Real Name: Michael Strickland Member Since: August 21, 2007 Last Signed In: January 07, 2009 Profile Views: 955 Blog Views: 6861 Compassionate Conservatism: Myth or Reality? Support Idaho State University's Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration Putting Food on the Table: Tips for Squeezing Optimal Nutrition from Minimal Grocery Budgets Dos and do nots of mixing alcohol, medications Barack Obama Is America's Favorite Republican! Letter to J.R. MILLER, CHIEF OF POLICE, Pocatello, ID Potty Training CONSERVATION MATTERS: Tips for a Sustainable Thanksgiving No worries for Idaho State University Following This Historic Election, Discover One of the Civil Rights Movement's Unsung Heroes August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 Also see: http://essenceblack.blogspo... 
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Barack Obama is gunning for a national landslide. He now leads in four states won by President Bush in 2004 and is essentially tied with John McCain in two other Republican red states, according to new AP-GfK battleground polling. Times sure have changed.
Parents come to them every day ...writes a blogger on 43rd State Blues: Democracy for Idaho.
"The parents have no where else to go with their troubled kids, says one inner city community activist in this video. Sadly, he goes on to explain that the police department says that there is nothing they can do for the child until he or she commits a crime. Jesse Jackson first brought this topic to national attention, along with the idea of removing Obama's testicles. Jesse's indiscrete delivery may have made a joke out of, and essentially buried a dilaogue that should be seriously discussed: Is Obama talking about the issues that are important to most blacks?"
Watch:
Start the week when the former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and Republican Secretary of State Collin Powell endorses Obama. Then the RNC gets caught spending $150,000 at Nieman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue instead of Cabellas for its small town Caribou Barbie. Oooh and $30,000 for hair and makeup. McCain's brother calls 911 to kvetch about getting stuck in a traffic jam and then bitches out the officer when she explains its not an emergency. One of McCain's volunteers and proud Young Republican incites a charge of race baiting by falsely claiming an Obama supporter carved a B into her face in a politically motivated attack. McCain's campaign feeds the story before the hoax is discovered. As a result even Fox News says your campaign is over. What else could possibly go wrong? Read the full text of The McCain Palin Trainwreck of a Week by political blogger Sisyphus Colin Powell said he was "troubled" by some Republicans' comments that Obama, a Christian, is a Muslim. Beyond the smears, Powell said, is the real question: if Obama were a Muslim, why would there be a problem? "Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?" Powell said. I agree with Powell. Powell recalled seeing a photo in the New Yorker magazine of Elsheba Khan at the grave of her son, Specialist Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, a Manahawkin, N.J., soldier killed in Iraq on Aug. 6, 2007, at the age of 20. He noted that above the awards -- Purple Heart, Bronze Star -- listed on the headstone was an Islamic crescent and star. "His name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life," Powell said. "I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions." Khan and three other soldiers from the Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Wash., were killed by a blast in Baqouba, Iraq. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. "The Army was his life," his father, Feroze Khan, told the media in 2007.
Can a black man ask a cop a question in Pocatello? Idaho has an image problem, with some voices calling the area very racist. To begin with, my experiences with the Pocatello Police department have been very good. The men and women I've interacted with have been honest and caring. A few have invited my family into their homes. I have worked on various committees with several PPD people. There are members of this organization who always receive a hug when I see them. Former chief Ed Guthrie, now an Idaho State University faculty member, is an outstanding individual who went above and beyond the call of duty. One of the ways he did this was to make sure that any strain between Pocatello's black community and the department was immediately rectified. Nonetheless, no organization is perfect, and with race relations back on the frontburner of the national dialogue due to the meteoric rise of Barack Obama, it is a good time to write about an exception to the patterns above. Further, Idaho State Journal managing editor Ian Fennell, as well as a few of my fellow JHubians, have mentioned that they would like to hear more about my experiences. For those who may not know, I am black. Here is the story: There used to be a children's store in Old Town Pocatello called Jennifer's. You could sell or trade your used children's items to them. One day, I went to exchange some cute little dresses for my daughters, but could not find a space in front. So I drove around the corner and parked near the train overpass. It wasn't clear if I had parked legally. But a Pocatello Police officer was sitting in his patrol car directly across the street. "That's convenient," I thought, "I'll just walk over and ask him." When I reached a spot about ten feet from his vehicle, the officer quickly leaped out of his car, ran at me, and put his arm around me. He stood with his side to mine. I proceeded to ask him if I was parked legally. He told me that I was. I remember what the officer looked like. He had what I would call division one (now BCS) defensive lineman size. He was very muscular, in the 6 foot tall range, and obviously was someone who worked out regularly. It was a Pocatello cop, not a Bannock County or Idaho State Police officer. He was white and had very short dark brown hair. He appeared to be in his twenties. Interestingly, I have been training in behavioral intervention with adolescents. One of the first lessons we learned was why you should stand with your side toward an aggressive person. The trainer even had me kick him several times from the side, in front of the class. By doing this, he demonstrated how little power someone has when trying to attack you from the side. So obviously, this Pocatello Police officer's behavior was designed to put himself in a safe position with reference to me. In contrast, one damp evening I was driving near Route 22 in Scotch Plains, NJ. I have only been in Scotch Plains a few times, and needed directions. I saw a cop parked by the side of the road. I pulled in front of him, got out, and walked toward his car. The officer, who was black, waited until I was near his car. Remaining in his seat, the New Jersey cop simply turned on his interior light when I was close. He then smiled and said, "what?" I proceeded to ask that officer directions. Heading back to Idaho: 1) Why was that Pocatello cop scared of me? It was a sunny day, and I am a local who was doing nothing unusual. 