People Moving to a New Community and Then Complaining About It
This particular controversy is happening in Port Townsend, but it could happen in Port Angeles just as easily.
For that matter it’s been happening in Sequim — people moving to a rural area and then complaining about the elk. People who move to this area from California — or Seattle for that matter — have a reputation for complaining because there aren't enough ethnic restaurants, there isn't enough nightlife, the stores aren't chic enough, etc. So why did they move here?
Port Townsend residents have a valid reason to be concerned about the health hazards created by the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill. But most of the complaints seem to be coming from newer Port Townsend residents and/or retirees who won't be affected if the mill closes.
Long-term residents are probably concerned about health hazards too, but they also realize that the paper mill has been the economic backbone of Port Townsend. It has given countless Port Townsend workers the ability — as a certain U.S. president would say — to “put food on their families.”
As one Port Townsend resident said: “If the mill goes down, you will be able to walk down Water Street and see a lot of stores closed.”
For that matter it’s been happening in Sequim — people moving to a rural area and then complaining about the elk. People who move to this area from California — or Seattle for that matter — have a reputation for complaining because there aren't enough ethnic restaurants, there isn't enough nightlife, the stores aren't chic enough, etc. So why did they move here?
Port Townsend residents have a valid reason to be concerned about the health hazards created by the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill. But most of the complaints seem to be coming from newer Port Townsend residents and/or retirees who won't be affected if the mill closes.
Long-term residents are probably concerned about health hazards too, but they also realize that the paper mill has been the economic backbone of Port Townsend. It has given countless Port Townsend workers the ability — as a certain U.S. president would say — to “put food on their families.”
As one Port Townsend resident said: “If the mill goes down, you will be able to walk down Water Street and see a lot of stores closed.”
Labels: Port Angeles, Port Townsend Paper Corp., Port Townsend Water Street, Sequim elk
posted by Tom Harper at 3:44 PM
26 Comments:
If outsiders want to move to this area and help it stagnate,disintegrate and generally speaking go nowhere, that's fine. I'm all for outsiders helping with our community's stated goal of stagnation, disintegration and go-nowhere-ism.
But if outsiders want to move to our area and get things all stirred up with diversity, ethnic restaurants, businesses that stay open past 4.59 pm, gentrification a Lord knows what other vices and follies of the big city, then I'm against it!
Let us unite and protect our beloved community and let us stagnate, disintegrate and go-nowhere in peace. The time is now ... act before it is too late. Port Angeles, a ghost town by 2012 or bust!
PT Paper a backbone of PT? How many PTers actually work there?
Could it be that most employees are from Irondale, Chimacum, Sequim, PA or in the county?
PT's economy seems to be based on tourism and local & county government. The boat & construction trades also contribute.
I don't believe that the mill would be missed as much as is advertised. PT would miss the water supply maintained by the mill.
Why can't the mill clean the air is it beyond present technology? I don't think so. The main factor seems to be cost rather than health of the area's population.
Keep those retirees coming. Perhaps they'll bring a COCTCO, Home Depot or Wally World with them.
The mill is PT's largest employer and it has done lots to clean up their pollution. If you had been here 15 or 20 years ago the smell when you drove by the mill was disgusting and would almost make you barf. They are having financial difficulties already and although it would be wonderful if they could do more to clean their air, the mill needs to stay open or PT will surely be in trouble economically.
PT will never allow the box stores that Sequim has, they have an ordinance against them besides people living there can easily go to Sequim or Silverdale for shopping.
I have lived in Sequim 24 years and all new comers think they have the answers, I did too when I came here. I wanted the charm but I also wanted some of the conveniences of bigger communities. I learned to eventually be happy with what was here and the rest came with time when the community was ready for it.
It would be nice to slow growth down in the county some and that may happen because of environmental concerns and Puget Sound cleanup.
I think we're talking about 2 different things here. People worried about health hazards and somebody complaining because the nightclubs aren't trendy enough, 2 separate things. That mill should be able to stay operating and still do the cleanup they need to do.
I've been here three weeks, and if it's Deadsville you're striving for, I can assure you PA has achieved it! This place is for the birds.
Hooray! Success! Port Angeles, a ghost town by 2012 or bust!
3 weeks, that was a fast conclusion. What would you change? More live music, more bars, stores open longer?
damn, how insecure are we as a town? Jumping right into "what can we change" is just...pathetic.
Town is dull. It's a family town, not a singles town. It's small.
Welcome outsiders, because we need to forge a new identity. But, it has to be a secure identity, not one of those "whipped puppy dog" or like someone searching for a prom date the afternoon of the prom.
This town has problems. It has real issues. It's relatively POOR, and there is no focus. It's certainly too insecure to be fun, or poke fun at itself....
The town might get more interest if we changed the name to "Deadsville."
Good point, comment number 8 (9:49 a.m. on 3/10). There are a lot of things that suck about P.A. but there are a lot of good things too. There's a real identity, a "feel" to P.A. Nobody will ever get P.A. confused with North Silverdale (formerly known as Sequim) or North Berkeley (Port Townsend).
It's sad that people aren't really supporting Downtown. PA people seem to go to Silverdale to shop. You can get most anything right here, and there are great specialty shops that will carry something not everybody else has.
This is such a beautiful area, PA should be a destination town. But there's no pulling together, and the City has tons more regulations than Sequim for businesses to have to follow -- it just makes it really hard to make it here.
