[Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going commercial

[Jerry Weitz]

Bill, Thanks for your thoughtful response.  Today, I was at  a brunch in 
Pullman, mostly Whitman County business leaders, commissioners, etc., who 
agreed that we (The Greater Palouse) ought to combine our efforts and 
become much more integrated.  There was consensus that the present Moscow 
governance is a challenge to deal with and  Latah County officials are not.

UI/WSU Presidents and respective EDC's have a forum concerning the 
"Knowledge Corridor Concept"  on Oct. 23 at Schweitzer's Event Center.  If 
you want to attend, simply contact the LEDC before Oct. 20. and maybe we 
could go together.  I also agree that growing local business is most 
desirable.  In my experience with Lake Aircraft and recruiting DampSoft to 
the area, we need to be coached to another level. Incidentally, both my 
sons took classes at UI and  WSU although they did not graduate from 
either. Their experiences were very favorable.

Unfortunately, Moscow has a distinct reputation of being anti 
business/gridlocked both in action and in deed.  A few years ago, I had 
UltraDent contact Idaho's Department of Commerce about locating a dental 
research facility in Idaho. UltraDent has about 700 employees world wide 
and  250,000 square feet of production space. Parameters were: Close to a 
University, dependable Airline connections, and cost of living/quality of 
life considerations.  Boise, CDA were the recommended sites, not 
Moscow.  UltraDent works with a number of Universities here and abroad and 
with the Medical School in Salt Lake. Thus with this perception, I believe, 
we, together, can change, retain Quality of Life, and help UI with 21th 
Century realities.

GMA is not in the business of finger pointing. Our first public forum, 
Developing Trouble, would be an example of the
GMA's committment to balance, public information, and civility.  Anyone can 
become a member and can become involved. GMA's membership is approaching 300.

The question: where do you think we should go from here?  Jerry


   Bill,             At 12:22 PM 10/13/06, Bill London wrote:
>J-
>Of course, I agree that it is in Moscow's interest to retain existing 
>businesses and to attract appropriate new businesses.  I think that you 
>and I agree on the big picture and find disagreement in the details.
>
>For example, I have never specifically responded to your statements that 
>we should support the UI.  Yes, I do agree.  Our daughter graduated from 
>the UI and I was very satisfied with her education.  I annually donate to 
>the UI.
>
>And in terms of growing local businesses, I definitely believe that is the 
>best way to economic development.  The local businesses are rooted 
>here,  and not likely to jump to another location for a better tax 
>deal.  I am proud to note that I have been involved in the marketing and 
>growth of several local businesses, specifically MaryJanesFarm (which now 
>employs 25) and the Moscow Food Co-op (which now employs 100)
>
>Too many people in Moscow toss around the label "anti-business" in 
>reference to those of us who want to retain Moscow's quality of 
>life.  That kind of finger-pointing, which seems to be the cornerstone of 
>the new Greater Moscow Alliance, will get us nowhere.
>
>I wish you would take that message back to your fellow GMA board members.
>BL
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:gweitz at moscow.com>Jerry Weitz
>To: <mailto:london at moscow.com>Bill London ; 
><mailto:vision2020 at moscow.com>vision2020 at moscow.com
>Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 10:41 PM
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going commercial
>
>Hi Bill:  The primary reasons for James Toyota move is the lack of 
>reasonable commercial space in Moscow, and Toyota's requirement of 
>bringing the present facility up to Toyota's franchise standards. It is my 
>understanding that the dealership did not want to move to Wn. because of 
>the B&O tax.  Jim Hill owns a dealership in Moses Lake and knows first 
>hand. Further,this has been known for some time by city officials. Our 
>city needs to plan and help keep businesses here.    Do you agree? Jerry
>At 10:43 AM 10/11/06, Bill London wrote:
>>According to a legal notice regarding stormwater pollution prevention in 
>>the Daily News (page 9B, Tuesday, Oct. 10), the James Hill Toyota 
>>dealership is moving from Moscow to the Washington side of the line.
>>The dealership has purchased 13 acres on the Moscow-Pullman Highway, on 
>>the south side of the highway, between the highway and the creek, about a 
>>mile from Moscow.
>>The present plan is to develop 6 acres as the Toyota dealership.
>>There goes the neighborhood.....
>>BL
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