[Vision2020] LMT: Pledge of Allegiance makes unscheduled visit to Moscow

[Area Man]

Large Scale Retail Ordinance also discussed
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Pledge of Allegiance makes unscheduled visit to Moscow

By DAVID JOHNSON of the Tribune

MOSCOW -- Monday's meeting of the Moscow City Council started with a
citizen-initiated recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. 
The surprise demonstration was followed by a rendition of "America the
Beautiful," led at the urging of Mayor Nancy Chaney by Councilor John
Dickinson. 

The rest of the night swirled around public hearing testimony on a
proposed ordinance that could constrain retailers like Wal-Mart from
building here. 

By press time, council members were still discussing possible changes to
the Large Retail Establishments Ordinance and appeared headed for at
least one more meeting before taking action on whether to adopt the
measure. 

An emergency ordinance, requiring conditional-use permits for large
retail store construction, is set to expire Feb. 18. Most people
testifying favored passage. 

The pledge flap started two weeks ago when Chaney, newly elected in
November, called her first meeting to order by quoting Martin Luther
King Jr., instead of honoring the American flag. 

Before Chaney was able to address the audience Monday night, a group led
by local Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Don Meyer stood and
declared, "I pledge allegiance, to the flag...." 

Chaney stood several words into the pledge to face the flag and, as did
five other council members, joined the crowd's recitation. Dickinson and
about half of the audience remained seated. 

Chaney told the audience she'd instituted a new way to start meetings
called "Renewing Our Focus." The pledge, she said, will still be said on
special occasions. But she challenged council members to come up with
other ways to show patriotism and dedication to their job. 

When Dickinson began to sing "America the Beautiful," everyone, except
for one man in the back of the council chambers, stood and joined him.
Then Chaney announced that Councilor Bill Lambert would be called on
next time, "so I hope he's taking notes." 

Meyer, who afterward said he appreciated Dickinson's choice, called for
a return to regular recitations of the pledge. The council took no
action. 

During the public hearing, Chaney repeatedly reminded people the
proposed ordinance, not Wal-Mart's announced intention to build a super
center here, was at issue. The new ordinance would set two size
categories for large retail stores; those between 40,000 and 65,000
square feet, and those larger than 65,000 square feet. 

But people like Peggy Jenkins, a member of a group called "No Super
Wal-Mart," urged an outright ban. "A giant establishment should just be
prohibited," she said. "Just say no to big box development." 

Several people also called for a cap on the size of stores and for a
"dark store" clause in the ordinance that would ensure against retailers
coming to town, eventually going out of business and leaving an empty
building behind. 

On the other side of the development coin, Tom McGann, speaking for the
Moscow Chamber of Commerce, said members of his organization wanted to
protect established retailers' ability to expand while leaving the door
open to newcomers. He suggested raising the minimum size of a store
covered by the proposed ordinance to 100,000 square feet. 

A local Realtor also cautioned the council about proposed provisions
that might seek too much information about an incoming company's
business practices, thereby discouraging new development. 

A similar debate is being waged across the border in Pullman where
Wal-Mart has proposed another super center. Three days of hearings
concluded there last week on an appeal by a citizen group opposed to
Wal-Mart coming to town. Wal-Mart officials have said there's enough
potential business to support super centers in both towns. 
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I hope the city gets what they want out of the Large Scale Retail
ordinance, and I hope it gets done in time.

DC