the unequivocal notion

Who ever would have thought...

...That promoting Treasure Valley wineries would turn valley residents into a bunch of stumbling winos.

I'll cheers to that.

Canyon County wineries in the news

The last couple of weeks there has been a lot of press over the wineries in Canyon County. While Snake River Valley Viticultural region does indeed encompass more than just Canyon County, it's important to note that most of the regions wines are produced in Canyon County.

While it's pretty certain that Eagle will continue to stamp their little feet and whine that they deserve to be the "Napa Valley" of the Treasure Valley, it just isn't so. A helpful note for Eagle: building a few vineyettes in the backyards of some McMansions does note make one a wine hub. There are many reasons why people have been growing wine grapes on the west and south side of the valley for so many years and avoided the Valley's sandy northern foothills.

Although I will say that regardless of the pretentiousness or motivations, the more vino in the valley, the better.

The Oregonian - Idaho wine region yearns for recognition
Idaho Statesman - Canyon County looks to become wine attraction
Idaho Statesman - Wine advice: Take a tour of Idaho's wine country
Idaho Press-Tribune - Groups market Canyon County wineries

Make sure you get out there and support your local wineries, heck take a guided tour with Snake River Cuisine Tours, or just take a drive on your own. Just make sure you get out there, because the vines are starting to turn green.

Of yearbooks and awesomeness

First read this "Jeer" from the Idaho Press-Tribune's "Cheers and Jeers" section:

Jeers

This goes out to the absolutely appalling Caldwell High School 2008 yearbook cover. It displays a montage of different people’s face parts — with a nose ring and the word “diversity” in big letters on the front. It does not display anything about CHS or Class of 2008 on the front. If the people approving this want to push their agenda, they need to find another way besides the cover of a yearbook that was supposed to be cherished for years to come by the seniors, not an embarrassment.

Now read this.

...smack.

Danny Bower in the Statesman

Eh, I bet it wasn't the feedback he was expecting.

Smith vs. Nourse in the Statesman

Love this quote from Sheriff Smith:

“Our plan was to run such a good office we wouldn’t have a challenge this time,” says Smith’s chief deputy, Gary Deulen. Sure enough, none of the seven who opposed Smith four years ago threw their hats into the ring for Tuesday’s primary election.

But one unexpected foe did: Nourse.

“It’s disheartening,” Smith says. “I was really supportive of him, no matter what. …”

Asked to finish that thought, he replies, “Pull that knife out of my back and I’ll explain a little better.”

Does Danny Bower understand the Constitution?

Simple question for a guy running to be Canyon County's new prosecutor. Perhaps Bower should read up on it.

It seems that the only thing Danny Bower and his supporters have had to attack fellow candidate John Bujak with is that he is a defense lawyer, that he represents people who are accused of crimes.

Danny Bower today in the Idaho Statesman:

Danny Bower: Canyon County prosecutor should be experienced

Canyon County needs a prosecutor with the right kind of experience and a track record of protecting children, families, and neighborhoods.

[...]

Mr. Bujak is a high-priced criminal defense attorney. He represents "unsavory" criminals, gang and drug leaders that put our community at risk. As a civil attorney Mr. Bujak continues his representation of SatinDolls/ Torch/ Cowgirls - an adult entertainment business that objectifies women and denigrates our community.

A note to Bower; when you're going to make the argument that "experience" is the most important qualification, make sure that your opponent doesn't have more than you. Otherwise, like you did in your piece in the Statesman, you make the case for voters to choose Bujak over yourself.

Let's face it, we've seen what happens when we have a prosecutor who has a "hands-off" approach to running his office, too good for the courtroom attitude. Bower lacks any significant time in the courtroom, trying "actual" criminal court cases. We need a prosecutor who has real courtroom experience, someone who is experienced in both prosecution and defense, someone who can get the job done.

Does Bower and his supporters not understand that there is nothing wrong in defending those who are accused of a crime? That Bujak is merely helping American citizens assert the rights that were given to them by our forefathers and the blood of thousands of American soldiers?

A comment from a Bower supporter left on this site:

John Bujak is a flip flopper! He can't decide which side of the law he wants to work for-criminal prosecution or criminal defense and Canyon County has a high rate of repeat offenders First, he was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Canyon County putting criminals behind bars. Then he left that office for the financial greener pastures of criminal defense, putting criminals back on the streets. Now he wants us to elect him Canyon County prosecutor to put those same criminals back behind bars.

