The Consensus Building Exercise is interesting but with more thought and
respect to the history of the pool project, perhaps we are trying to
reinvent the wheel. The Pool Committee itself was appointed by the Mayor to
be the "Consensus Builder" after years of open discussion and debate that
was leading no where. To move forward, using a "representative form of
government," the Mayor appointed a Pool Committee with members
"representing" the diverse interests of the community . In the beginning,
the Pool Committee was split on the indoor vs. outdoor design too. After 22
weeks of "consensus building," the proposed design was agreed upon. All
issues being brought up now on Vision 2020 were also addressed , debated and
resolved by the "representative" committee. Many issues were presented in a
series of informative displays manned by committee members at the Palouse
Mall and other locations around town. All committee members wore little
badges around town to solicit public input. The issues are very
complicated; each small issue is part of a bigger issue, ie design vs.
highest usage vs. initial cost vs. future costs vs. voter approval. The
project proposed is a compromise of all these issues. The issue now seems
to be one of communication and trust. If we can put our own prejudices
aside, have a broader "vision" and trust in community representation, we
will have a new pool. In view of the time, effort and compromise that has
gone into this project, it would seem extremely difficult to organize
another campaign that would have any greater chance of succeeding; and the
two to five year timeframe would certainly shortchange our kids.
B. J. Swanson
bjswan@moscow.com