2) In his aggressive defensive posture, the officer put his arm around me. Isn't any unwanted touch considered battery according to Idaho code? One might ask why I chose a public forum to address these issues without going to the Pocatello Police administration first. Good question. First, the incident was a while back, and I was mulling over whether to do anything about this at all, since the cop was not attacking me. He was defending himself. The problem falls into that category of anxiety that ethnic minorities face on a regular basis. We have to ask ourselves: "is this person acting this way because of some specific problem (like having a bad day or mistaken identity) or are they doing this because I am black (or hispanic/native american, etc.)." So this is somewhat of a reflective research project. We are discussing perceptions that some local law enforcement officers may have toward the citizens -- a timeless topic. Anyone with the PPD is welcome to contact me or to join in. And of course, discussions like this one, regarding taxpayer-funded organizations, regularly take place in newspaper columns, letters to the editor, and blog entries. It would also be more useful to show this entry to the PPD leaders after others have had a chance to weigh in on it. Finally, that officer acted as a public official in a public setting. Rest assured, if I had put my arm around that cop, my name would have ended up in the Idaho State Journal. American Indian Student Development Conference to be Held Nov. 19-20 Native American students, support staff and faculty in higher education continually face an uphill road when trying to create an environment that is culturally relevant and academically meaningful in the post-secondary environment. The University of Idaho's Native American Student Center will host the American Indian Student Development Conference Nov. 19-20. Entitled "Balancing 'New' Knowledge with Cultural Wisdom," the conference will encourage dialogue about current and future methods of Native American student support structures across the country, and address new culturally relevant strategies and models for support for Native American students.
"Historically, institutions of higher education have played critical roles in the creation of mistrust with Native American communities through forced assimilation and cultural genocide," said Steven Martin, director of the university's Native American Student Center. "We encourage those involved in higher education to learn more about the cultural support necessary for Native American students to be successful, and how to help those students balance between this 'new' wisdom with their cultural knowledge."
The conference will facilitate the exchange of ideas about the current and future methods of Native American student support structures. Anyone interested in higher education, cultural learning or in gaining a better understanding of Native American students are welcome.
The conference will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with an opening prayer and continental breakfast. Cornel Pewewardy, associate professor for Native American Studies at Portland State University in Oregon, will give the keynote address. Wednesday breakout sessions will focus on "What Matters to Native Students," "Solutions in Native Student Retention" and "Skill Building for Emerging and Current Native Professionals in Student Affairs." The day's activities will culminate with a dinner at 6 p.m. with University of Idaho President Steven Daley-Laursen.
The conference will continue on Thursday, Nov. 20, with breakout sessions focused on "Building and Supporting Native American Student Affairs." Panel discussions by Native American students and institutions of higher education that support Native American education initiatives will provide an in-depth look at current issues. Michael Pavel, associate professor for higher education at Washington State University will provide the closing remarks.
The two-day conference requires advance registration by Friday, Nov. 7; cost for non-students is $50. Registration is available online at www.students.uidaho.edu/Camp/AmericanIndianStuden tConferenceRegistration.
For a complete agenda for the conference, contact Arthur Taylor, the university's Native American Tribal Liaison, at ataylor@uidaho.edu. The conference will take place the Student Union Building, at 709 Deakin Ave. in Moscow. Study scrutinizes consumption of energy use and greenhouse gas emission at the university
MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho Sustainability Center has released the first inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at University of Idaho. The report found that the carbon footprint of University of Idaho for the years 2005-2007 was 39,123 thousand tons, or 3.5 tons per student per year.
“A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gasses produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalent,” said Darin Saul, director of the University of Idaho Sustainability Center. "Establishing a carbon footprint baseline for the University of Idaho in Moscow shows our collective contribution to climate change."
The University of Idaho joined the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) in March 2007, making commitments to reduce its GHG emissions significantly in the short-term, and to dramatically reduce GHG emissions and offset the remainder over the long-term. As part of complying with the ACUPCC agreement, university committed to completing a GHG assessment.
"The report establishes a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline, using data from 2005, the first year for which comprehensive data are available," Saul said. "The inventory also reports emissions from 2006 and 2007."
The GHG inventory includes emissions from natural gas, vehicle fuel, electricity, student, staff and faculty commuting, air travel, and emissions related to waste disposal and livestock.
“This is just a first cut at an emissions profile and included sources for which we were able to find or collect data," Saul said. "The methodologies for conducting greenhouse gas inventories are evolving rapidly and we will be adding additional sources to the inventory as data and new methods are developed."
He said that overall the University of Idaho is in pretty good shape compared to many other institutions of higher education. "We aren’t the best in the nation, but we are toward the front of the pack. After the $35 million worth of energy conservation projects scheduled over the next three years, we will be doing even better,” Saul said.
The University of Idaho's carbon footprint is relatively small for several reasons. First, the main campus uses wood waste as its main fuel source in the central steam plant, with natural gas as a backup fuel. Since wood is a renewable fuel, emissions produced by burning waste wood are not counted in an emissions assessment. This has reduced the university's overall carbon footprint by 11,500 metric tons per year that would have been produced if all heating energy had been produced using natural gas. This equates to a 22 percent reduction in 2007 GHG emissions.
