Gottschalks: R.I.P.

Well, we knew this was coming, but it’s still sad. There was no buyer for the chain, so it’s being liquidated.

There isn’t really any kind of silver lining here, BUT: the going out of business sales should start soon, possibly by the end of this week. This won’t help Gottschalks or their employees. But since we’re all trying to save money during this economic downturn, it’s a chance for shoppers to make those purchases they’ve been putting off.

“Illegal” Dams in Clallam and Jefferson Counties

This really sucks for the property owners — four in Clallam County, two in Jefferson County — who suddenly found out that the “dams” on their properties are illegal. I’m all for environmental protection, but you’re not supposed to have the rules changed in the seventh inning.

Doug Short is one of the people who was informed by the Dam Safety Office of the Department of Ecology that his pond is actually a high-hazard earthen dam; and it’s illegal. He has a salmon-bearing waterway running through his property. He leased it to the State of Washington to help revive Jimmycomelately Creek. He also fenced his portion of the creek with a 200-foot setback even though only a 50-foot setback was required.

He said: “I never really looked at it as a dam. It's a pond. It's for watering cattle, to feed my hatchery, which does endangered species. When you do good deeds, you're supposed to get it back — that karma thing. It seems like it's not working out that way with this property.”

The required changes — enlarging the pond — will cost about $100,000 and the State of Washington isn’t providing any financial help. Short is hoping for help from the Clallam Conservation District or the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe.

The other five owners on the North Olympic Peninsula who received this notice all said they thought they just a pond on their properties; not a dam.

The responsibility for correcting these dams lies with the present owners. There’s no allowance for “grandfathering” if the dam was already there when the current owner purchased the property.

Guns in National Parks

I don’t really have any opinion one way or the other on guns, gun laws, the right to carry, etc.

But today’s PDN question — in the same section with the letters and Rants and Raves — was whether people should be allowed to carry guns in national parks. Two of the answers seemed kind of “interesting” — we should be allowed to bring a gun into the park to protect ourselves from wild animals.

Oooooookay.

Is it just me, or is that a little Unclear On The Concept? (One of the respondents might have been joking; I couldn’t tell.) I thought the point of going to a national park was to experience nature. If you need to be “protected” from it, don’t go. IMHO.

The Juarez Tijuana Port Angeles Connection

Port Angeles, along with twenty-three other Washington cities, has a Mexican drug trafficking presence. This is according to the annual report of the National Drug Intelligence Center.

A total of 230 cities have had Mexican drug trafficking activity between 2006 and 2008.

Port Angeles Police Chief Terry Gallagher said: “We have known for several years that some of the cocaine and methamphetamine that is distributed in the region comes from Mexican gangs.”

He said Port Angeles was the only Olympic Peninsula city mentioned in the report, but that’s probably because the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) is based in Port Angeles.

Ron Cameron, Clallam County chief criminal deputy and OPNET commander, said the designation reflects the entire region and not just Port Angeles. He said: “Historically, we've been dealing with it [Mexican drug trafficking] in this county since 1993. In '07, we took out a significant group that was operating in Western Washington. These things have a tendency to go in waves and cycles.”

According to the federal report: “Mexican DTOs [Drug Trafficking Organizations] are the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States. They control most of the U.S. drug market and have established varied transportation routes, advanced communications capabilities and strong affiliations with gangs in the United States.”

Funding for State Parks: “Opt In” vs. “Opt Out”

There’s a bill in the state legislature that could keep state parks open for another two years by adding millions of dollars to their funding. Currently when you renew your vehicle license tab, you can “opt in” by checking the Yes box and donating an extra five dollars for state parks.

Under the proposed rule change, you’d be automatically making that extra $5 donation unless you opt out by checking the No box. Lynn Kessler is one of the sponsors of this legislation.

It’s estimated that an extra $23 million dollars could be raised this way, without actually “raising” taxes (or so the reasoning goes).

What do you think? Is this a good way to keep our state parks off the chopping block, or is it just a sneaky backdoor method for raising taxes?

Clallam County Rifle Range

Clallam County Commissioners discussed the ongoing shooting range debate yesterday. The main question was whether the county should spend $14,721 for an environmental study on the land where the range would be located.

The proposed location is Sadie Creek, near Joyce, on land managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The environmental study would deal with possible lead contamination and loss of wetland habitat.

