multiple roll call votes. President Biden withdraws from seeking reelection. The Republicans, under the Speaker of the House, are studying lawsuits seeking to force President Biden to remain on the ballot. Mr. Trump is facing charges in Washington, D.C., which, if found guilty, would disqualify him from serving as president. If elected, it would seem that he could compel dropping the charges. What I wonder out loud is this. Could not some individual bring a declaratory judgment action seek judicial determination that Mr. Trump engaged in sedition and conspiracy to commit sedition? The lower standard of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, could make the case so much easier. So why not have Mr. Trump withdraw from the race and allow both parties a do-over where each one chooses a much brighter, and younger, candidate to carry their flag forward. Seems like it would be a good way out of the current mess.
Lawrence G. Sirhall, Jr., Boise
Democracy
If we had a dollar for every time we are lied to by campaign ads and media coverage of the Republican convention, we wouldn’t need Social Security or the Affordable Care Act. We could just live in a world of fantasy like the politicians who call former President Trump “compassionate,” even if they were previously attacked by his party extremists in congress on January 6th. We wouldn’t need to vote because we will not be allowed to vote. We wouldn’t have to worry about integrity, honesty or civility because the only thing that matters is who has enough money to buy our democracy. Putin and other dictators must be so pleased.
Sheila Robbins, Boise
Trees
The sound of saws and chippers resound throughout the neighborhoods of Boise. Poignant, since the Treasure Valley is under an Excessive Heat Watch and Air Quality Alert. I propose the City of Boise take a radical stance to save our tree canopy.
I applaud and support the City of Trees Challenge. The Treasure Valley Canopy Network states: “Trees play a critical role in our environment and provide important clean air, water and community cooling benefits that combat the negative effects of climate change.”
Planting saplings is a worthwhile goal, yet what is being done about the existing trees and frequent tree removal. Saplings will take years before they will shade an area. New sapling mortality rate is an issue.
Solutions? More cities are considering ordinances that would make it harder to remove healthy trees on private property. Some cities impose a hefty fine if a tree is removed without permission. There are even requirements for new trees to be planted when a tree is removed on private property. The City of Trees Challenge could have resources available for homeowners to trim and maintain existing trees. Cities are realizing the essential role preserving the tree canopy plays in our survival.
Ruth Merrill, Boise
Most Popular
Comments / 0