Paul Woods , August 23, 2011
Scope and Contents
This collection contains over 9 hours of digital audio recordings. The following individuals took part in the Boise Foothills Levy Anniversary Oral History Collection.
Fred Alleman
Denise Arellano
Annie Black
Linda Hawkins Caufield
Jim Hall
Chas F McDevitt
Lauren McLean
Suki Molina
Ken Pursely
Brandy Wilson
Paul Woods
Dates
- August 23, 2011
Biographical / Historical
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Paul Woods came to Boise and began working at Boise State University. He quickly became involved in the serial foothills levy to preserve open space in the foothills. He served as the chair for the fundraising committee and after became the foothills manager for the Boise City Department of Parks and Recreation. He later served as an Ada County Commissioner. Woods served as the Environmental Manager in the Boise City Public Works Department.
Extent
479.1 Megabytes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
In his interview with Stephanie Milne, Director of Public Works at Boise City, Paul Woods, offered his recollections of the serial foothills levy campaign from the spring of 2001. Woods described the meeting where he first became involved in the campaign. He elaborated that he could not sleep the night Justice Chuck McDevitt appointed him as Chair of the fundraising committee. He also described how vital volunteers were to the foothills grassroots effort. Woods recalled the opposition the campaign faced and how the campaign dealt with it. Woods also mentioned his work with the foothills conservation effort after the campaign had been successful. He described the success of the land transaction swap between Boise City, state land and federal land, which made it possible for all entities to exchange land across the state of Idaho. Woods observed the next step the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee must consider is the management of the trails in the foothills. He stated that some foothills users are not respectful and mis-use the trails. Woods concluded the interview with describing where in the foothills provides a sense of place.
Time Index
TRACK ONE 00:00 1 Introductions
00:23 1 Paul Woods explained how he became involved with the serial foothills levy campaign. He also shared how he became the chair of the fundraising committee. 06:03 4 Woods described how the idea of preserving the foothills evolved over time. He also referenced a failed Boise City park bond vote that did not pass in 1994.
13:57 7 Woods explained that he was scared of letting the foothills preservation effort and his community down and that was his motivation getting his friends involved. He also listed several values the campaign focused on while talking to public including wildlife, water quality, and recreation. 25:34 12 Woods discussed the obstacles the campaign faced and also described the weeks leading up to the election. When asked what stood out most to him from the campaign he cited the people he met and the friends he still has to this day.
32:32 16 According to Woods the foothills campaign motivated individuals to become active in their community. He also explained how he was hired as the foothills manager in the Boise City Parks and Recreation Department. 39:38 19 Woods spoke about how impressed he has been with the work the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee has done the last 10 years. He also shared what he hoped future generations would remember about the serial levy campaign.
47:30 22 END OF TRACK ONE END OF RECORDING
Names and Places Index
Boise State University Lauren McClean
Brent Coles Chamber of Commerce
Boise City Hall Chuck McDevitt
Micron Mike Simplot
Idaho Conservation League Trust for Public Land
Jim Hall Dave Bieter
Hawkins Property Hulls Gulch
Foothills Conservation Advisory Board Polecat Gulch
Corrals Trail
Source
- Woods, Paul (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Collections Repository