Seriously? "Flip-flopper", I thought that meme died 4 years ago.

If it were up to these people then we'd just take people like Timothy McVeigh and Joseph Duncan out and shot them as soon as they were captured. For better or worse, we don't do that in America. I know of a few other countries that do, perhaps they'd like to live there instead.

Bowers and Takasugi comparison

So far this primary cycle Curtis "I git dem commies" Bowers has raised only $12,760 to Takasugi's $20,720. Takasugi has raised more than $7960 over Gov. Otter appointee Bowers. What makes this even more interesting, as Alan noted yesterday, is that of Bowers' $12,760 in donations, $7,000 of that came from one family in Colorado; the McAlvanys. So, take away one family of out-of-state supporters and Takasugi has out-raised Bowers by $14,960 -- a pretty damn impressive show of support for Takasugi. I'll also note that Bowers and Takasugi have both loaned their campaigns $5,000.

So, needless to say, that begs the question -- who are the McAlvanys, more importantly; who is Don McAlvany?

I'll also say that while Bowers was "playing" as an undercover pinko in Berkeley, his opponent Pat Takasugi was serving his country as a Green Beret in the US Army. So tell me then; who did more to "really" fight the communists?

Pat Takasugi's campaign finance report (48hr report) (pdf).
Curtis Bowers' campaign finance report (pdf).

Bujak and Bower comparisons

In a telling show of support John Bujak has raised $9,363 from donors while Danny Bower has only raised $4,650 from donors. It is also important to note that Bujak has 28 under $50 non-itemized donations while Bower only has 2 -- not exactly a show of grassroots support.

In order to compensate for Bower's lack of funds he has had to lend his campaign $11,823 of his own money. Which always does makes you wonder why someone would toss so much of his own money into his campaign in order to be Canyon County Prosecutor. What kind of payback is he expecting?

Also noteworthy is the professionalism of Bujak's filings vs. Bower's. Bujak's is nicely typed and easy to read, Bower's is hand written. To me it has always said a lot about a candidate when they take the time to make their disclosures easy to read for the public -- not a mess of chicken scratches. Not too read too much into it, but I do think it is a sign of professionalism and commitment to the task at hand.

John Bujak's campaign finance report (pdf).
Danny Bower's campaign finance report (pdf).

Smith vs. Nourse

From the onset I really didn't think this would be much of a competition.

Smith has been excellent as Sheriff in Canyon County and has the support of nearly the entire law enforcement community. And there really just isn't any comparison between Smith and Nourse's qualifications. I think I can also say that frankly, people didn't like Nourse's 'good ole boy' club attitude when he was in office and they certainly don't want it back.

Smith has really been a breath of fresh air for Canyon County and that is reflected in donations to his campaign. Sheriff Smith has raised $17,079 to Nourse's $5,580, of which $2,350 was his own money, so Nourse has actually only raised $3,230.

Sheriff Chris Smith's campaign finance report (pdf).
George Nourse's campaign finance report (pdf).

Of course, I've got to bring grub into this; I will say that Nourse can make some kick ass fried chicken -- It has been so long I don't even remember the name of his joint located out by Lake Lowell. But I do remember eating there many a Sunday growing up.

Dave Young gets no love

Dave Young only managed to raise $1200 for the Republican primary for Canyon County Prosecutor against challengers Danny Bower and John Bujak. Also to note -- he raised that $1200 from only 6 contributors. I'd say that any support he was ever getting from Canyon County's GOP is gone.

Also humorous is that he paid himself 88 bucks for his mileage while he was placing signs. What no volunteers?

Dave Young campaign finance report (pdf).

A Mona Lisa conundrum

If you didn't know, courageous commie hunter, Curtis Bowers is the one who opened up Nampa's Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant on 11th Ave. The Mona Lisa, which in my humble opinion is perhaps the best romantic eatery (reserve the Lover's Lane room) the in the Valley. It is also an excellent joint when you're out with a group of friends, it takes quite a while to eat the meal and it is just as much entertainment as it is delicious grub. And of course nothing soothes the soul like some of the Mona Lisa's wonderfully mysterious dipping vinaigrette for their bread. Of course it'd be impossible to mention the true stars of the show; the excellent cheese and chocolate fondues -- with unlimited dipping fodder.

