Items by Joe Plumber

• Would you support a tax cut?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Today (12/13/2009), the Associated Press reorted that “Idaho Republicans are pushing to cut individual and corporate income taxes by more than a third over the next decade, saying it would lure businesses and pump life into the slumping state economy. Their plan would cut Idaho’s corporate income tax rate of [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 11:30am EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Triple-dog dare

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 7
  One of the newer features of Idaho Falls Today is the local news feeds on the mid to lower left side of the page. Skimming through, I noticed a story titled “Boise boy licks metal pole, gets stuck.” Instantly, I recalled the scene from “A Christmas Story” where one boy [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 4:17pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Should Idaho be able to cut funding or programs?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 3
  Earlier this week, I read an interesting article by Rebecca Boone of the Associated Press. The article, published in the local paper, Post Register, caught my eye with the title Idaho health providers seek to increase scope of lawsuit.   As I read the article, I found it interesting that “a [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 2:07pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Hang up or listen? Campaigning by phone – Robo calls.

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 7
  A few weeks ago, several of us received automated phone calls asking us to vote one way or the other – most recently during School District 91’s bond election asking us to vote NO. Supporters of the bond seemed almost irate that someone would dare organize an opposition to the [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 1:47pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Meetings planned to discuss Idaho Falls School District 91 bond proposal

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 3
  The public will have a chance to learn more about the Idaho Falls School District’s $84.5 million bond (to be repaid over a 20-year period) proposal during two schoolhouse meetings scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Theresa Bunker Elementary School and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Ethel [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:14pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Meet Barbara Ehardt – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 6

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  Election day this year, for 2009, is Tuesday, November 3rd. For election information or if you would like to know where to vote, please contact the County Elections Office at (208) 529-1363 or click here. Now, an introduction to Barbara Ehardt… Barbara Ehardt was born and raised in Idaho Falls and is a [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 11:32am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Meet Alex Creek – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 4

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 13
  Election day this year, for 2009, is Tuesday, November 3rd. For election information or if you would like to know where to vote, please contact the County Elections Office at (208) 529-1363 or click here. Now, an introduction to Alex Creek… Alex Creek is a graduate of Idaho Falls High School and holds [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 11:13am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Meet Ida Hardcastle – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 4

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 5
  Election day this year, for 2009, is Tuesday, November 3rd. For election information or if you would like to know where to vote, please contact the County Elections Office at (208) 529-1363 or click here. Now, an introduction to Ida Hardcastle… I have been a council woman since 1994. In that time, I [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 11:08am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• A case of reverse discrimination…

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 16
  On May 11, 2009, Idaho Falls Today posted a poll entitled “Should the government abandon affirmative action?” Seventeen out of 23 participants selected yes, with three undecided and three voting no. The idea behind the poll came from a recent Supreme Court case that was just decided today. See the AP/Fox [...]
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  Posted: June 29, 2009, 1:42pm EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• How important is it that lawmakers disclose their personal finances to the public?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 4
  Center for Public Integrity A recent survey conducted by the DC based Center for Public Integrity gives Idaho a failing grade when it comes to our state’s financial disclosure laws. The survey that ranks legislatures’ accountability to voters concludes that Idaho, along with Vermont and Michigan, ranks dead last when it [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2009, 1:13pm EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Event - The Title of Liberty Walk, June 27

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 2
  Idaho Falls activity… LIBERTY WALK 2009 AND THE TITLE OF LIBERTY FLAG DISPLAY Date: Walk & Program: Saturday, June 27, 2009. The Title of Liberty Flag Display is at West Broadway and Bellin Road: June 27 thru July 13, 2009 The Title of Liberty Opening Program and Flag Raising will start [...]
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  Posted: June 22, 2009, 11:06am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Where’s the justice? Are our judges too soft on crime? Is the judicial system broken?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  IDAHO FALLS - A local woman, Brooke Armstrong, 34, was sentenced this week to four months in jail and eight years probation for stealing more than $150,000 from three area businesses. Four months, and that’s it? I cannot believe how light her sentence was! In addition to the jail time [...]
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  Posted: May 20, 2009, 11:09am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Are you interested having a voice in the operation of our local schools?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 1
  Are you interested having a voice in the operation of our local schools?  Consider running for a school board seat in your area.  You have until 5 p.m. Friday, April 17, to declare your candidacy by submitting a petition with signatures from at least five voters who live in the zone [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Idaho Falls TODAY - Election reminder: Supplemental Levies for School Districts 91 & 93

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  Just a reminder that today, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, you have an opportunity to vote. Local school districts 91 (Idaho Falls) and 93 (Ammon/Bonneville) are holding their supplemental levy elections today. If your district’s levy passes, your property taxes, more or less, will pretty much remain the same. If the levy [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 11:12am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Local Senator Bart Davis vs. Election Date Consolidation

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 3
  Idaho Falls Senator Bart Davis (R-33) is leading the charge in Boise to defeat an election consolidation bill, HB.201, which would increase voter activity and turnout. The bill would establish a permanent calendar for election dates. This means the voting public would know when they could expect an election to [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2009, 9:21am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• A local city ordinance only allows two dogs per household.

