[Vision2020] Jack Hill and citizen empowerment

bill london london@moscow.com
Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:29:26 -0700


    In today's Lewiston Tribune (10/16, page 5A), in a story about the 
Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, Councilmember Jack Hill "scolded 
residents" for empowering themselves and daring to question the plans, 
activities and decisions of the Council.
    He specifically targetted the discussions on Vision 2020.
    Jack must have missed those classes in civics and democracy in 
school.  Or maybe he actually prefers Moscow citizens to be passive and 
apathetic. 
    Jack's paternalistic attitude is exactly what is wrong with Moscow's 
Council.  He seems to think that only the elected officials and city 
staff have the expertise and vision to direct the city--and that the 
role of the citizenry is to sit smiling on the sidelines quietly paying 
for it all.
    It's time for a new Council in Moscow.
BL