Instead of saying, just change the name to Deadsville, let's try to figure out how to make things better.
downtown could START by lowering prices. Everything is 20-30% higher than it should be. The problem is this line of thinking "sales are down, I'll raise the price". It's totally lazy thinking.
Lower the price, make prices ATTRACTIVE, so that a tank of gas and a trip to Silverdale can be avoided.
Restaurants are catering to a population that doesn't have a lot of disposable income...so charging "big city prices" is stupid. Look at Frugals...they're busy. It's not because the food is good, but because they are CHEAP. By contrast, look at most any restaurant in town..it's 30-45 bucks a person to get in-out. And, for most places the food is eh, not great, but edible. But, the price makes the whole thing reek of "rip off".
Merchants, you don't need to compete, with the same merchandise, because you cannot, but you could rethink your markup, and have loss leaders, occasionally (not sale merchandise). Trying to charge tourist level fees for the locals is really hurting many of you.
And, what is the deal with the unbelievable charges for ads in the local newspaper RAG? Way too high. Much, much too high.
We need to start pulling together to HELP the community...not rip each other off.
bluewillow:
You are as dumb as a box of rocks, chap. I'll bet you are a Algore disciple. That mill releases less toxic fumes than the bad breath and body odor of the dredlocked, pierced hippies in PT.
"britusa"? Hold on, we've got a live one here.
The city council should offer to sell the town to the $cientologists or Donald Trump.
What a waste of space in a Port Angeles blog talking about Port Townsend, "as if" we really cared to be like them? Come on!
Getting to know Port Angeles, takes time...bad day, take a cold one out on the hook and enjoy the view of the mountains over the city...no charge.
20 minute drive, 20 minute walk, rest your buns in warm natural pools in the woods....no charge.
Tongue Peninsula, been there, turn over rocks see what you find...no charge.
Spend $2 on a day pass, ride to Forks early, transfer to La Push, get off at 2nd or 3rd beach, hike down spend the day, catch the 4:00 back, home by 6:30.
Jump either ferry, spend the night at Ocean Island Backpackers for under $30 and get whatever big city thrills you need and then leave all the negatives across the water when you come home.
Ride your bike or walk along the waterfront trail to Morse Creek and check out the new bench they put in and notice the shimmer off the water as you enjoy a Mt. Baker sunrise or view of boats running through the straight....no charge.
On your ride back drop into downtown and check out Port Book and News, for what IS HAPPENING in town, stop by Swain's or go to the movies at the college on Friday night, swing into Goodwill and you always see somebody you know, eat the buffet at China First, do the garage sales on Saturday...
Get involved in what IS HERE and I think you'll find it more than satisfying for very reasonable cost, but if you're used to paying to be entertained, like in a big city, then you might feel limited in your choices here in Port Angeles. I have found everything I need and rarely if ever NEED to go to Port Townsend, (maybe for Waterfront Pizza!)
Great comment! You're right about how beautiful it is here, how much there is to do. I think it's one of the best places I've ever seen, and holy gee, I get to live here!
C'mon, everybody, let's think about how good it is, and ways to make it better -- doesn't get you anywhere to accentuate the negative!
BritUSA:
Brilliant statement BritUSA. I'll bet that you forget what you're doing when you switch hands while wanking. All the Queens aren't in the UK many migrate. When you left the UK for PA you raised the average IQ of both locations.
Dude, you said "wanking"!
Anonymous:
Piss off, chap...you must be the ugly American I always heard about. Speaking of "wanking"...the best part of you was wanked away the day before.
BritUSA
Your Mum thinks I'm good looking.
You didn't think we were ugly when we saved you from the Hun. If it weren't for us ugly Americans you'd be speaking German. You'd be eating sauerkraut with pork instead of beans, tomatoes and tasteless sausage for breakfast.
Britusa: You're a load of codswallop, mate!
You sound like a reject from the National Front. Do you have an Oswald Mosley tattoo?
I think Britusa really likes sauerkraut with pork for breakfast.
Cool list of free or nearly free things to do in Port Angeles, Anon! Some involve a moderate amount of exercise--even better. Come down to the Junction on Sunday nights for the no-cover,acoustic jam/open mike. You can even exercise your lungs or fingers if you'd like to sing or play an acoustic instrument. Plaid or cowboy shirts are encouraged (but not required) for this week's dress code. Haha.
...please where can I buy a unicorn?
[quote]This particular controversy is happening in Port Townsend, but it could happen in Port Angeles just as easily.For that matter it’s been happening in Sequim — people moving to a rural area and then complaining about the elk. People who move to this area from California — or Seattle for that matter — have a reputation for complaining because there aren't enough ethnic restaurants, there isn't enough nightlife, the stores aren't chic enough, etc. So why did they move here?Port Townsend residents have a valid reason to be concerned about the health hazards created by the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill. But most of the complaints seem to be coming from newer Port Townsend residents and/or retirees who won't be affected if the mill closes.Long-term residents are probably concerned about health hazards too, but they also realize that the paper mill has been the economic backbone of Port Townsend. It has given countless Port Townsend workers the ability — as a certain U.S. president would say — to “put food on their families.”As one Port Townsend resident said: “If the mill goes down, you will be able to walk down Water Street and see a lot of stores closed.”[/quote] i agree
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