[Vision2020] Steed still selling Moscow water?

[Bill London]

Representatives Trail and Ringo:

An article in the Daily News (Dec. 19) indicated that Moscow City Council member Walter Steed is trying to change Idaho law in order to sell Moscow's water to the Hawkins' retail development on the Pullman Highway.  Steed is now lobbying legislators statewide for their support, and I urge you to tell him NO.

Steed needs to end this bizarre quest to sell our water to facilitate sprawl development in Washington state.

Moscow's water is pumped from an aquifer that gets smaller every year.  Despite this dwindling resource, Steed wants the city to pump even more and ship it across the state line to flush toilets at the Hawkins' development.

The Hawkins' retail development, totally located in Washington state, will have profoundly negative impacts on Moscow's economy.  Sales tax dollars will flow out of Moscow from sales made at Hawkin's stores.  Also, remember that new retail does not create new jobs or new wealth.  It only reshuffles the existing dollars. Some Moscow stores will likely relocate to the new mall, and more Moscow stores will close because of that new development.  And, if Steed has his way, Moscow would be foolishly funding those economic problems by providing the water that makes it possible to build the development in the first place.

Steed is wasting his time, but worse he is wasting the time of the Moscow City Council and city staff and now legislators statewide in his quest to facilitate development in an adjoining state.  Please tell him NO.

Please respond.  I would like to know your opinion on this matter.

Bill London
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