7:00 Pledge of Allegiance and Minutes Review
7:15 Teton County Housing Authority – Goals – 30 minutes
7:45 Public Hearing – South Mountain Development – 60 minutes
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
Extension and Development Agreement
8:45 Mountain Shadows – Rescinding of Final Plat Recording – 15 minutes
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
9:00 Discussion for Expiration Dates of Out of City Sewer Permits – 10 minutes
9:10 Victor Crossroads - MOU – 30 minutes
A portion of this meeting may be called into Executive Session
9:40 Grant Thompson - Foundation on S. Main – 15 minutes
9:55 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – Wranglers Ridge – 15 min.
10:10 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – Blackhawk Estates – 15 min.
10:25 Grant Writer Position Update – 30 minutes
Maintenance
Construction Estimates for Well Pumphouse – 15 minutes
Updated Sewer Plant Estimates – 15 minutes
Administrative
Work Meeting – Date Scheduling
Electronic Media Policy
Team Builders – Chamber Use Agreement
Calendaring
Council Retreat – May 8–9
Arbor Day/Community Picnic – June 13
Bills
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I hope you are aware already of the design charrettes being conducted this week at City Hall in regards to Pioneer Park. Below is an outline of the activities. Since this exercise is focused on actual design work, a big portion of the events are centered around design professionals. However, there are many opportunities to get your input heard. Please come to City Hall Monday from 6:30-8pm and Thursday from 6:30-8pm to see the first draft and give your input. The following Thursday will also have the potential for comment. The overall master planning effort for Pioneer Park will continue through the year, but decisions about the Transit Facility and the Recreation Center / Ice Rink will come very quickly with the goal of breaking ground this summer. As always, silence implies consent. I look forward to hearing your vision for our Civic space!
CHARRETTE AGENDA
Victor City Hall
12:00-8:00pm
April 20th 2009 VICTOR CIVIC SITE DESIGN WORKHOP
12:00 Introduction, (at City Hall) Bill Knight
Current Uses
Transit Center Grant/Winter Arena
Development of Program
Public Input/Uses by Rank Order
Input from P & Z (Mike O.?) City Council (Scott F?)
12:30 -1:15 Lunch/Site Tour (walk/auto tour if adverse weather)
1:30- 3:00 First Cut, Master Plan
The Big Picture, Site organization & circulation
Use Categories – Space Allocation
Open Area Facilities/Spaces
Passive/Natural Spaces
Building Sites
Building Forms/Mass
Building Sites
3:00-3:30 Pin Up & Review , Circulation/ Site Organization (Refreshment Break)
3:30- 4:30 Back to the Drawing Boards
Focus on all categories above & refine
Parking
Pedestrian
Bicycle
4:30-4:45 Informal Review, Discuss Options to present
4:45-6:00 Prepare Drawings for evening Pin ups.
6:00 Wrap-up and Critique & Dinner
6:30-8:00 Informal Public Review & Discussion
THURSDAY APRIL 23 12:00-6:00 Refine Preferred Alternatives
Start Design Development of Transit Facility, Ice & Recreation Facility Site Plan.
6:30-8:00 Public Review & Discussion
THURDAY APRIL 30, 12:00 -6:00 Refine designs & presentations if necessary.
6:30-8:00 Formal Public Review & Discussion
CHARRETTE AGENDA
Victor City Hall
12:00-8:00pm
April 20th 2009 VICTOR CIVIC SITE DESIGN WORKHOP
12:00 Introduction, (at City Hall) Bill Knight
Current Uses
Transit Center Grant/Winter Arena
Development of Program
Public Input/Uses by Rank Order
Input from P & Z (Mike O.?) City Council (Scott F?)
12:30 -1:15 Lunch/Site Tour (walk/auto tour if adverse weather)
1:30- 3:00 First Cut, Master Plan
The Big Picture, Site organization & circulation
Use Categories – Space Allocation
Open Area Facilities/Spaces
Passive/Natural Spaces
Building Sites
Building Forms/Mass
Building Sites
3:00-3:30 Pin Up & Review , Circulation/ Site Organization (Refreshment Break)
3:30- 4:30 Back to the Drawing Boards
Focus on all categories above & refine
Parking
Pedestrian
Bicycle
4:30-4:45 Informal Review, Discuss Options to present
4:45-6:00 Prepare Drawings for evening Pin ups.