The university also is positioned in the Northwest Power Pool. Since almost half of the Northwest Power Pool electricity is generated from hydropower, the university’s emissions from electricity use is lower than the national average.
Another contributing factor to the low carbon footprint is an active energy conservation program implemented by the university's Facilities Services, which is designed to minimize energy use on campus. This program significantly has helped reduce annual heating energy use and has maintained a flat electric energy use profile since Fiscal Year 2003, despite growth in conditioned building space.
Commuter-related emissions also have been reduced as the University of Idaho administration and students – through student fees – supplement local transit budgets to increase in-town and regional transit options.
The next step is to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce emissions to achieve climate neutrality. The plan is expected to be completed in September 2009.
The university's GHG Emissions Report is posted on the University of Idaho Sustainability Center Web site at www.uisc.uidaho.edu.
The University of Idaho Sustainability Center fosters an active culture of student, staff and faculty responsibility for sustainability on campus and in the community through environmental, economic and social stewardship and service. In addition to student-led initiatives, the Sustainability Center facilitates participation by faculty, staff, students and the greater community in implementing sustainability initiatives with tangible outcomes. In 2008, the center is advancing seven interconnected issues: waste minimization; recycling; reducing food waste on campus; regional food systems; consumer behavior; energy conservation; and greenhouse gas reduction. For more information, e-mail uisc@uidaho.edu or visit www.uisc.uidaho.edu
Boise State University was one of three organizations presented with the EnviroGuard Award by City of Boise Mayor David Bieter on Oct. 1 for its commitment to the environment, joining Barger-Mattson Auto Supply and St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center.
“It’s important to recognize businesses taking unique and creative approaches to ensuring the sustainability and livability of this community,” Mayor Bieter said. “We can reduce our environmental footprint at work, home and play. These businesses set the example for others to follow in the workplace.” An independent committee made up of small and large business owners, city and state agencies and business assistance organizations review the applications based on established criteria. The criteria include significant environmental benefits, waste reduction, economic benefit to the company and efficient use of raw materials. Boise State University has developed a long-term plan to make the campus climate neutral. The master plan commits the university to build high-performance buildings and encourages sustainable land use planning. The school has greatly reduced electrical and natural gas consumption, along with reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It is estimated that Boise State’s electricity savings is enough to power 430 homes per year (calculation courtesy Energy Information Office website). The university is purchasing flex-fuel and hybrid electric vehicles, operating two electric trucks in the central fleet and providing free shuttle service to nearby campus housing facilities and outlying buildings. “As a campus community we take great pride in the fact that our carbon footprint is so low, but we can’t rest on past success,” said John Gardner, associate vice president for energy research, policy and campus sustainability. “We will continue the use of low water vegetation in landscaping, campus-wide recycling and engaging in campus research in wind energy, geothermal and global warming.” Along with receiving recognition at the special award ceremony, EnviroGuard winners receive a plaque, banner and their documented case studies are showcased on the City of Boise website. Some of the names of the 34 past winners include Hewlett-Packard, Second Chance Building Supply, The Bogus Basin Nordic Center, the Cat Doctor and Zamzows. Idaho State University will honor current and retired faculty and staff, alumni and supporters with awards during 2008 Homecoming. Recipients will be honored at the President’s Alumni Recognition Dinner at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road. A reception at 6 p.m. will precede the dinner. Those wishing to attend should contact the ISU Alumni Office at (208) 282-3755 or e-mail alumni@isu.edu. The cost is $40. Following are the honorees and their awards: The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes exemplary professional and personal contributions resulting in national or international recognition. 
Joseph Jensen
Jensen and his wife, Cheryl, who died on June 3, raised four children. Jensen was named to the Board of Directors of the ISU Foundation in 2001. He was named president elect in 2003 and became president of the Foundation and chairman of the Board of Directors in 2005. During this time he put in considerable effort on fundraising for ISU. He restructured the Board of Directors and brought in a new process for managing ISU Foundation assets. He was part of the first major fundraising campaign at ISU that raised more than $152 million. Along with his wife, Cheryl, he was particularly active in development of the new L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. As a result of their contributions and efforts, the center’s grand concert hall was named in their honor. Jensen also served six years as a bishop for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City. The William J. Bartz Award recognizes continued support and development of ISU through personal actions, participation in University affairs and financial support. 
Norman and Beth Hill
Norm graduated from the ISU College of Technology in electronics and then worked eight years at Phillips Petroleum before working at Idaho Power for 27 years, retiring in 1996. Beth worked at Idaho Power for 35 years. She attended evening classes as ISU while employed at Idaho Power. Both Norman and Beth have been active with the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce and served on its Beautification Council, Local Issues and Legislative Council committees. In addition, both Hills have been active with the Valley Pride program, Pocatello Zoo, I Love ISU scholarship campaign and the Rotary Club of Pocatello. Norman also is a member of the Bengal Foundation, while Beth is on the Portneuf Medical Center Governing Board. Both of their sons, Darrel and Galen, graduated from the ISU College of Technology in Electronics. Their grandson, Russel Hill, attends ISU. The ISU Distinguished Service Award recognizes ISU staff members who have shown exceptional loyalty to the University through an extended period of employment. 
