As a Moscow resident, I've found the meetings in other towns around the
county to be extrememly informative in terms of understanding different
perspectives than my own. I encourage people from Moscow to attend the
meeting in Deary tonight, and listen to what others have to say.
As I understand it, there are several sample surveys in the works or being
proposed to gather public opinion on local growth and development issues.
Perhaps the greatest shortcoming of previous efforts in Latah County was
that people hadn't been talking about or particularly engaged in the subject
beforehand. Few articles had appeared in the newspaper, public officials
hadn't discussed the issues, and no community-based planning efforts had
taken place. Hence, the level of understanding and interest was minimal. I
see the County Planning Commission's town meetings as one good way to
stimulate debate and help inform the public.
If you can't make the meeting in Deary tonight, the last in the series will
be held on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in the Moscow City Hall.
Priscilla Salant
Department of Agricultural Economics
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6210
(509) 335-7613
(509) 335-1173 FAX