[Vision2020] Closed doors

Thu Apr 12 10:38:24 PDT 2007

Are you talking to me, Gary?  I agree that the police typically do a
tough job, well, and under frequently difficult and dangerous
circumstances.  The rare instances of police or prosecutorial
misconduct are just that -- atypical, from the ordinary course of
things.

Bruce Livingston

See today's AP story on the Duke lacrosse case for one of those rare
examples of prosecutorial misconduct: 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_re_us/duke_lacrosse;_ylt=AjjeSLesWqgUpBHl71SQ9qlI2ocA

-----Original message-----
From: "g. crabtree" jampot at adelphia.net
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:07:09 -0700
To: "Art Deco" deco at moscow.com, "Vision 2020" vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Closed doors

> MessageAs long as we're passing out the feel goods I'd also like to
offer ahearty thank you and job well done to Dan Weaver and all the
dedicated folks at the MPD. This is a group that's easy to disparage
but the fact of the matter is that 99% of their good work goes
completely unnoticed. From their perspective they are doing their job
the best when you hear about them the least. Quietly doing it day
after day with only the occasional thanks but more often scrutiny and
derision of people who imagine that they could have done better. There
is no question that fire fighters and EMT's are heroes but more often
then not it's the cop who got there first. Their contribution to the
community can not be overstated.
> 
> Firemen get praise and parades, police get dirt, blood, and crap.
(sorry, Bruce) Please accept this as one of the all to seldom heard
thank you's.
> 
> g
> 
> p.s. Don't get me wrong, however. I still think the union thing is a
bad idea...
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: ArtDeco 
> To: Vision 2020 
> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 8:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Closed doors
> 
> 
> I concur wholeheartedly with the thanks and appreciation expressed
to the volunteer EMTs and fire fighting persons.
> 
> They serve with dedication and without compensation; often their own
out-of--pocket expenses are not reimbursed. They serve a vital
community interest which often saves lives, helps lessen life long
impacts of injuries by giving quick, competent responses, and they
protect our property interests also.
> 
> Few realized the amount of time these volunteers spend in training
and retraining. Few realize the gory, gruesome scenes they deal with.
Few realize the gut-wrenching feelings they experience at the scenes
and long after the scenes of tragic occurrences to which they are
called, nor do few realize the stress they experience.
> 
> These responders are quietheroes that make our community a safer and
nicer place to live.
> 
> Again, thank you all.
> 
> 
> Wayne A. Fox
> 1009 Karen Lane
> PO Box 9421
> Moscow, ID 83843
> 
> (208) 882-7975
> waf at moscow.com
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: g. crabtree 
> To: Dan Carscallen ; 'Ellen Roskovich' ; vision2020 at moscow.com 
> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 6:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Closed doors
> 
> 
> Actually, Dan the thanks go to you, The Delicate Flower, and all the
rest of the public safety folks in Moscow. It's easy to complain, it's
harder to quietly get out and do what needs to get done. I really
appreciate it. Thanks again.
> 
> g
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Dan Carscallen 
> To: 'Ellen Roskovich' ; vision2020 at moscow.com 
> Sent: Thursday, April 12,2007 6:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Closed doors
> 
> 
> Ellen (and the rest of the Vizzz peeps),
> 
> Your stories of dealing with the 911 service cause me great concern.
> 
> I've recently joined the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department's
Ambulance Company. I know we try our darnedest to respond to a call as
soon as possible. Being a completely volunteer service, sometimes
that's hard to do. The situations you describe would NOT be tolerated
today, from what I know of the Ambulance Company. Of course, my
association with the Company goes back just over 5 years to when my
Delicate Flower became an EMT. Having seen the need for more Emergency
Medical Service, this prompted me to become an EMT as well, beginning
January 2007. 
> 
> In my limited recent experience, I know that when we are dispatched
the police are dispatched as well. Usually they arrive first, and
nowadays I believe they all have"first responder" training. Also
dispatched would be a Fire Department engine, usually with first
