Carpe Diem 2007

Seize the day! Vote in City elections here in the Treasure Valley and stand up for your values.  Click here to find your polling place. Reposted below are my endorsements for Boise Mayor and City Council.  I and my wife took advantage of Early voting almost two weeks ago, so my duty’s done. Now, it’s your turn.

Hats Off to Bryan Fischer

We would tip our hats to Bryan Fischer provided we wore them. With the Gem State Voter Guide for Boise City elections, citizens are now able to see where Boise City Council and Mayoral Candidates stand on important social and economic issues. The guide sadly points to the utterly insufficient coverage of the Idaho Statesman and related media outlets as to our local campaigns that one must look elsewhere for coverage of important issues.

City Council Candidacy Misunderstanding

With the exception of Councilman Tibbs, it seems to us that many candidates for City Council have handicapped themselves through not running a more vigorous campaign sooner. The late filing deadline is deceptive as many believe they have a long time to make up their minds about running. The City of Boise is a complex thing with key constituencies, neighborhood associations are powerful and key groups of concerned property owners. Had we run for City Council, we would have been actively attending City Council meetings since last Winter, attended every neighborhood association meeting possible, etc. Jumping in late in the game will cause some problems if a firm understanding of the city is not obtained and key networking opportunities are not pursued. It is our hope that in the future, the focus will shift more quickly to City Council Candidate preparation than happened this time around.

Tibbs for Mayor

Jim Tibbs has run a respectable campaign for mayor. While, we do not believe he has the answer to all of our city’s problems, or will go as far as we need to go, he does provide some compelling reasons to support his candidacy. His pledge to put a 1 year moratorium on new taxes as well as his promise to limit City Growth to Population Growth + Inflation could help the city grow and make it a more friendly place to raise families.

The past 4 years, Mayor Dave Bieter has led a City Council that has often tried to go around its own constituents in capricious and outrageous ways. While Bieter’s administration did successfully accomplish the building of branch libraries without tax increases after their abortive $30 million boondoggle, the last four years have been some of the most divisive in Boise history, and we could use a fresh start. As a respected public official with a life dedicated to public service , Councilman Tibbs shows the type of leadership Boise needs for the next four years and earns our endorsement.

Council Seat 1: Kimball Offers Refreshing Leadership

An endorsement for the divisive and controversial Mr. Shealy is out of the question. His stubborn and controversial tone towards citizens of Boise during this term has provided a certain level of acrimony. If Boise wants to move past it, Shealy must go.

While we appreciate Ms. Wray’s efforts in regards to homelessness, we believe that of the candidates running, the best to bring common sense back to our city is Steve Kimball. In our conversations with Kimball, we have found him to have an abundance of this resource our current council lacks. The leadership he’ll provide on issues like zoning and economic growth will be vital and will balance the tendencies of far more liberal councilors.

Council Seat 3: Vote for Bigham

David Eberle has been less vocal and strident than Councilman Shealy, but still Boise could use new leadership in his seat as well and Redgie Bigham would be the one to provide it. Like Kimball, Bigham represents long forgotten principles in Boise governance and is worthy of support.

Council Seat 5: Re-Elect Clegg

While Elaine Clegg is certainly a liberal, other than delivering a somewhat out of place speech at the state day of prayer, I can find little fault with her four years in office. Clegg, in one way represents the ideal of a less ideological city councilwoman. She didn’t join the rush to remove the Ten Commandments without a pubic hearing. She has seemed open to public feedback and input, including a willingness to appear on public access.

As for Carol Wingate, her opponent, her half-filled out Voter guide provided little insight on her governing philosophy. A search of the Idaho Statesman archives going back to 2000 showed no mention of her name. News articles simply mentioned her running.

With less than 2 weeks before election day, as far as we can tell, we’ve seen little to indicate a serious campaig. All we can find is that Jim Tibbs and his wife gave a $150 check. Sorry, but against a competent and responsive incumbent, that’s not enough. Re-Elect Elaine Clagg.