If Mike Masterson mocks security detail for mayor, how will he wield power as mayor? | Opinion

Security detail

I was disappointed to read that candidate for mayor and former Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson would choose to criticize and attempt to make a campaign issue out of a security detail assigned to protect Mayor McClean and her family during and after the well-publicized and credible threats against her and other public officials. Not once have I heard Mr. Masterson criticize the actions of those who precipitated the need for a security detail in the first place. Rather he equivocates in that old familiar way by saying that “there’s people on the far right and the far left that espouse different things.” His criticism follows the well-worn path of many powerful white men who have come before him: blame the victim. I am curious what Mr. Masterson would have done in the face of such real and credible threats either as chief or as mayor. I have faith that the police department of our city can (and did) both provide necessary security for the mayor while also delivering the high level of service our community expects from the department.

When he mocks the security needs of a political rival as selfish, why should I trust that he would wield his considerable power equitably and fairly across the political spectrum, should he be elected?

Matthew H. Bullard, Boise

Water quality

This is about water quality, fishing, swimming and habitat in Boise park ponds.

On May 20, I fished Esther Simplot park pond. The water was murky. Despite excellent structure for fish, none nibbled. I visually searched the banks on the north of the pond, near overhanging trees. No blue gill were visible, even in the morning shade. That’s odd. I used to see schools of blue gill and catch them easily.

I inspected the submerged shallows gravel. There were no aquatic insects visible. This is not good sign for healthy water quality. No aquatic insects, not much food for fish. The pond has aerators that increase water oxygen. Aerators do not remove pollutants, such as excess nitrogen and phosphates from fertilizers and feces.

Geese eat fertilized grass and defecate near shore or in water. Runoff from fertilized lawn also adds excess minerals.

Please, Parks and Recreation, act to improve pond water quality.

Let native plants grow near shore line. Do not mow, nor fertilize. Harvest aquatic plants such as algae and milfoil to remove excess phosphorus and nitrogen. Compost elsewhere.

Sing, pray, drum or chant to bless the water. Come on people, now...

Water is life.

Brent Mathieu, Boise

University of Phoenix purchase

Kudos to the Idaho state board of education for its unanimous vote to allow the University of Idaho to purchase the University of Phoenix.

Brilliant!

Just as Purdue University purchased Kaplan University and therein produced “Purdue Global,” this action will blast the University of Idaho (and our state) into the education future. It will also make the University of Idaho a national name. Converting the University of Phoenix into a nonprofit, as planned, will bolster its ethical framework, thereby cleaning things up a little reputationally. Additionally, the deal financially pays for itself, with the income stream making the loan payment. Clean.

For historical context, Jonathan Turner, a Yale grad, had the vision in the 1850s for land grant universities, in order to deliver ‘industrial education for the working class.’ Abe Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act, during the Civil War, for this exact purpose. As validation, a few years ago two New York professors wrote a paper concluding land grant colleges have proven a key differentiator in America’s global dominance. Years from now we will look back at University of Idaho’s purchase of the University of Phoenix as the game-changer that significantly extended industrial education reach to our modern working class.

Both Turner and Lincoln would be proud of Idaho’s education board today.

Aaron Williamson, Boise