vision2020@moscow.com: Re: Ordinance hearing
Re: Ordinance hearing
Mark Trahant (trahant@earthlink.net)
Wed, 26 Mar 1997 11:12:05 -0800 (PST)
VizFolk:
I usually don't respond to these sorts or barbs, but in this case we have
covered the issue. Perhaps not as well as we should have, but we certainly
have not ignored the whole process, either.
Frankly, it's a tough one because it is not a story that is naturally
interesting. It's process. Further, there is no consensus on the issue.
There is a great division between property rights and future community
quality - making it all that more difficult to chronicle with real people
instead of bureaucrats predictions about the future.
FYI. We have written at least 3 front page stories since the first of the
year, Dustin Solberg's most recent acount of the 40-acre rule.
Moreover, is the press the only responsible entity? I have invited, more
than once, interested parties to visit our editorial board for a discussion
of the issue. So far nothing. The invitation is always open. There is also
a spot for letters, op-ed pieces and other contributions. Again, almost
nothing. Finally, the attendance at the community meetings suggests that,
for what ever reason, the issue is not connecting with readers.
I write this because I care. Any ideas about how we can write this so it
will engage people is more than welcome. It's worth trying a new approach.
But I am not sure how to do that in a way that will matter. Thanks.
>The complete lack of coverage of this issue by the local press is nothing
>short of scandalous. This is an issue that will affect every resident of
>the county, both in lifestyle and in the pocketbook.
>
>Oh well, I honestly believe we've done everything we can to seek public
>input despite that ineptitude. I hope we've designed a reasonable
>compromise that will take the County into the next century, permitting some
>rural growth without rampant development of the countryside. See you there.
>
>Dennis Geist
>vice chair, LCPC
Mark N. Trahant
Editor & Publisher
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
409 S. Jackson
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 882-5561 ext. 247
fax (208) 883-8205
Check out our Web site: www.dnews.com
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