[Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth

[g. crabtree]

I think that it's fairly safe to say that when a council meddles with how 
many square feet a business can be, by what percentage it may expand, and 
what sort of a "living wage " it will pay, it's no friend to business. While 
I am reluctantly willing to take Mr. Stout at his word that he's pro growth 
and pro business, I sure haven't seen or heard anything from him or the 
council as a whole that makes me believe it to be the case. To say that 
you're pro business as long as you pay a given wage,  sell the correct 
product from the approved country,are just the right size in exactly the 
right location, and are owned by the proper people is to encourage 
development a mile or two across the border in Whitman county. Perhaps those 
are the people our McC(A)ouncil and mayor represents.?

G. Crabtree


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "Moscow Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 4:01 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth


> >From today's (March 13, 2006) Daily News with a special thnks to 
> >Councilman
> Robert Stout -
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Council far from anti-growth
>
> I have been somewhat surprised by the amount of false information being
> propagated about the new Moscow City Council's attitude towards growth and
> development in our community.  The mantra describing our efforts seems to 
> be
> "no growth" and "anti-business".  As far as my personal attitude, that
> couldn't be further from the truth.  I recognize the benefits of having a
> thriving business community and will always foster that.  However, I also
> recognize such things as a living wage, some regulations on business and
> developments, and supporting growth that protects Moscow's quality of 
> life.
>
> When individuals in our community repeat the no-growth rhetoric there is a
> negative connotation that does not help our community thrive and prosper.
> The new council has been in office for about 60 days.  We have not 
> approved
> any ordinances that could reasonably be construed as anti-business or
> no-growth.  The concept of the recently passed large retail ordinance has
> been in the works for quite some time.  The premise of this ordinance is 
> not
> to discourage large retail establishments from locating in our community,
> but rather bring them in as an equal partner in protecting the quality of
> life of our city.
>
> I was not elected to represent any one interest in this community.  I 
> wasn't
> elected to represent the realtors, the MCA, the chamber of commerce, the
> University of Idaho community, or downtown business.  I was elected to
> represent our community as a whole and make informed and fair decisions 
> that
> will keep our community economically and socially sustainable.  I intend 
> to
> do that and hope you will join me in my efforts.
>
> Robert C. Stout
> Moscow
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Thank you, Councilman Stout.
>
> Instead of alleging fault where no fault exists, I challenge the people of
> Moscow to support and evaluate our city council openly and fairly.
>
> If it is felt that the council could improve in certain areas, provide
> constructive criticism.  At the same time, if it is felt that the council 
> is
> performing their responsibilities in an exemplary manner, tell them.
>
> It's an old adage, people, and it has worked for limitless generations:
>
> "Don't tell me why I can't.  Tell me how I can."
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
> and the Realist adjusts his sails."
> - Unknown
>
>
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