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Geoff you really want to turn towards the Chamber of Commerce? I think we are just asking for more trouble whether it is tomorrow or ten years down the road, by turning towards bigger money looking for help. Besides the Chamber of Commerce will do sleezy things like trying to stop movements of the general populous before they even get going (been to a city council meeting to argue about it before).<br><br>Large manufacturing places may not have business, but realistically we were only benefiting from the money not the product. This seems like a mediocre point but we can make decision that are not dependent on such a national level.<br><br>Making housing affordable I think is key. I have a large appreciation for low income housing units adjusted to your income. What we need however is some way to convert already existing residences into this status through the current ownership. Instead of building more we can occupy what we have, we just have to figure out a way to subsidize or subside the expenses. I for recommend working out deals of subsiding. To me this means some new program to work with rental owners. Is that even possible? I have no idea. It does seems to me however that perhaps few options city council does have would be in part large tax breaks and then allocation of money that is granted to the city to fund a new type of low income housing option for processing or subsidizing. Further more local businesses could be benefited to some degree like this as well. <br><br>For the businesses that are small and struggling but provide necessary services and or product to the community - particularly the more local they are in general with product, services, and ownership - could apply for tax relief as well. On the flip side we keep or raise taxes on large consumer driven non-necessity businesses that are not local. If it is hard to do that perhaps it is easier if it is used under the condition of new policy/program funding. <br><br>Is it possible to put holds on debt that is owed? Could this be an option for local farms (or other things, grass fed buffalo ranchers whatever) so they could provide more food to people without sacrificing themselves? Can something like this be an option?<br><br>A relief situation for thrift stores would be good as well. Allow people in need of clothes to acquire them without the expenses of losing the store.<br><br>After that we need the ability for local people to start making local goods that are perhaps non-essential, but not at the price of losing everything they own. This creates jobs. <br><br><b>Call it libertarian if you want. </b><br><br>Soooo legally I might be considered insane but... If the national problems are hurting us then we need to separate from them. I am not proposing succeeding from the Union, but I am recommending we allow Missoula to become as independent as we can so that we are not facing problems of poverty. <br><br>I expect a lot of resistance but have no empathy towards those that are hurt by the economy in non-threatening ways towards their ability to simply live sheltered and fed. My faith in good citizens taking advantage of relief that allows less stressful life to continue however is high, it just has to happen. I expect somewhat of a stronger divide between a lot of people in Missoula and do not care for those not willing to be involved in their community. <br><br>Libertarian within the confines of zoning laws? Uh no thanks... I hate the idea of zoning laws but I hate the idea of community draining business arriving much more. <br><br>Oh yeah and bring on some gas tax! I would prefer it be much higher but if $.02 would help then bring it. <br><br><hr id="stopSpelling">Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 14:50:26 -0600<br>From: montuckyliberal@gmail.com<br>To: geoffb@ism.net<br>CC: missoulagov@cmslists.com<br>Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks<br><br>This is a fair conversation and I'd be eager to read ideas, but the bottom-line is that what the city council can do about our economy is relatively little. Our economy is hurting because the national economy is hurting. Watching mills close because of a combination of low demand, the Canadian supply, and other factors is something largely outside the city's control.<br>
<br>What the city can do is keep working to make Missoula's likely naturally oversaturated labor market (beautiful city + college = lots of smart people willing to work cheap) from being too harmful by increasing access to affordable housing, healthcare, and transportation.<br>
<br>Beyond that, what can be done locally? A small gas tax to raise revenue strikes me as a not bad idea, although I'm sure others will disagree. Missoula has major infrastructure needs and we need to pay for them somehow. Property taxes are quickly becoming a third rail. Local option sales taxes are repeatedly denied by the state. <br>
<br>What else might be a good idea in town? Rather than shuttering payday lenders, since the state has yet to act, we could work to get less predatory alternatives set up. Even if such programs lost money, they might save society a lot in the long run by helping break one of the downward spirals of poverty.<br>
<br>Dog leashes, cell phones, and bike helmets become big issues because they are tangible and easy. Economic development for real is hard, especially with the limited powers of city government.<br clear="all"><br>I should finally note that I think the zoning rewrite makes some small but important strides, in my understanding, toward clarification of messy rules that hamper some economic development in town. I tend to agree with some of my liberal friends that city governments could often tend toward more libertarianism without much damage to the fabric of our community and probably with much benefit.<br>
<br>$.02,<br>Matt Singer<br>(thoughts here are my own, not my employers')<br><br>Forward Montana / The Bus Federation<br>500 N Higgins Ave Ste 107 | Missoula, MT 59802<br><br>406-542-VOTE (8683)<br>406-544-0211 (cell)<br>
<br><a href="http://www.forwardmontana.org">http://www.forwardmontana.org</a> | <a href="http://www.busfederation.com">http://www.busfederation.com</a><br>
