Kuna coach Dale Rippy named coach of the year

Congratulations to Kuna varsity baseball head coach Dale Rippy, who was named 4A SIC Coach of the Year.
Rippy led Kuna to a first-place regular season finish and second place in the district tournament and second place in this year’s state tournament.
Congratulations also to Kuna outfielder Chase Hernandez, who was named co-player of the year.
Named to the All-Conference first team from Kuna were catcher Cameron Packham and pitchers Heath Curtis and Alex Bunn.
Named to the second team were shortstop Kyle Hoch, first basemen Seth Raver and outfielders Braden Andrus and Mike Kaminski.
Earning honorable mentions were Dylan Kerbs and Cole Florenzen.

Some advice for the Kuna Urban Renewal Agency

Followers of this column know that I have been a proponent of an urban renewal agency in Kuna. I have made the argument that this is the best way for Kuna to revitalize its downtown, a key to Kuna’s prosperity moving forward.
There are some people, whom I consider to be very intelligent and whose opinions I highly respect, who disagree with me. They present compelling arguments and well-reasoned counterpoints for avoiding an urban renewal agency like the plague.
I respect their positions and understand their arguments. While I appreciate the opposition, I think we have come to a point of agreeing to disagree. For me, I strongly feel that without urban renewal, we will get nothing for our downtown, and that’s just not an acceptable path. Let me also add that urban renewal agencies are completely by the book, codified in Idaho Code.
Now, with all that said, I think many people are justified in being concerned about the current city leadership getting us into a boondoggle. As evidenced by last year’s slapdash, ill-conceived, and at times arrogant, push for a $5 million bond for a new city hall and swimming pool, local residents have cause to be suspicious of the city’s judgment.
So let me offer some measured advice on what I think are a few key points in establishing the Kuna Urban Renewal Agency.
• Appoint at least seven members to the agency board. I think nine would be fine, as well, but three would be way too few, and even five would not offer enough checks and balances to a body that is appointed and is not required to stand before voters at regular intervals.
• Make sure that the members of this board are diverse and not specifically from one segment of the population. Let’s have a couple of City Council members, business owners, ordinary residents, developers, landlords, etc.
We are to be heartened in this respect, though. I thought Mayor Dowdy’s appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission of Corinna Stiles, an often-harsh critic of the mayor, showed great magnanimity and open-mindedness. Let’s keep that spirit going with the urban renewal agency.

I have three more points about residential development, eminent domain and involving the public. You can read them in this week's Kuna Melba News.

The Melba Herald is now online

For the past three months, the Kuna Melba News has been quietly publishing The Melba Herald, a new monthly newspaper devoted entirely to Melba. In April and May, The Melba Herald was just a four-page section with no advertisers. I am happy to report that the June issue is full of local Melba-specific advertisers in a chock-full 8-page section.
The June issue is a good one, if I do say so myself, namely because it's the annual graduation section, containing coverage of Melba's graduation ceremony, stories about Melba's top students and a full page devoted to the photos and names of every graduate.
It also contains several stories submitted by Melba students, the Melba senior column and an editorial by Madge Wylie on "What ever happened to Memorial Day?"
I'm excited about the future of this publication. In the future, our plan is to add more independent coverage of City Council and School Board.
But this start wouldn't be possible without the advertisers. Because this is a free publication to Melba residents, advertiser dollars support this publication. So, in turn, dear reader, you are asked to support the businesses advertising in The Melba Herald:
• Melba Valley Market (great deals listed of 25 to 50 percent off).
• Maggie Motors
• J&M Sanitation.
• Initial Pointe Real Estate.
• Cook's Two Hole Bar & Grill: Their ad says it all: Food - Pool - Darts - Cold Beer. What more could you want?
• Melba Laundry
• Knead Relief Pain & Injury Massage Therapy.
• Boise Foundry & Machine (They did the bronze plaque that's on the Edward Jones building in Kuna)
• Pioneer Electric.

The other big news about the June issue is that it's now available online, for free, at www.kunamelba.com. Check it out.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Country Cuts

Here's a great thing about living in a small town: having your barber shop right next to where you work.
Country Cuts Barber Shop, my barber for the past five years, is now open in its new location at 328 Avenue D, downtown Kuna, right next to the Kuna Melba News office. I couldn't be happier. Their phone number is 922-4117.

Kuna business owner donates money to local schools

Kuna Counseling Center owner Jim Grigg, right, presents a check for $250 to Falcon Ridge Charter School administrator Mark Green.
“We at Kuna Counseling Center saw that the school levy failed and realized that kids would be affected,” according to Jim Grigg. “We wanted to do something to help, so we decided to donate to the school district. We also have kids at Falcon Ridge Charter School and know there are great teachers trying to work inside of their budgets. Also as business owners, we wanted to give back to the community. We live and work in Kuna and our kids go to school here, so we want the best for Kuna schools.”
Kuna Counseling Center is also donating to the Kuna school district. That donation is still pending.

