Posted: Oct 7, 2009 07:18 PM
Boise, Idaho -- There's more controversy surrounding a proposed trolley in downtown Boise.
It involves hiring a public relations firm to handle the city's message, and the connection the firm has to Boise mayor Dave Bieter, not to mention the issue of just how necessary this project is in the first place.
"The council is still split as far as the streetcar. I don't support it," said Jim Tibbs, Boise City councilman.
Tibbs has been against the streetcar idea from the beginning. He says there's too many promises being tossed about, things like how it will prompt more use of the bus system and how it will increase downtown commerce.
"I think really it's going to create a problem where a lot of businesses are being driven out of business, because there's a lot of businesses downtown that are just hanging on by their fingernails," said Tibbs.
That's because a large portion of the $60 million tab would get picked up by the local businesses.
Another concern involves a decision to hire public relations firm Cronin and Associates for $90,000.
The company would get the job of promoting a pro-streetcar message, but the company's owner, Brian Cronin -- who is also a state representative -- was also personally involved with Bieter's first election campaign.
"I think it does raise the issue of conflict of interest. Whether it really is a conflict of interest, I don't know, but it certainly raises the question," said Tibbs.
Because of that, the issue has been deferred so the staff can provide more information to the city council.
It's a situation that hasn't reached many people living in Boise, but many are talking about the streetcar itself.
"There's a lot of cities that have this type of transportation and I think it would improve the quality of life in Boise and I really think that businesses downtown would benefit from it," said Mary Stunz, a Boise downtown patron.
"I have nothing against a streetcar, but I think they should be spending more money on mass transit -- bringing people in from Eagle and Meridian-- and spending more money on that rather than a streetcar for downtown Boise. We don't really need that," said Holly Rule, a Boise downtown patron.
And according to Tibbs, we don't need the public relations firm either -- at least not yet.
"There's a lot of other work that needs to be done before you start selecting a PR firm," he said.
Bieter's spokesman, Adam Park, says Bieter had nothing to do with the selection of Cronin and Associates. He says the firm was scored against three others based on merit after each submitted their proposals. In the end, he says Cronin simply came out on top.
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