[Vision2020] LMT: Pledge of Allegiance makes unscheduled visit toMoscow

[Art Deco]

Kudos to John Dickinson.  Appropriate, inspiring, and a bitter pill for the 
council's doubters of their patriotism and dedication to the freedoms of our 
country.

W.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Area Man" <areaman at moscow.com>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 7:43 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] LMT: Pledge of Allegiance makes unscheduled visit 
toMoscow


> Large Scale Retail Ordinance also discussed
> ----------------------------------
> 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.
> ---------------------------------------------
> I hope the city gets what they want out of the Large Scale Retail
> ordinance, and I hope it gets done in time.
>
> DC
>
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