Bessie Katsilometes
She has worked at the university for more than 20 years in a variety of administrative positions. She has been dean of academic programs at ISU-Boise since 2006. Other prominent posts she has held include director of Health and Technology at ISU-Boise, chair of the Business and Service Department in the ISU College of Technology and director of the College of Technology Center for New Directions. Katsilometes represented Idaho as one of three commissioners appointed by Gov. Cecil Andrus to serve a four-year term on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Katsilometes served on the Idaho Housing and Finance Association Board of Commissioners and on the Board of Directors for the Housing Company, an IHGA non-profit affiliate that develops and manages affordable housing resources. She served a two-year term on the Governor’s Coordinating Council for Families and Children and has been a director on the Board of Idaho Community Foundation (ICF). She served for 13 years on the ICF’s Eastern Region Advisory Panel. She served a term on the Portneuf Regional Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and has participated in many non-profit organizations. Katsilometes has been honored with Zonta’s “Women of Achievement” award, the Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency’s “Stone Soup” Award, and a Pocatello Jaycee Women’s “Distinguished Young Woman” Award. She is a past Athena Recipient, an award given by the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce and the Park Price Motor Company. The President’s Medallion was established in 2001 to honor friends and alumni whose outstanding accomplishments and exemplary service and support bring distinction to the University and advance higher education. 
Col. Garth Holmes
Holmes has long been known for his energy and enthusiasm for life. He has applied those qualities to his community, his country and the profession of pharmacy. At Idaho State University, he is known as a generous supporter of higher education as well. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy in 1960. He also received a Master of Education degree from Boston University in 1974. His late wife, Dianne, received a Master of Arts in elementary education from ISU in 1961. When his wife passed away, Holmes established the Dianne W. Holmes Scholarship Endowment at the College of Education. It provides two scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need. Holmes also established a College of Pharmacy endowment that funds an annual scholarship for a first-year student from Idaho who shows financial need. This legacy is just part of a sense of service that includes Holmes’ 34 years of active and reserve Army service. He served with the Medical Reserve Unit (50th General Hospital) during Desert Storm. He also is highly regarded in Washington, where he was a pharmacy consultant to the state Department Social and Health Services, and worked closely with the executive director of the Washington State Pharmacy Association. He also served as an affiliate instructor for the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. In 1998, the WSPA named him “Pharmacist of the Year.” He is a past member of the ISU Alumni Board and currently serves on the ISU College of Pharmacy Dean’s Advisory Board. 
Sylvia Papenberg
Sylvia Papenberg is the widow of the late ISU alumnus and Sports Hall of Fame honoree Don “Pappy” Papenberg 1963. He died Jan. 8. The gift for the Bengal Village complex will help fund Miller Ranch Stadium, which will be the new home of ISU softball. Sylvia Papenberg, an Idaho native, graduated from Teton High School in Driggs before attending Idaho State University. In 1964 she received a degree in secondary education with a minor in psychology. She was a teacher for several years, and recently retired after more than 20 years in banking. At ISU, she played softball, volleyball and basketball in the university’s club and intramural systems prior to women’s intercollegiate athletics. Don Papenberg played football at Idaho State from 1959-60, helping the Bengals to a 12-4 mark overall, and a 1959 Rocky Mountain championship in their last season in the league. Miller Ranch Stadium will be on the site of football’s current South Practice Field. The stadium will be enclosed with bleachers, a full scoreboard, and such amenities as restrooms, a concessions area, storage spaces and a press box. Homecoming Parade Marshals are ISU faculty, staff or alumni who have made a significant impact on the ISU community and enjoy popularity among their colleagues and students. 
"Babe" and Tracy Caccia
Babe is the winningest coach in Idaho State University’s history in both football and baseball. In the 14 years from 1952 to 1965, he was head coach of football teams that won 80, lost 38 and tied two, a 67.8 percent win rate. He coached undefeated teams in 1952 and 1957. He coached five Rocky Mountain Conference championship grid teams. His 1963 team won the Big Sky Conference championship the first year of the league’s existence. He was the Bengals’ head baseball coach from 1967 to 1974, and posted a 152-116 record. Caccia also served as a wrestling coach. Besides coaching, Caccia served 14 years from 1966 to 1979 as assistant athletic director and in March 1979 he became the Bengals’ director of athletics. He is a member of the ISU Sports Hall of Fame and the Idaho Hall of Fame. Caccia was a multi-sport star at Pocatello High, graduating in 1936. He transferred his talents to the University of Idaho Southern Branch, as Idaho State was known at that time. He was a two-year starting center and linebacker for the school’s football team and as a wrestler lost only one match in two years. Caccia also coached at the prep and professional levels, the latter as an offensive line coach for the Canadian Football League Edmonton Eskimos. Tracy was born in Ireland and after World War II her parents and family moved to London, England, where she attended school. She went on to technical college for three years and later pursued a career in the British Army. The years in the British Army were her happiest apart from the 34 years she has been married to Babe, Tracy said. Babe and Tracy met in Canada and moved to Pocatello after their marriage in 1974. Have you noticed? The leaves are changing colors and our natural world is preparing for winter. Celebrate the fall season with the Idaho Museum of Natural History as it launches an outstanding program of Fall Children’s Classes. Science Saturdays feature explorations in physics for students in third through fifth grades. Classes include "Spooky Science: Fun with Smoke and Mirrors" on Oct. 25, "Newton’s Laws of Christmas" on Dec. 20, and "Phreaky Phrozen Physics" on Jan. 10. The Natural History Academy offers scientists of any age an exciting and fun learning experience. With classes for children from first to seventh grades, students will learn about leaves, animal