[Vision2020] RE: Zoning Law & Freewheeling Capitalism: AdamsonChallenges Otter

Mon Jan 9 09:44:32 PST 2006

So, tell me Ted just what are those career opportunities now? 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Hansen 
  To: 'Ted Moffett' 
  Cc: 'Moscow Vision 2020' 
  Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 7:03 AM
  Subject: [Vision2020] RE: Zoning Law & Freewheeling Capitalism: AdamsonChallenges Otter

  Mr. Moffett stated:

  "With the apparent lack of enforcement of Moscow's zoning codes, why not abandon them?  So what if downtown turns into a Trinitarian Village dominated by NSA?  We could look at it like some big cities look at "Chinatown," a place for tourists to gawk and shop surrounded by the different life of another culture. "

  If Moscow were a big city (assuming you mean San Francisco [population 800,000] or Los Angeles [population over 6 million]), permitting six blocks of downtown to "evolve" into a virtual "Chinatown" would not be so burdensome.  With a limited central business district, it is imperative that businesses within that district contribute their share back to the community either in the form of retail sales or property tax or both.

  Mr. Moffett further stated:

  "The growth in population will fuel an increasing mentality that does not even know about or care about what is being lost, when people with money move to the Palouse from much bigger uglier cities, who will think that the older locals who complain about too much unmanaged or ugly development compromising the quality of life, are so quaint."

  I seriously do not foresee "people with money" moving to Moscow unless Moscow provides opportunities for careers and futures.  Once these minimum-wage sumps (like Wal-mart) blanket our environment with their outlets from Troy to Pullman, career opportunities in the area are vastly diminished.  As I stated earlier, I do not believe that people care to begin and end a 20-year career at $7.50 an hour.

  Take care, Moscow.

  Tom Hansen

  Moscow, Idaho

  "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"

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  From: Ted Moffett [mailto:starbliss at gmail.com] 
  Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 8:00 PM
  To: Tom Hansen
  Cc: Moscow Vision 2020
  Subject: Zoning Law & Freewheeling Capitalism: Adamson Challenges Otter

  Tom et. al.

  These proposed "tax exempt free enterprise zones" reminds me that I discovered that Houston, Texas has no zoning laws, unless there has been a change recently.  A different subject, I know, but related to the principle of promoting less government regulation of business.  Here are two web links to info on Houston that mention the absence of zoning laws: 

  http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1568/is_n9_v25/ai_15143280

  http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553195/Houston.html

  With my cynical absurdist realist (what is this?) mindset in gear, consider the following suggestions:

  With the apparent lack of enforcement of Moscow's zoning codes, why not abandon them?  So what if downtown turns into a Trinitarian Village dominated by NSA?  We could look at it like some big cities look at "Chinatown," a place for tourists to gawk and shop surrounded by the different life of another culture.  We could advertise this as a draw for the tourist industry.  Moscow needs some sort of new economic model, don't you think?  The sprawl malls spreading on the outskirts far away from Moscow's city center will soon dominate economic activity anyway, unless big money/big corporate power can be fought. 

  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not a proponent of fundamentalist religion, in case you haven't noticed, and I'm on the fringe of opinion on growth, insofar as I am tend to favor zero growth, or very slow environmentally (i. e. not dependent on increasing fossil fuel consumption) friendly highly managed growth, but the writing is on the wall. 

  Big corporate power can push little Moscow, Idaho around with ease.  And though Moscow has a core of progressive environmentally minded people who wish to see capitalism and growth regulated to protect the quality and values of small town life, this group faces serious local opposition.  

  The growth in population will fuel an increasing mentality that does not even know about or care about what is being lost, when people with money move to the Palouse from much much bigger uglier cities, who will think that the older locals who complain about too much unmanaged or ugly development compromising the quality of life, are so quaint. 

  Money talks and bullshit walks!

  I trust this little somewhat tongue in cheek spiel is understood not as advocacy of these possibilities, but rather as a hard cold look at the reality of the powers that be in the world we live in, and how they might overwhelm our area. 

  Now, I'm retreating to my flame proof bomb shelter... 

  I don't think what I just wrote will be the most popular post of the week.

  Ted Moffett

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