My Page: Jill Kuraitis

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Column

On this federal holiday called Martin Luther King Day, equal and civil rights took a backstage pass in Boise, Idaho.

On the eastern steps of the Statehouse, about 250 members and supporters of an immigrants’ rights group, Idaho Community Action Network, held a rally and press conference to announce a new report about inequality and the problems of the poor. They listened to Boise Rep. Brian Cronin talk about the difficulties they’ll face this year getting attention from a state legislature preoccupied with budget issues.

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Column: State Government

Two construction workers who helped renovate the relic that was the “old” statehouse leaned against a tree in Capitol Park, bundled up, drinking coffee, watching. They came to see people walk into the capitol for work, this first day of the 2010 Idaho legislative session.

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When the capitol was officially rededicated this past weekend in a ceremony on the front steps that was surprisingly emotional, especially when the crowd sang “Here We Have Idaho” with nearly the gusto of a Boise State fight song, the two workers were appreciative. Then when thousands of people showed up for open house, they saw pleasure and excitement on visitors’ faces. They heard the compliments, stood near people who stopped to admire details they worked on, and watched children and families take photos in front of the restored woodwork and marble. They got to share the feeling of that day, and said they’ll never forget it.

Report: Idaho Governor, Legislature

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said he is optimistic about the state’s economic forecasts, partly because of Micron Corporation’s recent report, but hasn’t replied to a letter from legislative leadership asking for a state budget cut of about $50 million from the 2010 budget.

The letter was was reported first by the Idaho Statesman’s Dan Popkey.

During Monday’s Associated Press annual legislative preview meeting attended by reporters and staff, held in a large new committee room at the renovated Statehouse, Otter said it’s possible that 4 percent budget holdbacks announced in September may increase, and that directives, rather than executive orders, have informed agency and department heads they may face 2 percent more.

Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes and House Speaker Lawerence Denney believe the additional two percent cut will be necessary.

“We don’t agree on everything, but there are some important elements on which we do agree,” Otter said.

Boise Town Square and Nampa’s Gateway Mall stores will stay

As a person generally in favor of progress and comfortable with change as long as I approve of it – as most of us are – I nevertheless mourn the loss of Boise’s downtown Macy’s, which will close in late March.

The former Bon Marche at the corner of 10th and Idaho may no longer be the heart and soul of downtown, but it was still a landmark that defined the old days for many.

The headline on Macy’s press release is “Macy’s, Inc. to Close Five Stores as Part of Normal-Course Process.” Typical corporate spin, of course; yet it rings true because of the rotten economy. It’s understandable, but worrying for the 61 Macy’s employees who now face uncertainty. Many will find jobs at the two remaining Treasure Valley stores, but some will not, according to the company.

The downtown Missoula store is also closing.

During the mid- to late 1980s, downtown Boise went to seed, and “The Bon” along with a local department store, The Mode, were among very few active retail shops downtown. The Mode building at 8th and Idaho still carries that name, but it’s now The North Face, an outdoor retail giant, which gutted and reclaimed the building and is seeking LEED certification.

The Macy’s store is a relic, still using swamp coolers in summer. It was a sweaty place to shop, and parking is a pain, unlike Boise Towne Square. But preserving Boise’s old buildings is important, and let’s hope someone comes along to do just that.

The downtown Macy’s has been a place where salespeople knew your name and your taste, would call when something new came in they thought might interest you, and who kept up with regular shoppers and our marriages, babies, and growing children. Lots of us will miss it. 

Column

Boise State University’s undefeated football team playing a bowl game against Texas Christian University is an occasion to study the male species in its native habitat (the sofa) consuming its natural diet (chips and beer.)

And it’s a time to wonder why it took me so long to appreciate sports, after years of holding the snobby attitude that we should focus on brainier pursuits.

Very early in the Fiesta Bowl, the BSU Broncos made a move that displeased the males in our TV room.  “AWWWWW CHEEZ! GET A GRIP, BOYS!” they yelled, dramatically enough that I thought TCU had already scored.

But a few minutes later when BSU made its first touchdown, the previous shout proved to be nothing. I thought they’d never last a whole game if they were going to carry on like THAT.

I stuck my head in the room and offended the guys – my husband, our son, and a guest - by making fun of a sportscaster’s pronouncement that BSU would have to play a “physical game” to win. “What?! They can’t win with a cerebral game?” I asked. “Shocking!” Pay-no-attention eye rolling looks were exchanged between them, and I retreated to the office TV before Tostitos were thrown.

Politics: Governor's Race

When Keith Allred officially announced he is running for Governor this morning in his hometown of Twin Falls, he also announced that his campaign co-chairs are Cecil Andrus and Laird Noh.

Former four-term Governor and Secretary of the Interior, Democrat Andrus is a revered and respected figure known for his efforts to bring lawmakers with opposing viewpoints together. Former state senator Laird Noh is an esteemed Republican on whom honors have also been bestowed for the same talent of crafting bipartisan solutions. Both men are avid outdoorsmen and conservationists, as is Allred.

Noh didn’t attend the announcement today at the Twin Falls high school auditorium, but his letter of support was read aloud. “It is not often that we find someone of such uncommon ability, objectivity, and energy,” Noh wrote, urging Idahoans of all parties to support Allred’s candidacy.

Allred said support from Idaho voters from both, or neither, political parties was important, “I ask all Idahoans – Democrats, Republicans and independents – to join me in this campaign to realize the full promise of a state government that is of, by, and for all Idahoans,” he said.


It finally hauled off and snowed

Thursday at 10 a.m. the first skiers and snowboarders will be screaming down the runs at beloved local ski resort Bogus Basin, and Boise snowboarders, skiers, snow retailers, resort employees and pretty much everybody else is smiling. The annual transformation to ski-town is here.

Tuesday’s storm dropped enough snow on the mountain to add up to nearly 30 inches at the base and 32 at the summit, and the resort announced a Thursday opening.

Bogus Basin has several groups and programs going on, and it’s the time to join up and get organized. Details for all the listings can be found on the Bogus website.

Governor's Race 2010

Wednesday, NewWest.Net broke the story that Keith Allred was expected to file the paperwork to raise money as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Idaho governor. Today Allred announced that he has filed them, and it’s official. The full text of his email to members of The Common Interest is below.

Election 2010

Keith Allred of Eagle is expected to appoint a political treasurer and file the required C-1 form with the Secretary of State which will mark him as a Democratic candidate for governor in 2010, NewWest.Net has learned.

Allred, a public policy negotiator and leadership expert who has won respect and praise from both parties, can’t officially file for office until March 8, but a preliminary fundraising committee is the usual signal that a candidate will run.

Until now, Allred hasn’t claimed membership in any political party and has based his work with Idaho lawmakers on his declared nonpartisan status.

Fifth-generation native Idahoan Allred, executive director of The Common Interest in Boise - a nonprofit, nonpartisan good-government organization - is a respected Statehouse figure who has worked at brokering compromises between political parties and competing interests in the state legislature. His private business, Allred Solutions, is “a training, consulting, and mediation practice which helps public and private sector clients achieve solutions to difficult problems and controversies.”

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