[Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

[Jeff Harkins]

I am curious Mr. Basoa:

1. How has Mr. Busch held us hostage at the gas pumps?

2. If we accept your premise that Mr. Comstock, 
Mr. Busch and Ms. Mack don't care about 
infrastructure or Moscow street planning, what 
alternatives to Moscow's transportation plan would you have endorsed?

3. How have Ms. Bennett and Mr. Morscheck forced 
buyers and sellers of real estate to engage in a buy/sell arrangement?

4. How do you know that "their pocketbooks are all that matter" to them?

5. If these individuals are responsible for 
"subdivisions", how do you explain the fact that 
residents of Moscow live in those divisions?

6. If the subdivisions did not exist, where would those folks live?

You make a lot of sweeping assertions.  I am just 
trying to understand your basis for those assertions.

Enlighten us please!

At 11:28 AM 5/22/2006, you wrote:
>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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