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  I just read an article published yesterday that stated the City of Shelley has an ordinance that restricts canine ownership to just two dogs per household. The last time this ordinance was actively discussed was over 33 years ago. Why now, asks Linda Fitzpatrick? Linda is the Shelley resident and dog [...]
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  Posted: March 24, 2009, 10:40am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Local lawmaker supports the return of domestic horse slaughterhouses…

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 6
  According to an AP article that I read today, State Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-31) is asking Congress to back the return of horse slaughterhouses here in the US. Loertscher believes this move would ease financial strains on local ranchers, farmers and horse owners, as “most people can’t afford to ship [...]
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  Posted: March 23, 2009, 3:42pm EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• The Fairness Doctrine: a violation of the 1st Amendment or necessary for fairness and balance?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  Currently, members of Congress are considering legislation that would reinstate a federal communications policy known as the “fairness doctrine.” At the same time, several members of Congress have drafted legislation that would do just the opposite and “prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine.” (HR.226, S.34, S.62, [...]
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  Posted: March 20, 2009, 10:23am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• City proposes a face-lift for Memorial Drive and the riverfront. Is it cause for concern? What about downtown parking and traffic?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  I knew the City of Idaho Falls was considering a few new concepts regarding downtown’s Memorial Drive. I had gathered the info for a future post, yet felt it might be too early to start the conversation until things solidified. Now that the Post Register has the story on their [...]
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  Posted: March 12, 2009, 9:58am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• What does it mean to be American?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  Since joining this site just a few months ago, I have had the pleasure to read, review, and debate many of the comments posted here at Idaho Falls Today. In doing this, many differences between members of this community have been pointed out. Yet, most all of us always return [...]
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  Posted: March 08, 2009, 11:40am EDT
  by Joe Plumber

• Measure passes the Idaho House to consolidate elections – education associations in opposition.

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 3
  Currently, Idaho law allows some 450 elections to be held on various dates throughout the year - quite amazing when you consider there are only 365 days per calendar year. Today, March 6, the Idaho House of Representatives voted, 52-17, to consolidate election dates in an effort to boost voter [...]
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  Posted: March 06, 2009, 2:13pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Update: School District 93 no longer considering a 4-day school week, instead plans to explore other budget and program cuts. Meetings scheduled for next week.

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  In follow up to my post from February 12, Bonneville Joint School District 93 is no longer considering a four-day school week. Now, district officials are considering program and salary cuts as well as letting go some of the newer teachers. Meanwhile, SD.93 plans to hold an open meeting to address the [...]
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  Posted: March 04, 2009, 1:30pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Idaho Falls Today – Jonathan Folk, a three-time convicted pedophile, received a LIFE sentence with no chance for parole.

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  I will try to keep this one short. In January, a Bonneville County jury found Jonathan Folk guilty of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, making this his third conviction. Folk’s most recent (known) offense took place on Christmas Day of 2007, against a five-year-old boy, while visiting distant relatives [...]
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  Posted: February 26, 2009, 5:43pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Should the state accept the federal money designated for Idaho in Obama’s American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 9
  Yesterday, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed Executive Order 2009-06, which creates a “stimulus executive committee” that will be appointed by Otter to review state agency information and make recommendations within 30 days on how to best use the federal money designated for Idaho in the federal law. Those recommendations [...]
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  Posted: February 18, 2009, 4:08pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Bonneville School District 93 is considering a four-day school week. What are your thoughts?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  According to the PR and KIDK (Ch. 3), “District 93 is looking at making the switch to 4 day school weeks because it needs to trim its budget. So far, the district is estimating it would save around $1M to $1.5M.” (http://www.kidk.com/news/39476397.html) To assist fellow IFT readers, I visited http://www3.d93.k12.id.us/ [...]
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  Posted: February 12, 2009, 3:23pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Live newborn baby thrown out with the trash after botched abortion!!!

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  While not directly connected with the Idaho Falls area, I did feel this story would give charge to a very interesting debate amongst the local readers and contributors. Regardless of your politics or moral compass, this should not happen here in the United States, nor any country for that matter. A [...]
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  Posted: February 09, 2009, 1:32pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• Who should we trust to stimulate the economy - Obama, Congress, State Government, Wall Street or ourselves?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 8
  According to a February 3, 2009 article, the current price tag for the so-called proposed stimulus package is at $885,000,000,000.00 (that is almost $900 billion). Let me say that again - $885 BILLION! And at this rate, it may yet hit the trillion-dollar mark! Obama and gang are trying to compare [...]
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  Posted: February 03, 2009, 4:34pm EST
  by Joe Plumber

• What are your thoughts concerning the upcoming bond/levy request for Idaho Falls’ School District 91?

  —Idaho Falls Today

  Number of comments: 20
  School District 91 in Idaho Falls is setting the stage for their upcoming request to the public for an increase in funds. The district sites statewide budget cuts and the need to renovate local schools as two of the top reasons their request should be approved. This week, Superintendent George [...]
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  Posted: January 22, 2009, 8:29am EST
  by Joe Plumber