The Moscow Civic Association

by Bill London, from the December 2002 Newsletter

I remember thinking, as we discussed this Moscow Civic Association concept, “This could really work. This could really change the way Moscow is headed.” This discussion was back in July, as the city nudity ordinance was fast-tracked into law. Eight of us met around the kitchen table and discovered that we all viewed the ordinance as a dumb idea pushed onto a pliant City Council, and saw the Council’s quick support as a symptom of a real political problem here in Moscow. We agreed that the politically progressive citizens of Moscow needed to get organized and rescue their town from a Council that looked like a committee of the Chamber of Commerce and from a politically-active minority with a religious-right agenda.

That was the origin of the Moscow Civic Association. We hoped to create a citizen’s advocacy group to advance progressive values and support progressive candidates.

Since then, there have been two big organizational meetings, with about forty people at each meeting. At those meetings, a board of directors was selected. The board has met numerous times to fine-tune the mission statement and figure out how the group should be organized.

The board finalized the following mission statement:

The mission of the Moscow Civic Association is to protect and enhance inclusive and cooperative community values by broadening public discourse, organizing and inspiring civic participation, and striving toward progressive and sustainable community development. Our vision is of a just and equitable society, a community in which information on important issues is readily available to the citizenry, a place of strong, non-partisan grassroots democracy.

Specifically, we strive to support and/or promote a thriving community space with:

• An open, responsive, and accountable local government;
• A vigorous public education system;
• Local, community-based businesses;
• Artistic and cultural events;
• Ethnic, racial, gender, lifestyle, and religious diversity;
• Civil rights;
• An integrated community for people of all ages;
• Close relations and coordination with neighboring communities and institutions;
• Thoughtful and sustainable development in such areas as environment, transportation, housing, and agriculture.

The Board of Directors includes: Lois Blackburn, Jeanne Amie Clothiaux, Crysta Falcon, Mike Forbes, Ashley Grosse, Ron Hatley, Tim Kinkeade, Amy Mazur, Eileen McGovern, Kelly Moore, Joan Opyr, Julia Parker, Deborah Reynolds, Steve Streets, and Jennifer Swanberg.

Then on December 3, the MCA held its first public meeting. Unfortunately, that date falls after this newsletter goes to press. So expect an update in the next issue.

In the meantime, for more information, contact any board member or send messages to the MCA at PO Box 8788 in Moscow, send an email, or to visit the Web site.

A second public meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2003, in the 1912 Building.

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