In my opinion the process of the swimming pool selection committe was a
perfect example of how a diverse group of people from throughout the community
(and county since I am a county resident, like Lois Melina) were brought
together for a common goal and reached concensus on an issue. We arrived at
something that is becoming rarer than diamonds and gold in society today,
namely the ability to reach a compromise! We all came from different
backgrounds, had our owns ideas, opinions, circles of friends, desires for a
pool, etc., but when all the information was collected and analyzed we were
UNANIMOUS in our vote for the recommended pool facility.
As the old saying goes, "You can't please all the people all of the time or
even some of the people some of the time", but the swimming pool committee
operated very effectively within the constraints given by the City Council. I
believe that we delivered a product that each committe member is proud of and
will meet the needs of the greatest number of people in Moscow. Their
unanimous support for the project was exhibited by the fact that all 11
members of the committee were present for the City Council's vote on the issue
last night. That would not have been the case if the committee was split in
their support for the proposed pool.
Compromise is truly a rare thing these days, particularly as time goes on it
seems. So many people want 100% of "their" desires and will accept nothing
less. It's easy for individuals to criticize the pool committee's efforts
when its finding through months of research don't agree with one's own
"personal" desire. However, making erroneous accusations of dissention and
disagreement among the committe is not only false, but serves no useful
purpose at this time.
We must rally together behind this proposal, so we can at least get a
wonderful pool for the citizen of Moscow and the surrounding area!! Children,
families, the elderly, etc. will all appreciate the new pool once it's
constructed. Have those of you who are criticizing the current design ever
thought that it may be highly successful like the leisure pool in Moses Lake??
It is highly likely we can make a yearly profit on it and retire the bond
early!
With the site the city is purchasing, there will be great opportunities for
other facilities to be added in the future, including the possibility of an
indoor pool. I personally would love to see this added down the road (along
with an ice skating rink--that's my pet project!). The petty bickering that
has occurred will only decrease the possibility of future projects being
supported and approved. I hope the community can come together (like the
swimming pool selection committee did) in exuberantly supporting this
project!!!
We can research public opinion for years. The decision has been made and now
is the time to draw together for the good of the community! I encourage all
of you readers to support the proposed pool in the May election. The pool
committee members would all be more than willing to share the findings of our
extensive research efforts. Over 40 other facilities were consulted and I
think we should learn from their mistakes rather than repeating them! Let's
move forward and meet the needs of the community!
***************************************
Jim Mital
Forest Soil Scientist/Ecologist
Clearwater National Forest
phone: (208) 476-8348
fax: (208) 476-8329
email: jmital/r1_clearwater@fs.fed.us
***************************************