Anyway... last year I was prepared to boycott the Mona Lisa after I found out that Bowers was an owner, which greatly disappointed me -- but mind you, I do have principles. We'll when I found out that Bowers had sold his interest in the Mona Lisa I was glad that my self-imposed boycott had been adverted. But now I find out that current owners are Bowers supporters. Now my conundrum; do I write off a jewel of Downtown Nampa because of the owners political leanings (as it does impact all Idahoans)? Or forgive the owners backing of Bowers and continue to enjoy the Mona Lisa in order to support a fine downtown establishment?

Letter's to the Editor down below...

Kren and Bowers make their case

In today's Idaho Statesman Otter appointees Steven Kren and Curtis "the commies are coming! the commies are coming!" Bowers both make their cases for staying in the Idaho Legislature.

They both fail.

Both of these candidates having not been previously elected by voters have pretty good primary challenges on their hands.

Idaho Press-Tribune: Bujak over Bowers or Young

In what must be one of the best endorsement editorials for local office I've ever read; The Idaho Press-Tribune endorses John Bujak for Canyon County Prosecutor. In the piece they lay it down on current prosecutor Dave Young and the inexperienced (and ethically challenged) Danny Bower.

A snippet:

Who would you choose to represent you? What makes the most sense?

The attorney who makes his living in the courtroom or the attorney who handles the appeals after the fact?

The seasoned quarterback under the intense pressure of a close game with seconds left or the new Monday morning quarterback who has everything set out before him with no time clock ticking?

For 16 years, Dave Young has proved the prosecutor for Canyon County must be experienced. If the county’s top legal eagle isn’t, taxpayers will pay dearly for mistakes like the tragic release of Angie Leon’s killer, countless plea bargains or legal advice that says nepotism is OK.

That’s why Dave Young must be replaced.

[...]

Speaking of moral compass: What about the fight between Bower and a couple of young men on the BYU campus in 1999? Yes, Bower was the most beat-up at the end, but the teens say he provoked the attack. Bower said he was defending the integrity of the university where he played basketball.

OK, that makes sense. But why were charges dropped nearly a year later after an independent witness (a college employee) told a story that contradicted Bower’s and closely matched that of the young men who hung around until police showed up to investigate? Even stranger, Bower said he didn’t know why the charges were dropped 10 months later.

Make sure you read the whole thing.

Charter school oversight, or lack thereof

Great read over at the Idaho Press-Tribune if you're into things like financial oversight of charter schools and the like. Actually, it is a really good read if you are at all concerned with how many tax dollars Idaho is giving to some of these schools.

For example; you'd think that after Idaho taxpayers provided Liberty Charter school $3,581,968 in tax dollars they'd be required to have an accountant to document where that money went. But if you thought that -- you'd be wrong. I mean what's a little non-oversight amoungst friends. Make sure you check out all of the of the letters that the Press-Tribune has posted along with the story; they are pretty interesting.

It does seem like after the story of Canyon County Prosecutor Dave Young being sued by a taxpayer for failing to provide emails between a charter school watchdog group and the prosecutor's office that something much larger is afoot here.

On that note; I'd like to know how much they paid for their website -- holy crappy 1995-era HTML. A drunk blind monkey could have tossed a better website together.

Rumblings and cover-ups

Idaho Press-Tribune:

Citizen sues Young over public records

CALDWELL — A Canyon County woman has filed suit against Canyon County prosecuting attorney Dave Young, alleging that his office failed to provide the public records she had requested.

June Blackhurst says citizens shouldn’t have to take officials to court to make them honor the law.

Blackhurst and several of her friends, all of whom keep a close eye on local charter schools, had asked the county prosecuting attorney’s office to investigate what they perceived to be wrongdoing on Liberty Charter School’s part. Between 2004 and 2006, the watchdogs had e-mailed back and forth with county officials about progress being made on the issue.

[...]

But when Blackhurst sent a public records request to the prosecuting attorney’s office asking for copies of the e-mails that had passed between the office and her group, she ultimately received copies of only a few of the messages.

Bill Lofholm, a Nampa man concerned about education, kept copies of all e-mails that had gone back and forth between the two parties — likely several hundred in all. The prosecutor’s office turned over probably fewer than half of those e-mails to Blackhurst, Lofholm said, and those seemed to be ones that were “hand-picked.”

