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THE CITY THIS WEEK: AN OCCASIONAL VIEW FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER
October 28 - November 3, 2001
from Linda Pall, Moscow City Council
Dear Visionaries:
I’m trying to get a jump on Thanksgiving this year….
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
To the League of Women Voters for sponsoring the candidates’ forum last Thursday. It takes a lot of effort to produce these events and the community is truly benefited by the opportunity to ask questions of those of us who want to serve you in elective office.
To all of the growers, producers and artisans who made the 2001 Farmers Market such a huge success. Every Saturday morning from May to October is another edition of Moscow’s continuing Downtown and Friendship Square party. What a gift all of these people give to Moscow! It takes a lot of effort to plan, grow, pick, clean, arrange, transport, set up and eventually sell the produce, baked goods, jams, flowers, vegetables, meat, coffee, pottery, cute stuff, etc., etc. What will we all do on Saturday mornings now? Does the 1912 Center present a possible solution?
To the 1912 Committee for producing a GREAT grand opening last Saturday. When Bob Staab announced that he would thank people in groups, I thought "Good! I’m glad to have done what I could to help this project along but it’s really time to acknowledge the widespread support and enthusiasm that has grown as the years of consideration and work have accumulated!" Then, I was surprised, honored and touched by Priscilla Salant’s generous remarks about my efforts to save and reuse this building… but "mother of the building?" I am happy to acknowledge this child but I hope my next "mother" job will have a shorter gestation and labor!
To the UI Jazz Lab IV Band for an evening of superior big band jazz that made the 1912 Center REALLY swing… and what a great bunch of dancers from all over the Palouse! I even got excited and into the Conga line! I left just before the end of the dance, intentionally, because it was such a pleasure to walk out into the dark and rainy night across the plaza and look back at the jam-packed dance floor, hearing the band blasting out a Count Basie standard and seeing a couple hundred people have the time of their lives. That’s why we all worked so hard to save this building and give it a new life.
To all of the generous people who donated the money to make the first phase of this project a reality.
What’s your list of thank yous?
Joint Meeting of the Administrative Committee and Public Works/Finance…
Tomorrow, Monday, October 29, we have a joint meeting coming up of the Council committees for the main purpose of discussing the upcoming community survey that will be distributed in November and collected and analyzed in December.
The survey will ask some important questions about Moscow’s quality of life and city residents’ degree of satisfaction with everything from streets and water to parks and land development. With the sampling techniques to be employed, we hope to get data which will be statistically valid and an accurate, representative snapshot of Moscow’s public opinion as 2001 winds down.
This data will help us plan for the future and will be a significant factor in the Council’s strategic planning efforts which resume in early 2002. Strategic planning is an activity that organizations, public and private, undertake to get some kind of handle on the direction, priorities and future of their organization. Strategic planning has been credited with re-orienting organizations to new productivity and support. It has helped organizations clarify their roles and goals to reach more realistic and positive outcomes for their clients, staff and stakeholders. It can be tremendously valuable for future planning and practical prioritizing, including any budget downsizing that might be required.
So, come and take a look at where we are in this process. You can get a copy of the proposal as it sits now from the City Clerk or City Administrator, Third Floor, City Hall. We’ll be slicing and dicing tomorrow afternoon…
Halloween…Eeeeeek!!! Last Full Moon on Oct. 31 for many years!
Hope for a clear night because this is the Halloween that coincides with a full moon… It will not reoccur for years and years!
Ghoulies and ghosties and long leggity beasties and things that go bump in the night are all welcome at my house for treats (hold the tricks) Wednesday night between 6 and 9 P.M. 304 East A Street, NE corner of A and Jefferson, across from Russell School. For what it’s worth, I love this holiday and all the little kids and even the big kids who dress up so creatively.
I remember when my son Zach, now 27 and working in community mediation, decided as a high school student to go as the National Endowment of the Arts, when the NEA was under fire during the first Bush Administration for controversial art projects. I still laugh when I think of it. I look forward to seeing this year’s crop… from the babies and kids to the almost adults. Y’all come!
Kenworthy Performing Arts Center and Rendezvous in Moscow: Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women November 3…
Wow and whee! I am totally excited about the first show and the second this Saturday, November 3. We will have a stunning evening with Moscow’s own Hot Flashes opening the shows. There is an early show (I think 5:30 PM) and there’s the late show at 8:30 PM. Get your tickets NOW because they are going FAST. Downtown is great fun and we are looking to see even more of these great events to make Downtown the destination resort it can be!
Yes, the election is coming…
The formal voter education forums concluded with last Thursday’s League of Women Voters panel at the 1912 Center. If you have questions of any of the candidates, contact them directly. The Vision 2020 candidates’ questionnaire has contact information attached. Use it!
A lot of the questions, difficulties and comments on this listserve are issues that prospective candidates for mayor and council will have to address if elected. Your voice IS your vote… Tuesday, November 6, 8 AM to 8 PM at the Fairgrounds. Be there or be square… or disenfranchised!
Happy autumn, everyone!
All the best,
Linda
The City This Week October 28- November 3, 2001.doc