<br><br><div class="ecxgmail_quote">On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 2:37 PM, Geoff Badenoch <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:geoffb@ism.net">geoffb@ism.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="ecxgmail_quote" style="padding-left: 1ex;">
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<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Let’s talk about
what the City Council can and should do about the economy and the job climate;
that seems to be the most constructive follow-on to this suggestion. This is
what I know their participation is or has been:</span></font><BR>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color: navy;"><font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The Mayor has a seat on the Missoula Area Economic Development
Corporation Board.<span> </span>He can
participate in shaping its policies and be attuned to their activities and
needs, and communicate this to the Council and the citizens.</span></font></li>
</ul>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color: navy;"><font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The City in the past has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce
although I don’t know if that is the case today.</span></font></li>
</ul>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color: navy;"><font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The City created the Missoula Redevelopment Agency nearly thirty
years ago and has supported its efforts at forming public/private
partnerships to re-use aging parts of our community for housing and
business while improving community infrastructure like parks, trails,
utilities, public art, etc.</span></font></li>
</ul>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color: navy;"><font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The City Council granted nearly every request from businesses
seeking to phase in new property taxes resulting from business expansion
allowed by law.</span></font></li>
</ul>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color: navy;"><font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The City was a founding partner in the </span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Partnership</span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Health</span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Center</span></font><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> which
was created as much to benefit low income individuals and families as to
reduce costly visits to local hospital emergency rooms. </span></font></li>
</ul>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">There may be others.<span> </span>What more do you citizens who read this
think the City should do to invigorate the economy? <span> </span>This is an election year and if there are
legitimate things that can be done by the City and which are not the rightful
province of the market, or the federal and state government, let’s add
your ideas to the election year discussion.</span></font><BR>
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR><font color="#888888">
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Geoff Badenoch</span></font><BR></font><div class="ecxim">
<font color="navy" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"> </span></font><BR>
<p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b>
<a href="mailto:missoulagov-bounces@cmslists.com">missoulagov-bounces@cmslists.com</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:missoulagov-bounces@cmslists.com">missoulagov-bounces@cmslists.com</a>] <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Behalf Of </span></b><a href="mailto:Paradigm1@aol.com">Paradigm1@aol.com</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Monday, October 05, 2009</span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">2:17 PM</span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:hdgray@modwest.com">hdgray@modwest.com</a>;
<a href="mailto:dstrohmaier@msn.com">dstrohmaier@msn.com</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cc:</span></b> <a href="mailto:missoulagov@cmslists.com">missoulagov@cmslists.com</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [MissoulaGov]
Committee Update </span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">9-30-09</span></font><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> Bikes on
Sidewalks</span></font></p>
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<p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">I also appreciate the hard work done by our City Council. However,
I do agree with Mr. Grays comments regarding where energy seems to be focused
or mis-focused lately. Missoula has already watched Stimson go under,
Stone Container hanging on by a thread, a record number of Montanan's living in
poverty, many empty storefronts and offices. Blighted and vacant areas along
Brooks and Broadway etc. Yet Council seems to be more interested in dealing
with our behavioral issues as they relate to walking the dog, talking on the
phone, architectural looks, wearing helmets, riding your bike etc... and who
knows what else. </span></font></b></b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"></span></font></p>
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<p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Most Missoulian's will continue to make wise and courteous <u>choices
</u>in these areas, and the few that don't will not be aware of these new
rules, or follow them anyway. I would love to read about new ideas and programs
from Council that relate to invigorating Missoula's economy and job
climate, rather than the next wave of behavioral ordinances. </span></font></b></b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"></span></font></p>
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<p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Carl Posewitz, Ward 3 and Ward 1</span></font></b></b><font color="black" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;"></span></font></p>
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