responders and sometimes an EMT or two. None of these have the ability
to transport, though, but they can help gather vital signs and history
of the patient so when the ambulance arrives transport can be
expedited.
> 
> The one thing I don't think a lot of people (especially new citizens
of Moscow) realize is that our Fire Department and Ambulance Company
are totally volunteer. Please forgive our seemingly long response
times, as we are responding from our jobs, our homes, family dinners,
and even the depths of slumber for fire and ambulance calls. I'm not
trying to make excuses, as I am extremely proud to be a member of such
a fine organization that saves our taxpayers' money by being
volunteers. It feels good to be a part of something that is so
professional, yet who's members don't accept a dime in payment.
> 
> Thanks for your time
>
> DC
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Ellen Roskovich
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:06 PM
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Cc: carolwstrobel at hotmail.com; mmike at hotmail.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Closed doors
> 
> 
> Today I stopped by the Moscow Hotel thinking I might grab a bite to
eat at Archies. I am so sad to see they have closed their doors and
the restaurant is for rent.
> 
> Two weeks ago I was in Seattle and I read the postings to V2020
about the protests in Friendship Square, otherwise I wouldn't have a
clue about a possible reason for closing.
> 
> I hate to see them leave. I enjoyed every meal I ate there. . .
breakfast, lunch and dinner. I always brought someone with me and
everyone agreed that Archies was an asset to downtown. I know the "out
to lunch bunch"looked forward to their visits to Archies. What a sad
loss!
> 
> There's been a lot of discussion lately about Moscow. . . . it's
growth, the health and vitality of it's businesses, even having
potential businesses pass some type of scrutiny by City Council before
being allowed to open their doors and "nuisanse businesses" being shut
down for over usage of police services. For the most part, those who
are participating in these discussions are not business owners. You
are users, not providers. 
> 
> Understand I am not a very PC person who is up on all the latest PC
jargon. . . it changes all the time. So I will say "sorry" ahead of
time. I do not mean to offend but I have something to say.
> 
> Moscow has problems. I find it ironic that Archies closed their
doors because a group of people took offense at the alleged treatment
of a person with some type of physical, mental or emotional challenge.
Maybe you just don'tknow what kind of city you actually live in. Let
me clue you in. As a business owner I was approached by the MPD and
asked if I would like a certain challenged person barred from my
restaurant. I said no. . . I did not find him to be a problem. All he
wanted was a quiet place to drink his coffee and smoke. We allowed
smoking in the front room in those days. They asked me if he paid for
his coffee and I said yes. . . because he did. The only "problem" was
his seizures. That is not his fault. . . and the reality is ALL of us
are only one fall away of being in the same boat. One time my customer
had a seizure, fell off the bar stool and hit his head hard. . . I did
what most business owners would do under like circumstances and called
911. When help arrived I thought they were rather rough in rousing him
but then I was shocked when I was told to "never call them again" for
this individual because they would not respond. I had never heard of
such a thing and they saidthis loud enough that one of my customers
waiting for a to go pizza heard them say it to me. She seemed quite
upset and I thought it because she had just witnessed the seizure and
the arrival of police and medics. I apologized for the fuss and she
told me she was upset at what I was told. . . that a family member had
epilepsy and she hoped they were never treated like this if they had a
seizure in public. I never barred this man from my establishment like
others in this town did. I watched as he was hog-tied and thrown into
the back of a patrol car because he "trespassed" at another nearby
establishment. I even posted bail for him. . . and he had me paid back
in full within an hour of his release. I can't even say that about
some of my "friends". Maybe some of you will say an owner has the
right. . . and then I think of Archies. . . and then I don't
understand any of it.
> 
> There was occasion to call 911 again for a different person. . . a
youngman in a motorized wheelchair. His chair got stuck in racing mode