“The ones missed are ones that have prominent statements about what was happening (in the case),” Lofholm said.

Rumor has it that there is much, much more to this story.

Bower back in the news

Looks like some old stories never die.

Idaho Press-Tribune is reporting that Danny Bower, who is running for Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney was involved in an altercation 9 years ago in Utah. And perhaps -- he instigated it and then lied to the police about it.

Bower, who was 25 at the time, maintained that after he asked the men to leave he was  attacked and beaten until he lost consciousness.

The five men involved gave police a different story. The suspects maintained that Bower was the aggressor and the first to throw a punch, and then continued to fight after the group backed off. The suspects, who waited for the police at the scene, said they were defending themselves from Bower and that his aggression against them was unprovoked.

A university employee who watched the events unfold later came forward and corroborated the suspects’ account of the fight, which lasted less than a minute.

Bower told the Idaho Press-Tribune last Friday that he was unaware that the employee’s statements were what led Provo city prosecutors to ask for dismissal of charges against the two defendants, Michael P. Saenz and Paul B. Michael.

“I didn’t follow the news coverage at all. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that,” he said.

A little hyper-aggressive eh?  Oh, and "I didn’t follow the news coverage at all..." -- I hereby invoke my bullshit card. A story -- about him -- that was in the media for a year, and he didn't follow it? Come on, how stupid does he think Canyon County voters are (er, nevermind)?

Make sure you read the whole story, it is really a pretty interesting read if you're into Canyon County politics. Also, after reading comments from Bower from other stories, it makes it clear; the man is a fan of completely overblown hyperbole.

Idaho Statesman endorses Bujak

I gotta say, I agree with their reasoning.

IPT on Canyon County prosecuting attorney primary

Keep it clean boys -- but for the love of God, one of you please beat Young.

Amen.

Something is not right here

I got this from KBCI last night (video on the website):

Nampa woman's campaign sign draws controversy

NAMPA - You can't miss this sign when you drive down Nampa's Southside Boulevard.

It's 8 feet by 4 feet supporting John Bujack for Canyon County Prosecutor.

"I received a call from the Bujack campaign that told me that the Idaho Department of Transportation had contacted them and asked that our sign of John Bujack be removed," said Autumn Short, the homeowner who put the sign on her property.

Short wanted to know why, why would the Transportation Department want her to remove the campaign sign.

She was told the request actually came from the Idaho Attorney General's office.

"To me that was just a little bit fishy," Short said.

So, Autumn did some checking of her own. Guess what she found out. Bujack's opponent, Danny Bower works in the Attorney General's office.

[...]

Idaho code states that election signs are not allowed in the right of way.

"This is a power pole which is right on the property line, so if you look and as you can see we're standing in the right of way, right now and if you look straight down the Bujack sign is clearly not in the right of way."

That's right it's more than five feet from the right of way.

"I'm a John Bujack supporter and I'm not going to remove the sign" Short said.

It also turns out that the Idaho Transportation Department doesn't even have jurisdiction where Short's house is at. The complaint had to originate with somebody else, and if I was guessing, I'd say it was probably Bower or one of his surrogates.

You don't think that Danny Bower would attempt to abuse his current position to gain an unfair advantage in the election do you?  It's starting to seem a little clear that there is something bigger to Bower's run for Canyon County prosecutor -- we'll have to see what unfolds -- this guy just reeks of fishy politics.

That being said, after this and his wacky rant from the other day it sounds like he'd fit right in Canyon County politics.

Updated

Idaho Press-Tribune has more on this story, or non-story, if you will. Blame it on the X-Files in me, but I still thing something is fishy here.

Danny Bower... Wow...

If you thought that Canyon County Prosecutor Dave Young was bad... get a load of the guy who sits under Young's desk (whats w/ the name 'Bower' in Canyon County?):

Idaho Press-Tribune:

Bower: Bujak 'cannot be trusted'

CANYON COUNTY — A Nampa attorney’s commitment to represent the legal interests of a local bar owner has drawn criticism from Canyon County prosecuting attorney candidate Danny Bower. Bower said John Bujak, who is also running for the same position, has a long history of representing adult nightclubs in Nampa and for that reason “cannot be trusted to protect our community.”