burrows, migration, ladybugs, and how to knap a rock into an arrow point. The first class is Oct. 29 and they continue into December. "Science in Depth" is a three-part class starting in November for students in sixth through eighth grades who are ready to investigate science in greater depth. Students will explore the science of physics with kinematics and motion, and classes include experiments to understand Newton’s Laws of Motion, working with vectors, acceleration, and velocity, and learning how to calculate the motion of objects. The Natural Science Inquiries Series are homeschool enrichment classes for children ages 9 through 12. This two-part program scheduled for November will focus on the science of anatomy and dissection. There will be instructional time, group activities, and engaging hands-on projects to involve learners in the exploration into the anatomy and structure of living things. To register or for more information, contact Rebecca Thorne-Ferrel, IMNH Education Manager, at (208) 282-2195 or thorrebe@isu.edu. Registration materials and the complete schedule of classes, dates, times, and fees are also available on the Museum’s website at http://imnh.isu.edu. The Museum is located on the campus of Idaho State University at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Dillon Street in Building #12. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just a quick reminder of this weeks TLC (True Loyal Connections) Meeting. Tuesday, October 14th, at Pasta & Vino’s 138 N. Main in Old Town Pocatello. Time: 11:45 to 1:00 pm Joni Beaty with the Body Shop at Home will be presenting for us this week. The sole purpose of this time is to meet with Business Owners, Managers and Leaders to network, pass referrals and have lunch. There is nothing to join, and no cost other than your lunch and a $1.00 voluntary donation to support our group. Bring a new friend and your lunch could be free! If you have any questions please call Troy Neu at 234-2679. Troy Neu 208-234-2679 Idaho State University is well connected to the Internet, Internet2 and other information networks, and through partnerships with educational organizations is able to transfer mass quantities of information fast at low cost, benefiting the University immeasurably. Partnering with the Utah Education Network and Front Range GigaPop enables Idaho State University to enjoy reduced costs, shared expertise, shared services and increased buying power of data transmission services on much larger scale than it could afford on its own. “Being able to quickly transfer huge amounts of information via wide area networks is crucial to a University,” said Randy Gaines, chief information officer, ISU Information Technology Services. “We have had the foresight to insure we have that capability and will continue to in the future, even as our needs grow.” Having access to Internet2 and the National Lambda Rail speeds up ISU’s online connectivity for file sharing and communication to other universities, including in-state institutions such as the University of Idaho and Boise State University. Idaho’s new $15 million National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research grant to study climate change in Idaho epitomizes the need for the Internet and National Lambda Rail infrastructure Idaho State University has invested in through its partnership with the Utah Education Network and Front Range GigaPop. The NSF climate change grant requires the participating institutions (ISU, UI and BSU) to host statewide video-computer conferences for meetings of 50 researchers at six sites around the state on a regular basis. To hold these conferences the researchers at the individual sites must share massive imaging data sets and do “real-time” collaboration analyzing, studying and observing them. In addition, ISU’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center uses these network capabilities to mirror data with the University of Idaho. “Without our Internet2 and NLR data transferring and computing capabilities these types of communications would be difficult,” Gaines said, “but with our capabilities it makes them routine.” Idaho State University partners with the Utah Education Network, which gives ISU access to Internet2 and the National Lambda Rail. ISU is also a member of the Front Range GigaPop consortium of universities. Partnership with these entities keeps that information flowing at levels needed for a research-intensive university. Internet2 is the foremost advanced networking consortium in the United States that was created in 1996 and led by the efforts of the research and education community. Internet2 was designed to provide the most advanced network capabilities and to provide unique partnership opportunities to develop and implement new uses of the Internet. ISU has partnered with the Utah Education Network for more than 12 years to provide this global network access for ISU researchers. The Utah Education Network is a consortium of public education partners, including the Utah System of Higher Education and its 10 universities and colleges, the Utah State Office of Education, local school districts and Utah’s Library system. The partners involved share the costs of having Internet2. Then in 2003, access to the National Lambda Rail was added to the benefits to belonging to the Utah Education Network. National Lambda Rail is owned and controlled by the U.S. research community and maintains a unique nationwide network infrastructure to meet the demands of its constituencies, allowing its member greater computing network power. This partnership with the Utah Education Network also includes membership in the Front Range GigaPop and provides additional access to these high speed global networks. Participants in the Front Range GigaPop include Brigham Young University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado-Denver, University of Utah, University of Wyoming and Utah State University. Services provided are mature and reliable as the The National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research provide the engineering and network operations center support for the Front Range GigaPop. For more information on the Utah Education Network visit www.uen.org; on the Front Range GigaPop consortium visit www.frgp.net; on the National Lambda Rail visit www.nlr.net; and on the Internet2 visit www.internet2.edu. The Mountain Goat reports: Most people these days agree that racism, whether blatant or subtle, isn't acceptable. Even Murtaugh's Zeb Bell, host of "Zeb At the Ranch" (broadcast on Rupert radio station KBAR in the Magic Valley) adamantly protests that he's not racist and is offended by the accusation. However, on September 24, he and an unidentified caller discussed Senator Barack Obama and his supporters, denigrating these supporters as ignorant, lazy minorities with the caller even resorting to using a mocking, racist voice while making his points. It was disgusting and vile