vision2020
Re: How to be an obstructionist in one easy lesson.
Unfortunately, for those involved in the process, public discussion is
sometimes the only way to derail a foregone conclusion. Thus the "Wal-Mart"
solution is to hide what you are up to until it is too late to stop. That
is how we level wheat fields for a non existent big box superstore and end
up with mud flats.
On the other hand, apathetic or simply uninterested populace can allow the
chance for public discussion go by the wayside and allow our public
institutions to go about their business with little "obstruction". This is
how the school board can simply eliminate the GPA requirement for graduation
from high school.
John and Laurie Danahy
jdanahy@turbonet.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Cooke" <scooke@uidaho.edu>
To: "Vision2020 Listserver list" <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 11:43 AM
Subject: How to be an obstructionist in one easy lesson.
> Dear Visionaries,
> At the urging of Ms. Salant, I have an idea of how it is particularly easy
> to be considered an obstructionist to economic development in a small town
> like Moscow. My idea begins with Pricilla's statement to me that she is
not
> an obstructionist to economic development. Rather, she wants an open
> economic development process in which citizens get to participate and have
> their say if not their way.
> I would say that Pricilla's objective is a v. laudable goal and one to
> which I subscribe. And yet consider the other side of the coin. If, for
> example, you are a member of the Moscow-Latah County Economic Development
> Commission or other public or semi-public decision-making body and if you
> have an idea for development, what are your incentives to bring the idea
> forward for public debate? Unfortunately, I would argue, not much.
> If people disagree with your idea, then they may be obstructionists as
Steve
> Lyons alleges. If people agree with the idea, then the public discussion
> just slows the process down with perhaps no added benefit. Also if you
> announce your plans for development too far in advance, others will busy
> themselves in the background to maximize the monetary effect for
themselves.
> This latter point explains in part why Wal-Mart does not announce that it
is
> looking for a site in the community, but rather sends a surrogate to
> purchase the land in advance of announcing their intentions.
> Public participation in development decision-making increases the
> transactions costs, i.e., the time it takes to make a decision, in the
short
> run and may not add value in the long run. Transactions costs are just
that,
> more costs of development, i.e., obstructionist. This is the dilemma that
> groups like Vision 2020 are up against and why people like Steve Lyons
have
> a point, albeit a painful one to hear. It is also why this list serve is
v.
> important to keep the dialogue on Moscow's (and Pullman's) development in
> the future open and honest in spite of these incentives.
> Steve Cooke
>
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