Richard Eardley, September 16, 2009, September 23, 2009, and September 19, 2011

File

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection contains recorded interviews with Boise citizens. Notable topics include Boise Bench history, Greenbelt history, Foothills Levy history, Boise Fire Department history, Boise Police Department history, and personal and political histories of former mayors and councilmembers.

Dates

September 16, 2009, September 23, 2009, and September 19, 2011

Biographical / Historical

Richard Eardley was born December 23, 1928 in Denver, Colorado. He moved to Baker City, Oregon with his family at eight years old and graduated from Baker High School in 1947. While in high school Eardley played sports and wrote for the school newspaper. He spent a year at Eastern Oregon College of Education before leaving to move to California for a construction job for a short time. Upon returning to Baker City, he worked as a journalist at the Baker Democrat-Herald, a weekly publication, and as the news director for the KBKR radio station. In 1950 he married his wife Patricia, they had three sons, Rick, Randy, and Ron. In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho where Eardley worked as a reporter for the Idaho Daily Statesman from 1955-1958, and then as the news and sports director for KBOI from 1958-1974.

In 1969 Eardley was elected to the Boise City Council and served four years until 1973 when he was elected mayor. He served three terms as Boise Mayor from 1974-1986, one of only two mayors to have served for three terms. During his tenure as mayor he oversaw the construction of the current Boise City Hall, worked to revitalize the North End Neighborhood, and helped create the Boise Arts Commission, World Center for Birds of Prey, Morrison Center, and Boise Greenbelt.

Richard Eardley passed away June 30, 2012 in Boise, Idaho.

Extent

2.04 Gigabytes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

Richard Eardley served on the Boise City Council for one term from 1970-1974, and as mayor for three terms from 1974-1986.

In an interview with Brandi Burns on September 16, 2009, Richard Eardley discusses his childhood in Baker, Oregon, his career in journalism and radio, what led to his interest in city government, and the issues he worked on as a councilmember and mayor. He describes how the nonpartisanship of local government changed after the Kempthorne administration, what Boise was like during the years of downtown redevelopment, and how neighborhood reinvestment in the North End became a priority. He recounts his hopes for building a shopping center in downtown Boise, parking/zoning issues in the city center, development of the Boise Airport, development of the Green Belt and the Boise River, creation of the Boise City Art Commission in 1978, creation of the Ada County Highway District (ACHD), and creation of additional sewer districts. He also explains how the 1982/83 recession affected the city and what was done to bring Boise out of the recession.

In a second interview on September 23, 2009, Richard Eardley discusses the goals he set for himself as mayor and how he accomplished them. His accomplishments included the creation of several commissions: Arts Commission, Sewer Commission, Aesthetic Review Board, Greenbelt Commission, Parking Commission, and Parks Commission. He discusses the Boise Greenbelt, cleaning up the Boise River, lack of adequate urban transportation, expansion of the airport, and creation of a geothermal program. He describes the many land use issues Boise was confronted with during his time as mayor including an attempt to maintain a barrier between Meridian and Boise, annexation, development in flood plains, and creation of the Boise City Comprehensive Plan to map out growth. Richard also expands on the 1982/83 recession and redevelopment plans for the downtown.

In an interview with Daniel Gans on September 19, 2011, Richard Eardley discusses the effects of the 1982/83 economic recession and the 1% initiative. He recounts the difficulties the city faced and how they attempted to cut spending during the mid-1980s.

Related Materials

Related materials may be found in the following collection in this repository: MS 018 Mayor Richard Eardley Papers.

Time Index

September 19, 2011 Interview

Minutes Summary Track One

00:00 Introduction

00:26 Eardley describes general atmosphere in Boise 1981 – 1982. Discusses the economy (1% Initiative) and how he thought citizens felt about the city. More discussion on downtown development vs. suburban development rather than the economy.

02:31 Eardley explains 1% Initiative and how it impacted Boise. Discusses the closing of the fire station and the lay off of firemen.

04:15 Eardley describes the reasons why votes supported the 1% Initiative. Compares 1% Initiative in Boise to Proposition 13 in California

06:07 Eardley talks about the different impacts on Boise by both the Initiative and the recession in the 1980s. Eardley believes the Initiative had a greater impact on city finances and the public in general. . 07:20 Eardley discusses effects of 1% Initiatives after the recession. Limited growth of Boise. Made it difficult for Boise to recovery after the recession.

09:30 Eardley explains the shutting off of street lights for to save costs.

10:53 Eardley adds that both the recession and the 1% Initiative occurring at the same time led to tough financial times in Boise.

END OF RECORDING