Charles F. "Chuck" McDevitt , September 14, 2011

File

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Project :

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

September 14, 2011

Biographical / Historical

For over 25 years, Chuck McDevitt was active in local Boise politics. He served as member of the Boise City Parks and Recreation Board for over 10 years and was vital in obtaining land for the Simplot Sports Complex. He also served as chair to numerous committees relating to the foothills conservation effort. McDevitt is a former Idaho Supreme Court Justice and at the time of being interviewed was continuing to practice at his firm McDevitt and Miller. He served as chair of the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee for over 10 years.

Extent

1.09 Gigabytes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

In his interview with Susan Stacy, Chuck McDevitt described his involvement with the effort to preserve the Boise Foothills. He shared experiences while serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission Board and detailed important steps, which eventually led to the 2001 serial foothills levy. He discussed Memorandum of Understanding agreements which involved several government agencies that owned land in the foothills. He spoke highly of Jim Hall and the leadership he provided for effort. He also provided insight into the campaign and his role in the Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee.

Minutes Page No. Summary
TRACK ONE
00:00 1 Introductions
00:55 1 Chuck McDevitt described how he became involved in the Boise Foothills Serial Levy. He discussed his roll and involvement on the Parks and Recreation Department Commission Board. He also explained his collaboration with Jim Hall and the very early stages of the foothills efforts in the early 1990s.
09:23 4 McDevitt explained when the Boise City Council became involved in the project to preserve the foothills. He also went into depth about the statute that permitted the serial levy.
15:10 7 Referencing the Open-Space Steering Committee, McDevitt explained how the figure of $10 million was agreed upon. He also made clear that volunteers ran the foothills serial levy campaign and that Lauren McClean was hired as the campaign manager. He also discussed Helen Lowder’s role in the campaign.
24:15 11 McDevitt maintained then Mayor Coles was instrumental in the passage of the serial levy. He explained the election had a large turnout, one of the largest in Boise at the time. McDevitt admitted he believed the levy would pass, though not by the margin that it did. He also detailed his experience with the Chamber of Commerce during the campaign.
40:10 18 McDevitt detailed the steps that transpired in order for a huge land transaction to occur involving several federal owned properties across the entire state of Idaho. He also described the deals that the Foothills Conservation Committee has made during the past 10 years including Hammer Flats. He explained that the committee still has $4.5 million to spend on purchasing land in the foothills.
55:29 24 End Track One
TRACK TWO
00:11 25 McDevitt and Susan Stacy conversed about Jim Hall and his vision to preserve the foothills. The methodology of purchasing land as a means of preservation was also discussed.
3:53 27 McDevitt described how he became involved with Boise City government and his successful quest to create soccer fields for the city.
9:15 29 When asked why he chaired so many committees, McDevitt admitted he didn’t know exactly why. He cited his history and knowledge of projects as being possible reasons. He also shared his style of leadership when chairing committees.
20:20 34 McDevitt asserted he no longer possessed demonstrables that he could donate to the city archive.
22:58 37 END TRACK TWO
END INTERVIEW

Names and Places Index

Boise Foothills
Jim Hall
Lucky Peak
Harris Ranch
Boise City Hall Boise City Parks and Recreation Commission Board
Simplot Sports Complex
North End
Bureau of Land Management
City of Boise State University
Paul Woods
Idaho Conservation League
Ada County
Idaho Department of Lands
Lauren McClean
Department of Fish and Game
Helen Lowder
Nature Conservancy
Senator Larry Craig
Orofino, Idaho
Serial Levy
Missoula, Montana
Trust for Public Lands
Representative Simpson
Julia Grant