Letter on city manager, Envision Polson plagued with inaccuracies
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The following is in response to Diane Speer’s Dec. 12 letter to the editor titled, “City manager’s goals not ‘will of the people.’”
1. The reference in Speer’s letter to an “organized group of supporters” implies that the Greater Polson Community Foundation, Envision Polson, and/or Heart and Soul organized those who spoke on Todd Crossett’s behalf.
There was no such organizational effort by above-referenced organizations. Those who spoke in support of Todd did so as individual citizens.
2. “The focus of this letter is to address the lady who loudly exclaimed at the vote, ‘So much for the will of the people’” — Mrs. Speer implies that “the lady” was Penny Jarecki.
I said nothing after the vote. I stood up, put on my coat, and left. I heard someone near me say, “So much for listening to the community.”
3. “They firmly believe their vision and goals are correct and therefore ‘the will of the people,’” Speer’s letter states.
The sole purpose of Envision Polson is to engage everyone in our community, asking that they share their individual visions of what our community would ideally look like in the future. It is totally inclusive, not exclusive. Heart and Soul is a tool or process to reach out to all neighborhoods, seeking input so that everyone feels welcome to participate and share opinions.
4. “Last year, Envision Polson conducted a survey. They claimed to want to know what people thought about eight goals ‘they’ set,” Speer continues.
The survey was posted on the website of the Greater Polson Community Foundation in early summer 2011 and was based on eight broad-based goals with several options under each. (The goals were a collaborative effort of 35-40 Polson citizens and were written during meetings beginning in January 2011). There also was opportunity for people to write comments. It was an attempt to get responses from our citizens electronically.
5. “One question specifically asked if there was interest in Polson hosting a triathlon. Only 29 people (11 percent) expressed favor,” Speer claims.
Survey respondents were allowed to select only their top three choices from a list of many ideas specifically asked about. In some cases, there were more than a dozen options, plus opportunity for writing in your own ideas. It is invalid to report the outcome as expressing favor. Valid interpretation and analysis would report: When limited to just three selections, Polson hosting a triathlon was among the top three choices for 29 people.
The Polson Triathlon was planned and organized by a group of volunteers who saw this as an event that would bring a new interest group to Polson and thus stimulate our economy as well as encourage physical fitness. Its success exceeded the organizers’ expectations. They hoped to get 100 people to register and participate. They were delighted when 144 athletes registered. All expenses were covered by sponsorships and/or registration fees. Local businesses reported a noticeable increase in income that weekend.
6. “Penny Jarecki publicly announced that a trail was being built in Riverside Park for a triathlon,” the letter goes on.
There was no new trail built in Riverside Park for this event. An already existing short piece of road leading from Fourth Avenue down to the parking area in Riverside Park was simply given an asphalt surface. This is an improvement that continues to benefit anyone who walks, rides a bike, or pushes a baby stroller in Riverside Park.
7. “Goals 5, 6, 7, and 8 include trails in some aspect,” Speer writes.
Goal 5 is about visitors and residents’ access to and enjoyment of Flathead Lake. Goal 6 is about year-round recreation opportunities.
Goal 7 is about health and well-being for all citizens. Goal 8 is about the successful development of our youth.
It is misleading to state that these varied and important community ideas are simply trail-related. What would be important and accurate to note is that the idea of trails touches many aspects of our community, from recreation to health and economic wellbeing. (The survey has been accessible to all at www.polsonforever.org for over a year, so it’s very easy for all to review the information for themselves.)
8. “Envision Polson survey revealed the belief that Polson has a ‘good old boys’ club’ that runs the city,” the letter states.
Envision Polson was simply the messenger in reporting this statement. Envision Polson makes no judgment either way concerning this statement.
The survey results indicate that the many comments about a “good old boys’ club” were in reference to governmental leadership in our community. Perceptions of poor communication practices and a lack of collaboration with citizens, businesses, and the tribes were passionately expressed. Coinciding with this was a frustrated sense of urgency and a plea for less talk and more action. It is blatantly inaccurate to infer that the survey results in any way indicated that Envision Polson is part of the perceived “good old boys’ club.”
Envision Polson is a collaborative grassroots effort that provides opportunities for broad citizen participation and leadership in community planning and development.
More simply stated: Envision Polson is neighbors working together and giving voice to local concerns about the future of Polson.
(Editor’s note: Penny Jarecki is the president of the Greater Polson Community Foundation.)
