[Vision2020] Questions About Semi-Megaloads in Moscow

Tom Hansen thansen at moscow.com
Wed May 11 08:27:36 PDT 2011 

A little history lesson here, Mr. Arnold . . .

On June 28, 2010 the Idaho Transportation Department began what was
expected to be a series of community discussions in Moscow, Lewiston, and
Kamiah.  ITD, Conoco, and ExxonMobil were under the impression that these
forums were to be conducted similar to a "high school career day" where
representatives from Conoco and ExxonMobil would present a short speech
from their respective displays.  Shortly after Rep. Tom Trail arrived at
the meeting, was informed of the meeting's format, and had a "discussion"
with the ITD rep, the forum was re-formatted to include a Q&A portion.

http://www.moscowcares.com/highway12/ITDmtg_062810.htm

----------------------

On August 16, 2010, during the public commentary portion of the Moscow
City Council session, it was suggested that Moscow adopt a resolution
against the transporting of oversized loads on Highway 12.

To which Moscow City Council President Wayne Krauss responded, on
September 6th, that the megaloads were none of Moscow's concern.

http://www.moscowcares.com/highway12/MoscowCC_PubCom_Hwy12Res.htm

----------------------

On April 4, 2011 the Idaho Transportation Department presented a report to
the Moscow City Council outlining US95 and I90 as alternate routes for a
portion of the Highway 12 megaloads.  In strong suggestive language (using
terms like "right" and "ethics") Mayor Chaney asked that a public forum be
conducted in Moscow so that Moscow's citizens may be heard on this issue.

http://www.moscowcares.com/040411_05_MegaloadsITD.htm

----------------------

On April 18, 2011, during the Moscow City Council session, Mayor Chaney
presented an update concerning the potential for megaloads being
transported through Moscow on US95.

http://www.moscowcares.com/041811_05_Megaloads.htm

------------------------------------

So . . . you see, Mr. Arnold.  In my opinion, where the people of Moscow
are concerned, Mayor Chaney has their back.

Perhaps your anguish would be better aimed at Moscow City Council
President Wayne Krauss who publicly expressed that these megaloads are not
of Moscow's concern.

Footnote, V-peeps:  Although Rep. Tom Trail and Moscow City Council
President Wayne Krauss are both members of the Republican Party, there are
three words that clearly define the difference between them . . .

CONCERN FOR CONSTITUENTS

You decide who's got your back next time you step into the voting booth.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho









