<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Mr. Harkins . . .</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city council's public lives (such as when they are in session) are public domain. As such, they should expect, or at least anticipate, some degree of ridicule (as long as it is clean) from those who strongly disagree with them.</span></div><div><br><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">"Moscow Cares"</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><a href="http://www.MoscowCares.com">http://www.MoscowCares.com</a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div>Tom Hansen</div><div>Moscow, Idaho</div><div><br></div><div>"<span style="font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">There's room at the top they are telling you still</span><span style="font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> </span></div><span style="font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">But first you must learn how to smile as you kill </span><br style="font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span style="font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">If you want to be like the folks on the hill."</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">- John Lennon<br></span></font><div> </div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br>On Jan 25, 2013, at 10:35 AM, Jeff Harkins <<a href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com">jeffh@moscow.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div>
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type">
Over the past several years, the vitriolic nature of the dialogue
posted to Vision2020 has become increasingly hostile and in many
instances, highly personal.<br>
<br>
It is one thing to have a robust conversation, even a debate, on the
pressing issues confronting Moscow and Latah County. That is one of
the prime objectives of Vision2020. It is quite another thing when
the dialogue belittles, harasses, threatens, demeans and/or attacks
those who express themselves. Such actions do little to advance the
role and mission of Vision2020.<br>
<br>
Perhaps a review of the Vision2020 Mission Statement will help to
remind or raise awareness of the intended purpose of this website -
the mission statement is appended below. <br>
<br>
I am reasonably confident that the intent of First Step Internet in
providing "free" hosting for the site was not to endorse or condone
personal attacks - chiding, slurring, harassment and threats. I
know that as a customer of FSI, I am not interested in helping to
fund a site that allows unfettered personal attacks on individuals.
The recent "satire" posting demeaning the words of Councilman Wayne
Krauss is a prime example of poor and unwarranted behavior. I know
that Councilman Krauss would engage in a spirited conversation on
most topics. So, if one has an issue with the Councilman, engage him
in a conversation. To mock his view is a discredit to our community
- it should stop.<br>
<br>
I can only wonder what visitors from other communities think about
the despicable nature of some of the posts. Is that the sort of
impression we want to promote to visitors?<br>
<br>
Now, it is true that not everyone posting to the site is guilty of
poor behavior - but those who frequent the site know that there are
numerous individuals who do their best to mock, harass and denigrate
individuals. <br>
<br>
Many will argue that the site should be self policing; the "adult
participants" should work to discourage poor behavior. But that
doesn't seem to be very effective. <br>
<br>
To be candid, if the Vision 2020 posters can't find topics more
worthy than mocking an elected official's comments about "moral
decline" it is time to shut the blog site down. There is little to
be gained by allowing individuals to denigrate our community and its
residents by lending credibility to the small-minded mean and nasty
comments of the few. <br>
<br>
Perhaps the VIZ has served its purpose and its usefulness. Or,
perhaps there should be some "rules" or "protocols" for the
Vision2020 site. Perhaps the site should be restructured - charge
small fee, get a new site, establish rules and protocols. <br>
<br>
Perhaps those that wish to continue poor behavior and actions that
would denigrate selected individuals should acquire their own blog
site and post whatever they wish.<br>
<br>
If the VIZ is to continue, its patrons should consider a refocus on
the stated goals and objectives of the VIZ.<br>
<br>
Finally, according to the Vision2020 website:<br>
<br>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="400">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="400">Vision 2020 has no bylaws,
budget or membership requirements. Its activities
are coordinated by a <u>three-member steering
committee chosen annually by consensus</u>.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
By the way, who are the individuals currently serving on the
Steering Committee and when is the election for the positions held?<br>
<br>
<br>
<h3>Vision 2020 Mission Statement Adopted March 1995</h3>
<ol>
<li>To ensure that all parts of our community have an opportunity
to take part in visualizing and planning for the community's
future. <br>
<br>
</li>
<li>To strengthen citizens' sense of community by promoting
awareness, ownership and investment in Moscow's future. <br>
<br>
</li>
<li>To foster cooperation among (and public involvement with) the
agencies and organizations that plan for and make decisions
about the future of Moscow and Latah County. <br>
<br>
</li>
<li>To raise awareness on the part of citizens and public
officials that: <br>
<br>
<ol>
<li>uncontrolled and unplanned growth may have negative
effects. <br>
<br>
</li>
<li>short-term decisions have long-term consequences. </li>
</ol>
<br>
</li>
<li>To inform ourselves about growth and development issues. <br>
<br>
</li>
<li>To have fun thinking critically and creatively.</li>
</ol>
<br>
</div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div><span>=======================================================</span><br><span> List services made available by First Step Internet,</span><br><span> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.</span><br><span> <a href="http://www.fsr.net">http://www.fsr.net</a></span><br><span> <a href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com">mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com</a></span><br><span>=======================================================</span></div></blockquote></body></html>