We got the word last night that Shane was the top vote getter in the Albion City Council Election, and will be assuming a seat on the Council in January! Congratulations, Shane! This will be a positive step forward for the City of Albion, that like other cities in Idaho, are facing growth pressures.

The City of Boise re-elected all the incumbents. Yawn. (But it was for the best)

The City aside from Albion of which I am most proud, is Eagle. Eagle had the good sense to elect the Smart Growth slate - they just need to make sure to finish the job by electing Saundra McDavid in the run-off. Let’s be clear about Eagle, because some people don’t get it. Eagle is not a city, per se. Eagle is a suburb of Boise. I know that breaks all of your Eagle hearts to hear that Eagle people, but be honest. Downtown REvitalization? Eagle has never HAD a downtown (note to Meridian: neither have you).

I had to give that background that Eagle isn’t really a city when I say that Urban style densities in Eagle make no sense. There are 40,000+ jobs in downtown Boise. All those people that live in Eagle now drive in down State Street, I-84, and Hill Road and come pollute Boise everyday so they can earn a paycheck. Thanks people. So the last thing that we want/need is 8 per acre developments in Eagle. ANYTHING in Eagle is sprawl no matter the density, because there are no jobs there. But people are still arguing over how dense Eagle should be.

The most important thing that Eagle can do is stand fast on development north of Beacon Light Road. If you people screw that up after so many people fought to get the AVA in place, you have ruined a potentially great thing. If you think that you can build urban style subdivisions in what should be a grape growing community and wine producing community, you people have lost it. I know I am not visiting a winery that has a Jiffy Lube next door.

Caldwell is another interesting story. They are over there struggling over their identity. Why? Mayor Nancolas is trying to clean up the downtown, and that is needed, and they’ve made progress (YAY!!! - we daylighted Indian Creek!!!). But the crime thing is a big issue, I agree, let’s get with the crackdown, peeps. But the REAL opportunity in Caldwell is to turn it into Idaho’s Napa Valley. The AVA was also a big gift to you, Mayor Nancolas. Don’t blow it. That is your salvation.

So now I’ve geeked out about urban history for long enough . . .

Pronetos is moving along. We’ve got more new features coming out on November 12. We then will be travelling to Portland and Seattle for meetings with Portland State University, Microsoft, and Amazon.com among other folks. Unhampered is upo and running with further improvements planned. It’s a busy week as usual . . .