A Community Vision for Boise

"Vision for the Valley started as an editorial-page project of the Idaho Statesman but has been handed off to about 80 TreasureValley political, business and community members who formed a steering committee and 10 subcommittees addressing the economy, transportation, culture, environment and neighborhoods, and other topics.

For the first time, such a grass-roots project has embraced both Ada and Canyon counties, inviting people to explore new avenues of cooperation and craft a regional strategic plan.

Such grass-roots efforts can get results. In 2000, city leaders and a citizens group joined forces to preserve open space in the Foothills. The Boise Foothills levy - a two-year, $10 million property tax levy - received about 60 percent voter approval.

But community "visions" also can be fickle undertakings."