vision2020
RE: $5 million windfall
Dear friends,
I too agree that the citizens must decide. We, however, need to learn how to
make important decisions. I see our society a combative one; I see people
taking sides before the facts are on the table; I see people being attached
to their opinion. For democracy to work for the betterment of the society
that society needs to be active in the decision-making. This, however,
requires knowledge, communication, and consultation not opinionated,
self-serving debate. I am not blaming anyone here... I am just saying that
the group that Dr. Medlin is assembling and the active members of this
discussion group need to take the lead and help create a cooperative
atmosphere instead of a hostile one. Making popular decisions is not
synonymous to making the right decision... look at WWII Germany! To assure
that the popular view is the right way to approach the situation the
populous have to educate themselves with the facts and consult in a spirit
of cooperation.
I think we would agree that the ultimate reason for this group is to make
the right decisions for our community. It is always easy to criticize others
for their actions and opinions. The fact remains that the right thing to do
is decided upon by enlightened consultation not closed minded prejudice.
Your brother in arms,
Shahab...
Shahab Mesbah
Technical Director
Meteor Light Labs
Voice (208) 883-9765
Fax (208) 883-2678
www.meteorlabs.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Hovey [mailto:suehovey@moscow.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2000 12:11 PM
To: Ken Medlin; Priscilla Salant; Moscow Vision 2020; Adams; Ament; Bird;
Busch; Butters; Curley; Fleischer; Gossett; Harris; Holmes; Lamar; London;
McDonnell; McMillan; Mesbah; Murray; Neill; Pall; Potter; Ramsay; Remington;
Ringo; Sarff; Scott; Swanson; Teeter; Tribble; Weitz
Subject: Re: $5 million windfall
I cast my vote with Ken. Whatever we do, there needs to be broad based
community discussion before we begin. And it is very important that young
people be involved in the discussion. Also, I like the idea that community
should be a broader concept that we sometimes refer to. A plan to include
people from Troy, Genesee, Potlatch would be a good one.
Sue
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Medlin <dev-plan@moscow.com>
To: Priscilla Salant <psalant@moscow.com>; Moscow Vision 2020
<vision2020@moscow.com>; Adams <adams@pcei.org>; Ament <aaron@mbspbs.com>;
Bird <kbird@uidaho.edu>; Busch <steveb@moscow.com>; Butters
<paradise@moscow.com>; Curley <curley@turbonet.com>; Fleischer
<fleisher@fsr.com>; Gossett <eldonna@moscowchamber.com>; Harris
<charris@uidaho.edu>; Holmes <ncmholmes@moscow.com>; Lamar <lamar@pcei.org>;
London <bill_london@hotmail.com>; McDonnell <mcdonnell@sd281.k12.id.us>;
McMillan <jmcmillan@fbnw.com>; Mesbah <meteor2@moscow.com>; Murray
<jbiggs50@hotmail.com>; Neill <rentals@palouseproperties.com>; Pall
<lpall@moscow.com>; Potter <3d@turbonet.com>; Ramsay <barry_ramsay@d8.com>;
Remington <mia@moscow.com>; Ringo <RingoShirl@aol.com>; Sarff
<davesway@hotmail.com>; Salant <psalant@moscow.com>; Scott
<scottcamas@turbonet.com>; Swanson <bjswan@mo
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: $5 million windfall
> >What is the best process for deciding how to use the generous bequest
from
> >Bob Hamilton?
> Priscilla & Visionaries: As for PROCESS, I recommend that each
> neighborhood, defined on the basis of our elementary school districts,
> schedule a meeting, using the PAT's as the organizational vehicle,
> between now and Summer vacation to thoroughly discuss and lay out their
> priorities. Only by broadeningthe citizen base, and also including as
> many children in the act as well (teachers can have kids 'dream' about
> what they want, they can draw sketches, etc.) -- at all school levels.
> Let the PAT's collect this information and feed it back into whatever
> city advisory group is formed to oversee the funds' uses. When people
> are involved everybody benefits, even if it's a bit cumbersome to
> administer -- every community thrives when as many people as possible are
> activated.
>
> I repeat my view in a previous post and support John Danahy's appeal also
> that a substantial portion -- perhaps 20 - 50%, depending on people's,
> not just city hall's or some other leadership group's sense of
> priorities --be invested for a perpetually revolving fund for this
> community's future youth needs. I think too that we ought to consider our
> outlying little towns as potential users of Moscow's youth facilities.
> This city serves others in many ways, and children ought to be included
> whenever possible.
>
> This post is being forwarded also to members of a community caucus that
> met in February to discuss the issues and problems, the future character,
> and the sense of community in Moscow and environs. We need to keep the
> discussions going and get involved in public policy review. That's the
> democratic process, if indeed we believe in it.
> Hopefully these ideas are useful. Thanks for the opportunity. Ken M.
>
> ------------------------
> William K. Medlin
> Dev-plan associates
> 930 Kenneth Street
> Moscow ID 83843
> 208/892-0148
> dev-plan@moscow.com
>
>
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