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Bill, Thanks for your thoughtful response. Today, I was at a
brunch in Pullman, mostly Whitman County business leaders, commissioners,
etc., who agreed that we (The Greater Palouse) ought to combine our
efforts and become much more integrated. There was consensus that
the present Moscow governance is a challenge to deal with and Latah
County officials are not. <br><br>
UI/WSU Presidents and respective EDC's have a forum concerning the
"Knowledge Corridor Concept" on Oct. 23 at Schweitzer's
Event Center. If you want to attend, simply contact the LEDC before
Oct. 20. and maybe we could go together. I also agree that growing
local business is most desirable. In my experience with Lake
Aircraft and recruiting DampSoft to the area, we need to be coached to
another level. Incidentally, both my sons took classes at UI and
WSU although they did not graduate from either. Their experiences were
very favorable.<br><br>
Unfortunately, Moscow has a distinct reputation of being anti
business/gridlocked both in action and in deed. A few years ago, I
had UltraDent contact Idaho's Department of Commerce about locating a
dental research facility in Idaho. UltraDent has about 700 employees
world wide and 250,000 square feet of production space. Parameters
were: Close to a University, dependable Airline connections, and cost of
living/quality of life considerations. Boise, CDA were the
recommended sites, not Moscow. UltraDent works with a number of
Universities here and abroad and with the Medical School in Salt Lake.
Thus with this perception, I believe, we, together, can change, retain
Quality of Life, and help UI with 21th Century realities.<br><br>
GMA is not in the business of finger pointing. Our first public forum,
Developing Trouble, would be an example of the <br>
GMA's committment to balance, public information, and civility.
Anyone can become a member and can become involved. GMA's membership is
approaching 300. <br><br>
The question: where do you think we should go from here? Jerry
<br><br>
<br>
Bill,
At 12:22 PM 10/13/06, Bill London wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font face="arial" size=2>J-<br>
Of course, I agree that it is in Moscow's interest to retain existing
businesses and to attract appropriate new businesses. I think that
you and I agree on the big picture and find disagreement in the
details.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>For example, I have never specifically
responded to your statements that we should support the UI. Yes, I
do agree. Our daughter graduated from the UI and I was very
satisfied with her education. I annually donate to the UI.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>And in terms of growing local businesses, I
definitely believe that is the best way to economic development.
The local businesses are rooted here, and not likely to jump to
another location for a better tax deal. I am proud to note that I
have been involved in the marketing and growth of several local
businesses, specifically MaryJanesFarm (which now employs 25) and the
Moscow Food Co-op (which now employs 100)<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>Too many people in Moscow toss around the label
"anti-business" in reference to those of us who want to retain
Moscow's quality of life. That kind of finger-pointing, which seems
to be the cornerstone of the new Greater Moscow Alliance, will get us
nowhere.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>I wish you would take that message back to your
fellow GMA board members.<br>
BL<br>
</font>
<dl>
<dd>----- Original Message ----- <br>
<dd>From:</b> <a href="mailto:gweitz@moscow.com">Jerry Weitz</a> <br>
<dd>To:</b> <a href="mailto:london@moscow.com">Bill London</a> ;
<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a> <br>
<dd>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 12, 2006 10:41 PM<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going
commercial<br><br>
<dd>Hi Bill: The primary reasons for James Toyota move is the lack
of reasonable commercial space in Moscow, and Toyota's requirement of
bringing the present facility up to Toyota's franchise standards. It is
my understanding that the dealership did not want to move to Wn. because
of the B&O tax. Jim Hill owns a dealership in Moses Lake and
knows first hand. Further,this has been known for some time by city
officials. Our city needs to plan and help keep businesses
here. Do you agree? Jerry<br>
<dd>At 10:43 AM 10/11/06, Bill London wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd><font face="arial" size=2>According to a legal notice regarding
stormwater pollution prevention in the Daily News (page 9B, Tuesday, Oct.
10), the James Hill Toyota dealership is moving from Moscow to the
Washington side of the line.<br>
<dd>The dealership has purchased 13 acres on the Moscow-Pullman Highway,
on the south side of the highway, between the highway and the creek,
about a mile from Moscow.<br>
<dd>The present plan is to develop 6 acres as the Toyota
dealership.<br>
<dd>There goes the neighborhood.....<br>
<dd>BL<br>
</font>
<dd>=======================================================<br>
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<dd> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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<dd>
<a href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com" eudora="autourl">mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</a><br>
<dd>=======================================================
</blockquote>
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