6:00 Wrap-up and Critique & Dinner
6:30-8:00 Informal Public Review & Discussion
THURSDAY APRIL 23 12:00-6:00 Refine Preferred Alternatives
Start Design Development of Transit Facility, Ice & Recreation Facility Site Plan.
6:30-8:00 Public Review & Discussion
THURDAY APRIL 30, 12:00 -6:00 Refine designs & presentations if necessary.
6:30-8:00 Formal Public Review & Discussion
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Teton Valley Foundation Press Release - Music on Main
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2009
Teton Valley Foundation Planning an abridged, five-week music on Main series
Board considers series timing and long term location
The Teton Valley Foundation (TVF) announced today its plans for a shortened Music on Main concert series. The board decision is based on the tough economic climate which has caused two major sponsors representing almost 30% of the TVF's 2008 program income, to opt out of 2009 participation.
"This event has quickly become a rite of summer for Teton Valley residents, whether full or part-time," said board member, Rick Baldwin. "We recognize that in difficult times it is more important than ever to bring our community together for this great cultural tradition." TVF determined a shorter season would allow them to continue to provide quality programming, assuming they can reach their reduced sponsorship goal of $30,000. The group has current commitments of $10,000.
While the concert series has historically taken place on all the Thursdays in July and August, this year's five week series is scheduled to begin on July 30th and end on August 27th. "This schedule was originally set to avoid interference with a busy early summer schedule," said board member Jeffrey Potter who is working on the lineup.
TVF has hosted the series for the past three summers in downtown Driggs, initially in the location where the Colter building now resides. The group hopes to hold Music on Main in last summer's Driggs City Building plaza location. There are, however, some complicating factors that could force TVF to move again. To reduce costs, the group plans to use a modular stage which would have to remain in place for the full five weeks of the series. In addition, pending construction on the City building could interfere with the already cramped space. TVF is working with the City to resolve these potential impediments. "The City of Driggs has always been a big proponent of Music on Main. Driggs is central to the valley and the downtown location is pedestrian friendly," said board secretary Jennifer Rein. "We like this location and believe the City will find a way to allow us to stay this summer."
Rein went on, "If we have to find a new location yet again, we would like it to have the potential to be a permanent location. We believe our best alternatives may reside in Victor." The group is revisiting the Victor City Park location and has been in discussions with Teton Basin Ice & Recreation about an alliance to use their facility. "We have spent considerable time and money re-creating a park in each of the last three summers. The Victor City and Pioneer park locations provide beautiful park atmosphere, significant space to allow for growing crowds and pedestrian friendly access to Victor residents. Victor City Park has the downtown, Main Street advantage and TBIR's location will have a shelter to provide rain back up."
Music on Main is a weekly concert series that is free to the public. The program is funded by business sponsorship, concession sales and importantly, individual donations. "It is important for individuals to donate now if they value this series and donate at each of the shows," stated Jon Pinardi, also a TVF board member. Individuals can send donations to the Teton Valley Foundation at PO Box 50, Victor, ID 83455 or go to www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org. Pinardi added, "The series would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers."
The Teton Valley Foundation's mission is to plan, organize and implement cultural, educational and recreational events for the benefit of the community. We strive to host several world-class, multi-day events each year to promote, market and enhance the unique nature of the Valley and increase economic activity in the community placing specific emphasis on our downtowns.
For more information on the series, the Foundation and how to get involved, check out the Foundation's website at www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org.
Teton Valley Foundation
PO Box 50
Victor, ID 83455
(208) 201-5356
March 29, 2009
Teton Valley Foundation Planning an abridged, five-week music on Main series
Board considers series timing and long term location
The Teton Valley Foundation (TVF) announced today its plans for a shortened Music on Main concert series. The board decision is based on the tough economic climate which has caused two major sponsors representing almost 30% of the TVF's 2008 program income, to opt out of 2009 participation.
"This event has quickly become a rite of summer for Teton Valley residents, whether full or part-time," said board member, Rick Baldwin. "We recognize that in difficult times it is more important than ever to bring our community together for this great cultural tradition." TVF determined a shorter season would allow them to continue to provide quality programming, assuming they can reach their reduced sponsorship goal of $30,000. The group has current commitments of $10,000.
