Planning City-County future

[Rod Nixon <rodnixon@turbonet.com>]

I am fairly new to the Vision2020 discussion, and have drawen
interset  in what people feel needs to addressed in regards of. setting
plans for the future of Moscow/Latah County. Having attended the
community retreat and talking to inviduals at the workplace, Moscow
seems to have a very cautious approach to any growth this city could
have. While Moscow is not close to be a boom city like Post Falls, Cd'A
or the Boise , we may be looking at a future not to far off where Moscow
will become a favored place to live when those cities will (at least
already have) become less desireable. After having toured thru the
Southwest last summer, I saw many communities that had both good and bad
growth. The question is--how can Moscow, with a population of 18,000,
with a major university and a very important industry base (i.e.
agriculture) develop into a sizable city without forfeiting its
"small-town".atmosphere?.                                                             
I would like to see things happen here, but like the .swimming pool levy
(I ran across a lot of long-time residents who questioed such a luxury
for a town the size of this) there is alot of people who fear growth.
Alot of people think "Seattle" and that is not what they want to see
here. Either do I. But Moscow needs to look into the future with eyes
wide open, or it it going to be left behind. There is alot at stake
here--the livabilty of such a place, that should not be be pushed away
for the sake of growth, but to incorporate it into a feasible growth
management plan..