Bujak, a criminal defense attorney, began representing a local business named VIP’s Only, LLC, in 2006. VIP’s has existed under three different names in Nampa: “The Torch,” “Satin Dolls,” and now “Cowgirls Saloon,” all of which occupied the same location on the 400 block of Nampa Boulevard.

[...]

“Mr. Bujak’s long-time association with and representation of the sex entertainment industry in our community is troubling,” Bower said. “Instead of working with law enforcement to protect our community, Mr. Bujak sues law enforcement on behalf of businesses that objectify women and that contribute to a culture that denigrates the values of our community.”

Thank God that I've only been seeing Bujak campaign signs around.

Sounds like Bower's is more interested in a narrow minded fundamentalist agenda instead of acting as a prosecutor for a whole community, not a narrow swatch of fundies. This is exactly the kind of thing that simply amazes me. How is it that someone can have such an inarticulate view of the law and be working in the county's prosecutors office.

Talk about pandering for the far right vote; sad thing is, it may play in Canyon County. We'll have to see.

Check out IPT for Bower's original statement and Bujak's response -- after reading Bujak's response it's pretty clear who I will be supporting.

1 shooting 1 murder in 1 week

I know it is cliché to say that Canyon County is a war zone, but I think we can start to dispel the myth that Canyon County is more violent than Ada County.

We should all pretty much be thankful that most of the violence as a whole in Idaho is not random, but between people who know each other. It's nice to know that no matter if you're walking in Downtown Boise, Nampa, Meridian or Caldwell on a weekend night the odds of you getting robbed are pretty slim.

Canyon Bounty Farm's Greehouse opens Apr. 19th

Make sure you support your local farmers. Visit Local Harvest to find a producer located nearest to you.

Canyon Bounty Farm, my place to go for veggie and herb starts will be opening up the greenhouse on April 19th this year. All of their nursery starts are certified USDA organic and they have a huge selection of heirloom veggies.

There was also a good interview with owner Beth Rasgorshek in an issue of The Cutting Edge, the newsletter for Seeds of Change -- it's from last year but still a good read.

For me? Herb-wise my staples are mint, basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary. I'll also be picking up some jalapeño, serrano, and ancho chilies. Later in the season I'll get some of their heirloom tomatoes for some Insalata Caprese, a summertime favorite of mine.

Hmmm...

One would think that a good memory would be a helpful attribute for a County Prosecutor to have.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd... Denied.

A note to Canyon County Commissioner David Ferdinand: Forgetting a loaded gun in your carry-on is not like forgetting a 4 ounce bottle of hairspray in your carry-on.

Idaho Statesman:

Judge denies motion to dismiss Canyon official's gun charge

County Commissioner David Ferdinand is scheduled to stand trial on a charge of trying to carry a weapon past airport security after a motion to dismiss the misdemeanor was denied Wednesday.

Attorney David Leroy filed the motion March 19, the same day Ferdinand pleaded not guilty. Leroy said investigators and Ferdinand agree he was not aware the gun was in his backpack when he went through airport security, so there is no assertion that he knowingly tried to bring a weapon onto a plane.

A judge ruled on Leroy's motion Wednesday with the notation "Denied! Clearly a trial issue." A trial is scheduled July 16 and a pretrial hearing June 17.

While I'm sure jail time isn't necessary, I'm sure he'd have a good time wearing a orange road vest and picking up garbage on the airport grounds for about 120 hours would be sufficient. Oh, lemme guess, $250 fine, 1 day in jail, 1 day suspended -- lesson learned.

First person to mention that damned "personal responsibility" thingy gets a lollipop.

Judge tosses Robert Vasquez's legacy

Idaho Statesman:

Appeals court rejects Canyon County's immigration suit
Canyon County had sued four companies and a migrant leader contending that they hired and helped undocumented workers.

A federal appeals court rejected Canyon County's effort to use federal racketeering law to sue four agri-businesses and the former head of the Idaho Migrant Council for allegedly hiring and helping undocumented immigrants.

[...]

Information on how much the county has spent to pursue the RICO suit was not available Monday. After the original suit was dismissed in U.S. District Court near the end of 2005, former Commissioner Robert Vasquez said the case had cost the county $20,000 up to that point and estimated an appeal would cost $2,000 more.

I'm sure they'd say that was money well spent. I'd disagree.

Back story from NPR.