<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><DIV><DIV>On May 22, 2006, at 6:53 PM, Jeff Harkins wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline">1. How has Mr. Busch held us hostage at the gas pumps?</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Busch, through his company, has controlled most of the gasoline that comes into this town. For many years gas prices have been consistently higher in Moscow than much of the surrounding areas. This is an old, ongoing story that has been covered several times on vision2020 and, if I remember correctly, in the daily newspaper. He has a captive audience here and he has taken advantage of it. It's well-played capitalism and I applaud him for it. But I don't like it and I try to spend my gas dollars elsewhere (such as Lewiston or Troy). At 5 to 10 cents a gallon, this has added up to decent savings over the years. I realize that this isn't good for the last middleman (the local gas pumps) but it is the only way I can act on my displeasure. And I will note that the disparity in prices hasn't been as bad since the price of oil has gone through the roof everywhere. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV> 2. If we accept your premise that Mr. Comstock, Mr. Busch and Ms. Mack don't care about infrastructure or Moscow street planning, what alternatives to Moscow's transportation plan would you have endorsed?<BR><BR><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></SPAN></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>What does my statement about the former council members have to do with alternatives I would have endorsed? <DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Not being an expert by any stretch of the imagination (or a public figure in public office), I always thought that developers should help pay for improvements on the roads that they impact. This would have gone a long way towards improving Mountainview Road. (This isn't hindsight, I remember whining about it when the Moser second addition was going in). It would have also helped pay for improvements on Joseph Street and the safety problems at the 'bridge'. Another road that I think is vital is a north-south bypass on the west side of town. And I think we needed it 20 years ago. I am not sure how I feel about the 'proposed' ring road. I do not know enough about it to have formed a decision. While I'm rambling on about transportation issues, I think the Moscow bus system is a great idea and we need to figure out how to sustain it. I also like the idea of resurrecting the train service between Moscow and Pullman.<BR></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV> 3. How have Ms. Bennett and Mr. Morscheck forced buyers and sellers of real estate to engage in a buy/sell arrangement?<BR><BR><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></SPAN></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>Re-read my post. I never said that they "forced buyers and sellers" to do anything. I merely pointed out that they are realtors and that's how they earn their living. They have a vested interest in the rapid growth of Moscow.<BR><BR> </DIV><DIV>4. How do you know that "their pocketbooks are all that matter" to them?</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>You are correct, this is a sweeping assertion. I'm sure there are many other things, important things, that matter to them. At least I hope so...<BR><BR> 5. If these individuals are responsible for "subdivisions", how do you explain the fact that residents of Moscow live in those divisions?<BR><BR><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></SPAN></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>This question doesn't make sense to me. What does the first part of this question ("If these individuals are responsible for "subdivisions" ") have to do with the second part ("how do you explain the fact that residents of Moscow live in those divisions?)? And what does your question have to do with anything I wrote?</DIV><DIV>As for subdivisions, residents of Moscow live there because that's where the housing is. I get the impression that you think I am opposed to subdivisions. I am not. I recognize the need for them. I just think prior and proper planning is a must. I think the city needs to take control of the growth and dictate the terms to the developers and not the other way around. Will I always be agreeable with the decisions made? Probably not. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>6. If the subdivisions did not exist, where would those folks live?<BR><BR><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></SPAN></DIV><DIV><SPAN class="Apple-style-span"><SPAN class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </SPAN>You missed my point on the subdivisions. It is obvious to me that we need subdivisions. My point is that the subdivisions were/are poorly planned. My statement was: <FONT class="Apple-style-span" color="#090909">"myriad sub-divisions with no intelligent street planning". When the building boom started east of Mountain View about 20 years ago, it was obvious to many in the construction/real estate business and city management that development would continue in this area. No planning was done for the increased traffic and it's related problems. The city showed no foresight or vision here. With the massive Salisbury addition coming to fruition. I think that the traffic issues are going to get a lot worse before they get better. For more on the transportation issue you could read Kit Craine's vision2020 post from earlier today. </FONT><BR><BR> </SPAN></DIV><DIV>>You make a lot of sweeping assertions. I am just trying to understand your basis for those assertions.<BR>> Enlighten us please!<BR><BR> I hope this helps clarify my basis for all my sweeping assertions. If not, I'm sure you'll let me know.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>-SB</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>At 11:28 AM 5/22/2006, you wrote:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite" class="cite" cite="">Here's what concerns me about this group (the Greater Moscow Alliance): Many have shown that they do not have Moscow's best interests at heart, but rather, their pocketbooks are all that matter. Mr. Busch and his company have long held us hostage at our local gas pumps. Mr. Comstock, Mr. Busch and Ms. Mack have demonstrated through their poor leadership and lack of vision on the city council that they don't care about infrastructure or controlling the growth of town. Instead they have offered us myriad sub-divisions with no intelligent street planning, etc (this list could go on). Ms. Bennett and Mr. Morscheck are realtors and their fortunes are made on the sale and re-sale of property (the more the better). <BR><BR> Of those that I know of on the board, only Dr. Weitz has offered positive ideas and potential solutions for growth and development. And he has gone even farther by backing his words with positive actions. <BR><BR> I am skeptical that this group (as a whole) has any agenda other than the business-as-usual/good-old-boy plans that they have lorded over town for so many years. But I will wait and see and hope (with baited/bated breath) that they do come up some positive plans and forward thinking ideas that will actually benefit the entire populace rather than their individual bank accounts.<BR><BR> Moscow definitely seems to be at a crossroads and we do need to get more positive ideas out on the table. Hopefully the GMA will offer helpful and insightful ideas on our future growth.<BR><BR> -SB<BR><BR> <BR><BR> <BR> On May 22, 2006, at 7:52 AM, Mark Solomon wrote:<BR><BR> I'll let the lack of position statements on GMA's website slide as an organizational growing pain issue, but I believe it is obvious from the testimony on the Thomson rezone where GMA stands on that issue as 2/3 of the board members spoke in favor of the rezone at either the p&z or council hearings.<BR> <DL> <DD>Stephen Busch, Chairperson<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Jim Anderson, Vice-Chairperson<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Jim DeMeerleer, Treasurer<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Shelley Bennett, Co-Secretary<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Dan Carscallen<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Marshall Comstock<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Bob Hieronymus<BR><BR> </DD><DD>JoAnn Mack<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Bill Morscheck<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Brian Thie<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Jerry Weitz<BR><BR> </DD><DD>Susan Wilson, Co-Secretary<BR><BR> </DD></DL><BR> In a community as small as Moscow, it is inevitable that there will be conflicts of interest when organizations engage in advocacy. As such it is very important to understand how personal motives, especially economic motives, may relate to an organization's positions.<BR><BR> One example: The Thompson Rezone is listed as an Issue of Interest by GMA. What is not listed is Shelley Bennett, GMA Co-Secretary, is reported to be in line for a $400,000 realtor commission if the development is approved. JoAnn Mack's family owns the property adjacent to the Thompson's. Susan Wilson "continues to be involved in the real estate industry while beginning her law practice. Her husband of 4 years, Sean Wilson, is an Associate Broker with Bennett & Associates Real Estate in Moscow."<BR><BR> Mark Solomon<BR> <DL><BR> </DL><BR> ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ<BR><BR> _____________________________________________________<BR> List services made available by First Step Internet, <BR> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. <BR> <A href="http://www.fsr.net /" eudora="autourl"> http://www.fsr.net </A> <BR> <A href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com" eudora="autourl"> mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</A><BR> ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ</BLOCKQUOTE> </DIV><BR></BODY></HTML>