Vision Meeting

["david sarff" <davesway@hotmail.com>]

James Madison said this:
"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of 
acquiring it, is
         but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps, both. 
Knowledge will forever
         govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors 
must arm
         themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
         Letter to W. T. Barry, August 4, 1822 (Madison, 1865, III, page 
276)

After attending a meeting of concerned citizens about the future of our 
little pocket of the world, I felt that the above statement might apply 
somewhat to the consensus.  I was overall pleased with the outcome.
I look forward to some sort of benefit for the community as a result.
I understand that several folks felt that most of the discussion was just a 
rehash of the same old stuff.
There was also some apprehension about the reality that information gathered 
and compiled might likely get shelved, as often it happens. Their concern is 
a valid one.  As a kid growing up in Moscow I remember reading and hearing 
about things like comprehensive plans and future planning struggles. As a 
young adult I felt that the town was not getting its act together and so 
opted to head out of town a bit, to stay out of the fray and leave the city 
life to the people who prefer that sort of surrounding…. And at the same 
time still keep a sense of place. …Bad choice.
  It became clear that even living a few miles out of town, it still left me 
affected by what I consider inappropriate growth patterns.
  Being outside of the city limits pretty much leaves a person out of the 
representation process of town,
unless of course it involves the subjects like the Impact Zone that the City 
and County share…
This particular server list has become a medium where I have been able to 
share at least some of the old
sense of place and concern for the future that I and others seem to believe 
in retaining .
The face-to-face meeting Saturday was another step in the process of what I 
consider a search for a better cross representation of the populace.
My hope is that a more effective means of acquiring popular information and 
providing it to those who govern will contribute to a healthy vibrant future 
community.
   As a new spring season is soon returning …Seeds have been planted…May 
they get all they need to flower and fruit.

David Sarff




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