Submitted by Ken Watts
The Idaho transportation Department held their third “public meeting” in Island Park, on the US 20 Ashton to SH 87 project. The first meeting was held in October 2021 and the second in December 2021. In this meeting, posters were placed around the room somewhat like an art show. The posters were manned by ITD or their contractors. There were no presentations or question and answer sessions. An open house approach was used that did not allow the public to benefit from others comments. Most of the posters showed possible configurations for various sections of the highway and some other graphics. Some of the alternatives had been rejected by two screening committees but no context for why some were rejected and others not, was given. You could ask the person manning the poster. It is important to note that not one person from Island Park was on either screening committee. NOT ONE, and most of this highway is in the Island Park Caldera. Also missing was Fremont County and Idaho Parks and Recreation staff. This is a blue ribbon recreation area. Their input would have been critical to the screening outcome. The screeners simply are not familiar with the issues critical to the people who live in the Caldera. Many people commented that “ITD does not listen to us”. Others said that ITD just “does what they want.” The frustration was evident in many faces. This was further evident when an innovative alternative idea was presented by Jan Brown (in the first public meeting), and it was not even included in the alternatives. The idea was to bypass most of the Caldera. Many said no to a four lane, limited access, freeway in the Caldera but these were the only alternatives presented. This is called the Delphi Technique where you are only given the alternatives the agency wants you to consider, so that there is no discussion of the alternatives you really want. None of the meetings held in Island Park have been “real” public meetings. They have been more like open houses. Island Park needs to have a real public meeting to discuss the issues that are important to us and to develop community solutions. This can only be done if we work together in a constructive manner. We should debate the full range of solutions and try to arrive at one or more community solutions. To this end, the Island Park Preservation Coalition will host a working community meeting with the goal of generating a community solution we can all stand behind and promote. “Our” solution can then be taken to our city, county, state, and congressional representatives. STAY TUNED FOR THE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT! The meeting must include all the interested parties. There will be strength in numbers. Bring your best ideas. You will not be ignored!
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May 2023
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