[Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth

Wed Mar 15 08:51:00 PST 2006

Visionaries—

When I talk with businesses about Moscow and friendliness, the conversations
are more about where people buy things. I have had several business owners
tell me that they thought Moscow was not especially friendly because so many
people travel to Lewiston or Spokane to buy a car or use the internet to
purchase books, CDs, or clothes. The benefit of either sales or property
taxes is dwarfed by the effect of buying local. Being business friendly is a
community issue, not simply a government one. Buy something today in Moscow.

I am sure that no members of our community would like a City Council that
rubber stamped everything that came before it. To question proposals is an
important function of the council. For example, the proposed development
just across the state line is very large. It would essentially double the
commercial space in the Moscow area. I don’t believe that growth of this
magnitude is planned growth. If we doubled the number of houses in Moscow,
or doubled the number of students at UI, or doubled anything overnight –
we’d have significant problems.

I enjoy reading V2020; perhaps the next V2020 social activity could be a
shopping spree from one end of town to the other.

John Dickinson

Your city council member.

  _____  

From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Donovan Arnold
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:38 AM
To: g. crabtree; Tom Hansen; Moscow Vision 2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth

Gary brings up an excellent point! Moscow's city government has been very
anti-business. It has opposed businesses wanting to develop in the East, and
West. It has opposed Walmart, Home Depot, and other businesses coming into
the area. It has done nothing to help many local businesses that are going
under. But not only does it oppose businesses in Moscow, it is also fighting
efforts for jobs and businesses developing in Latah and in the
Pullman/Moscow corridor on the Pullman side.

The only place Moscow allows a business to be located in downtown, which
does not have enough parking for many types of businesses, or in an already
existing location which is not properly suited for the business. 

_DJA

"g. crabtree" <jampot at adelphia.net> wrote:

I think that it's fairly safe to say that when a council meddles wit! h 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" 
To: "Moscow Vision 2020" 
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 4:01 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Counci! l 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 tow! n, 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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_____________________________________________________
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  _____  

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