[Vision2020] Challenge to the City

Thu Feb 2 17:48:12 PST 2006

I appreciate and agree with Mike's post.  It ain't easy, this reduction of 
very complex issues to a "yes" or "no" vote, and no matter how much I 
disagree with someone's eventual vote on an issue, I won't assume a lack of 
integrity or intellect until the evidence for it is abundant, clear, and 
incontrovertable.  There are some people I wish weren't in public office, 
just as there are many who wish I wasn't, but while they're there, they 
deserve at least the benefit of the doubt for both character and capacity.  
Thankfully, most people deserve and receive better than that - heartfelt 
gratitude for being willing to dive into the pool of public opinion and 
policy.

keely

From: "Michael Curley" <curley at turbonet.com>
Reply-To: curley at turbonet.com
To: "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Challenge to the City
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:22:07 -0800

Unfortunately the City does not control state highways.  They are
working on a fix in conjunction with ITD.  I don't know the cost of a
hanging, blinking light, but if there is some pedestrian control, I
assume you are asking for a regular red/green/amber signal--$150,00
out of the city coffers for each intersection.  Yes, safety is
important, but all the costs have to be balanced overall.

While I'm expending my post for the day, I'd like to add a word about
the former council.  I don't know everyone who has now departed as
well as I know former Councilman Jon Kimberling, so, I will only
speak about him.  Jon and I disagree about many issues that came
before the City while he was a council member (twice, you will
recall).  We have argued passionately and at length, yet without
personal invective or losing our friendship.

Jon is a lifetime Moscowan.  He cares deeply about the City and
County.  He served with honor and, clearly to me, without any view to
personal benefit.  I will not speak for him, but it is my personal
belief that Jon would like to have voted to deny the zoning complaint
against New Saint Andrews.  He did not vote his heart, but his
conscience, when he followed the clear mandate of the law--
articulated by the City Attorney--and upheld the complaint.  Someone
in an earlier post suggested that former council members might have
trouble sleeping at night with their consciences.  I'm sure that
isn't true of Jon.  Nor do I think that Jon let the staff run the
show from his perspective.  He gave us the best insight and reasoning
he had.  While I might have disagreed at times, I never questioned
his honesty and integrity--nor am I saying Wayne is making that
accusation either.  This is just a response to the several verbal
thrashings that former Council members have taken on 2020. In my
opinion the integrity of some new Council members has been unfairly
maligned in the press and on 2020.  I hope that stops.  I hope that
when others disagree, they attack the issue and reasoning, not the
people.  And, thus, I think it only fair that we treat former council
members similarly.

Mike

From:           	"Art Deco" <deco at moscow.com>
To:             	"Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject:        	Re: [Vision2020] Challenge to the City
Date sent:      	Thu, 2 Feb 2006 11:24:39 -0800

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J,

That this whole problem has been ongoing for several years never
ceases to amaze.

First though, I am glad that at least enough progress has been made
to
place two additional crosswalks at strategic points.

However, the amount of complaints it took to get this small action
done boggles the mind.  I agree more needs to be done to protect the
pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.  Perhaps the new city council
will set policy and give direction to the city staff rather than the
opposite as in the past. Questions need to be asked and the accuracy
of the answers tested.  Some personnel housecleaning may be needed.

Perhaps, a pedestrian controlled blinking red overhead light is
needed
at both the new crossings.  I hope the council sees that this expense
would be mitigated for the safety improvements wrought.

Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
deco at moscow.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "J Ford" <privatejf32 at hotmail.com>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 11:12 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Challenge to the City

 > Once again, the "sign" that was placed in the middle of the road on
 > Pullman Road, which I can only gather was meant to be seen by
 > drivers as some kind of attempt to mark a walk-way crossing, is not
 > only ineffective, but dangerous, ignored by the students crossing
 > that road, way too thin to be noticed until you are just about on
 > top of it and in a word - useless.
 >
 > Is there any reason the City can't make it out there to paint a
 > walk-way crossing like those that are on the corners of most
 > downtown streets? Then place signs before the crossing, on both
 > sides of the road, telling drivers to be aware of possible
 > pedestrian traffic ahead?  And another sign directing the students
 > to use the designated crossing?
 >
 > Is that too much to ask?  I watch each day as drivers try to avoid
 > the sudden appearance of walkers who are trying to "reach the other
 > side", almost causing accidents and possibly doing a lot of damage
 > to the drivers as well as the pedestrian.
 >
 > Or is this going to get referred to the IDT, too?  Guarantee, when
 > (yes, I said WHEN) an accident occurs there it will be the CITY
 > police and ambulance who responds - not the state.  Seems to me the
 > CITY should do the responsible thing before something tragic
 > happens.
 >
 > J  :]
 >
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 >

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_____________________________________________________
  List services made available by First Step Internet,
  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
                http://www.fsr.net
           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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