[Vision2020] Conciliation? A Few Points Missed

[Jim Meyer]

Jon,
I am one of the first to agree with you (and Tom Hudson) that we need to
keep our sense of community and that we need to trust that we are all
working together toward making the community a better place.

However, working together implies trust. Trust requires honesty and mutual
concern. Christ Church and it's related organizations obviously show no
concern for the rest the community by word or action. They have broken their
trust with the community by a series of behaviors and actions, the sum of
which would lead most people to conclude that Christ Church knowingly and
with forethought, attempted to defraud the community of tax dollars that
were due to the community. That means you, me, Tom, and everyone else in the
community having to make up all those tax dollars lost due to undeserved
property tax exemptions.

If it was just one or two actions, it might be possible to give them the
benefit of the doubt and it would be easy to say it was just a mistake. If
you actually research the issue, you will find a pattern of omission and
deception that can't possibly be accidental. Go to the "Not on the Palouse"
website and see the BOE hearing information for yourself, that is, if you
have a day or two and want to really learn the issues. If you can't take the
time, then your words and Tom's have considerably less powers of persuasion
(not to mention doing little to help the community).

I feel strongly that acquiescence to illegal behavior does not build
community spirit and in fact, costs us all.  Equal application of the law
and fair taxation is something that should be the goal of everyone in the
community. How about you?

Jim Meyer

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 11:08:32 -0700
From: "Jon Kimberling" <jon at n-k-ins.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] conflict of interest
To: "Carl Westberg" <carlwestberg846 at hotmail.com>, "Vision2020"
<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Message-ID: <010801c47b17$37fae3f0$02a8a8c0 at Jon>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

If you substitute the word "input" for the word "oversight", I believe we
come much closer to what may have transpired. I worked as closely with Paul
as perhaps anyone in the community in 2002/2003 while I was President of the
Chamber and then for the year or so I was on City Council. I know he would
seek and consider input from any citizen of the county including members of
Christ Church.

I also believe that the recent questions point out that it's easy for any of
us to stumble when we are on the public stage. I know I tell my staff
everyday to help me with my blind spots. However, I believe Tom Hudson said
it best in the editorial he sent to the paper earlier this week. I thank him
for allowing me to share it with you. See below.

Jon Kimberling
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

August 3, 2004

Dear Editor,

One of the keys to greatness in any town is an intangible: sense of
community.  Those places that have it accomplish great tasks even in the
face of adversity.  Those that don't have little chance to do so.  So often
these days, I find towns struggling with their problems, lost in infighting.
In the face of difficulty, they circle the wagons and shoot inward.

Recently, I've seen a growing number of Moscowans take this destructive
tack.  We are quickly losing our common sense of community.  Rather than
collaborate with our leaders, we attack them.  Rather than agree to disagree
with our neighbors, we deride those who espouse a different view than our
own.  We've developed cliques that hammer away at each other on a daily
basis.  Our media fan the flames of controversy.

Rumor and speculation have started overwhelming fact and reason.  In some
cases, this inclination has reached the level of 'feeding frenzy,' where
commentary is more rabid than rational.  We're hurting each other now, with
little to show for the effort except a decline in our precious sense of
community.

A case in point: I, for one, don't know all the facts about the issues
enveloping Paul Kimmell, our County Commissioner and Chamber Executive.  I
do know Paul, however.  Those who don't should be introduced to him.  He is
a man of great integrity, intelligence and humility.  I feel blessed to call
him my friend and associate.  I am humbled by the quality of his character.
Please take time to meet this man before you judge him.  Like most of us, he
is doing his level best to make our community a better place.  Are you?

Tom Hudson



The Hudson Company

P.O. Box 8645

Moscow, ID  83843

ph: (208) 883-2890

fx: (208) 882-9283

Email: thudson at thehudsonco.com

Website: www.thehudsonco.com