Get Rid of the Port Angeles Skate Park?

One of the candidates for the Port Angeles City Council said yesterday that Port Angeles is developing as a retirement community and he’d like to see services going toward that population. He didn't say the S word but I think he meant we should be more like Sequim. "I wouldn't mind seeing us filling in the skate park and making it a slab of concrete to hold barbecues that seniors would enjoy."

Uh, do what now??

It took years of wheeling and dealing and finagling and teeth-pulling to get that skate park built. The park is heavily used. Where would you rather see these people skateboarding? Up and down the sidewalk in front of YOUR house?

At least the people on skateboards are getting some exercise. You hear all these anecdotes about teenagers who weigh 300 pounds and can't do a single pushup. This is clearly not the case with the people you see zipping along on skateboards, bikes and roller blades.

I don’t think this candidate is destined for the City Council. Skateboarders might not vote but their parents do.

Changes/Improvements at Landing Mall

The Landing Mall is already one of the main attractions along the downtown waterfront. With excellent restaurants, shops and views of the harbor, it's a great place for tourists and local residents. And don't forget the Olympic Coast Discovery Center.

And soon there will be some new attractions. A bookstore, French bakery, wine & cheese shop and a florist will be added to the mix. The interior of the building is being remodeled, and when the remodeling is done (late August?) the new businesses should start moving in. There will also be a new viewing tower.

The Port Angeles waterfront just keeps getting better and better.

Cougars in Port Angeles

This seems to be a hot topic lately, judging by a recent article in the Peninsula Daily News and several letters to the editor. Who are the "invaders" here, cougars or people?

Personally I think that since we live in one of the most remote areas of the country and we're right on the edge of Olympic National Park, being "invaded" by cougars (and other wildlife) is part of the package. Then again I might think differently if my yard was invaded, or a family member threatened, by a cougar.

What do YOU think?

Rainfall in Port Angeles

This isn't exactly a burning issue, but: does it seem like the Peninsula Daily News is under-reporting the rainfall in Port Angeles? According to their weather page, this recent rainy period has brought a total of about two tenths of an inch. Are they kidding?

Not only that: a few weeks ago, after several days of rain, the PDN rainfall total for the year was 5.47 inches. A few days later that total had shrunk to 5.35 inches. What happened? Did it "un-rain" and .12 inches of moisture got pulled back to the sky?

I can't imagine any motive for under-reporting the rainfall. Maybe they're laying the groundwork for future drought and fire-danger warnings. "We've only had 6 inches of rain all year and we should have had 15 inches by now!"

Who knows. But something fishy is going on.

Information on Eighth Street Bridges

Next Thursday, July 26th from 4:30 to 7 p.m. there will be an open house regarding the eighth street bridge closures. It will be held at the city council chambers, 321 East Fifth Street.

If you have questions about the construction schedule, traffic revisions, detour routes, etc., this meeting should have the information you need. Representatives from the city will be at the meeting as well as representatives from Exeltech, the construction management firm handling the project. The public will be able to talk informally and/or provide written comments. There will be a short presentation on the project, followed by a question and answer session.

Check here for more information.

Sicko comes to Port Angeles

Sicko is now playing at the Lincoln Theater in downtown Port Angeles. This is the must-see of the summer. I have no idea how long it will be here; it started this past Friday.

It seems like every time we get a generic boy-meets-girl movie or The Hills Have Eyes XXXVIII it stays here for weeks and weeks. It's hard to tell how long a quality film like Sicko will be here, so check it out while you can.

Get Tagged, Go To Prison

The Sequim city council has passed a new ordinance cracking down on people whose property gets tagged with graffiti. No, NOT cracking down on the perp who does the tagging — just going after the victim who got tagged. Port Angeles already has a similar ordinance. (The story is in today’s PDN but not the online version.)

So now business owners in Sequim — as in Port Angeles — who find their property covered with graffiti will receive a stern warning letter from the city. The letter will inform you that you have X number of days get rid of the graffiti at your own expense; after that point the city will remove it and send you the bill. If you don’t pay the bill in a timely manner the city will put a lien on your property. That'll teach you to be a crime victim.

Hmmm…here's an idea that just came out of the blue: maybe we could try catching some of the vandals and thieves who have been plaguing Sequim and Port Angeles. Ya think??

What'll be next? Perhaps when somebody gets mugged, the mugger can go free and the mugging victim can be charged with vagrancy.

Save Those Gas $$$$$

If you're nineteen or under, you don’t need to keep pouring money into your gas tank. Clallam Transit is offering a summer-long Youth Pass (ages 6 through 19) for $10. No, that’s not a typo. A $10 pass will get you all over Clallam County between now and the Saturday before Labor Day.

Sure you'd rather drive than ride the bus, but with gas prices going through the roof, think of the money you can save.

Clallam Transit is also offering discount monthly bus passes to all Downtown Association members and their employees. The price of these passes has been reduced by more than 75%, and the passes are good for everywhere within Clallam County. To get one of these bus passes, go to the Family Shoe Store on West Front Street, P.A. This is where you get the coupons from Clallam Transit that you'll need. With these coupons you can get your bus pass at either Washington Mutual (Front and Laurel) or at the Transit System office.

Downtown Port Angeles business owners and employees are encouraged to use the parking lot at Zak's (West Front Street, downtown P.A.). You'll need a permit, but this will free up more street parking for downtown shoppers. The DNR parking lot — West of Oak Street, between the transit mall and the estuary — is also up and running and ready to be used (permit only).

P.S. — Bravo to all Port Angeles merchants who are accepting Canadian currency and have a sign in their windows indicating this. Merchants who are doing this have reported an increase in sales.

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July, Port Angelinos! Lots of music, celebrations and fireworks all over town tomorrow.

There'll be music and food/craft vendors on the City Pier tomorrow afternoon, starting at 3 p.m. Fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. on the pier.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. It'll start at Fourth and Lincoln and head toward First Street, then turn West on First Street (yes, the “wrong” way) and go as far as Valley Street.

The fireworks will be hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Wave Broadband. (Details here.)

Have a great Fourth everybody.