Marshall Comstock |
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(candidate for 2001 Mayor) |
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1.
How can the mayor and City Council better communicate information about issues
facing city government to citizens? What specific strategies would you advocate
to inform the public about pending decisions?
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We should utilize all forms of public media including: local newspapers,
public education government television channel, City of Moscow Web page, and
Moscow Vision 2020.
What specific strategies would you advocate to inform the public about pending decisions?
Publish the minutes and agendas for upcoming committee and council meetings.
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2.
Do you believe that public (taxpayer) money should be used for
maintenance of the 1912 building?
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Yes, I think that public (tax) money should be used for a portion of
maintenance and operation of the 1912 Community Center. Because the city
will have a presence and use the building for city programs and operations,
we should be responsible for a percentage of the costs. The fees collected
from the differing user groups will be used to offset the majority of the
maintenance costs.
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3.
Currently, much of the discussion of controversial items takes place
at the city's two committees: Finance/Public Works and
Administration. Do you favor televising these meetings over the
city's public-access channel so the public can have greater insights
into the council's decisions? Why or why not?
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I do not favor televising public works/finance and administrative committee
meetings. 1) The public audience will be extremely limited during meeting
times, which usually occur in the late afternoon or early morning hours. 2)
The cost of production would exceed the benefit derived. 3) Final decisions
are not made at the committee level. Although discussion and development of
a recommendation occur at these meetings, further discussion and final
decisions are made by the full council at council meetings which are
televised.
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4.
How would you assess the success of the Alturas Technology Park in
attracting new business to Moscow? Does the City Council have any
role in trying to attract additional businesses to locate in the
park?
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I would assess the success of Alturas Technology Park as marginally
successful at this point. The technology industry is in a slump at this time
but I am optimistic for the future. I still believe the creation of Alturas
was a good idea and as our economy strengthens, having a place for clean
industry with higher paying jobs is important.
Does the City Council have any role in trying to attract additional
businesses to locate in the park?
The city does have a role and is active through membership, partnership, and
participation, in the Latah Economic Development Council.
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5.
The depth of our aquifer continues to drop. Continuing land
development increases water use from that aquifer. Have we studied
this issue sufficiently? How can we address this problem?
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Basically, only of the dept of the deep aquifer is dropping. The City of
Moscow utilizes both the deep aquifer and the shallow aquifer for our water
needs. The shallow aquifer recharges itself on a continual basis. The
Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, of which the City Of Moscow has many
members, is currently studying the dynamics of both aquifers. This committee
through their studies will be developing recommendations for long term
solutions. We are actively involved in a program of water conservation
education, including distribution of free water conservation devices. We
should seek additional funding sources such as grants to be used towards
further study. The City of Moscow will be funding additional programs
through user fees in this years budget.
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6.
Should Moscow continue to support economic development by focusing on
increasing tourism to art-based events? Specifically, should the city
continue its support of the Rendezvous in the Park concert series?
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Yes the City of Moscow should continue to support economic development by
supporting tourism, including art based events. The City should continue to
support and be associated with Rendezvous in the Park at some level. It is
one of our City goals to study and implement art as a function of economic
development.
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7.
Many city boards and commissions currently have vacancies. What strategy
should the mayor use to attract more applications for these positions?
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Currently the City advertises for vacancies on the public education
government channel and on the city's web page. Other strategies that could
be utilized may be to advertise periodically in the local newspapers,
announce vacancies at public meetings, solicitation of new members from
current members of the council and advisory committees.
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8.
What process would you use for filling vacancies on the City Council,
should any occur during the next four years?
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The process I would use for filling a vacancy on the council would be to
advertise and encourage public application, and to seek about and interview
prospective candidates that have the same view points and philosophy as the
elected council member that would be replaced.
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