[Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

[Steven Basoa]

Here's what concerns me about this group (the Greater Moscow  
Alliance):  Many have shown that they do not have Moscow's best  
interests at heart, but rather, their pocketbooks are all that  
matter.  Mr. Busch and his company have long held us hostage at our  
local gas pumps.  Mr. Comstock, Mr. Busch and Ms. Mack have  
demonstrated through their poor leadership and lack of vision on the  
city council that they don't care about infrastructure or controlling  
the growth of town.  Instead they have offered us myriad sub- 
divisions with no intelligent street planning, etc (this list could  
go on).  Ms. Bennett and Mr. Morscheck are realtors and their  
fortunes are made on the sale and re-sale of property (the more the  
better).

Of those that I know of on the board, only Dr. Weitz has offered  
positive ideas and potential solutions for growth and development.   
And he has gone even farther by backing his words with positive actions.

I am skeptical that this group (as a whole) has any agenda other than  
the business-as-usual/good-old-boy plans that they have lorded over  
town for so many years.  But I will wait and see and hope (with  
baited/bated breath) that they do come up some positive plans and  
forward thinking ideas that will actually benefit the entire populace  
rather than their individual bank accounts.

Moscow definitely seems to be at a crossroads and we do need to get  
more positive ideas out on the table.  Hopefully the GMA will offer  
helpful and insightful ideas on our future growth.

-SB




On May 22, 2006, at 7:52 AM, Mark Solomon wrote:

I'll let the lack of position statements on GMA's website slide as an  
organizational growing pain issue, but I believe it is obvious from  
the testimony on the Thomson rezone where GMA stands on that issue as  
2/3 of the board members spoke in favor of the rezone at either the  
p&z or council hearings.
Stephen Busch, Chairperson
Jim Anderson, Vice-Chairperson
Jim DeMeerleer, Treasurer
Shelley Bennett, Co-Secretary
Dan Carscallen
Marshall Comstock
Bob Hieronymus
JoAnn Mack
Bill Morscheck
Brian Thie
Jerry Weitz
Susan Wilson, Co-Secretary

In a community as small as Moscow, it is inevitable that there will  
be conflicts of interest when organizations engage in advocacy. As  
such it is very important to understand how personal motives,  
especially economic motives, may relate to an organization's positions.

One example: The Thompson Rezone is listed as an Issue of Interest by  
GMA. What is not listed is Shelley Bennett, GMA Co-Secretary, is  
reported to be in line for a $400,000 realtor commission if the  
development is approved. JoAnn Mack's family owns the property  
adjacent to the Thompson's. Susan Wilson "continues to be involved in  
the real estate industry while beginning her law practice. Her  
husband of 4 years, Sean Wilson, is an Associate Broker with Bennett  
& Associates Real Estate in Moscow."

Mark Solomon


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