[Vision2020] (no subject)

[Saundra Lund]

Thanks, Melynda, for the providing the *correct* information.

While I'm interested in the BID, my primary reason for attending the meeting
was interest in the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the City and
the Chamber since the Chamber asked for and was granted $10,000 of taxpayer
money.

After reading Dale Courtney's monologue . . . I mean blog, I wondered where
I'd ever gotten the idea that the MOU was on the meeting agenda!  So, I
sincerely appreciate you providing the *factual* and correct information.
Good thing I don't rely on that blog for accurate information  :-)


Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
Edmund Burke


-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Melynda Huskey
Sent: Friday, 25 February 2005 9:49 AM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] (no subject)

Dear Vision 2020 readers,

As some of you know, I am a mediator and facilitator by training, and
sometimes facilitate public meetings for local organizations.  I've recently
learned that former listmember Dale Courtney has used his blog,
http://rightmind.us, to criticize my performance at the most recent MCA
meeting, alleging that I allowed my partner, Joan Opyr, to ask unfair,
off-topic questions in pursuit of a homosexual agenda. I have asked Dale
privately to correct his blog to reflect the factual information available,
but it appears he has no intention of doing so.  Because his accusations
materially affect my work as a mediator and facilitator, I've decided to
address the matter here, publically.

Of course Dale has a right to think I did a poor job of managing the
meeting, but his specific complaint suggests that I allowed my own biases to
influence my performance--that I was unethical in my fulfillment of my
duties.  I strongly object to this accusation.

Dale's claim is that Joan's question about the Chamber's non-discrimination
policy was not related in any way to the topic at hand, which he describes
as "the Business Improvement District," and consequently I should not have
allowed her to ask it.  Here I believe he is being substantially
disingenous. In all the publicity associated with the meeting, including
press releases and publicity available at the MCA website, the meeting's
theme is economic development in Moscow, not just the proposed BID.  That's
why there were representatives from a number of economic development
agencies present.  Moreover, the press release clearly states, "Copies of
the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the Moscow
Chamber of Commerce will be available. Input to the Memo will be
encouraged."  Joan's question was drawn from that MOU, from which she read;
it was simply whether or not the city's non-discrimination policy is
inclusive of sexual orientation, and whether the Chamber will be held to the
same standard.  The question, however unwelcome, was well within the stated
purpose of the meeting.  Although Chamber Director Paul Kimmel was unable to
answer the question, it was ably addressed by City Council members Nancy
Chaney and John Dickinson.

I strongly object to Dale's accusations, particularly since he chose to
address them, not to me, but in a public location without notifying me in
any way.

Melynda Huskey