but it is not unusual. This sort of thing happens every day on Zeb Bell's show. Is this acceptable dialogue? Is it racist? You decide. Listen to an unedited clip of the September 24th show, recorded during the 9 a.m. hour (transcript follows): Click Here to Read the Full Text of: Racism in Magic Valley Again How do you feel about Bannock County Property Taxes? This article by Carl Stoddard highlights and analyzes many of the issues taxpayers face: The Holt Arena funding request of $25M started a conversation regarding the what property tax should fund, how it should be calculated and why is Bannock County’s property tax the highest in the state. Let me first say that for me, taxation must primarily rely on economic realities not the fiction of political fractions. It either works or does not. It either works better or not. So for me, taxation must work for these simple tests. Test 1: The tax must be easily understood and calculated, so that it cannot be manipulated by politicians and special interests groups. Test 2: The tax must be fair and foster economic development. In the case of property taxes, I will illustrate why a tax based on property value destroys economic development. Test 3: In the case of property tax, the tax must be based on a fixed value that easily relates to city and county costs. Before I explain what the ‘Fair Property Tax’ is, we need to review how our property tax works. Our property tax has primary variables. The RATE is the total rates for all taxing authorities. In Pocatello this is primarily 4 entities, the City of Pocatello plus Bannock County plus Bannock County Roads plus School District 25. The 2007 rate was just under 2.1% and for simplicity, I will use 2% in the article. The ASSESSED VALUE is the value that the appraiser’s office says your home is worth. They are to approximate fair market value and according to them can be as low as 90% and as high as 110% of fair market value. The HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION is the amount that the state offsets or credits your fair market value. Right now it is around $100,000 and benefits homes to $200,000 in value. This brings us to the basic formula: RATE X (ASSESSED VALUE - HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION) = PROPERTY TAXLet's now discuss how each one of these variables can be altered to increase or decrease property tax. ASSESSED VALUE: There is an incentive for the appraisers office to move appraisals to the 110% mark. First, it brings more dollars subject to the property tax and secondly allows the commissioners to say, "We didn't increase property taxes this year." even though your tax bill increased. This then allows the public to do two possible counter moves: (1) move somewhere where there are lower taxes like the county where they don't pay city taxes and or (2) decrease the value of their home by not taking care of it. As people move away from the city center, it costs more to service them and will continue to increase as gas and similar costs increase. Therefore a fundamental principle of city government is to promote effective and efficient resource use. In this case, the primary resource that must be managed is land. There are many areas in our city that need to be improved, but they will not until there is no longer a penalty for doing so. When you improve your property, your tax increases. If someone owns 5 acres of undeveloped land in the city limits, that is ok and their right, but they shouldn't get a pass just because it's undeveloped. There needs to be an incentive to put the land asset to work. If not, you and I subsidize that undeveloped land by paying a higher percentage because our properties are improved. As such the tax needs to be one that rewards improvement, not penalizes it. Business strives for 99.99% accuracy; however there is a 20% margin of error when allowing the county to be 90% to 110% accurate. Using a $200,000 fairly valued home and a 2% tax rate will result in a tax of $1,800 if assessed at $180,000 and $2,400 if assessed at $220,000. The same house can be taxed $600 or 33% more; it is no wonder; citizens are so upset about this. This is hard to catch, but the $220,000 property is paying on an additional $30,000 because the homeowner’s exemption phased out at $200,000. The margin of error is even greater for home valued more. A home valued at $500,000 can be assessed from $450,000 to $550,000. The tax needs to be based on something fairer than suspect home valuations. The Homeowners Exemption’s purpose is to give homeowners a break from increasing land values that may not correlate to wage increases and are limit a tax windfall for the County. It is also meant to give a credit to those that live in Idaho. County governments want the homeowner’s exemption to be as low as possible and we saw this last year when their rates went up and again this year as the assessed values go up. The homeowner’s exemption credits 50% of your home assessment up to roughly $200,000. Homes above the $200,000 value pay a higher effective rate and which implies they are subsidizing homes below $200,000. If you were to graph the rate, you would see a flat line for all homes up to $200,000 and then an increasing rate for the rest. For me, the exemption falls under the tax category of social engineering and governments are rarely successful at it. For example, the exemption punishes renters because they receive no homeowner’s exemption. Landlords will pass the entire tax [if the market will bear it] onto their renters and at times renting can be a wise financial move. Though counter intuitive, the homeowner’s exemption which has some merit, should be done away with because the same tax assessment it would distributed more evenly. RATE: This is simply the aggregate percentage of your home that is going to be taxed. Rates can manipulate the overall result. If your home assessment goes up $20,000 and the rate remains at 2%, the additional tax is $400. This is why a tax tied to the market value of your home is inappropriate; government gets and additional $400 without having to justify it or put it to good use. Conversely, if your home assessment decreases $20,000, government will raise the rate to recapture the $400. Will they reduce the rate, when the home assessment increases? The point is if assessments remain flat, the rate should remain flat or go down if the county/city is efficiently managed. Efficiency is a function of economies of scale. This means that population grows, the incremental cost of government should reduce. However, we normally see the opposite. One justification for the increase is that the infrastructure [capacity] was only built for the existing population. As the population exceeds the existing infrastructure, it requires large capital investments. We recently saw this with new homebuilders required to pay access and connection fees to cover the variable costs for city expansion. I believe this is appropriate, what