What does "progress" mean to you? (How do you define "progress"? Progress being a somewhat nebulous term: moving forward {whether it is socially, economically, politically, or etc.} can take on multiple different meanings.)

Do you have a vision of progress for Olympia? If so, what is it?

I ask these questions in the hope that people will want to, (and will feel comfortable to,) share their vision(s). In that spirit, I ask for people to refrain from engaging in criticism of each others' visions. The idea is for everyone to feel comfortable expressing their self without worry over being attacked.

Additionally, maybe we can inspire each other into thinking about creating, and forging, a common vision.

What does progress mean to you? Do you have a vision of progress for Olympia?

What is the normal course of progress? What does progress mean to you?

Ever since Peter's testimony last week, I have been thinking about the normal course of progress, and what it means in the context of the proposed Isthmus Building Height Rezone.

I am sorry, and with all due respect, I do not consider spending $50,000 in public money, on a study for a private luxury condominium development project (a development that has very dubious public interest merit) to be in the normal course of progress.

Okay - so the City spends $50,000 on a project that will of be of potential direct benefit to those who need it least. Meanwhile; regular, ordinary, average, normal Americans are losing their jobs and their home mortgages.

I don't consider spending $50,000 of public money on a private luxury condominium development to be good public policy. I don't consider the rezone proposal, the proposed Larida Passage, or the City's facilitation of the rezone to be anything like what I would consider to be the normal course of progress.

Also check out a poem I just weblogged: Empty Store Fronts.

- Whitlock

p.s. So then what is the normal course of progress, what would it look like? I am going to be thinking about that, and I'll get back to it. In the meantime, please discuss.