vision2020
Re: Moscow P&Z Commission
Issues orientation typically is motivated by three, sometimes
interrelated, factors --
1) pocketbook/purse affects stemming from public/private decisions
(new fees, taxes, assessments, price hikes, etc)
2) impacts on family living, esp. related to "our children" --
schooling, recreation, safety, crime, abuse, etc.
3) ideology, in the sense that basic values become threatened in terms
of political controls, law violations, cultural extremism (Aryan nations!
-- or, some Native Americans might refer to white supremacy), police
repression, religious polarization, exploitation, etc.
Probably there are more highly specific issues that would concern small
segments of the community, based on neighborhood or contextual factors
realted to this or that decision by govt., but it seems to me that the
above items provide a rather broad canopy within which an advocacy group
could find issues worth exploring as they are affected by or processed by
local government agencies. The recent disclosures of negative effects
from planning and zoning on a Pullman neighborhood is a good example.
Public interests could have been better educated and alerted as to
possible negative as well as positive outcomes of P & Z decisions...?
How about the "price-fixing" (?) on gasoline which the
suppliers-retailers in Moscow-Pullman apparently apply (I just sent you
the results of my inquiries)? These seem to be fair game for generating
wholesome, factually based discussions leading to consensus building in a
community about quality of life and its future. Farmers tell us that,
altho their grain yields have tripled over the past half century by using
chemical fertilizers, they admit that in time the chemicals will reach
underground drinking water. Is that fair to raise as a public concern
now, before our children must face a critical point for community
survival? Etc., etc.
------------------------
William K. Medlin
Dev-plan associates
930 Kenneth Street
Moscow ID 83843
208/892-0148
dev-plan@moscow.com
Back to TOC