[Vision2020] Tribune uncovers new Moscow pro-growth group

[Steven Basoa]

On May 22, 2006, at 6:53 PM, Jeff Harkins wrote:

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

	To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Busch, through his company, has  
controlled most of the gasoline that comes into this town.  For many  
years gas prices have been consistently higher in Moscow than much of  
the surrounding areas.  This is an old, ongoing story that has been  
covered several times on vision2020 and, if I remember correctly, in  
the daily newspaper.  He has a captive audience here and he has taken  
advantage of it.  It's well-played capitalism and I applaud him for  
it.  But I don't like it and I try to spend my gas dollars elsewhere  
(such as Lewiston or Troy).  At 5 to 10 cents a gallon, this has  
added up to decent savings over the years.  I realize that this isn't  
good for the last middleman (the local gas pumps) but it is the only  
way I can act on my displeasure.   And I will note that the disparity  
in prices hasn't been as bad since the price of oil has gone through  
the roof everywhere.

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?

	What does my statement about the former council members have to do  
with alternatives I would have endorsed?
Not being an expert by any stretch of the imagination (or a public  
figure in public office), I always thought that developers should  
help pay for improvements on the roads that they impact.  This would  
have gone a long way towards improving Mountainview Road.  (This  
isn't hindsight, I remember whining about it when the Moser second  
addition was going in).  It would have also helped pay for  
improvements on Joseph Street and the safety problems at the  
'bridge'.  Another road that I think is vital is a north-south bypass  
on the west side of town.  And I think we needed it 20 years ago.  I  
am not sure how I feel about the 'proposed' ring road.  I do not know  
enough about it to have formed a decision.   While I'm rambling on  
about transportation issues, I think the Moscow bus system is a great  
idea and we need to figure out how to sustain it.  I also like the  
idea of resurrecting the train service between Moscow and Pullman.

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

	Re-read my post.  I never said that they "forced buyers and sellers"  
to do anything.  I merely pointed out that they are realtors and  
that's how they earn their living.  They have a vested interest in  
the rapid growth of Moscow.

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

	You are correct, this is a sweeping assertion.  I'm sure there are  
many other things, important things, that matter to them.  At least I  
hope so...

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

	This question doesn't make sense to me.  What does the first part of  
this question ("If these individuals are responsible for  
"subdivisions" ") have to do with the second part ("how do you  
explain the fact that residents of Moscow live in those divisions?)?   
And what does your question have to do with anything I wrote?
As for subdivisions, residents of Moscow live there because that's  
where the housing is.  I get the impression that you think I am  
opposed to subdivisions.  I am not.  I recognize the need for them.   
I just think prior and proper planning is a must.  I think the city  
needs to take control of the growth and dictate the terms to the  
developers and not the other way around.  Will I always be agreeable  
with the decisions made?  Probably not.

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

	You missed my point on the subdivisions.  It is obvious to me that  
we  need subdivisions.  My point is that the subdivisions were/are  
poorly planned.   My statement was: "myriad sub-divisions with no  
intelligent street planning".  When the building boom started east of  
Mountain View about 20 years ago, it was obvious to many in the  
construction/real estate business and city management that  
development would continue in this area.  No planning was done for  
the increased traffic and it's related problems.  The city showed no  
foresight or vision here.  With the massive Salisbury addition coming  
to fruition. I think that the traffic issues are going to get a lot  
worse before they get better.  For more on the transportation issue  
you could read Kit Craine's vision2020 post from earlier today.

 >You make a lot of sweeping assertions.  I am just trying to  
understand your basis for those assertions.
 > Enlighten us please!

I hope this helps clarify my basis for all my sweeping assertions.   
If not, I'm sure you'll let me know.

-SB

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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