Port Angeles City Council Wants to “Move Forward”

Politicians everywhere seem to recite the same slogans whenever they're trying to squirm their way out of the spotlight.

“Let’s Move Forward” was everybody’s rallying cry at last night’s “forum” regarding City Manager Mark Madsen’s resignation and his allegations against the city council.

At last night’s choreographed event, er, “forum,” audience questions were written down and presented to Penny Van Vleet, president of the Clallam County League of Women Voters, who then read the questions to the city council members.

A lot of the questions pertained to Madsen’s allegations of an “untenable, hostile work environment” created by several unnamed city council members. And there were questions about Madsen’s $37,000 severance package that he automatically receives for resigning (must be nice).

Think anything will change?

Border Patrol Checkpoints on Olympic Peninsula

U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints might get more common on the Olympic Peninsula. There was one the other day near the Hood Canal Bridge, and another one six months ago near Forks.

A Border Patrol agent said “These types of check points have proven to be successful in the past, and we are starting to utilize more checkpoints. We are expecting to begin using them frequently in and around that area, and in places in Jefferson and Clallam counties.”

He didn’t give any specifics, but another Border Patrol agent said Highway 101 north of Forks and south of Discovery Bay would be likely locations between now and mid-September.

Think these checkpoints are a good idea?

Clallam County Transit — More Riders, Reduced Funding

Where do we go from here? Gas prices have finally gotten some motorists to take the bus instead of driving. And they get rewarded with crowded buses and the vague threat of reduced service because of reduced funds.

This is happening all over the country, not just here. In some cities the buses are so full, the driver can't even let anybody else on. Would-be passengers are left standing there until the next bus comes along and hoping there'll be room on that bus.

When more people are using mass transit, we have less fuel consumption (hence less dependence on the Middle East) and a smoother flow of traffic. And cleaner air. It would seem to me that funding for mass transit — whatever it takes — should be a top priority.

I can certainly think of a few local spending projects that are less important. Can you?

The Port Angeles Train Wreck

The Mayor, City Council and City Manager all seem to agree: the entire city government is F#$!’d up. They only disagree on who the culprit is. They're all pointing to each other. “I’m a guardian angel and everybody else here is a F#$%$!in’ A$$#%&!” could be their motto.

There's nothing new about sleaze like this of course. Governments in general are corrupt and just out for themselves.

Maybe all of this public finger-pointing and soul searching (whether it’s real or not) will lead to some changes. And maybe that public meeting on August 27th — 6 p.m. at the city council chambers — will reveal some new information.

One can hope.

Welcome, Comrades, to the People’s Republic of Sequim

This title of course is tongue-in-cheek. When the Sequim City Council voted to put a sales tax increase on the November ballot, realtor Mike McAleer called the idea “socialism at its best.”

The increased sales tax — if approved by voters — will be used for transportation improvements and street and sidewalk repairs. McAleer thought the idea was socialistic because Sequim’s older neighborhoods would benefit the most from this new funding, but most of the money would come from newer residents.

He's entitled to his opinions of course. But there seems to be a tiny contradiction here. McAleer is one of the biggest proponents of building a disc golf course at Robin Hill County Park in Sequim. And he wants a big cumbersome nanny state to build this park and pay for it. Everyone would pay, but only a few people would benefit. Commie!

A true capitalist would want all of the area’s disc golf players to get together, purchase a tract of land and build themselves a disc golf course. Like they say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. Don’t just sit back and wait for a meddling socialist government to do it for you.

Déjà Vu: Technology Levy for Port Angeles Schools

There will be a technology levy for new computers and software for Port Angeles schools. No you're not losing it or having flashbacks. This really is a current story.

Third time’s the charm.

This levy is reduced from the previous request, which had been expected to pass because only a simple majority of 50% was required instead of the previous 60% “supermajority.”

This new improved version would be 32 cents per $1,000 valuation. The owner of a $200,000 home would be paying about $64 more per year.

Think it'll fly? Should it?

Heritage Weekend, Second Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Busy weekend coming up for Port Angeles. Heritage Weekend will be this Saturday and Sunday.

And don’t forget the Second Friday, organized by Bob Stokes for the second Friday of each month. Galleries participating in Second Friday include: Studio Bob, Waterfront Gallery, Anderson Gallery, Zenzizi, itty bitty BUZZ, Art Front (on the first floor below Studio Bob), Jack Gunter Art & Design Ideas Gallery and the Long Gallery (both at Landing Mall). Second Friday is really taking off; it's putting Port Angeles on the map as an artists’ community.

This Saturday will be the unveiling of Bob Stokes’ Avenue of the People — the newest installment of Port Angeles’ outdoor art collection. It will be nine sculptures along the west side of Laurel Street, downtown.

And last but not least, the Port Angeles Farmers Market will be back downtown this Saturday. And if I’ve understood correctly, they won’t just be in that parking lot next to The Toggery. They’ll be — better sit down for this — ON Laurel Street where they used to be. Ah, the memories.

UPDATE: Yes Laurel Street WILL be closed off for the Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday). The street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be live music at the Farmers Market. The market will close at 3 p.m. They usually close at 2 p.m. but the PDN article says 3. After the market closes, there will be "entertainment related to the 6 p.m. Avenue of the People ceremony." That's as specific as the PDN article gets.

Check it out.

Olympic Medical Center Levy

With a deadline of August 19th, local voters will be voting on yet another levy: for the Olympic Medical Center.

This seems to be the biggest topic in the PDN these days, and you can't pass a store window or a bulletin board without seeing posters begging for the tax increase.

What say you?

Big Bad Elk Ruining Sequim

More Sequim residents are complaining about elk trespassing on their property. One person said she “can smell the elk.” Somebody else described them as “They are like tanks. They leave huge destruction in their wake.”

Since 99% of all residential properties (just guessing at the number) DON’T have herds of elk traipsing through the backyard, maybe these complainers are living in the wrong location. Or maybe they could build fences around their own properties.

Sequim City Councilwoman Susan Lorenzen said farmers could build fences to protect their crops, and they would be reimbursed by the government. I couldn’t tell whether people would be reimbursed for fencing in their yards, or if that only applies to farms.

Somebody else suggested fencing out the developers instead of the elk. If only…