New West Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
In a letter today to the Lewiston Tribune, Larry Cernik of Troy, Idaho writes:
“I note with interest the position in opposition to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Moscow taken by the vice president of the local [Moscow branch of] American West Bank. On a petition to the board of directors of the Latah Economic Development Council, the signature of B. J. Swanson appears with others gathered from the local business community who oppose the new store. Perhaps those at the headquarters of the bank, located in Spokane, would clarify why they believe they have a dog in this fight . . . ”
I would like to note with interest that Larry Cernik, along with the rest of Moscow’s most vocal and vitriolic pro-Supercenter voices — among them Dale Courtney, Doug Farris, and Andrew Crapuchettes — are all members of Moscow’s controversial Christ Church. Does Christ Church’s headquarters and its pastor, Doug Wilson, have a dog in this fight? Are Wilson and associates really so desperately in need of cheap deodorant and toilet paper?
B. J. Swanson is not just an executive at a local bank; she is an individual. She has a constitutional right to voice her opinion wherever, whenever, and on whatever she likes. Furthermore, she has the right to speak her mind without facing what seems to me to verge on tortious interference with employment. Swanson and others who have publicly opposed the WalMart Supercenter have been subjected to public and professional abuse. This must stop. It is morally and ethically wrong, and quite possibly illegal to boot.
I am an American West Bank customer, a Moscow resident, and an opponent not only of the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter but also of coordinated campaigns of personal and professional harassment. I am pleased to have Swanson’s reasoned, rational, and well-informed voice engaged in the debate over Moscow’s retail future. She is a well-respected and active member of this community. Cernik, Courtney, and Farris are . . . not. I am dismayed that anyone would try to punish Swanson for speaking out, particularly a motley assortment of back-stabbing cowards.
Where is Phil’s response? Last night he had a very logical answer to Joan’s rant. This morning, it is gone. Do you just zap those posts you don’t like?
The debate between the pros and cons of a Wal-Mart super center has taken several forms – from open public discussions at city council sessions to a less formal protocol within the Moscow Vision 2020 listserve. In either forum, those involved in the debate, for the most part, conducted themselves in an adult, mature, and responsible manner.
That, I am sorry to realize, is not always the case.
B. J. Swanson is an officer of a local bank and member of the Board of Directors at Gritman Medical Center who has not been afraid to express her lack of support for the Wal-Mart Super Center. As a result of her opinion she has been the victim of an irresponsible and unethical smear campaign conducted by members of Christ Church. Her bank and Gritman Medical Center have received nearly daily emails, phone calls or letters from Christ Church members discrediting her and demanding that she be disciplined or fired simply because she has openly presented an opinion contrary to their own.
Whether Moscow accepts or declines the construction of a Wal-Mart super center, that decision should (and must) be based upon open, mature, responsible debate and not as the resultant cannon fodder of an immature, unethical smear campaign.
This is not the first time that “management” of Christ Church has adopted such an unethical tactic in attempt to realize its political goals.
My adopted home town of Moscow, Idaho deserves better than that.
I certainly have no “dog in this fight”, thank goodness, and I’m completely bored by the whole anti/pro walmart debates that play out over and over again. But this headline caught my eye.
Joan, my only comment is this: I can’t believe the amazing and obvious hypocrisy of an article bemoaning “public and professional abuse” tactics, and then that same article ends by calling someone “back-stabbing cowards”.
So Dale, if I had a business, say “Carl’s widgets and asparagus spears” and I signed an anti Wal-Mart petition, could I expect a phone call or e-mail urging me to change my mind or explain my heretical view to you?
Carl,
I have no problem with an individual business owner holding a (wrong) idea.
That’s not the case with American West Bank. And I don’t think it’s the case with Gritman (though that’s yet to be confirmed).
Best,
Dale
Like you, Joan, I am sick about the fact that the members of Christ Church are mounting a campaign of harassment and intimidation against citizens who speak out on a matter of public concern. Since I don’t think its a coincidence that all those attacking BJ are from Christ Church (including “Moscow resident Dave Glasebrook” quoted in last night’s daily news) I am assuming it’s an official position at this point. If not, Doug Wilson should disavow it publicly.
But what really puzzles me is — why? Dale’s rationale — wanting to save the poor money — doesn’t ring true. First, we don’t need to rape the east side of Moscow to save the poor money, because we already have a Wal-Mart and cheap groceries in Moscow. (Don’t tell me that the Moscow Wal-Mart will close. You don’t know that.) Second, Christ Church doesn’t have much of a track record for helping the poor, so its hard to believe that’s really behind this orchestrated campaign.
I would think the goals of the folks opposing the Supercenter — preserving community and small business — would fit right in with Christ Church’s anti-modernity creed.
So why the opposition? I can see one obvious answer. Christ Church wants main street. All of it. All of its shop windows and parking spaces. And the best way to get it is to drive small businesses away.
And for the rest of us in the community, that’s a really ugly dog.
You nailed it on the head, Peggy. Christ Church and Wal-Mart are plotting to take over all the parking in Moscow. Their final, evil plan is revealed at last.