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A Community Leader

Borah Neighborhood Association

I have been active in my community through the neighborhood association since moving to the district. Some years back I became became vice president of the association. I have now been president of the Borah Neighborhood Association (formerly the Franklin Randolph Bench Neighborhood Association) for four years. During my tenure with the BNA I have worked with my community to:

  • Evaluate and calm traffic.
  • Develop a Safe Routes to School/Safe Walking Routes program. 
  • Petition for additional sidewalks to enhance the safety of pedestrians and children.
  • Prepare community reinvestment grants (grants that I have written and had funded include almost $180,000 in four grants we received from Boise to replace aging playground equipment in our neighborhood park, $3,500 to help start a Safe Routes to School Program, and $3,500 to study the feasibility of a pressurized non-potable irrigation system for the area).
  • Expand Borah Park by five acres.
  • Increase the safety of our children near McKinley Elementary School by adding a walking path, crosswalks and stop signs in strategic locations.
  • Improve street safety through a comprehensive neighborhood safety audit with ACHD that resulted in the addition of 37 stop signs and numerous crosswalks.
  • Enforce city codes to help clean up derelict properties.
  • Change the city code enforcement culture to become more proactive to protect and enhance our neighborhoods.
  • Successfully negotiated for the expansion of our neighborhood park  - adding five acres in the summer of 2006!

Infill Development

It is my philosophy that much more can be accomplished by working together than by battling each other. In the Summer of 2005 as a result of the strife, polarization, and conflict caused by the Crescent Rim Condominium Complex I formed the Infill Ordinance Development Taskforce. This taskforce provides a forum for all parties (neighborhood groups, Boise city, ACHD, developers, and development consultants) to work together to ensure that infill enhances our community.

Our first priority was to develop an interim city ordinance to control infill development on substandard (narrow) lots. Working with the city, ACHD, and members of the taskforce we developed an interim ordinance that will greatly enhance the oversight and quality of these projects.

There is much left for the taskforce to accomplish and I look forward to continuing the work to ensure that as our neighborhoods evolve that they do so in a way that enhances the quality of our lives.

Our District and Your Quality of Life

As the State Senator for District 17 I have concentrated much of my effort on enhancing the quality of life throughout the district (after all I'm only in the legislative session about 3 months during the year). I have walked most of the neighborhoods in the district and this has helped me to identify areas that need improvement in our community. During the last four years I have worked closely with neighborhood associations, local and state government, community organizations, and citizens to:

  • Successfully lobby the Idaho Transportation Department for a sound wall along I-84 between Cole and Broadway - to be installed in 2008 using GARVEE funds.
  • Initiate the first statewide Safe Routes to School program (this will give us access to large federal grants for costly infrastructure upgrades).
  • Make school crossings safer through traffic light enhancements, remarking, cone placement, etc. (I began this push when a child was struck and almost killed crossing Orchard Road from Hillcrest Elementary School a year and a half ago).
  • Reengineer numerous intersections to enhance visibility and safety.
  • Save South Pool (a critical community resource) from being cut by the city.
  • Add dead end signs to dead end streets to decrease unwanted traffic.
  • Change local ordinances to enhance building review and give local residents more voice in planning in their communities.
  • Start a free medical clinic to serve uninsured and under insured people.

I have met and worked with many people in our community through the neighborhood association. In addition, to ensure that I fully represent our community in the State Senate I have visited tens of thousands of doors in neighborhoods all over District 17. I have learned a great deal about the need for improving local quality of life and about the issues that you care about. I use this knowledge to represent your interests in our State Senate and throughout our community.

One of my core beliefs is that your State Senator should represent his/her community. An impossible task when you don't know your community. That is why as your State Senator I have kept in touch through continued personal door to door contact, attendance at neighborhood association meetings, many public forums, a yearly legislative report and postcard survey delivered to all residents of the district, community education classes, weekly office hours at Borah High School (during the legislative session), and a weekly public affairs television show (Werk's World, on TVTV Channel 11 every Thursday at 8:00 PM).

In addition, I try and keep a survey posted on this web site listing important issues that the Legislature is either facing, or will face, to allow you to provide me with ongoing input (you can access the latest survey in the left margin of this page).

I will not lose touch with you. In fact I'm counting on you to help me to act in the best interests of our community and of the great state of Idaho

As I discussed above, during my time as your Senator I have expanded my role as a community leader. I accomplished this by using my time away from the legislature to work to improve the safety and livability of neighborhoods throughout the District. But I need your help to do even more. Please contact me at 658-0388 or email me at elliotwerk@mindspring.com if you need anything done to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood. No issue is too small.

It is truly a pleasure to represent you in the State Senate and to work with you to improve our community. Thank you for the opportunity!