While the concert series has historically taken place on all the Thursdays in July and August, this year's five week series is scheduled to begin on July 30th and end on August 27th. "This schedule was originally set to avoid interference with a busy early summer schedule," said board member Jeffrey Potter who is working on the lineup.
TVF has hosted the series for the past three summers in downtown Driggs, initially in the location where the Colter building now resides. The group hopes to hold Music on Main in last summer's Driggs City Building plaza location. There are, however, some complicating factors that could force TVF to move again. To reduce costs, the group plans to use a modular stage which would have to remain in place for the full five weeks of the series. In addition, pending construction on the City building could interfere with the already cramped space. TVF is working with the City to resolve these potential impediments. "The City of Driggs has always been a big proponent of Music on Main. Driggs is central to the valley and the downtown location is pedestrian friendly," said board secretary Jennifer Rein. "We like this location and believe the City will find a way to allow us to stay this summer."
Rein went on, "If we have to find a new location yet again, we would like it to have the potential to be a permanent location. We believe our best alternatives may reside in Victor." The group is revisiting the Victor City Park location and has been in discussions with Teton Basin Ice & Recreation about an alliance to use their facility. "We have spent considerable time and money re-creating a park in each of the last three summers. The Victor City and Pioneer park locations provide beautiful park atmosphere, significant space to allow for growing crowds and pedestrian friendly access to Victor residents. Victor City Park has the downtown, Main Street advantage and TBIR's location will have a shelter to provide rain back up."
Music on Main is a weekly concert series that is free to the public. The program is funded by business sponsorship, concession sales and importantly, individual donations. "It is important for individuals to donate now if they value this series and donate at each of the shows," stated Jon Pinardi, also a TVF board member. Individuals can send donations to the Teton Valley Foundation at PO Box 50, Victor, ID 83455 or go to www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org. Pinardi added, "The series would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers."
The Teton Valley Foundation's mission is to plan, organize and implement cultural, educational and recreational events for the benefit of the community. We strive to host several world-class, multi-day events each year to promote, market and enhance the unique nature of the Valley and increase economic activity in the community placing specific emphasis on our downtowns.
For more information on the series, the Foundation and how to get involved, check out the Foundation's website at www.tetonvalleyfoundation.org.
Teton Valley Foundation
PO Box 50
Victor, ID 83455
(208) 201-5356
Monday, March 30, 2009
Grant Writer Wanted
City of Victor / Envision Victor:
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT - GRANT WRITER
Background
As part of a match towards funds received from the Orton Family Foundation, The City of Victor is hiring a part time Grant Writer to secure funding for projects and planning associated with Envision Victor.
Envision Victor is a partnership between the Orton Family Foundation, the City of Victor, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. The project will ask all Victor residents to identify, articulate, and implement Victor's Heart & Soul. Envision Victor will "go beyond land use and design, and toward our social fabric and how [to] create opportunities to grow a more economically, ecologically, and socially diverse community." Envision Victor will also reflect upon the results of Victor's Community Action Plan, ongoing work revising Victor's Comprehensive Plan, and Victor's EPA-funded Smart Growth Implementation Report.
Grant Writer Position
The Grant Writer will be responsible for cataloging funding needs by City department, investigating grant opportunities, organizing, writing, and submitting grant applications, and reporting on their progress. There will be direct interaction with City Staff, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
This will be a contract position starting in May of 2009. The Grant Writer will contract directly with the City of Victor and will be supervised by the Victor City Council with guidance form the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
Scope of Services
Determine Funding Needs
* Work with City department heads, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision
* Victor local advisory committee to determine funding needs, opportunities and priorities.
* Through interviews and other means, gather information required to understand and advocate for project or program for which funding is sought.
* Acquire and maintain sound knowledge and understanding of the City of Victor, and use that knowledge and understanding to identify and pursue funding opportunities.
* Work with City department heads, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision Victor local advisory committee to continually refine and update project needs, responding to new ideas, opportunities, and challenges.
Grant Writing and Coordination
* Work with the City Staff, Envision Victor Project Coordinator, and Envision Victor Advisory Committee to make use of their contributions to grant writing projects in the most meaningful and effective ways.
