thoughts on public process

["Priscilla Salant" <psalant@moscow.com>]

Visionaries:

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about plans for a new high school in Moscow. Once again, Vision 2020 has shown itself to be a great way to motivate discussion on the fly. It has also made me reflect on what we’ve learned in the last few years about engaging the public in making local policy decisions. Take, for example, four issues that have been before us recently. Here is how I remember the public input and decision making process in each case. (Please correct me if I’m wrong.)

Alturas Business Park: Decision to use tax increment financing as incentive to attract high quality, good wage jobs to Moscow. Concerns expressed over fairness and development implications were allayed by a well-organized and informative series of public forums. The subsequent decision to allow a law firm to re-locate from downtown to the Business Park led some to feel sold out and disillusioned.

1912 Center: Extensive public input process facilitated by a professional and staffed by a Use Committee appointed by the Mayor. Multiple forums, presentations, discussion on the listserv, etc. Council decision to proceed with private funds only. Still, a group of citizens (how many we don’t know) strongly oppose the project -- some feel they were never consulted, others that they were ignored.

Swimming pool: Again, an extensive public input process, followed by an election in which the proposal won some 70 percent of the vote. But again, some people had serious reservations about building an outdoor pool in Moscow, others thought it was too expensive. Marshall’s warning that we might not get another chance to build a pool for ten years probably swayed a lot of voters.

Corridor: Almost no public input, except in public hearings that pitted proponents against opponents and completely throttled creativity and civil discussion.

And now come plans for a new high school. It goes without saying that we will NEVER achieve consensus on this one, but the last few days of discussion on the listserv make me wonder -- what is the best way for us as a community to become informed about the issues, debate the options, and motivate creative thinking?

I admit to not having stayed on top of the district’s plans for a new high school. I was aware of the public meetings a year ago but for one reason or another, couldn’t attend. Now the district is doing its homework, coming up with a plan to put before the public. But I have a sinking feeling it will feel like a done deal when we see it. I’m not singling out the school district for criticism, because I think at least some people have felt the same way about all these other issues. (And I’m not rejecting out of hand a 40-acre high school on the edge of town before I understand the issues, altho I’m sorely tempted!) When we finally tune in, we are presented with a proposal that is so far developed that our only choices are yes or no, not, let’s consider all the options first and follow John D's lead in being open about what the future will bring.

Given that we all lead full and often over-committed lives already, is there a better way to do this?

--Priscilla Salant