North Nampa Residents Association PO Box 233 Nampa, Id 83653

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Idaho Press Tribune
  24 Oct 2001, page 4a

Candidates give views on future of district NAMPA -- Transportation, growth and urban renewal plans dominated a forum Tuesday featuring candidates for Nampa mayor and City Council.      The forum, held at the Snake River Elementary School, was sponsored by the North Nampa Residents Association. Candidates gave individual presentations and answered questions submitted by members of the audience.      The council and mayoral candidates did little in the way of criticizing each other during the two-hour program. Instead, they talked about their motivations for running and their visions for the city’s future.      In what took shape as a major issue in the election, candidates spent time explaining their positions on extending the North Nampa Urban Renewal district past its scheduled expiration in 2004. The district funnels a portion of property tax levied within its boundaries toward community improvement projects like road construction and acquisition of property for schools and parks.      A controversial chapter in its past has been funding of the multimillion-dollar Idaho Center, a project that upset some citizens.      "The Idaho Center has polarized the community," said council member Martin Thorne, who is seeking re-election.      Mayoral candidate Tom Dale, who now sits on the City Council, said he would be in favor of an advisory vote of the public before the district is extended.

Upcoming projects    Garrity Boulevard improvements emerged as a top transportation priority for Nampa city candidates. Candidates also spoke about the need to attack abandoned houses more vigorously. Another chance    Another Nampa city election candidate forum will be at 6pm, Nov 1 in the City Council Chambers at Nampa City Hall.      Incumbent Mayor Maxine Horn said the urban renewal district has accomplished much for the city and that "there are things that still need to be done for which the district could be a vehicle" to accomplish them.      All the City Council candidates had general praise for what the city has been able to accomplish with the Urban Renewal District. However, hopeful Franklin Pierce, who opposes Thorne, said the district "should probably be retired" at the end of its term in 2004.      Incumbent Councilwoman Lynda Clark noted that the taxable value of property within the district has grown by nearly 600 percent in less than 10 years, fulfilling a goal of increased development. Her opponent, Shari Dodge, pointed to positive things the district has done and said "at this point I would be in favor of extending" it.

Reprinted by permission of Idaho Press Tribune
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