* Work with consultants and other technical advisors to the Envision Victor Project to ensure their appropriate involvement.
* Research grant-making organizations, agencies, or individuals (e.g. private foundations, public funding, government programs) to identify likely funding sources for specific projects and programs.
* Review the budget of a project or program for which funding is sought and make recommendations to better present it to grant-making organizations.
* Develop individual grant proposals in accordance with each grant-making organization's requirements and follow exactly each grant-making organization's guidelines.
* Compile, write, and edit all grant applications exhibiting strong expository writing skills and a high-level command of grammar and spelling.
Communications
* Communicate all grant writing activities clearly and punctually with the City Council, Envision Victor Project Coordinator, and the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
* Document the process in written reports and prepare updates in creative and compelling formats.
Evaluation
* Provide City Staff and Envision Victor Advisory Committee with regularly scheduled reports
* Maintain contact with grant-making organizations during their review of a submitted grant application in order to supply additional supportive material.
* Manage the process of supplying progress reports when required by a grant-making organization that has awarded project funding.
Qualifications
* Advanced familiarity with the City of Victor networks, issues, and trends combined with an ability to be objective and open-minded
* Willingness and ability to speak with all Victor residents
* Previous professional writing experience with specific Grant Writing experience a plus
* Excellent organizational skills
* Excellent communications skills, including listening and writing
* Ability to work with diverse groups of people including: Project Partners, consultants, municipal government officials and neighbors
* Computer literacy including first-hand professional experience with common software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
* Creativity and inventiveness
* Professional experience working as part of a team
* Professional grant writing certification a plus
Compensation
Applicants must submit a proposed fee estimate. Please detail how you would approach this project and include a breakout of hours and cost by Scope of Services category. The lowest/best bid will not be the sole basis for this selection.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be considered by the Victor City Council and a selection will be made at the Council's discretion. Applicants will be evaluated and ranked on the basis of experience in grant writing as well as their familiarity with the City of Victor. Expected hiring date is May 1st.
Applications
Those interested in applying must email a cover letter, resume and/or other appropriate description of relevant experience and qualifications to Scott Fitzgerald at scottf@victorcityidaho.com and Craig Sherman at victcity@tetontel.com. Deadline for applications is Friday April 17th. Applications must be submitted by 5pm.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT - GRANT WRITER
Background
As part of a match towards funds received from the Orton Family Foundation, The City of Victor is hiring a part time Grant Writer to secure funding for projects and planning associated with Envision Victor.
Envision Victor is a partnership between the Orton Family Foundation, the City of Victor, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. The project will ask all Victor residents to identify, articulate, and implement Victor's Heart & Soul. Envision Victor will "go beyond land use and design, and toward our social fabric and how [to] create opportunities to grow a more economically, ecologically, and socially diverse community." Envision Victor will also reflect upon the results of Victor's Community Action Plan, ongoing work revising Victor's Comprehensive Plan, and Victor's EPA-funded Smart Growth Implementation Report.
Grant Writer Position
The Grant Writer will be responsible for cataloging funding needs by City department, investigating grant opportunities, organizing, writing, and submitting grant applications, and reporting on their progress. There will be direct interaction with City Staff, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
This will be a contract position starting in May of 2009. The Grant Writer will contract directly with the City of Victor and will be supervised by the Victor City Council with guidance form the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
Scope of Services
Determine Funding Needs
* Work with City department heads, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision
* Victor local advisory committee to determine funding needs, opportunities and priorities.
* Through interviews and other means, gather information required to understand and advocate for project or program for which funding is sought.
* Acquire and maintain sound knowledge and understanding of the City of Victor, and use that knowledge and understanding to identify and pursue funding opportunities.
* Work with City department heads, the Envision Victor project coordinator, and the Envision Victor local advisory committee to continually refine and update project needs, responding to new ideas, opportunities, and challenges.
Grant Writing and Coordination
* Work with the City Staff, Envision Victor Project Coordinator, and Envision Victor Advisory Committee to make use of their contributions to grant writing projects in the most meaningful and effective ways.
* Work with consultants and other technical advisors to the Envision Victor Project to ensure their appropriate involvement.
* Research grant-making organizations, agencies, or individuals (e.g. private foundations, public funding, government programs) to identify likely funding sources for specific projects and programs.
