[Vision2020] Fwd: Re: THE VIZ - Is It time for a reset ??????

Jeff Harkins jeffh at moscow.com
Fri Jan 25 11:37:13 PST 2013 

QED

On 1/25/2013 11:17 AM, Tom Hansen wrote:
> Mr. Harkins -
>
> Care to join a group of us in creating a petition to have Fox News 
> removed from public airwaves?
>
> If what I posted regarding Councilman Krauss displeases you, you are 
> going to go absolutely ballistic when you experience what I am 
> organizing for Wally (Steed) next election day.
>
> Stay tuned . . .
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares"
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "There's room at the top they are telling you still
> But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
> If you want to be like the folks on the hill."
>
> - John Lennon
>
> On Jan 25, 2013, at 10:47 AM, Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com 
> <mailto:jeffh at moscow.com>> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>> Subject: 	Re: [Vision2020] THE VIZ - Is It time for a reset ??????
>> Date: 	Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:46:01 -0800
>> From: 	Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com>
>> Reply-To: 	jeffh at moscow.com
>> To: 	Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com>
>>
>>
>>
>> I could not disagree with you more - individuals are entitled to 
>> respect.  Certainly one is entitled to criticize a public officials 
>> positions on issues - it is inappropriate to launch personal attacks.
>>
>> On 1/25/2013 10:42 AM, Tom Hansen wrote:
>>> Mr. Harkins . . .
>>>
>>> The city council's public lives (such as when they are in session) 
>>> are public domain.  As such, they should expect, or at least 
>>> anticipate, some degree of ridicule (as long as it is clean) from 
>>> those who strongly disagree with them.
>>>
>>> Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .
>>>
>>> "Moscow Cares"
>>> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>>> Tom Hansen
>>> Moscow, Idaho
>>>
>>> "There's room at the top they are telling you still
>>> But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
>>> If you want to be like the folks on the hill."
>>>
>>> - John Lennon
>>>
>>> On Jan 25, 2013, at 10:35 AM, Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com 
>>> <mailto:jeffh at moscow.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Over the past several years, the vitriolic nature of the dialogue 
>>>> posted to Vision2020 has become increasingly hostile and in many 
>>>> instances, highly personal.
>>>>
>>>> It is one thing to have a robust conversation, even a debate, on 
>>>> the pressing issues confronting Moscow and Latah County. That is 
>>>> one of the prime objectives of Vision2020.  It is quite another 
>>>> thing when the dialogue belittles, harasses, threatens, demeans 
>>>> and/or attacks those who express themselves.  Such actions do 
>>>> little to advance the role and mission of Vision2020.
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps a review of the Vision2020 Mission Statement will help to 
>>>> remind or raise awareness of the intended purpose of this website - 
>>>> the mission statement is appended below.
>>>>
>>>> I am reasonably confident that the intent of First Step Internet in 
>>>> providing "free" hosting for the site was not to endorse or condone 
>>>> personal attacks - chiding, slurring, harassment and threats.  I 
>>>> know that as a customer of FSI, I am not interested in helping to 
>>>> fund a site that allows unfettered personal attacks on 
>>>> individuals.  The recent "satire" posting demeaning the words of 
>>>> Councilman Wayne Krauss is a prime example of poor and unwarranted 
>>>> behavior.  I know that Councilman Krauss would engage in a spirited 
>>>> conversation on most topics. So, if one has an issue with the 
>>>> Councilman, engage him in a conversation. To mock his view is a 
>>>> discredit to our community - it should stop.
>>>>
>>>> I can only wonder what visitors from other communities think about 
>>>> the despicable nature of some of the posts.  Is that the sort of 
>>>> impression we want to promote to visitors?
>>>>
>>>> Now, it is true that not everyone posting to the site is guilty of 
>>>> poor behavior - but those who frequent the site know that there are 
>>>> numerous individuals who do their best to mock, harass and 
>>>> denigrate individuals.
>>>>
>>>> Many will argue that the site should be self policing; the "adult 
>>>> participants" should work to discourage poor behavior.  But that 
>>>> doesn't seem to be very effective.
>>>>
>>>> To be candid, if the Vision 2020 posters can't find topics more 
>>>> worthy than mocking an elected official's comments about "moral 
>>>> decline" it is time to shut the blog site down.  There is little to 
>>>> be gained by allowing individuals to denigrate our community and 
>>>> its residents by lending credibility to the small-minded mean and 
>>>> nasty comments of the few.
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps the VIZ has served its purpose and its usefulness. Or, 
>>>> perhaps there should be some "rules" or "protocols" for the 
>>>> Vision2020 site.  Perhaps the site should be restructured - charge 
>>>> small fee, get a new site, establish rules and protocols.
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps those that wish to continue poor behavior and actions that 
>>>> would denigrate selected individuals should acquire their own blog 
>>>> site and post whatever they wish.
>>>>
>>>> If the VIZ is to continue, its patrons should consider a refocus on 
>>>> the stated goals and objectives of the VIZ.
>>>>
>>>> Finally,  according to the Vision2020 website:
>>>>
>>>> Vision 2020 has no bylaws, budget or membership requirements. Its 
>>>> activities are coordinated by a _three-member steering committee 
>>>> chosen annually by consensus_.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> By the way, who are the individuals currently serving on the 
>>>> Steering Committee and when is the election for the positions held?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>       Vision 2020 Mission Statement Adopted March 1995
>>>>
>>>>  1. To ensure that all parts of our community have an opportunity
>>>>     to take part in visualizing and planning for the community's
>>>>     future.
>>>>
>>>>  2. To strengthen citizens' sense of community by promoting
>>>>     awareness, ownership and investment in Moscow's future.
>>>>
>>>>  3. To foster cooperation among (and public involvement with) the
>>>>     agencies and organizations that plan for and make decisions
>>>>     about the future of Moscow and Latah County.
>>>>
>>>>  4. To raise awareness on the part of citizens and public officials
>>>>     that:
>>>>
>>>>      1. uncontrolled and unplanned growth may have negative effects.
>>>>
>>>>      2. short-term decisions have long-term consequences.
>>>>
>>>>  5. To inform ourselves about growth and development issues.
>>>>
>>>>  6. To have fun thinking critically and creatively.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> =======================================================
>>>> 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
>> =======================================================

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