is not appropriate is the improved property being taxed on a higher rate just because it is improved. This however, can be minimized when land is efficiently used. For example, the old Fred Meyers building is a good example of land not being efficiently used and because it is deteriorating, the assessment reduces their tax. Back to the rate, the county should not need to raise the rate. Increasing rates reduces property values because demand will move to higher value areas like the county. This then starts the vicious cycle where property values go down and the rate goes up to satisfy the appetite of government. The 1% Initiative is a popular taxing concept. On the surface it appears fair as you are not penalized with rampant appreciation faster than your income. It is assumed that those those come later and pay more for their home are then subject to a higher tax, even though they consume similar city services. Essentially this becomes a generational issue, taxing the young more than the old because the young purchased at a higher level than the old. When you're stock market portfolio appreciates you are not taxed on the appreciation until you sell. In the case of home ownership and property tax, you are taxed on your homes appreciation and perhaps again when you sell. You see this is the very problem a tax based on value is inappropriate. The 1% is incorrect as is taxing appreciation. The property tax [should really be called city operating tax] should not be tied to property values as they can rapidly change up or down. The city funding needs to come from something that is fixed and not subject to wild valuations. So how do we end all of this madness? There is a tax concept ability to pay versus use. The concept of appraised values less a homeowner’s exemption is more in line with the ability to pay concept, those that have more pay more. There may be a correlation to property value and how much city services are used, but another way is to tax by how much of the city services you use. For me land and people are the primary drivers of city costs for services, new streets, road repair, parks, water lines, etc. However, in my profession, I have found that you need a measurement that is fixed and easily predictable not subject to irrational market changes in order for it to provide value. What I suggest is to eliminate the appreciation tax and implement the ‘Fair Property Tax’ which is to tax by the square foot of your lot size. What I like about this method, it is very simple to understand, causal to city services and predictable. I list some of the many benefits below. Ease to calculate For example Pocatello has 28.2 square miles which is approximately 786,170,880 square feet. The 2008 budget is $75.1M and this translates to a tax of 9.55 cents per square foot. My lot is approximately 14,630 square feet, so this would translate to $1,398 dollars per year. It is very desirable to have a tax that is simple and transparent, because it keeps government in line. No penalty for improvements Where now there is an incentive to not improve your property, this would do the exact reverse. As your payment is the rate multiplied by your lot size, everyone is has incentive to improve their lot and land values; undeveloped land rightfully so will pay their fair share and the same rate. Furthermore nice and depressed areas will become nicer. When the city is more beautiful, we all benefit by having a better place to live each day and by home appreciation. Also, businesses shouldn’t be penalized for improving the facilities that keep us employed. Reduction in the number of variables & Transparency Simplifying the equation makes it easier to monitor government. Where now there are three primary variables there would only be two: the lot size which is fixed and the other the rate by square foot. Complexity in formulas is more to disguise poor management and hidden agendas than to be accurate or even to be fair; the best example of this is the IRS code which wastes an unbelievable amount of our time and money each year. Efficient land use There are winners and losers with any new idea, and this is no exception. The winners will be those that want to improve land values and the losers who do not. This is why I am against the homeowner’s exemption; it gives an incentive for those below the exemption to stay there. Improvers will move away from those areas affected by property value devaluation expanding city boundaries which increases governments cost to service them. Revitalization of lower cost areas With efficient land use, depressed areas will in time rebound. The fair tax alone will not cause the improvement, but it will provide an additional incentive because there is no penalty for improving property. Revitalizing existing areas versus new areas will reduce the amount of city services, related tax all while making those properties more valuable. Growing the tax base How can government grow its number of taxable square feet while reducing property tax? I would propose that building out will require more cost to develop the infrastructure than building up. Commercial structures would be taxed at their lot size plus all above ground stories at 30% of the additional square feet. When below 100%, there is an incentive to build up. Building up saves more land for natures use and the density around commercial areas facilitates the viability of public transportation. Another option is to tax, not for profit organizations; currently this is a big loophole in our area. And if I were start a business, I would look at the not for profit model if your business requires lots of taxable property. Lower cost government With the Fair Property Tax, there is no need for the assessor’s office; in fact all in Idaho can be immediately done away with. This will save Idaho around $30M in taxes that would be refunded or directed toward schools. I could write more on the subject, but being limited to 2400 words, I have outlined what I believe are the highlights of the issue and merits to move to the Fair Property Tax. It is fair, simple and easy to calculate. It doesn’t allow government officials to hide behind difficult formulas or excuses nor the subjectivity of assessments. If you feel like I do, I urge each of you to take action and write your state legislature and senators to make the “Fair Property Tax” Idaho Law. (c) 2008 Carl Stoddard, All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. How do you feel about Bannock County Property Taxes? Click Here for More Information “Latin Trade,” a leading international business magazine focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean, has named Idaho State University’s Richard Hansen, Ph.D., “Environmentalist of the Year for Latin America.” Hansen is the director of the Mirador Basin Project in Guatemala and is the chief senior scientist for the Idaho State University Institute of Mesoamerican Research, in the anthropology department. 
