Boise Mayor Bieter: ‘ACHD is a failed model. I want them all gone.’
By Cynthia Sewell, The Idaho Statesman | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The issue came up at a
"I think that question is primarily directed at me,"
"I have known
Bruce said later that he was surprised by Arnold's question and uncomfortable with being put on the spot, but said he didn't want it to look like he had anything to hide. He did not tell Arnold about his conversation with Bieter, he said, but had discussed it with others.
Bruce said the enmity between the city and the ACHD -- over everything from the district's authority over all city roads to issues such as bike lanes and parking meters -- is one of the reasons he's running for commissioner. Bruce is an Eagle engineering consultant and owns, with his wife, the Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe.
"This is indicative of the dysfunctional relationship that exists between
Bieter said he talked to Bruce and crossed no lines.
"Bob's recollection is not accurate," said Bieter. "I said, 'I am for the candidate that will bring about the most change.' "
Bruce stuck by his account, saying Bieter specified wanting Wong and Price fired several times in their conversation.
THE BOARD'S FUTURE
The majority of the five-member commission most critical of the city could change if candidates sympathetic to
Bieter is endorsing
"I told Bob and the other candidates I met with that I wanted change at ACHD. I've made no bones about that," Bieter said. "I do believe part of that change is changing some people. ... But my support is not conditioned on a list of people to get rid of. It is conditioned on change."
Bieter said it's OK to discuss potential personnel changes with candidates for office. "It is a platform," he said. "It is an agenda."
Arnold said she asked the question "because I wanted to know if (Bieter) had asked for that commitment from multiple candidates." She declined further comment.
Candidates
Bieter wouldn't discuss Arnold's question.
"I have no insight into
Wong and Price declined to comment.
'SWEETHEART CONTRACT'
Bieter also criticized the 31-month contract the ACHD board unanimously approved
"The news here is the sweetheart deal they gave
Former ACHD Director
The commission has the authority to hire and fire the director; the director then has authority to hire and fire other staff.
Under his new contract, if Wong is fired without cause or if he quits because the commission violates the terms of the contract, he gets a 12-month compensation and insurance-benefit severance package. If Wong is fired with cause, he does not receive a severance package.
Wong is paid
'WANT THEM ALL GONE'
Bieter talked to the Statesman on Thursday from
ACHD is the only countywide highway district in the state and, possibly, the nation. It controls all roads and bridges in
Bieter has long fought for the city to regain control of its streets, arguing that such oversight is critical to shaping growth and development. The city also would like to control the property tax dollars Boiseans pay for roads.
"ACHD is a failed model," Bieter said. "I want them all gone."
Changing ACHD's structure or authority would require changing state law. Bieter said he is not pursuing any legislation to change ACHD's authority because there is "no traction" in
Jaurena said he wasn't surprised by Bruce's account of his conversation with Bieter.
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