Boos to the Ada County Highway District: Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman on her blog let Ada County citizens know that the ACHD was planning to spend $400 per bus bench on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. With 600 bus benches, this added up to $240,000. Ullman called for a more cost-effective approach. Well, last week the empire struck back, as the majority of the ACHD Commissioners sent Ullman a peevish and unprofessional letter. They also sent out color copies ofthe entirety of the frontpage of Ullman's blog to Ullman and five other officials. Apparently, thebrilliant folksat the ACHD couldn't figure out how to print only the relevant blog post and to print in gray scale. But silly me, if you're going to spend $400 a bench, why worry about something as silly as printing costs. Also ACHD Commissioner Sara Baker specifically asked the letter note that she didn't support this action by the Commission, but the other commissioners voted not to disclose her lack of support. Voters take note of the actions by Commissioners McKee, Huber, and Arnold, the next time ACHD Commissioners are up for election, and ACHD Commissioners please take note: do not print this whole blog and send out in Quintuplicate. Given all the color that was put into designing it, it could bankrupt the highway district.

Cheers to Idaho State Senator Russ Fulcher (R-21) for being clear that there will be no tax increase. Fulcher is probably the best leader we have in the State Senate and someone Idaho taxpayers can count on to focus on having government tighten its belts.

Cheers to U.S. Senate Jim Risch (R-ID) for taking the stance that the Fort Hood shooter should be prosecuted for the killing of the 14th victim, the unborn child of one of the other victims who died. Not prosecuting for this crimes ignores the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and diminishes the humanity of a child killed in this wanton act of violence.

Cheers to You: Taking a page from Time Magazines, 2006 Person of the Year, our final shout out goes to you, the taxpayers of Idaho who have used Governor Otter's efficiency website. According to Otter's press secretary, the site had received 112 suggestions. You've done your job. The question is whether Governor Otter will do his and bring greater efficiency to government. I hope so, but around here, the watch world is always, "Trust but verify."