On Wed, May 11, 2011 6:40 am, Donovan Arnold wrote:
> Sue,
>  
> I don't think that Mayor Cheney believes that the other issues are not of
> concern. I just don't think the Mayor can restrict what people can ask,
> only what she and her invited speakers are willing to address. I think
> having a public forum simply to take only technical questions is rather
> pointless unless you are an engineering student. Most people won't have
> technical questions about the transport if explained the process in a
> well written article posted on the internet and published in the paper. I
> think the meeting is a farce if the real questions and concerns people
> have are not even allowed to be asked.
>  
> How about this question? What can the people do to stop these
> mega-transports?
>  
> Donovan Arnold
>
> --- On Tue, 5/10/11, Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com>
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Questions About Semi-Megaloads in Moscow
> To: "Art Deco" <deco at moscow.com>, "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>,
> "Donovan Arnold" <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>, "Tom Hansen"
> <thansen at moscow.com>, "Craine Kit" <kcraine at frontier.com>
> Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 11:45 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Tom, Donovan & All,
>  
> I don’t see that framing the discussion around local issues is a signal
> that the Mayor has declared the rest to be ok.  It seems to me the
> meeting was set to discuss impacts on our city. Those are the concerns
> which will determine whether they get a permit to transport the rigs. 
> Obviously the other risks are not important to the Governor, ITD, and
> other folks or this wouldn’t have already happened in Idaho.    As a
> group of citizens concerned with this whole mess--how Exxon Mobile and
> other oil extractors are willing to do any damage to any environment, and
> any people simply to turn a profit—you point out a legitimate discussion
> topic for Moscow citizens, and I bet the mayor is willing to have that
> meeting, too.  Why not ask her. 
>  
> Sue H.
>
>
>  
>
> From: Art Deco
> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 12:39 PM
> To: Vision 2020
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Questions About Semi-Megaloads in Moscow
>  
>
> These megaloads are an extremely great deal for us!
>  
> We can help kill lots of First Nations Canadians and others, cause the
> greatest environmental disaster in the history of North America, and help
> our sneakiest global competitors, the Chinese, who own the majority
> interests in the tar sands projects, to prosper even more at our expense.
>  
> Paraphrasing Langston Hughes:  Everyone benefits from these megaloads.
> Big oil gets to ride, we gets to watch them ride.
>  
> w.
>  
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Donovan Arnold
> To: Tom Hansen ; Craine Kit
> Cc: Moscow Vision 2020
> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 11:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Questions About Semi-Megaloads in Moscow
>  
>
>
>
>
>
> My Questions;
>  
> How did the Mayor acquire the ability to dictate what questions can an
> cannot be asked? I understand informing people they will only answer
> questions they feel are related to the transport of the megaloads, but to
> tell people what they can and cannot ask seems more like a scripted event
> than an actual Q&A session.
>  
> Why should any people be required to allow these megaloads to be run
> through their towns when they are not designed to handle this kind
> transport? I don't think it would hurt Exxon Mobile financially  to find
> another means of transporting their product without disrupting the quality
> of life, safety, and well being of others with lesser means than them.
>  
> Donovan Arnold
>  
>  
> --- On Tue, 5/10/11, Craine Kit <kcraine at frontier.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Craine Kit <kcraine at frontier.com>
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Questions About Semi-Megaloads in Moscow
> To: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
> Cc: "Moscow Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 9:47 AM
>
>
> Of course, one must ask about the impact of the convoy of 30 or so 
> vehicles--which is said to take an hour to pass any particular point.
>
> Kit Craine
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 10, 2011, at 5:43 AM, Tom Hansen wrote:
>
>> Courtesy of today's (May 10, 2011) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> OUR VIEW: Questions about semimegaloads in Moscow
>> Lee Rozen, for the editorial board
>> Posted on: Tuesday, May 10, 2011
>>
>>
>> In the middle of about 60 nights this year, Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil 
>> wants
>> to send oil equipment convoys that are a block or so long, two lanes 
>> wide
>> and 16 feet tall rumbling and blinking north through downtown Moscow.
>>
>> The Korean-built equipment would head from Lewiston via U.S. Highway 
>> 95,
>> Interstate 90 and Montana to the Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta. To get 
>> each
>> load from Lewiston to the Benewah County line should take one night
>> between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Officials promise traffic delays of no 
>> more
>> than 15 minutes.
>>
>> But the travel plan is under review, and neither Idaho nor Montana has
>> issued the necessary permits, or said when they will. The Moscow
>> semi-megaload route has been chosen because of the delays in getting
>> megaloads up the scenic U.S. Highway 12 corridor.
>>
>> ExxonMobil and Idaho Transportation Department officials have 
>> deigned to
>> listen to Moscow's concerns about that at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the 
>> Hamilton
>> Indoor Recreation Center, 1724 E. F St.
>>
>> At that meeting. ITD and oil company officials will talk first, and 
>> then
>> take questions and comments from those who have signed in. Also, you 
>> can
>> email your thoughts to the ITD at comments at itd.idaho.gov, and the City
>> Council at skalasz at ci.moscow.id.us.
>>
>> Mayor Nancy Chaney apparently has declared the morality of ExxonMobil
>> profits, the Kearl Oil Sands project and fossil fuel consumption
>> off-limits for discussion Wednesday night.
>>
>> ExxonMobil made profits of $10.7 billion in first quarter 2011. Some 
>> say
>> the Kearl Oil Sands project is destroying the Canadian environment and
>> killing residents of the area.
>>
>> Still, that leaves plenty of questions that need answers:
>>
>> Who makes sure delays are only 15 minutes? What happens if they 
>> aren't?
>>
>> Will all cross-streets in Moscow be closed?
>>
>> Is it a delay if traffic keeps moving at 15 miles an hour behind the
>> convoy? (The ITD says it isn't a delay; federal rules say it is.)
>>
>> Who pays for moving power lines and stoplights out of the way?
>>
>> Will this semi-megaload convoy be likely to wake me up when it goes 
>> by my
>> house or apartment?
>>
>> Will you notify shippers - and the media so they can alert the 
>> public - in
>> advance of a convoy?
>>
>> Once permits are issued, can their terms be changed without notice?
>>
>> What if state police escorts get called to an emergency? Will that 
>> stall
>> the convoy?
>>
>> What if Montana won't let the semi-megaloads in?
>>
>> Let's hope we hear some good answers.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Seeya there, Moscow.
>>
>> Tom Hansen
>> Moscow, Idaho
>>
>> "This is the 'Mouse that Roared,' 'David and Goliath' and 'Avatar' all
>> rolled into one.  We must remember that the thousands of citizens 
>> involved
>> in this effort to protect their personal and family safety, their
>> businesses and their lifestyles are confronting some of the largest
>> international corporations in the world."
>>
>> - Linwood Laughy
>>
>> =======================================================
>> List services made available by First Step Internet,
>> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>               http://www.fsr.net
>>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>> =======================================================
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.  
>               
> http://www.fsr.net                      
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.  
>               
> http://www.fsr.net                      
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.  
>               
> http://www.fsr.net                      
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.   
>                http://www.fsr.net                   
>    
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to
changeand the Realist adjusts his sails."

 - Unknown

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