vision2020@moscow.com: Re: Moscow's proposed swimming pool

Re: Moscow's proposed swimming pool

schmidt6 (schmidt6@TurboNET.com)
Sun, 22 Mar 1998 22:48:32 -0800

>Dear Jack and Priscilla,
I speak only for myself in this.
I have found the "committee" members very open to any questions. I have
called, e-mailed them or spoken to them in person. I have been very
impressed with their open and thoughtful responses. Further, the research
undertaken by these volunteers was extensive.
We all have opinions. We all have biases or positions that influence
our choices. I have struggled with this pool decision. Should I speak loudly
and forcefully on behalf of whichever proposal best fits my needs? Or should
I consider the good of the whole community in casting my vote?
I serve on a School District committee. We voted to support only an
indoor option.
I am a Swim Team Parent. We would like a fifty meter pool indoor or out.
However... after many discussions with well-informed "committee"(why
the quotes?) members, I have come to support the out door recreation pool.
I hear from your letter that you have questions regarding the
process whereby a recommendation was made.I too have questions about that
process. It sounds like you think an adequate crosssection or sampling would
validate the appropriate choice. I question this assumption.
Your letter spoke of "voters". Is that who should get a vote on the
proposed pool design or just in the bond election? And are we just serving
the voters? Or the swimmers? Or the people who go to meetings? Who are the
customers?
Honestly, no one can know the answers to these silly questions.
Further, no one can know everything there is to know about a swimming pool
design, this community and its future. All we can do is do our best. I
believe the people asked by the mayor did a very good job with their
assigned task.
Now, we citizens get to ask ourselves, who do we serve? If our job
is to stand up for our self interest as the free market economy would like
us to believe, then I would probably vote twice against this pool design.
And I'm sure in this town there are thirty-some percent of the voters who
will see this design as not serving their specific needs..... Then where are
we?
No pool.
I think this pool design and location will serve this community well.
Dan Schmidt


This archive courtesy of:
First Step Internet