Friday, June 23, 2006
Welcome to the new KPBJ Blog!
This is the first post in the new KPBJ Blog. This Blog is a place to communicate on specific topics with the writers and editors of the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal. This Blog is moderated by our editor, Lary Coppola. Even though the KPBJ Blog is brand new, please feel free to comment on any posts you see here. Thank you for visiting. :)
THE ABOVE ARTICLE POSTED BY G Piper @ 6/23/2006 03:42:00 PM
COMMENTS:
This looks like it'll be a useful addition to the online version of the KPBJ.
THE ABOVE COMMENT POSTED BY
@ June 23, 2006 4:26 PMWelcome to our new blog. We hope you'll find this a useful and enjoyable tool to communicate directly with us about issues of importance to the local business community. We welcome your views on subjects concerning you and your business, your thoughts about the Business Journal and how we can make it better, and just about whatever else is on your mind.
I also welcome you to visit my personal blog, West Sound Politics, at http://westsoundpolitics.blogspot.com/. It's definately a more pointed forum basically dealing with timely political issues in our community, county and state, as well as just featuring some personal observations about people and politics.
We welcome your thoughts and hope you'll enjoy our newest venture.
Lary Coppola, Editor & Publisher
The Kitsap peninsula Business Journal
THE ABOVE COMMENT POSTED BY
@ June 24, 2006 7:14 AMYou raise some valid points in your recent editorial.
Historically, a vote or voice belongs to those who have a financial stake and vested interest. A choice to abstain from providing such assistance should match the degree of participation or influence. Also, an under funded Council pursues the type of economic development it can afford, leading to a chicken and egg scenario regarding ultimate value and achievement.
However, it can also be argued support is directly related to ROI from that funded entity. The short term solution may be to infer hindered success per a departing Executive Director (ED), but the reality is that accountability via tangible metrics and milestones is the responsibility of the entire Kitsap EDC, notwithstanding temptations on all sides to continually scapegoat the ED du jour.
The KRCC's resolution was clearly a vote of no confidence. Of course, there are also some who believe "the trunk is the elephant" where economic development is concerned. The importance of staging cannot be summarily dismissed, nor the pursuit of vitality condensed into myopic either/or determinations. Both retention and recruitment are international best practices in the industry, as is being able to quantify them to stakeholders.
Also, I don't entirely agree that KRCC's efforts preclude KEDC's ability to raise private sector dollars until the process is complete. Now is precisely the time to aggregate data and case studies which summarise efforts and results. KEDC should assert itself as a critical component in the region by articulating its past successes and future vision. Whatever the KRCC consultant's results, KEDC should ensure all stakeholders know the degree to which it has already been getting it done. Confident and purposeful actions can mitigate concerns, and counter the ironic allusion to private sector dependence on government for survival.
While there are real political implications should cities pull their financial support, regions with precarious public/private partnerships are a red flag to site selectors. So are those without economic development councils, since bureaucracy and non-confidential assistance are deterrents. As you noted, the County and Port recognise this fact via their continued level of support to KEDC.
We do indeed have a unique opportunity to plan our long-term economic future in a collaborative, responsible manner. This is as much about KEDC's preparation as it is about diffusing political swordplay.
--
Doña L. Keating, Pres/CEO
Professional Options
e:dlk@professionaloptions.org
w:www.professionaloptions.org
ph: 360.792.9100 (Kitsap)
206.356.8449 (Seattle)
fax: 206.202.1068
THE ABOVE COMMENT POSTED BY
Doña @ August 07, 2006 12:22 PM