[MissoulaGov] Goals for Council

Sat Feb 13 13:18:23 MST 2010

Thanks Andrew.  Along those lines it would help, when asked for ideas, if we could brainstorm and create a list rather than poo-poo others' creative thinking.  After all,we all want the best for Missoula and the ideas come in all forms and shapes.  I love seeing all of the discussion but do get tired of the bantering about how bad one person's idea might be compared to others.     

Janet

> From: stickneyal at gmail.com
> Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:32:50 -0700
> To: kjerrim at missoula.com
> CC: missoulagov at cmslists.com
> Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Goals for Council
> 
> 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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