[Vision2020] Council Far From Anti-Growth

[Tom Hansen]

Greetings Visionaires -

 

Arnold stated:

 

"When I think of planned growth, I think of the city coming together to meet
and plan for the future growth of Moscow based on the future needs of Moscow
residents, not just what would be nice, or fit the community desires of
those with the most wealth and means."


Well, Arnold, when I think of "planned growth", I think of a gradual
evolution of a community developing into what its citizens value most.

 

Perhaps Moscow will develop into another Coeur d'Alene, but not by Friday.
It takes time, effort, confidence, and team work for a community to grow.  

 

For a community to expand its economic horizons, it must provide jobs that
create careers at more than $7.25/hour.  Perhaps what Moscow needs to do is
expand its technological career fields, not its shelf stockers.  Shelf
stockers would not qualify (as you say) for low-income housing, let alone
the $200,000 neighborhood.  Technology parks breed careers.

 

First we must decide, as a community, where we want to go.  Then together we
can commit our time, effort, confidence, and team work toward that goal.
But that will take time and we MUST go about it as a community.

 

Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, I tended to dread megalopolises
and their 7 million people with 7 million attitudes.  Having served a career
in the Army in a multitude of locations I was exposed to life in small towns
many times.  I developed a desire for small towns and their strong sense of
"community".  I fell in love with the Silver Valley shortly after my wife
and I married and she talked me into visiting her family in North Idaho.  I
recall thinking to myself as we drove over Lookout Pass and I first laid
eyes on Idaho, "I am going to die of old age here."

 

Trust me, Arnold.  It wasn't the proximity to Wal-Mart that appealed to me.
It was the open-arm, open-heart welcome I received from a vast majority of
the people I met in small town North Idaho; that strong sense of community.

 

There was a song I heard a few years back on (believe it or not) "Andy of
Mayberry".  The song was "My Home Town".  It reflects pretty much how I feel
about my adopted home town of Moscow:

 

"My home town is the greatest place I know,

Where the neighbors I find are gentle and kind,

And the living is easy and slow,

My hometown is the only place to be,

Here the worries are small, and 

And the kids grow tall and healthy & free,

It's my hometown, my hometown,

Mayberry, Mayberry"

 

I know that economic expansion is the desire of every community, but growth
and maturity take time.  For those that want to live in a large city by
Friday, take I-195 north for about 85 miles.  As for me, I am going to enjoy
watching my adopted home town grow into what I know it can be.  Until then,
I will satisfy myself living in . . .

 

"Big Rock Candy Mountain"

http://www.tomandrodna.com/Sounds/Big_Rock_Candy_Mountain.mp3

 

"In the Big Rock Candy Mountain,

It's a land that's fair and bright,

The handouts grow on bushes 

And you sleep out every night.

The boxcars all are empty

And the sun shines every day

I'm bound to go

Where there ain't no snow

Where the sleet don't fall

And the winds don't blow

In the Big Rock Candy Mountain."

 

Seeya round town, 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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