Letters to the editor: Candidates, library, fire station, Idaho delegation, orcas

Gubernatorial candidates

Don Lappin’s idea that the two major candidates appear in a TV ad together is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time. May I be so bold as to even suggest a joint script for our gubernatorial candidates?

(Appearing together) Little: Hi, I’m Brad Little, Republican candidate for governor. Jordan: And I am Paulette Jordan, Democrat candidate for governor. Little: We are appearing here together because we both believe, that in spite of the differences between our political parties ... Jordan: ... we believe that what we share in common is far more important than what divides us. Little: We are both citizens of the great state of Idaho ... Jordan: ... and we both want to make it an even greater place to live and raise a family. Little: My campaign emphasizes job growth and economic opportunity ... Jordan: ... while my campaign emphasizes health care and education. Little: While our goals and how we execute them may differ ... Jordan: ... we are both committed to you, the citizens of Idaho. Little: So whatever party you support ... Jordan: ... please remember to vote. Together: Thank you. (They shake hands and smile).

Proposed library

Despite the dimensionality in the architecture, the city’s plan for the new main library makes the same “urban renewal” mistakes most major cities made in the ’80s.

Disability access is inadequate, both distance and number of parking spaces.

The current library building contributes to the character of the neighborhood. The new one would destroy it.

Natural light is great, but it’s the enemy of books/periodicals. The glare would also interfere with library computer use.

Unless you’re going 100 percent LEED, this much glass will lead to incredible thermal load — you’re looking at a 20-degree difference between sunny side and shady side. No amount of air conditioning can fix that.

That “lens” wall will reflect sunlight at certain times of day, creating blinding glare on the Greenbelt.

All that pale cement/stone/facing is going to create a terrible heat island effect in the summer. Crossing the entry plaza will be brutal.

The hardscaping will create runoff issues, potentially mitigated by the planned rooftop garden.

Folks tell me this looks like the Salt Lake City library. Can’t we have a library that still looks like Boise? Expand the old building if possible. At least use red brick.

Fire station construction

How could the City have estimated the cost of the fire station construction at half of what it’s going to cost to complete. I think they picked a number ($17 million) that they could get the voters to approve knowing full well that it was not going to be enough money to cover the project and that once the project was under way that the public had no choice but ante up another $17 million to finish the project. They are trying to blame it on inflation and the rising costs of goods. The thing I know is inflation has not been 100 percent over the past four years that they are blaming for the overrun. No one in the private sector could keep their jobs with that kind of incompetent performance. The mayor and his staff should somehow be held accountable.

Boise’s Democrat candidates

Why are Boise’s Democrat candidates so ashamed of being Democrats?

In District 16, incumbent State Senator Grant Burgoyne, incumbent John McCrostie, and newcomer Rob Mason have released a joint-ticket handbill. But nowhere on the flyer does the word “Democrat” or “DNC” or even a donkey appear. No one will own up to it. Not even Mr. McCrostie, one of the most leftwing members of our state Legislature.

It’s the same story in District 15 where Democrat Jim Bratnober, Democrat Steve Berch, and Democrat Jake Ellis are all running as (secret) Democrats. They have yard signs, handbills and an extensive presence on social media. But still no “Democrat,” no “DNC,” no donkey. Even Mr. Berch, a Democrat’s Democrat who has been running for office as a (secret) Democrat for nearly a decade, and who receives considerable campaign contributions from out-of-state liberal activists and groups, tries to hide his Democrat party affiliation from the voters during election season.

If Boise’s Democrats can’t be upfront about being Democrats, what else are they trying to hide? Or, more importantly, who are they trying to fool?

Idaho delegation and Trump

I have been (more or less) patiently waiting for Senators Risch and Crapo and my Representative, Michael Simpson, to use their conscience or common sense and to stop supporting Donald Trump.

Trump lies, complains, exhibits paranoia, narcissism and other signs of mental illness. Why do our officials refuse to stand up to him even though they know he is running this country into the ground? He is either evil, ignorant, or both. Do they fear that acting ethically would endanger their job?

I don’t think Crapo, Risch or Simpson are ignorant. That leaves evil as the only explanation for their support of Donald Trump. They are among the most powerful people in the United States. They are not using their power to be patriots. They are helping to undermine this country.

I want an explanation. I want these officials to tell me why they are sending this country down the same road as the Roman Empire. They must publicly explain their actions as soon as possible.

Idahoans for orcas

Idahoans have the power to save southern resident killer whales — orcas — those magnificent black and white wonders that we all know and love. These whales are starving because the four lower Snake River dams have decimated the supply of one of their essential food items — Snake River Chinook Salmon. (Other problems aside, eating would be a good first step.) Perhaps you’ve seen the heart-wrenching videos and read the story of Tahlequah, the grieving killer whale mom who carried her dead calf for 17 days before giving up hope. This orca pod has not had a calf survive since 2015. These whales are sending a clear, undeniable message — the ecosystem is collapsing. If these whales don’t have enough salmon to eat, then neither do any of the other hundreds of species of animals (and plants) that depend on salmon nutrients in all their forms (eggs, juveniles, alive and dead adults) in both the marine and freshwater environments. The story of Tahlequah and the larger tragedy of these whales painfully illustrates just how important Snake River Salmon (steelhead, Pacific Lamprey) are to the environment and ultimately to us. Take action. Call for restoration of a free-flowing lower Snake River.