Letters to the editor: ICCU proposal, wolves, riots

ICCU proposal

The BVA proposal for a Fourth and Bannock building that is effectively a slightly larger Zions Bank building to be dumped on a famously quiet downtown community would kill the East End’s community value, overwhelm traffic capacity, create serious light and sound pollution and block the sun from some local residences and offices. Local residential and business views would be lost and with other impacts, lower their values and therefore property tax base.

To build it would disrupt life for approximately 115 residences and many businesses for about two years. All for an unneeded building designed to enrich developers while lowering value of existing properties and the local community neighborhood. A temporary boost in wages and taxes to the City does not offset the damage to a local community and residents; and it is in total violation of the Blueprint for Boise plans.

Such a building, if needed at all, belongs in the downtown core between Sixth and 17th, Jefferson and Front, or in the corridor between Front and Myrtle. One wonders about the need of adding mainly medical and general business offices so close to a large and expanding regional medical facility and the downtown business core.

Jeremy Gray, Boise

Wolves

More than 550 wolves were killed between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, by hunters, fur trappers, Wildlife Services, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game in cruel traps and in aerial attacks. Included in that total are 27 pups/juveniles.

Prevention of depredations, depredations on livestock, to boost elk numbers, and for their fur are the reasons given. Wildlife policy is set by the Fish and Game Commission which refuses to manage predators with the science of its own biologists or consideration for conservation or ethical concerns.

The Wolf Control Board spent nearly $400,000 of your tax dollars on these activities. IDFG also provided $21,000 to a dubious organization of trappers, the Foundation for Wildlife Management, to fund bounties, rewards or compensation for their efforts.

Wilderness and wildlife are what make Idaho such a wonderful place to live. Those of us who care deserve a say in how these precious resources are managed. What is happening at the hands of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is just plain wrong. We have petitioned, we have pleaded but the IDFG Commission refuses to listen and has instead ramped up this war on predators. Will you lend your voice for wildlife?

Christine Gertschen, Sun Valley

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 10:02 AM.