[Vision2020] Banker Deserves Praise/Let Her Speak

[Jeff Harkins]

Mr Hansen and others,

Of course there are other views pertaining to 
this situation that might be applicable.  Instead 
of advocating restrictions on existing businesses 
in order to protect their small business 
customers (and further foster the fear mentality 
- oh no, the sky is falling), a bank and its 
executives might consider consulting with its 
clients to assist them in how to compete with large retail establishments.

Competition should be encouraged (especially 
between banking entities), not stifled 
-  whenever a market is fettered, consumers pay 
for the friction.  I would expect most bankers to 
understand this, including the corporate 
executives at the head office of American West Bank.

I wonder how shareholders of American West Bank will react to this issue?

At 11:47 AM 2/12/2006, you wrote:
> >From today's (February 12, 2006) Lewiston Tribune with a very special thanks
>to Kit Craine and Keely Emerine Mix.
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Banker deserves praise
>
>This is in response to Larry Cernik's Feb. 2 letter to the editor.
>
>When it comes to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Moscow, AmericanWest
>Bank has two dogs in the fight.
>
>One: AmericanWest provides financial support to many small, locally owned
>businesses. If these businesses go under, as has happened in many towns
>after a super center arrives, the bank will be effected.
>
>Two: Wal-Mart is currently seeking permission in other states to incorporate
>financial services into their stores. If that happens, the community may
>lose smaller banks such as AmericanWest.
>
>Given the potential impacts of a super center on AmericanWest Bank and its
>customers, taking a stance on the issue is the type of responsible action I
>would expect from a branch manager.
>
>I opened an account at AmericanWest specifically because B. J. Swanson is in
>charge of the Moscow branch. For years, she has been an open, honest and
>sensible advocate for the economic health of her entire community.
>
>I hope the head office appreciates her work as much as I (and many others in
>this community) do.
>
>Kit Craine
>Moscow
>
>-------------------------
>
>Let her speak
>
>Recent letters from members of one local church express the writers'
>interest in zoning and big-box development in Moscow by maligning the
>motives and reputation of one local banker because of her views on the same
>subject.
>
>The argument that a large banking network is somehow compromised by public
>comments from one of its officers is more than a little disingenuous.
>
>I doubt that Christ Church elders are intent on exchanging Gospel preaching
>for urban planning because of three or four members' earnest letters to the
>editor, and I don't deny the individuals' right to weigh in.
>
>Instead, I simply assume that several church members are vocal in their
>support of a Wal-Mart Supercenter and vociferous in their opposition to
>those of us who believe it's a bad idea for Moscow, both economically and
>socially.
>
>Their arguments, regardless of my own views, are their own -- certainly not
>part of a statement of faith and doctrine from their church.
>
>In the same way, whether I agree with AmericanWest Moscow branch Vice
>President B.J. Swanson or not, I am able to separate one woman's informed,
>clear and gracious comments on the issue from the entirety of AmericanWest,
>and I am not in the least offended that she's spoken out on the issue.
>
>On the contrary, I'm grateful. Swanson has exercised her right as an
>informed citizen to educate her neighbors on what she believes is a threat
>to our economy. ...
>
>Keely Emerine Mix
>Moscow
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Whether Moscow accepts or declines the construction of a Wal-Mart super
>center, that decision should (and must) be based upon open, mature,
>responsible debate and not as the resultant cannon fodder of an immature,
>unethical smear campaign.
>
>My adopted home town deserves better than that.
>
>Take care, Moscow.
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>****************************************************************************
>
>"A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad men."
>
>- Thomas Paine (English Writer, 1737-1809)
>
>****************************************************************************
>
>
>
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