[Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going commercial

[Jerry Weitz]

Bill, We have the potential. Sound planning by Moscow and Latah County is 
essential.  Folks are beginning to understand the plight of UI.  Monday, I 
attended a meeting sponsored by UI's College of Ed over training and 
updating secondary Pro-tech teachers.  There was very advanced 
thinking  and little funding. UI has the potential and will require 
partnerships with business as in this case.

  Incidentally, the Coop employs about 50 full time and about 50 part 
time.  They have done a great job.  MaryJaneButters was highlighted in "A 
Palouse Paradise" by Idaho Public Television ...Outstanding as was Mark 
Solomon talking about the cedar grove.  Our area has the potential of being 
the example of rural development.  Mono-culture ag maybe supplemented by 
Butters sytle ag with folks being able to return to the land and make a 
living.  Our family has about an half acre of garden and the garden 
produces about 60% of our food.  We water from a small reservoir using 
gravity.  Our soil is not the quality of the deep soils of the average 
Palouse wheat field and at times suffered from erosion until we figured out 
how to avoid it.   WSU had a presentation from a Kansas researcher (Land 
Institute) over perennial wheat, which may help in stemming 
erosion.   WSU's organic farming degree is on target. UI folks are not out 
of the game and all of us will need to help to bring back its reputation 
and relevance just as WSU has taken the forefront on Butters style ag.  Our 
potential is great, and we must start focusing our community on items that 
count, rather than the infighting that no one side can prevail 
over.   Bill, are you going to attend the conference and if you are let's 
get together.  The GMA and MCA are cosponsors.  That is a 
positive.  Jerry..

At 11:58 AM 10/19/06, Bill London wrote:
>J-
>I think the Knowledge Corridor meeting is a good beginning to a regional 
>branding/planning effort.  Moscow should be involved since Pullman/WSU are 
>way ahead in econ dev.  In other words, Moscow has the most to benefit 
>from the Knowledge Corridor.
>
>WSU has been much more successful than UI in branding and building a 
>successful image in its state (and in attracting public and private $ as a 
>result.  Pullman has benefited from Schweitzer.
>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: Monday, October 16, 2006 6:55 PM
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going commercial
>
>At 10:55 PM 10/15/06, Jerry Weitz wrote:
>>Bill, I was pleased to find out how many employees MaryJanesFarm and the 
>>Food Co-op employ.  Internet web sites  show the Co-op at 45 employees 
>>and with 7 Board Members.  There are over 50 volunteers.  Does anyone one 
>>know the percentage off full time employees?  MaryJanesFarm's website 
>>showed 23 employees.  Again the same question:  what are the full time 
>>equivalency profiles of each of these outstanding companies?
>>
>>Bill, one of the challenges for a company  that is growing is the 
>>availablity of its workforce from local sources.  When say 
>>Schweitzer  expands and needs another 300 employees, growth issues such 
>>as housing become very important for out of area recruitment.  Do you 
>>think that Moscow and Pullman ought to plan growth together?  If you 
>>agree, how can we cause this to happen?  Jerry
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>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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