‘We must have changes’
In the horrific mass shooting in Texas, I eagerly awaited hearing from our elected leaders in Washington to learn how they felt about the tragedy. I was thankful to hear from Rep. Simpson and his wife with their condolences but also that “something must be done to stop this.” Rep. Fulcher said nothing, Sen. Risch wrote “No comment”’ Sen. Crapo ignored the issue but said he was disappointed that the IRS has been slow in issuing refunds to his constituents. I wonder what our leaders would say if a mass shooting occurred in Idaho. Would that change anything or would we just hear that guns don’t kill people. People kill people. We must have changes.
Evelyn Cates
Boise
‘Day of Our Children’
We as a Nation have just celebrated Memorial Day to honor the thousands of men and women who served our country in Wars. Maybe now it is time to set aside a day to Memorialize the thousands of children and young adults who have died because of gun violence in our country. Perhaps then all Americans could stop and think of all we have lost and commemorate their lives. I don’t know what to call this day, Day of Our Children, Dia de Ninos, Giorno de Bambini. Maybe then there could be some impetus for our elected officials to do Something, Something. So much concern for the Unborn children, what about the living, breathing, laughing Children entering our school each and every day!!
Michael Strollo
Boise
‘A massive quagmire’
It was stupid enough that the City of Caldwell planning and city council allowed a senior housing complex to be built on the former Penny-Wise property but now they have made another unwise choice.
The multi-occupancy Cleveland Blvd. property would have served the city as a retail venture of some kind and such multi-unit housing should only be constructed at least just outside the downtown commercial complex.
More multiple apartments are being built now at the corner of main street and 7th avenue to add injury to insult.
Once again, prime downtown property going to multi-level apartments in very prime commercial property.
The City Planning and council should realize that people CAN drive into this commercial area from outside residential areas, not house the people within.
Granted, this endeavor will contain retail businesses on the first floor but to allow several apartments in the upper floors?
Parking is already very limited and quite sparse in the Downtown plaza area but now the apartment tenants have to park somewhere.
A massive quagmire will be the result.
Doug Sweaney
Caldwell
Putting people above things
When my family and I lived in the south, many people wore bracelets with the letters W.W.J.D. (“What Would Jesus Do”). I wore one for a while, as a reminder of how I should make decisions during my hectic day. My good friend Kelly Woods died yesterday, far too young. Kelly was exceptional in so many ways, he was a successful businessman, great husband, awesome father, and wonderful friend. Kelly’s biggest attribute was the way he consistently focused on “People” above “Things.” This might not sound like a big deal but think about whether you can really put the “People” around you, whether they are friends or just someone you run into on the street, above the “Things” in your life. While I’m not making a comparison between Kelly and Jesus, I will think about W.W.K.D. (“What Would Kelly Do”) and do my best to emulate his example of putting the “People” I interact with daily over the “Things” I have or want.
Do you LOVE local news? Get Local News Headlines in your inbox daily.
Scott Schoenherr
Boise
Productive farm country
We settled in Parma in 1960. in the late 60’s early 70’s I was writing for educational grants and a man in Washington D.C. named Frank Church made sure I always included this statement. “CANYON COUNTY, IDAHO IS THE NUMBER ONE MOST PRODUCTIVE FARM COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY,” He included statistics of course.
In following years we were rated one of two counties in the world most capable of seed production. The other was in India.
The question then was growth of population and development of third world countries who would someday force us to desperately need seeds for food crops. Canyon County should freeze any population creep onto good farmland. No one paid much attention.
I live on marginal land, with a view, but I do understand the financial dilemma current prices place on farmers. I do not think people understand the situation we face as a world population needing food. I wonder if that information has been discussed in recent negotiations.
Jody Iaderosa
Parma
Senior housing
What is wrong with Idaho? That’s easy to answer. If you’re a senior citizen, without a paid off house, and your only income is social security, then your choice is to live on the streets or in a nursing home. Idaho has allowed landlords to gouge people and force them into homeless situations. I know of apartments in South Nampa, built in the 70s, with leaky doors and aluminum windows, and no central air that raised their rent to $1400 monthly. That’s insane! There should be many income-based rentals in the Treasure Valley for seniors, but that only happens if you can get Republican politicians to care about people and not lining their own pockets. Idaho it’s time for change and rebellion.
Melissa Robinson
Nampa
Idaho Congressional delegation
On a day, Sunday June 5, when 7 of 8 letters and 3 of 5 guest commentaries dealt with horrific mass shootings in this paper. I am so relieved that our entire congressional delegation is totally concerned with the VA electronic health records system. As a veteran myself, something not one of our delegates can say, l have experience with the VA. Not once have l ever suffered from their record keeping. These 4 republicans noted that a veteran may have suffered from a wrong prescription. Certainly a trauma comparable to the murder of 31 people in two separate mass shootings involving military style weapons. I’m sure my school aged grandchildren will be relieved their representatives are working on electronic records. It is more than obvious that they don’t care about the safety of school children or grocery shoppers. So please, please Idahoans, reward them with re-election for their thoughts and prayers. How could anyone be more deserving?
Michael Boyle
Boise
House assessments
It’s time for a taxpayer revolt against county assessors and the Idaho Legislature. You can be part of the revolt. Simply file an appeal with the county assessor, disputing the ridiculous market value notice you received. You must appeal, online at your county, by June 27. Short timeline, huh? For a reason. They don’t want you to appeal. Market values are being driven up by comparable sales in your neighborhood in the last year. Ridiculous! The market value should be INDEXED TO WHAT YOU PAID FOR YOUR HOME, not what your neighbors are getting the nation’s hottest market, selling homes worth two hundred thousand for six hundred thousand! The assessors won’t stand up for you. Neither will the Idaho Legislature, unless we revolt! Flood the assessor’s office with appeals. Demand real tax relief from the Legislature, not the token income tax refund they cheer about. Real tax relief is reducing market values to the price you paid for your home, with a 2% increase per year not to exceed 10%. Join the revolt.
Russell Joki
Meridian