[MissoulaGov] Goals for Council

[Andrew Stickney]

List,

Following up on Kate's remarks - ultimately we have to remember that
amidst all the wonderful policy discussion that occurs on MissoulaGov,
there is also politics - after all, the topic is ultimately city
government. Some of us are more skilled than others in blending the
two together than others, both when reading and writing responses. We
also vary as subscribers in our tolerances for "how much politics" we
can accept in a day - especially when the ideas come on strong in
opposition to or own values.

I think that we should learn to "read between the lines" in these
emails - ultimately both Eric Taylor and Patrick Nooney were
essentially defending UM's College of Forestry and Conservation
against the idea that it just train tree-cutters, which it doesn't.
Eric just took more of a straight-to-the-facts approach while Patrick
added in a side of his political views. The political additions
require the need for all of us to develop a bit of a thick skin, and
let the barbs (made tongue-in-cheek or not) glance off rather than
pierce and offend - unless it turns personal or "ad hominem", which is
unacceptable for a public forum.

I think they both had good points to make. Eric had some great ideas
about collaboration between the U/USFS and the city for the urban
forest. Patrick did wisely remind us about the state of the economy
and the lack of funds at any level.

However, what he failed to mention - and what I offer - is that
"in-kind services" - in the form of internships for students or
research opportunities are an excellent bridge in that gap.

Students would love to be paid for internships or research studies
that enhance their education (since they truly are often quite poor
with student loans and housing/rent piling up). However, ultimately if
they are offered a genuine opportunity to help the city out through an
internship or research opportunity that gives them academic credit
(the university's contribution), experience in a professional work
environment, or maybe even get published in a journal - that's a heck
of a resume and career builder and a way to see if they picked the
right field of study - even if it's a volunteer position....and an
opportunity for civic engagement (what a concept!).

Hope this helps bring some perspective....

Andrew Stickney
stickneyal at gmail.com



On Sat, Feb 13, 2010 at 11:29 AM,  <kjerrim at missoula.com> wrote:
> I think a good point was raised about our older trees and a need to look at
> the issue. Subsequently, the post was picked apart and word smithed. though
> I imagine some of it was tongue and cheek even so I can see why a person who
> posts with this response would wonder why post, why participate.
>
>  To illustrate what I mean I posted the comment about not planting fruit
> trees in the rattlesnake. obviously Geoff is well aware of bear issues and
> didnt mean that we should make bear attractants, he like eric was simply
> calling for tree "awareness" as it it were.  I guess in response to Patrick
> I would ask how does this sentence-"One would think that a town with a
> University Forestry School, a Forest Service Regional Headquarters, a city
> Urban Forester, and numerous sustainability organizations, it would be
> feasible to bring together a strong coalition of folks to address our
> neglected urban forest" imply
> that and I will quote you here "our tress were neglected by a nefarious
> force"..... I am just not getting that.....even on a quick read.
>
> So in the final analysis I think we shouldnt be so literal in reading one
> anothers posts. I mean this is email not a term paper after all. But then
> again maybe we should get the UM English Dept to participate.......Kate
> Ybarra
>
>
>
>
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