Dr. Richard Hansen in the field. The ISU researcher was one of nine individual winners recognized by “Latin Trade” in its 14th annual Latin Trade Bravo Business Awards program. He was named a winner in mid September. He will be honored at a ceremony in Miami on Oct. 24, in an event that is widely acknowledged as the “Oscars” of Latin American business.
“It is indeed an honor to be selected for this award,” Hansen said, “primarily because, I suppose, it is a bit unusual that an anthropologist could have such an environmental impact.” “It also is a privilege,” Hansen continued, “to be included among previous Latin American Trade winners such as Carlos Slim (one of the wealthiest men in the world), Michael Dell (Dell Computers), Craig Herkert (Wal-Mart Americas), George Soros (Soros Fund), and Robert Crandall (American Airlines) as well as other extremely distinguished personalities and business figures of world acclaim.” Among his other titles, Hansen is president of the Foundation for Anthropological Studies and Environmental Science (FARES). The non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation and scientific exploration of the ancient cultures and environment of Guatemala’s Peten rainforest. This area is referred to as “the cradle of Maya civilization” because of the region’s importance in the early preclassic development and foundation of Maya society. Hansen, a lifelong resident of Rupert, Idaho, joined the ISU anthropology department in fall 2004. He teaches classes on Maya and Mesoamerican civilizations. He regularly takes groups of ISU students to Guatemala for summer field classes to help excavate the ruins in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala, including El Mirador, an ancient, 15-square-mile Maya city, which ranks among the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Hansen has dedicated his life to the scientific exploration, conservation and permanent protection of the Mirador Basin, which has also involved community development and education programs. The Mirador Basin’s 810,000 acres contains five distinct types of tropical forests, abundant wildlife, and the oldest and most monumental examples of the earliest Maya cities from about 1000 B.C. to about A.D. 150, an era known as the Preclassic periods. The ISU researcher has received numerous awards for his work. He has been featured on a number of national and international television programs, and has been written about in the national and international media. “Latin Trade” has more than 160,000 readers worldwide. Business, political and social leaders were nominated by its readers. Winners were selected by the magazine’s editors in consultation with leading international experts. “The 2008 winners share a commitment to excellence and proven leadership in times of great change,” said Mike Zellner, editorial director of “Latin Trade.” During 2007, TV, print and online promotion and coverage generated an audience of more than 91 million people worldwide for the “Latin Trade Bravo Business Awards,” which are sponsored by the InterContinental Hotels Group, Citi and BMW. More than 300 leaders from Latin America and the United States, including presidents, government ministers, CEOs of multinational and Latin American companies and financial institutions are expected to attend the “Latin Trade Bravo Business Awards.” The 2008 Latin Trade Bravo winners in the other eight categories to be honored at the prestigious LT Bravo Business Awards ceremony are: • Álvaro Uribe Vélez, President of Colombia, “Leader of the Year”; • Rubén Blades, Minister of Tourism of Panama, “Most Innovative Leader”; • Henrique de Campos Meirelles, Governor, Central Bank of Brazil, “Financier of the Year”; • Enrique Cueto Plaza, CEO, LAN Airlines, “CEO of the Year”; • Subramaniam Ramadorai, CEO, Tata Consultancy Services, “International CEO of the Year”; • Luis Fernando Santos, President, Casa Editorial El Tiempo, “Most Dynamic CEO of the Year”; • Marcelo Argüelles, Chairman, Grupo de Empresas Farmacéuticas Sidus, Technology Leader of the Year”; and • Vivian Pellas, Executive Director, Asociación Pro Niños Quemados de Nicaragua, “Humanitarian of the Year.” For more information about the Bravo awards, visit www.ltbravo.com. For more information about Hansen and the Mirador Basin Project, visit www.miradorbasin.com, www.fares-foundation.org or www.isu.edu/anthro or call (208) 282-2629. Just a quick reminder of this weeks TLC (True Loyal Connections) Meeting. Tuesday, October 7th, at Pasta & Vino’s 138 N. Main in Old Town Pocatello. Time: 11:45 to 1:00 pm Mindy Stosich with Scentsy will be presenting for us this week. The sole purpose of this time is to meet with Business Owners, Managers and Leaders to network, pass referrals and have lunch. There is nothing to join, and no cost other than your lunch and a $1.00 voluntary donation to support our group. Bring a new friend and your lunch could be free! If you have any questions please call Troy Neu at 234-2679. Troy Neu 208-234-2679 http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtm...>Recent studies show one in four American workers is seriously distressed about his personal financial situation. Add to that the uncertainty of the economy and there becomes an increased need to improve personal and family financial management. http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtm...>Richard W. Ebert Jr., the director of Employment Resource Services for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says, “Financial problems are a source of much unhappiness and are certainly a major factor in family and work difficulties. Unresolved, they can lead to crushing debt and divorce.” http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtm...>Knowing this, leaders of the Church have counseled its members for decades to prepare for hard times by avoiding financial problems and becoming more economically stable. Recently, the senior leadership of the Church published the brochure All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances to help members manage their resources. http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtm...>The brochure advises families to “prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve. If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.” http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtm...>The brochure is available on the Church Welfare Services Web site at www.providentliving.org. The Web site also provides the following guidelines for families to become more financially responsible:
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