* Review the budget of a project or program for which funding is sought and make recommendations to better present it to grant-making organizations.
* Develop individual grant proposals in accordance with each grant-making organization's requirements and follow exactly each grant-making organization's guidelines.
* Compile, write, and edit all grant applications exhibiting strong expository writing skills and a high-level command of grammar and spelling.
Communications
* Communicate all grant writing activities clearly and punctually with the City Council, Envision Victor Project Coordinator, and the Envision Victor Local Advisory Committee.
* Document the process in written reports and prepare updates in creative and compelling formats.
Evaluation
* Provide City Staff and Envision Victor Advisory Committee with regularly scheduled reports
* Maintain contact with grant-making organizations during their review of a submitted grant application in order to supply additional supportive material.
* Manage the process of supplying progress reports when required by a grant-making organization that has awarded project funding.
Qualifications
* Advanced familiarity with the City of Victor networks, issues, and trends combined with an ability to be objective and open-minded
* Willingness and ability to speak with all Victor residents
* Previous professional writing experience with specific Grant Writing experience a plus
* Excellent organizational skills
* Excellent communications skills, including listening and writing
* Ability to work with diverse groups of people including: Project Partners, consultants, municipal government officials and neighbors
* Computer literacy including first-hand professional experience with common software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
* Creativity and inventiveness
* Professional experience working as part of a team
* Professional grant writing certification a plus
Compensation
Applicants must submit a proposed fee estimate. Please detail how you would approach this project and include a breakout of hours and cost by Scope of Services category. The lowest/best bid will not be the sole basis for this selection.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be considered by the Victor City Council and a selection will be made at the Council's discretion. Applicants will be evaluated and ranked on the basis of experience in grant writing as well as their familiarity with the City of Victor. Expected hiring date is May 1st.
Applications
Those interested in applying must email a cover letter, resume and/or other appropriate description of relevant experience and qualifications to Scott Fitzgerald at scottf@victorcityidaho.com and Craig Sherman at victcity@tetontel.com. Deadline for applications is Friday April 17th. Applications must be submitted by 5pm.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Phosphorus and Victor
Just had a great presentation from Paul Krauth who works in the Utah Division of Water Quality. I know, doesn't sound too riveting, but it was actually great to learn what Phosphorus is all about and how it will impact our decision on how to proceed with our waste water treatment process. Apparently the Teton River has been identified by the EPA to have elevated levels of Phosphorus. This can cause a situation called Eutrophication that can starve a river of oxygen by creating Algae Blooms. Not good for our finned friends who live in the river. What ever system we go with, the treatment of Phosphorus will certainly be a concern. The big question is what will the EPA's new requirements for Phosphorus treatment be?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Recommendation for Stimulus Funding!
We have been recommended for $283,927 to begin the Park & Ride facility for START in Pioneer Park! We have also been selected as the site for the TBIR Rec center! City staff will be working through design ideas immediately to combine the two efforts. Good ideas generate funding!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Governor Otter to reject Stimulus funding
I was just forwarded this article and am very concerned. It's hard to imagine not spending as little as 3% of funding on bicycle and pedestrian mobility projects. Now is the time to rethink our transportation habits as they relate to health care, the environment, and foreign oil dependency. It's time the Governor heard from Teton Valley!
Full Article
Opinion: Lewiston Morning Tribune
LEWISTON - What has Butch Otter been up to in the nation's capital? Within days of appointing a bipartisan panel to review plans for spending money from federal stimulus legislation, Idaho's chief executive is listed among those Republican governors now in Washington, D.C., telling Uncle Sam to take his cash and shove it.
Saturday, the New York Times reported that "the governors of Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have said their states may not want to meet the conditions that accompany the money or expand programs that will have to be paid for by the state once the stimulus money runs out."
And Monday, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal praised Otter and four other governors for "saying thanks but no thanks to some of the $150 billion of 'free' money doled out to states."
What the Journal lauds, however, even many conservative Idahoans are unlikely to appreciate. It is one thing for Otter - who as a congressman voted to greatly expand the federal Medicare program - and members of the state's congressional delegation to badmouth the stimulus bill passed by Democrats and three Republican senators. But it is quite another to turn away money that Idahoans and their offspring will end up paying their fair share of.
