Letters to the Editor

BOISE ART MUSEUM

Article failed to mention ongoing quality of BAM

The Board of Trustees of the Boise Art Museum and its many supporters are disappointed by the Idaho Statesman's portrayal of the museum's condition.

BAM is fortunate to have the financial and operational resources to effectively deal with the current economic slowdown. We have a balanced budget for fiscal year 2010, an adequate endowment and freedom from debt. Due to the swift economic contraction in the community, appropriate corrections have been made for the coming year which would be recognized as prudent and even ordinary in any public or private organization.

We have launched museum-wide changes to enhance revenues without compromising quality. Over the coming year, BAM will present an array of fascinating exhibitions. We will continue to provide important art education programs to more than 16,000 students per year through our Free School Tour program and ArtReach program to rural Idaho schools. The museum will continue to welcome the community free of charge on First Thursdays as we have for 20 years, offer discounted admission for students and senior citizens, and provide members with the privileges and benefits their support deserves.

BAM greatly appreciates the Idaho Statesman's continuing encouragement of the arts and Idaho arts organizations.

MELANIE FALES, executive director, Boise Art Museum

IDAHO POWER CO.

Public utilities should be built on public land

In spite of opposition to its proposed 500-kilovolt lines, Idaho Power seems determined to build across private land. Following the proposal through Parma's impact zone, Idaho Power introduced alternative routes through farm land. From Parma to Walter's Ferry, we are united in opposing these routes. With much public land available, we see no excuse to cause permanent damage to private land. Public utilities should build on public land! If the environment is the reason BLM land isn't being considered, we wonder how desert life can be more seriously affected than human life and property.

We just visited our children in a Boise-sized Midwestern city. We were struck by the environment below smaller electric towers, winding through the city. Although homes near the electric grid were the same age and design as homes in other parts of the city, it was the slum area. We do not need that here in our beautiful Valley.

We urge everyone affected to work together with the Parma Task Force, which is already organized, to steer Idaho Power toward public land. No one disputes the need for transmission lines. They just should not be built through our views, our fields and our developing new subdivisions.

DOM AND JO IADEROSA, Parma

There are alternatives to using private land

We are writing concerning the Idaho Power Gateway West Transmission line. We are particularly concerned about the effect this line will have on the communities of Murphy, Oreana, Grandview and Bruneau. This section of the transmission line crosses a considerable amount of private property impacting several of our local farmers and ranchers. In light of our current economic situation, this is offensive and insane. These communities are surrounded by public lands. It is our strong opinion public utilities should traverse public lands and not impinge upon the hardworking, taxpaying private property owner.

We do have an alternative. There is an existing transmission line owned by Pacific Corp. on the north side of the Snake River. We propose that the Gateway West Transmission Line should parallel this existing Pacific Corp line. We have made maps to illustrate our proposal. These maps are on display at Owyhee County Planning and Zoning Office, Murphy; Y-Bar Restaurant, Grandview; Bruneau Library, Bruneau. Please view our maps and communicate with your elected officials regarding this matter, which so greatly impacts our communities.

ERNIE BREUER AND ROBYN THOMPSON, Oreana

AIG

Retroactive taxation would set bad precedent

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are being very vocal about their disdain for the bonuses distributed by AIG after the government bailout that had no guidelines as to how those funds were to be spent. They are kicking themselves for their own indiscretions, and in their efforts to rectify their own erroneous ways they are now trying to set a very dangerous precedent.

Should the government be able to apply laws legislated after the fact? If in 2010 the government realizes they don't have enough money to function, can they then pass laws to tax U.S. citizens' 2009 earnings to make up the difference? It seems to me that is exactly what they are doing with the proposed taxes on the bonuses. Though I am appalled at AIG's choice to give out the bonuses, unfortunately for us they did nothing that was illegal at the time.

JOHN MURPHY, Parma

NEW STATESMAN

Thanks for adding 'stories to catch up on'

Among the changes to the Idaho Statesman that I appreciate are the news summaries inside the front page under the heading, "stories to catch up on."

I'm sure many people share the problem of not always having time in the morning to read through the Statesman. Having these easy-to-find, brief summaries of news stories lets readers read the day's news highlights in a matter of a few minutes.

Thank you for this addition.

BARRY HOGAN MEYERS, Boise

THANKS

Truck driver was a huge help on school project

On Feb. 28, some parents and children from the two second-grade classes at Highlands Elementary School gathered to install planter boxes as a service-learning project. We arranged for some topsoil to be delivered, and it arrived as planned thanks to Christy Little of Little Trucking. But Ms. Little brought much more than topsoil - she stuck around and worked with us for three hours, helping build and fill the beds! Thank you so much, Christy! The parents and children of Highlands owe you big time!

NICK MILLER, Boise

Send a card or two to support our troops

Regardless of what you think about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our brave and selfless troops always deserve our support and thanks, and one way to offer that is sending a free e-card at www.LetsSayThanks.com. There are lots of great hand-drawn cards from kids around the country, and you can either opt for a pre-written "Thank You" or for "Other" and write one of your own.

It's an easy, fast way to let our troops know you haven't forgotten about them and do appreciate their ongoing efforts.

JOHN PLUNTZE, Ketchum