and he hit my dumpster in the alley, hit a tree, nearly went off into
sixth street traffic and ended up in the bushes at the offices next
door with the wheelchair on top of him. I thought there was a good
possibility of broken bones and it was obvious the wheelchair was no
longer safe transportation. Did I get a response to my call? Well,
silly me. . . wasn't I told they wouldn't respond to my address. Thank
heavens he was only scratched and scared. I ended up calling the
pharmacy that handles the purchase/rental of these wheelchairs and
they came right out to assist him. It was long after I found another
solution that a lone cop car came to the front of Gambino's and
parked. It was obvious he had taken his time. . stopped for a car wash
on the way over. The water was still beaded up on the car. I didn't
wait for him to get out of his car. . . I walked over a told him
through the window that he wasn't needed. I handledthe situation
myself. Then I composed a letter to the Chief because I was REALLY
angry. He replied in a timely manner. Said he was out of town at the
time this happened and he'd look into matters. Hope he did.
> 
> I began to wonder if this happens to others. I also wondered if I
was flagged in some manner. . . .was it the address on sixth street or
the name Roskovich? You get a little paranoid, but you don't want to
take any chances either. Well, once when my late husband had a heart
attack at home I didn't call 911 and wait around to see. Our son
carried him to the car and drove while I called Gritman to let them
know that a heart patient was coming in with chest pains. By the time
I arrived at Gritman, they were already talking about getting him
flown up to Spokane.
> 
> I have nothing but admiration for the doctors, nurses and quality of
care at Gritman. But getting there can be tricky. I hope others never
have to go through what I went throughwhen my elderly mother had a
nasal hemorrhage. It was another time when Don was in Spokane
hospitalized with his heart. . . .the phone rang around 5:00 a.m. and
you just know it's not going to be good. But instead of a nurse, I had
my mother on the phone and she sounded scared out of her wits. I went
right over to find her with a bathtowel to her face, drenched in
blood. It was difficult for her to talk or breathe. It was dark, icy
and I had no choice but to call 911 for help. We waited and finally I
could see lights coming up Cherry St. hill. It turned out to be one
police officer who came into the apartment and promptly sat himself
down on my mother's sofa and made himself comfortable. I just wanted
to GO! He was very pleasant. . . he took out a notepad and a pen and
asked for her name. I answered for her. He wrote it down. I just want
to go, NOW! Next, he asks my almost 80 year old mother "are you a
student at the U of I" and I heard her say "no, I'm too old"from
behind a blood soaked towel. THAT DID IT! I asked him point blank if
the ambulance was on it's way. He told me NO. . .he was there to
assess the situation and determine if there was a medical necessity
for dispatch of the ambulance. At that point I got my mother's coat,
told the officer he would no longer be needed once he helped me get my
mother down the icy steps and into my car. I wasn't going to waste
another precious minute. Once I got my mother into the emergency room
I had the opportunity to ask the doctor on duty if the Moscow P.D.
have been given the medical training and knowledge to assess
emergencies such as this and she told me NO. I told her that I thought
she should let the board know about this because they were setting
themselves up for a potential lawsuit sometime in the future. Have
things changed. . . I sure hope so. . . don't you? I do know that I
needed to call 911 toward the end of Don's illness and the response
time was great. But only a short two yearsearlier it left a lot to be
desired.
> 
> So, "J :)" now you know why I got a little bent when you raised the
question yesterday about "nuisance businesses" who take up time and
resources of city services. But I shut up before I said too much. But
heck. . .maybe you all need to learn about the problems associated
with running a business in this town. The town really can't change or
move forward unless people speak up and everyone understands what they
are working towards.
> 
> I don't know if anyone would want to try and put a restaurant in
Archie's spot. What a shame we lost them. . . and it's so much more
important and far reaching in our business community than who's buying
kitty litter at Wal-Mart.
> 
> Ellen Roskovich
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>
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