What's more, some members of the executive panel Otter asked to review stimulus money, including two Democratic former governors, must wonder what Otter is telling his fellow members of the National Governors Association and the national press that he isn't telling them.
Before leaving for the association meeting in Washington, Otter did agree to use stimulus money to increase unemployment benefits in the state by $25 a week. And it's a good thing he did, too. That is some of the wisest spending in the federal bill, because it will help jobless people at the same time it pumps cash into the economy. Yet some other governors are objecting even to that provision in the bill.
At the same time, though, the Times quotes a lawyer for Otter, David Hensley, as objecting to a requirement that Idaho spend 3 percent of a big bundle of transportation money coming to the state on "transportation enhancement."
"I never imagined that Congress would tell the state of Idaho that they have to spend $5.5 million on bike paths or pedestrian lanes," Hensley said.
Do Hensley and Otter oppose making it easier for people to ride bicycles or walk to places where they would otherwise drive cars - and helping stimulate the economy in the process? And even if they do, can they possibly expect the federal government to send money to the states with no instructions about how it is to be spent? It isn't as if state government refrains from doing the same with much of the money it sends to Idaho's school districts and local governments.
What appears more probable here is that Otter is aligning his Washington rhetoric with those Republican governors, like Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and South Carolina's Mark Sanford, who talk about rejecting stimulus money, rather than those, like California's Arnold Schwarzenegger and Florida's Charlie Crist, who welcome help their states badly need. But back in Boise, Otter will listen to the smart counsel of his stimulus advisers and use the cash to stave off severe distress in his state.
He will, in other words, put the money where his mouth isn't. - J.F.
Full Article
Opinion: Lewiston Morning Tribune
LEWISTON - What has Butch Otter been up to in the nation's capital? Within days of appointing a bipartisan panel to review plans for spending money from federal stimulus legislation, Idaho's chief executive is listed among those Republican governors now in Washington, D.C., telling Uncle Sam to take his cash and shove it.
Saturday, the New York Times reported that "the governors of Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas have said their states may not want to meet the conditions that accompany the money or expand programs that will have to be paid for by the state once the stimulus money runs out."
And Monday, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal praised Otter and four other governors for "saying thanks but no thanks to some of the $150 billion of 'free' money doled out to states."
What the Journal lauds, however, even many conservative Idahoans are unlikely to appreciate. It is one thing for Otter - who as a congressman voted to greatly expand the federal Medicare program - and members of the state's congressional delegation to badmouth the stimulus bill passed by Democrats and three Republican senators. But it is quite another to turn away money that Idahoans and their offspring will end up paying their fair share of.
What's more, some members of the executive panel Otter asked to review stimulus money, including two Democratic former governors, must wonder what Otter is telling his fellow members of the National Governors Association and the national press that he isn't telling them.
Before leaving for the association meeting in Washington, Otter did agree to use stimulus money to increase unemployment benefits in the state by $25 a week. And it's a good thing he did, too. That is some of the wisest spending in the federal bill, because it will help jobless people at the same time it pumps cash into the economy. Yet some other governors are objecting even to that provision in the bill.
At the same time, though, the Times quotes a lawyer for Otter, David Hensley, as objecting to a requirement that Idaho spend 3 percent of a big bundle of transportation money coming to the state on "transportation enhancement."
"I never imagined that Congress would tell the state of Idaho that they have to spend $5.5 million on bike paths or pedestrian lanes," Hensley said.
Do Hensley and Otter oppose making it easier for people to ride bicycles or walk to places where they would otherwise drive cars - and helping stimulate the economy in the process? And even if they do, can they possibly expect the federal government to send money to the states with no instructions about how it is to be spent? It isn't as if state government refrains from doing the same with much of the money it sends to Idaho's school districts and local governments.
What appears more probable here is that Otter is aligning his Washington rhetoric with those Republican governors, like Louisiana's Bobby Jindal and South Carolina's Mark Sanford, who talk about rejecting stimulus money, rather than those, like California's Arnold Schwarzenegger and Florida's Charlie Crist, who welcome help their states badly need. But back in Boise, Otter will listen to the smart counsel of his stimulus advisers and use the cash to stave off severe distress in his state.
He will, in other words, put the money where his mouth isn't. - J.F.
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