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My post regarding Moscow’s economy was meant to point out the declining housing and retail market and how we can adjust to something different and positive instead of just crying out “No Growth and Anti-Business.” <BR>
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My suggestion for a stronger more diverse economy in Moscow was to encourage new businesses created from research or other ideas originating from the University of Idaho. The U-I is our biggest asset and biggest employer. The U-I and Latah Economic Development Council are working on a plan to allow professors sabbatical leave to establish new businesses. We’ve already seen the benefits of former U-I and WSU students establishing businesses such as Anatek Labs, Alturas Analytics, EcoAnalysts, etc. These businesses bring new money into the community, employ other graduates, pay high wages and benefits. Employees can afford to buy houses and retail goods. Employer and employee all contribute a lot of taxes back to the community.<BR>
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This does not mean that housing and retail are unimportant. But instead of focusing on housing and retail like we have done for the last 20+ years, why not try focusing on diversifying our economy using our well established biggest asset?<BR>
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What the Mayor and City Council can do about this is to encourage partnering with the U-I, better land use planning, visionary thinking, etc. It would be interesting to compare how much City Staff, Council and Commission time is spent on housing subdivisions vs. commercial projects that provide good paying jobs.<BR>
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I’ve discussed this plan with all of the City Council candidates. Aaron Ament, Evan Holmes, Tom Lamar and Linda Pall listened and seemed very excited about this plan. Wayne Krauss told me this made him feel like a second class citizen. Walter Steed seemed to not understand quality of life. I’m not sure of Dan Carscallen’s position. Therefore, my support of candidates who are willing to listen to new ideas.<BR>
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I am not a spokesman for any candidate. I doubt this could be considered a socialist plan as some have charged. It’s not a “Free” market plan either, but then what is the meaning of “Free?” See below....<BR>
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B. J. Swanson<BR>
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Jeff Harkins wrote:<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><UL><LI><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New">Am I a free market advocate? Yes.
</FONT></SPAN><LI><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New">I advocate the relatively unfettered market.
</FONT></SPAN><LI><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New">The "totally free market" is an academic model.</FONT></SPAN><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New"><FONT SIZE="5"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:16.0px'>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Voters can be sure that these three men value the free enterprise market-based system which rewards service and sacrifice.
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>the totally free market (a perfect knowledge, perfect competition model) - which neither the candidates nor I advocate.
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Monaco, Courier New"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>If you examine my numerous posts on the free market system for the past several years, you will find absolute consistency.</SPAN><FONT SIZE="5"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:16.0px'> <BR>
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