Letters to the editor: School elections, school reopening, militias, fairgrounds, Trump
School elections
The West Ada School District just passed a $14 million levy after the levy was voted down in June. This levy was placed on 100% of the taxpayers by only 14% of the voters. This was because the majority of citizens believed this issue was already decided and because of the lack of publicity and understanding about the new election. The practice of holding another election two months after the normal election (election stacking) is an underhanded tactic and one that nullifies the voice and choices made by the taxpayers and citizens. The Idaho House of Representatives tried to stop this practice by passing HB347 which would prevent this type of abuse of the election system. Unfortunately, the Senate refused to do their duty and vote on the bill. The result has been the abuse of the democratic system, and this type of unethical tactic needs to stop. Please call or email your senator and demand the passage of HB347 to keep integrity in our election system and to keep special interests from misusing the system to their advantage, as they are currently doing.
Jim Hardy, Meridian
Fairgrounds
The recent proposal for a baseball and soccer arena on the Ada County Fairgrounds property is a great idea. The rest of the proposal for apartments, residences and commercial buildings, not so much. Think 20, 50 and 100 years ahead and consider New York City’s Central Park. Let’s preserve the green space. Continuing county ownership, along with the ever-expanding county tax base would be available for necessary public financial support of a sports, recreational and cultural complex to be used and enjoyed by all residents of the county and beyond. Commercial and residential development would then naturally follow all around the perimeter of the complex
G. W. (Bill) Tonkin, Boise
School reopening
I am writing in response to Ms. Richey’s letter commenting on the article about the Richmond family. Although I understand her perspective and that there are glaring inequities in our society, she has missed the point of the article. The point being that opening the schools en masse to students may result in the same trials and tribulations that the Richmond children are suffering. And as Ms. Richey points out, the Richmond family has a certain level of “privilege.” So what will happen when children and/or their families that lack resources — money, health care, child care — get sick? It seems to be a recipe for disaster. Not to mention the essential workers — teachers, bus drivers, kitchen staff, aides and their families — who will be caught in the crosshairs. The only way we can address systemic inequities is if we are here to do it. The greatest privilege we have is to stay alive! Opening the schools at this point appears to be foolhardy.
Caren DeAngelis, Boise
Militias
I would like to congratulate Julie Frankel, Mara Hoplamazian, and MalaikaTapper for their thorough article on the continued rise of white supremacists/vigilantes/militias in Northern Idaho and to see how many elected officials as well as law enforcement officers are part of this. Most are very quick to say they don’t see the activities of these groups as extreme despite the intimidation of protesters, the carrying of guns, the use of racist slurs during city council meetings, online bullying and threats, and anti-government rhetoric. Yet, there they are, supported by Idahoan elected officials and state and local police. Look for neon green ribbons, my fellow Idahoans, they can even be seen in the dark. Shame, thy name is Northern Idaho.
Becky Neff, Boise
Trump
I feel like I’ve slipped into George Orwell’s 1984. The chilling nightmare depicted by Orwell is now the reality in this country. Trump repeats his lies over and over again until every lie becomes the Republican truth. The “Truth” is now Fake News; the Deep State is out to get him, the Democrats will destroy the country, etc., ad nauseum. Unless we rid ourselves of the swamp Trump has brought to Washington and beyond our Republic will fail. Trump’s “best” people are either under investigation or been indicted and gone to jail. Trump pardons his cronies eroding the Rule of Law. No matter how many times the courts rule against him, Trump defies their rulings. The DoJ and State are politicized, being a large contributor is the only qualification a person must have to become an ambassador. According to the White House, “nobody cares about ethics” or the Hatch Act. What legacy are we leaving our children? If we continue on our present course, we will kill our planet proving Man is his own worst enemy, destroying the gift we were given – Earth.
Joan Ehrnstein, Meridian