[Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

Mon May 22 09:12:28 PDT 2006

There was no press release sent to the Latah Eagle about the formation of
this group.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Jeff Harkins
  Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 11:48 PM
  To: Bill London; vision2020 at moscow.com
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

  OK we'll go back on list.

  Actually, as I understand it, the story was released during the day and
published by the DN that day and next morning edition of Trib. (this is the
normal print cycle for news stories from the two papers).  I doubt the DN
had time to get to GMA representatives before press time.  And David Johnson
does a thorough job vetting a story.  Point is: the Trib did not "uncover"
anything - GMA has made no secret about its pro-growth stance.  They have
been very open and transparent about their mission - ie their website.  To
infer otherwise seems disingenous to me - just my opinion.

  The formation of GMA seems a bright spot to me - it should get more folks
engaged in the dialogue about our future here.

  At 11:30 AM 5/21/2006, you wrote:

    J-
    Actually, the DN ran their story the day before.
    The Tribune story was by far the better one, since the reporter asked
some tougher questions and revealed the group's "pro-growth" bias and the
group's creation as an antidote to MCA ....
    BL

      ----- Original Message -----

      From: Jeff Harkins

      To: Tom Hansen ; vision2020 at moscow.com

      Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 7:26 AM

      Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

      Mr. Hansen,

      The London post was a bit misleading.  I am to understand that the GMA
provided a press release to both the Trib and the Daily News (probably the
Latah Eagle as well) - seems to be accurate since the DNews ran their story
on GMA the same day.

      At 12:18 PM 5/20/2006, you wrote:

        Excellent post, Bill.  Thank you.

        Now that a newly organized community “alliance” has been created,
just what is the mission of this alliance?

        From the Greater Moscow Alliance website at:

        http://www.greatermoscow.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=13&Itemid=26

        “Mission

        The Greater Moscow Alliance is an organization comprised of citizens
of Latah County who would like to see the Greater Moscow community continue
to thrive. Our mission is to actively participate in local decisions to
ensure Moscow and Latah County remains a great place to live, work and do
business.

        The purpose of our organization is to make sure our collective voice
is heard on issues of importance to the community; and to strategize in a
manner that will effectively represent our goals and vision.

        In fulfilling our mission, we strive to do the following:

        1]  Maintain community vitality and support free enterprise.

        2]  Respect, protect and endorse the rights of private property
owners.

        3]  Maintain awareness of community issues, their process and status
in regards to governmental actions.

        4]  Educate our members and the community on ordinances and other
issues affecting Moscow and Latah County and to provide balanced
information.

        5]  Encourage voter participation.

        6]  Encourage and endorse candidates for local offices/elections to
our members.

        7]  Encourage healthy growth and promote beneficial economic
development.

        8]  To create balanced, fair treatment of issues.”

        [I added the numbers]

        I totally agree with the general intent of this alliance.  Informing
the general public of laws that affect them (as reflected in #4) is
important, however . . .

        Yes.  This is a political entity, complete with agendas.  This
alliance can discuss healthy growth, rights of private property owners, and
presentation of balanced information until the next millennium.  Everybody
agrees on those issues.  Those issues are not truly debatable.

        The Greater Moscow Alliance (GMA) reveals its political card in #6 –
“Encourage and ENDORSE [emphasis is mine] candidates for local
offices/elections to our members.”  Suffice it to say that GMA will only
endorse those candidates that are in lockstep with GMA leadership desires.

        I will, however, admit that I agree with #8 of the GMA’s stated
mission – “To create balanced, fair treatment of issues.”

        This brings up another question:

        Just what are GMA’s positions concerning issues of interest:

        Their website identifies three key community issues that impact upon
Moscow:

        1)  Thompson rezone

        2)  New Saint Andrews CUP (Conditional Use Permit)

        3)  Police Union

        Yet, when you access that portion of the GMA website that relates to
these three “Issues of Interest”, all responses are blank:

        http://www.greatermoscow.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=categ
ory&sectionid=6&id=16&Itemid=47

        How is Moscow to interpret that?

        Your thoughts, Moscow?

        Tom Hansen

        Moscow, Idaho

        "If not us, who?

        If not now, when?"

        - Unknown

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