valleygov's blog

Nampa: Take your pooch to a party Saturday

Kristin Rodine, Canyon County reporter — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:30:53 -0400

Nampa’s parks department is heralding the end of its outdoor-pool season by hosting an appropriate fund-raiser for a planned off-leash dog park: They’re hosting a Pooch Pool Party.

Canines will have Lakeview Water Park (at least the water parts – owners are relegated to the sidelines) to themselves from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Humans can watch, toss toys and accompany their dogs to various pup-friendly vendors and concession stands. But only dogs can swim at this pool party.

The cost is $5 per dog, and each handler is limited to no more than two dogs.

Canyon Dem delegates gather tonight

Kristin Rodine, Canyon County reporter — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:19:10 -0400

The 29 Canyon County delegates to the Idaho State Democratic convention will practice be special guests at tonight’s (June 9) meeting of the county central committee.

The delegates -- 23 pledged to Barack Obama, six to Hillary Clinton -- will represent Canyon County Democrats at the state convention, set for June 12-14 in Boise. They will help select six delegates to the national convention, revise the state party by-laws and adopt the 2008 party platform.

Those campaigning to represent Idaho at the national convention are invited to practice a short stump speech at tonight's meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Canyon County Courthouse, 1115 Albany St., Caldwell. All Democrats are welcome to attend.

Canyon County: Don't pour mouthwash on skeeters

Kristin Rodine, Canyon County reporter — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:48:15 -0400

Apparently an urban legend is making the rounds in Canyon County, claiming that Listerine is a good product for killing mosquitoes.

Alas, the antiseptic mouthwash has a high alcohol content that makes it effective for killing many things, including landscape plants and flowers, the county Mosquito Abatement District noted in a news release Monday.

Abatement folks recommend the mosquito-averse (and aren't we all?) use other products – products that are registered for mosquito control.

Roads: Are developers the new road planners?

Cynthia Sewell, growth reporter — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:44:02 -0400

Maybe this is a new way for ACHD, Ada County, Boise, Meridian, etc. to save money ... let the developers come up with the long-range road and development plans. It would save taxpayers a bundle.

Developer drafting road plan for eastern Warm Springs Avenue: Brighton Corp. is drafting a 20-year plan for improvements to Warm Springs Avenue between Eckert and Highland Valley roads.

The public can review the proposed plan at an open house 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Riverstone International School, 5493 Warm Springs Avenue.

Brighton will present its proposed corridor plan to Ada County Highway District and Boise city this spring.

Ada County: Online budget priorities survey

Cynthia Sewell — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:59:40 -0400

Ada County is taking a different approach to crafting next year’s budget.

In prior years the county commissioners would allocate each county department a set percentage increase.
Under the new model, the board will ask for the public’s help in prioritizing county services and then fund the services accordingly.

To accomplish this the county is conducting online survey through May 19 asking county residents to determine how much money they think should be allocated to specific programs and services.

“This new process will help us develop a new county budget that accurately reflects the values of Ada County residents,” Commissioner Rick Yzaguirre said. “The input we receive from this survey, and from public testimony given at our budget hearings, will help us better manage county resources.”

Ada County, et al: April 21-24 meetings, hearings and presentations

Cynthia Sewell, growth reporter — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:43:33 -0400

Governments wonks, here is the slate of meetings next week from my beat:

Monday, April 21
1:30 p.m. COMPASS board meeting, Caldwell Police Dept., 110 S. 5th, Caldwell. Full agenda.

Tuesday, April 22
11 a.m. Ada County Open Space Task Force presentation to Ada County Commissioners, Ada County Courthouse main floor hearing room, 200 W. Front St., Boise.

Wednesday, April 23
2:30 p.m. Growth Alliance (Ada County, ACHD, Boise, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, Meridian, Star) at ACHD, 3775 Adams St., Garden City.

Find out about Friends of Nampa Library tonight

Kristin Rodine, Canyon County reporter — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:26:51 -0400

The annual meeting of the Friends of the Nampa Library is set for 7 p.m. downstairs at the library, 101 11th Ave. S.
Interested community members are invited to attend, find out about the group, join and vote on officers for the coming year.
The group raises funds for the library through ongoing sales of donated books and hosts a popular annual book sale, which is slated for Aug. 20-25 this year. For more information call 468-5800.

ITD: State funding shortfall could put trails on chopping block

Cynthia Sewell, reporter — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:53:21 -0400

The Idaho Conservation League has rallied more than 20 cities, counties, businesses and organizations statewide to sign a letter to the Idaho Transportation Department Board in support of the Transportation Enhancement Program, an ITD program that provides money for bikeways and pedestrian pathways.

Idaho Conservation League press release:

Cities, counties, businesses and organizations urge Idaho
Transportation Department to prioritize trails program

Meridian: 3rd Street extension

Cynthia Sewell, Meridian reporter — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:23:45 -0400

The City of Meridian and the Meridian Development Corporation will host a public information meeting to discuss the future extension and alignment of E. 3rd Street in downtown Meridian.

The open-house style meeting takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in the main floor conference room of the Meridian Police Department, 1401 E. Watertower Ave.

The alignment identified will extend north to Fairview Avenue, creating an additional north-south route through downtown Meridian. This new connection will provide much needed relief to other north-south roadways in the area while increasing connectivity downtown.

Ada County: Planned communities update

Cynthia Sewell, Reporter — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:13:48 -0400

Public hearings on two planned community applications are coming up:

Vista planned community: 3,113 homes on 1,048 acres one mile south of Kuna-Mora Road west of S. Cole Road.
Developer: Manhard Bellatrix.
Public hearing: Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m. April 17, main hearing room, Ada County Courthouse, 200 W. Front St.

Dry Creek planned community: 4,300 homes on 1,414 acres east of Idaho 55 along Brookside Lane and Dry Creek Road.
Developer: JMM DRY Creek LLC
Public hearing: Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m. May 22, main hearing room, Ada County Courthouse, 200 W. Front St.