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Bill, We have the potential. Sound planning by Moscow and Latah County is
essential. Folks are beginning to understand the plight of
UI. Monday, I attended a meeting sponsored by UI's College of Ed
over training and updating secondary Pro-tech teachers. There was
very advanced thinking and little funding. UI has the potential and
will require partnerships with business as in this case. <br><br>
Incidentally, the Coop employs about 50 full time and about 50 part
time. They have done a great job. MaryJaneButters was
highlighted in "A Palouse Paradise" by Idaho Public Television
...Outstanding as was Mark Solomon talking about the cedar grove.
Our area has the potential of being the example of rural
development. Mono-culture ag maybe supplemented by Butters sytle ag
with folks being able to return to the land and make a living. Our
family has about an half acre of garden and the garden produces about 60%
of our food. We water from a small reservoir using gravity.
Our soil is not the quality of the deep soils of the average Palouse
wheat field and at times suffered from erosion until we figured out how
to avoid it. WSU had a presentation from a Kansas researcher
(Land Institute) over perennial wheat, which may help in stemming
erosion. WSU's organic farming degree is on target. UI folks
are not out of the game and all of us will need to help to bring back its
reputation and relevance just as WSU has taken the forefront on Butters
style ag. Our potential is great, and we must start focusing our
community on items that count, rather than the infighting that no one
side can prevail over. Bill, are you going to attend the
conference and if you are let's get together. The GMA and MCA are
cosponsors. That is a positive. Jerry..
<br><br>
At 11:58 AM 10/19/06, Bill London wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font face="arial" size=2>J-<br>
I think the Knowledge Corridor meeting is a good beginning to a regional
branding/planning effort. Moscow should be involved since
Pullman/WSU are way ahead in econ dev. In other words, Moscow has
the most to benefit from the Knowledge Corridor.<br>
</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>WSU has been much more successful than UI in
branding and building a successful image in its state (and in attracting
public and private $ as a result. Pullman has benefited from
Schweitzer.</font> <br>
<font face="arial" size=2>BL<br>
</font> <br>
<br>
<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> Monday, October 16, 2006 6:55 PM<br>
<dd>Subject:</b> Re: [Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going
commercial<br><br>
<dd>At 10:55 PM 10/15/06, Jerry Weitz wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>Bill, I was pleased to find out how many employees MaryJanesFarm and
the Food Co-op employ. Internet web sites show the Co-op at
45 employees and with 7 Board Members. There are over 50
volunteers. Does anyone one know the percentage off full time
employees? MaryJanesFarm's website showed 23 employees. Again
the same question: what are the full time equivalency profiles of
each of these outstanding companies? <br><br>
<dd>Bill, one of the challenges for a company that is growing is
the availablity of its workforce from local sources. When say
Schweitzer expands and needs another 300 employees, growth issues
such as housing become very important for out of area recruitment.
Do you think that Moscow and Pullman ought to plan growth together?
If you agree, how can we cause this to happen? Jerry<br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<dd>At 12:22 PM 10/13/06, Bill London wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd><font face="arial" size=2>J-<br>
<dd>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>
<dd> <br>
<dd><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>
<dd> <br>
<dd><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>
<dd> <br>
<dd><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>
<dd> <br>
<dd><font face="arial" size=2>I wish you would take that message back to
your fellow GMA board members.<br>
<dd>BL</font>
<dl>
<dd>----- Original Message -----
<dd>From: <a href="mailto:gweitz@moscow.com">Jerry Weitz</a>
<dd>To: <a href="mailto:london@moscow.com">Bill London</a> ;
<a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a>
<dd>Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 10:41 PM
<dd>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow-Pullman Highway going commercial
<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
<dd>At 10:43 AM 10/11/06, Bill London wrote:
<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.
<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.
<dd>The present plan is to develop 6 acres as the Toyota dealership.
<dd>There goes the neighborhood.....
<dd>BL</font>
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</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>
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