[Vision2020] Prop 2

[Bruce and Jean Livingston]

FW: See Ads That Howie Rich's Campaign Doesn't Want Idaho Voters to See



See the NO on Prop 2 Ads That Howie Rich's
Campaign Doesn't Want Idaho Voters to See
 
Rich's Prop 2 campaign want ads pulled from the air, "NO on Prop 2" fights back for Idahoans



10/19/06                                                            Contact: Justin Hayes                                                
For Immediate Release                                    Neighbors Protecting Idaho, 208-703-3352
                                                                        Paul Kimmell, 208-301-3394
                                                                        Mark Bowen, 208-345-5310
 
Boise.  Neighbors Protecting Idaho today said they will not be bullied by lawyers acting on behalf of New York City real estate tycoon Howie Rich.
 
"Howie Rich does not want Idaho voters to see this ad because he does not want Idahoans to know that Prop 2 will harm our communities and cost taxpayers millions in payouts to speculators," said Mark Bowen, Chairman-elect of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.  "Prop 2 is a New York City land grab."
 
The ads launched this week discuss the threat that Prop 2 poises to Idaho communities, the wealthy New Yorker's involvement with the effort and the risks to Idaho taxpayers.  On Wednesday, lawyers acting on behalf of Rich's Idaho front man, Laird Maxwell, began harassing television stations across the state in an attempt to intimidate them into pulling the ads.
 
See the ad that Howie Rich's campaign does not what you to see:
http://www.neighborsprotectingidaho.org/televisionad1.htm <http://www.neighborsprotectingidaho.org/televisionad1.htm> 
 
The ads show Idaho dairy farm Bert De Winkle expressing his opposition to Prop 2, citing concerns that Prop 2 could turn "any Idaho property, including farmland, into junkyards, power plants or high rises."  Idaho businessman, and chairman of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, George Iliff is also featured in the ad, saying "while I support property rights, I don't support Proposition 2.  It could cost taxpayers millions in payoffs, lawyer's fees and cut vital services.  And, it's being funded by a wealthy New Yorker."
 
Neighbors Protecting Idaho stands by the ads and points to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's published legal opinion on Prop 2. In it, Wasden notes that the very language that Maxwell's lawyers say support their interpretation about how existing land use regulations will be effected "could create confusion" and "has a strong likelihood of resulting in a significant amount of litigation to fully define the boundaries of this proposed statute."
 
"Prop 2 supporters do not want voters to know what Prop 2 is really all about," said Paul Kimmell, Executive Director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and a Latah County Commissioner.  "Prop 2 is a bait-and-switch initiative.  It's not about eminent domain - the Legislature already dealt with that.  Prop 2 is about creating loopholes in local laws so that speculators can force unplanned growth and sprawl.  It could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars."
 
Prop 2 made it onto the Idaho ballot after signature gathers were paid per signature.  Howie Rich, a New York City real estate tycoon, bankrolled the effort and continues to be the primary source of money for backers of Prop 2.  Many Idahoans who signed the petition now regret signing and say they feel like they were intentionally misled by the paid signature gathers.
 
Howie Rich's Idaho campaign is part of a concerted national effort to use state initiatives to radically re-write local laws.  The campaign that he is funding in Nebraska sent letters to Nebraska radio stations asserting that his opponents' claims where fabrications and demanding that they be pulled from the air. 
 
Rich's network of front groups through which he has moved his money to avoid public scrutiny can be seen at http://www.howierichexposed.com <http://www.howierichexposed.com> 
 
"Idaho voters should not be suckered into supporting Prop 2," said Bowen.  "It's a scam, funded by a New York millionaire to upend local planning.  Why does this New York millionaire want radically re-write our local Idaho laws?"
 
For a copy of the Attorney General's legal opinion or the letter from Neighbors Protecting Idaho to TV stations countering Maxwell's letter, contact Justin Hayes.
 
--END--





Justin Hayes
Media Director
703-3352
__________________________________
Neighbors Protecting Idaho
Vote NO on Prop 2!
PO Box 137
Boise, ID 83701
208-424-8500
www.neighborsprotectingidaho.org



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