Congratulations to Kuna bus driver of the year, Cori Norton

Cori Norton, right, has been selected as the “Paul Unser Driver of the Year” in the Kuna school district.
This award is named in memory of Paul Unser, who was an outstanding driver who displayed fine qualities toward which all drivers should strive. Above, Norton receives a certificate from trainer/driver Cyndi Snyder. Drivers selected for this award are chosen by their peers because they reflect certain qualities, such as a safe driving record, being punctual, having a clean bus, good parent/student communication, being helpful and considerate of others and being a pleasure to work with.

Melba's superintendent Andy Grover named to state technology task force

Melba schools superintendent Andy Grover has been named to the 38-member Students Come First Technology Task Force that will help implement the classroom technology mandates that are part of Idaho’s education reform laws.
Grover is a former principal, technology director, special education director and social studies teacher.
Melba High School has gone from three students taking online courses three years ago to 109 online classes this year.
Grover also serves on the Idaho Human Rights Education Committee and traveled to Jordan as a delegate to the Idaho Human Rights Council in 2009.
He holds an educational specialist degree from the University of Idaho.
This task force will develop plans for the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools.
Once the state Board of Education determines the number of online courses to graduate, the task force also will develop implementation plans for the requirement, in addition to the necessary professional development for teachers and other topics determined by the task force chairman.
Under the law, the task force had to be made up of at least 28 members, 17 of which the State Superintendent Tom Luna appointed and 11 of which were appointed by educational stakeholder groups, the Idaho Legislature and the Office of the Governor. Luna expanded the task force to 38 members to include parents, school board trustees, and more classroom teachers.
Now, 12 educators will be serving on the task force, including four current classroom teachers. Teachers include: Idaho’s 2011 Teacher of the Year Stefani Cook, a business teacher at Rigby High School, and 2009 Milken Educator of the Year Aaron McKinnon, a science teacher at South Junior High in Boise.
The task force also includes the House and Senate Education Committee Chairmen, Democratic Rep. Wendy Jaquet, Superintendent Linda Clark of Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian), and Bonneville School District Trustee Wendy Horman, among others. The full list of task force appointees is attached.
The first task force meeting will be held June 13-14, 2011 in the Auditorium room at the Idaho Statehouse. It will be open to the public. The task force will meet throughout the year.
For more information on the Students Come First Technology Task Force and the members, visit http://www.studentscomefirst.org/technologytaskforce.htm.
The following is a list of the members of the Students Come First Technology Task Force.
• Melba Superintendent Andy Grover
• Sugar-Salem Superintendent Alan Dunn
• Meridian Superintendent Linda Clark
• Challis Superintendent Colby Gull
• Genesee Technology Director Christopher Campbell
• Meridian Technology Director Keven Denton
• New Plymouth Secondary Principal Bicker Therien
• West Side Secondary Principal Spencer Barzee
• Moscow schools Business Manager Jenn Johnson
• Idaho Virtual Academy Head of Virtual School Desiree Laughlin
• Sandpoint Charter School Head of Secondary Charter School Alan Millar
• Post Falls Secondary Teacher Salvatore Lorenzen
• Rigby High School teacher Stefani Cook
• Eileen Lento, of Intel
• Gary Smith, Board member of ESTech
• Jayson Ronk, of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry
• Michael Fornander, of Data Projections Inc.
• Parent Maria Nate, Rexburg
• Parent Mary Vollmer, Aberdeen
• Cassia School Board Trustee Debbie Critchfield
• Bonneville School Board Trustee Wendy Horman
• Parma School Board Trustee Melinda Smyser
• Gooding Elementary teacher Marne Curtis
• South Junior High teacher Aaron McKinnon
• Cliff Green, of Insight Schools
• State Rep. Wendy Jaquet
• Heidi Rogers, Executive Director, Northwest Council for Computer Education
• Sherri Wood, President, Idaho Education Association
• Brad Patzer, member of Northwest Professional Educators
• George Boland, Superintendent, Idaho Falls School District
• Brian Duncan, Trustee, Minidoka County School District
• Brent Lloyd, President and CEO, Futura Corporation
• Mike Caldwell, Director of Academics, Idaho Digital Learning Academy
• State Rep. Bob Nonini, Chair, House Education Committee, R-Coeur d’Alene
• State Rep. Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle
• State Sen. John Goedde, Chair, Senate Education Committee, R-Coeur d’Alene
• State Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise
• Christine Donnell, Former educator and district superintendent

