<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">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). <DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>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. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>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.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>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.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>-SB</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On May 22, 2006, at 7:52 AM, Mark Solomon wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"> <DIV>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.</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Stephen Busch, Chairperson</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Jim Anderson, Vice-Chairperson</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Jim DeMeerleer, Treasurer</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Shelley Bennett, Co-Secretary</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Dan Carscallen</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Marshall Comstock</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Bob Hieronymus</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">JoAnn Mack</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Bill Morscheck</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Brian Thie</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Jerry Weitz</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT color="#000000">Susan Wilson, Co-Secretary</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>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.</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>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 "<FONT color="#000000">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.</FONT>"</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Mark Solomon</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ</DIV> </DIV><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>