Kuna man will be at Vicki's Uptown Coffee tomorrow signing his book

Author Russell K. Hayes, of Kuna, will be signing his book, “Miracle Rugs,” during a book-signing event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, at Vicki’s Uptown Coffee, 762 E. Wythe Creek Ct., #103, in Kuna.
Here is a synopsis of the novel: “Abdul Salman’s dream of becoming a professional soccer player and marrying his sweetheart quickly evolves into a nightmare after his fate takes a heartbreaking turn.
“When his best friend and teammate, Ali, dies accidentally and his uncle, Achmed, inadvertently helps a terrorist, neither of their lives will ever be the same.” Ali’s father, Sayad, blames Abdul for his son’s death vowing to kill him and everyone he loves. As time passes Abdul plays soccer every day to improve his skills and is accepted into the Iraqi Military Academy on a soccer scholarship. He is celebrated as a national hero after kicking the winning goal at the national championship against Syria. But the celebration quickly becomes a disappointment as Abdul’s teammates lift him into the air and drop him, breaking his knee. His leg and his dreams are crushed forever.
“As political tensions begin to boil over in Iraq, Sayad is elected as Sadaam Hussein’s assistant and uses his position of power to take revenge against Abdul and his family. Abdul and his loved ones are faced with moments of absolute terror as they try to escape the stronghold of their government and the wrath of Sayad, the father of Ali, the childhood friend of Abdul. With tense themes of hope and justice, along with lessons in war history, Russell Hayes takes readers on an unforgettable adventure through tragedy and triumph.”

Check all of what Kuna businesses have to offer this Saturday

Bring the family out for a day of FREE fun this Saturday, June 4, at the Kuna Chamber of Commerce Business Fair.
“Kuna: Celebrate Whatís Great - A Business Buzz About” will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at three locations: Paul’s Market Plaza (corner of Avalon and Kay streets), Marketplace Centre (corner of Main Street and Avenue C in downtown Kuna) and Deer Flat Crossing (corner of Deer Flat and Linder roads).
We’ll have a FREE bounce house, barrel train rides and the chance to win 40+ prizes, including one of three grand prizes: an Xbox Kinect, $300 to Roaring Springs Waterpark and two day passes to Roaring Springs.
Start your day at any location and pick up your “passport” from the Chamber information booth. To be entered to win one of the grand prize items, you must visit 75% of businesses at each location and have your passport stamped at each (instructions will be on the passport).
When you are finished, turn in your completed passport at one of the Chamber information booths. You’ll get 1 raffle ticket for every 5 businesses stamped. The following week, the Chamber will draw for the three grand prizes plus 40+ additional prizes.
The event is fun for families and a great opportunity to learn more about the businesses in your community. A variety of businesses will be represented, including dentists, insurance agents, restaurants and daycare.

A snapshot look at crime in Kuna

Crime in Kuna inched up in 2010, largely because of an increase in society crimes.
Overall, the crime rate in Kuna rose to 34.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2010, an increase from 29.2 crimes in 2009.
The biggest area of increase came from society crimes, which include such crimes as drug offenses, gambling, pornography, or weapons law violations.
Society crimes in 2010 grew to 94, up from 69 the previous year but back to the same level as 2008. Personal and property crimes remained flat for 2010.
In 2010, Kuna residents reported 232 property crimes, which included 67 vandalisms, 34 vehicle burglaries and 25 home burglaries. That’s up slightly from 223 in 2009.
Kuna police have had a clearance rate (cases solved) of 30 percent for property crimes in 2008, 2009 and again in 2010. That’s above the national clearance rate for property crimes (18 to 20 percent) and above the 2009 clearance rate in Idaho (22 percent).
Here’s a snapshot of police activity in Kuna in 2010:
Crime rate (per 1,000 residents):
• 30.6 crimes per 1,000 in 2008
• 29.9 crimes per 1,000 in 2009
• 34.2 crimes per 1,000 in 2010

Citizen calls for service: 2,933
Top calls: Welfare check 133
Burglary alarm 105
Suspicious vehicle check 102
Citizen assist 95
Juvenile problem 94

Average response time to high-priority emergency calls:
2:27 in 2008
3:14 in 2009
2:34 in 2010

Proactive policing contacts: 7,998
Traffic stops: 3,027
Security checks: 2,813
Traffic crashes: 64
FY2010 Kuna police budget $1,239,986
Cost per resident $82
Population (U.S. Census 2010) 15,210

Property crime cases:
• 228 in 2008
• 223 in 2009
• 232 in 2010

Society crimes, which include drugs, gambling, prostitution and weapons violations:
• 94 in 2008
• 69 in 2009
• 94 in 2010

Personal crimes, such as assault, kidnapping and sex offenses:
• 132 in 2008
• 184 in 2009
• 185 in 2010

The total number of crimes in Kuna
• 454 in 2008
• 475 in 2009
• 506 in 2010

Clearance rates — Person crimes
78 percent in 2008
66.1 percent in 2009
73 percent in 2010

Clearance rates — Property crimes
33.3 percent in 2008
29.1 percent in 2009
33 percent in 2010

Clearance rates — Society crimes
90.3 percent in 2008
98.6 percent in 2009
97 percent in 2010

Overall clearance rate
58.1 percent in 2008
53.5 percent in 2009
60 percent in 2010

Vehicle burglaries
• 43 in 2008
• 19 in 2009
• 34 in 2010

Residential burglaries
• 29 in 2008
• 19 in 2009.
• 25 in 2010

Commercial burglaries
• 11 in 2008
• 4 in 2009
• 7 in 2010

Construction burglaries
• 3 in 2008
• 1 in 2009
• 0 in 2010

Vandalism
• 43 in 2008
• 76 in 2009
• 64 in 2010