Commissioners Mike Doherty and Steve Tharinger support having the study. Mike Chapman opposes it, saying he’d rather work with stakeholders to come up with a better study.

During the public comment period, about a dozen people spoke. About half of them supported having a gun range at the Sadie Creek location.

Gottschalks: Deadline This Wednesday

Whoever wants to purchase Gottschalks has until this Wednesday to submit their proposals. If nobody steps forward by then, Gottschalks will go to a consortium of liquidators.

Supposedly there are three retail companies that are considering purchasing Gottschalks and keeping at least some of their branches open: Golden Gate Capital Corp. of San Francisco, GK Development Inc. (based in Illinois) and El Corte Inglés, a Spanish retail conglomerate.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Historic Building in Sappho Burned

A 98-year-old house in Sappho was destroyed by a fire yesterday. The house was originally the headquarters of the Clallam Lumber Company.

Firefighters think the blaze started in the basement and spread quickly throughout the rest of the house, which had no fire stops.

I’ve only driven through that area a few times. It’s such beautiful scenery, as well as being a focal point of West End history.

American Institute of Architects — Recommendations for Port Angeles

Some of the recommendations from the American Institute of Architects made sense. But some of the sensible recommendations were too “feel good” and didn’t have enough how-to specifics — i.e. making the city more user-friendly for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Other suggestions were just re-runs of what everyone’s been saying all along, like bringing the Farmers Market back downtown. Gee, ya think?

Their one specific suggestion was so far out to lunch, these “architects” either were never actually here, or they were all blindfolded. Converting First Street into a four-lane highway???

Uh, FYI, “architects” — that section of First Street already has hundreds of BUILDINGS along both sides of the street. Inside each of those buildings, there are PEOPLE already working and/or living there. HELLLOOO!?!?!?!?!!

The real world can be so confusing. You can go back to your ivory towers now.

Sandwich-Board Signs on Downtown Streets

The Port Townsend City Council is about to pass an ordinance banning sandwich-board signs from downtown streets, because they cause too much “clutter.”

About three years ago Port Angeles was battling over this crucial issue. With the economy in the shape it’s in, I would’ve thought that bringing in customers would be a higher priority than worrying about “clutter,” but that’s just me.

Michael Klupfell, owner of The Village Baker Café, told the council: “I've seen several cities that were micromanaged to irrelevance. If you sterilize the city, you lose the charm that makes people come here.”

And this is the subject of today’s online PDN poll — “Do you think advertising signs on the sidewalks of North Olympic Peninsula downtowns are clutter?”

As of this writing, with 604 votes cast:

No — 36.3%
Yes — 34.3%
Sometimes — 17.2%
Depends Where — 12.3%

Gateway Pavilion Could Be Used for Downtown Events

If/when the Gateway Project is finally up and running, the city plans to lease the Gateway Pavilion for festivals and art events. City Manager Kent Myers intends to make the pavilion “the heart of downtown Port Angeles.”

He said: “The goal is to have something down there all of the time. It’s going to be a busy place. Visibly, you will see a lot of activity.”

Tentatively it would cost $75 a day to rent the pavilion, but that amount hasn’t been approved by the City Council yet.

Myers also said the city wants the Port Angeles Farmers Market to use the pavilion instead of their current location at Clallam County Courthouse parking lot. Farmers Market Vice President Jane Vanderhoof said she isn’t sure the pavilion would be right for the market; there isn’t any feasible location where vehicles can pull up and load/unload their produce. But it would certainly be nice to have them back in town.

Arts in Action has expressed interest in using the pavilion; they currently use City Pier for their annual event. And Ann Manildi, executive director of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Festival, said she might use the pavilion as one of their stages during their annual Memorial Day weekend festival.

Port Angeles Park Sponsorship

Imagine driving across the Eighth Street Ace Hardware Bridges on your way to Lincoln Safeway Park.

A lot of major stadiums are already named after corporations. If this approach gets extended to local parks and museums, it might raise enough revenue to keep these facilities up and running. With all due respect to William Shore, the Kenmore Pool would probably stand a better chance of staying open.

The Port Angeles City Council is considering a proposal that would allow city parks and facilities to be named after an organization, company or individual — for a fee.

Deputy Parks Director Richard Bonine said the city doesn’t have an estimate on how much these sponsorships would cost or how much revenue could be raised.

This proposal would require all sponsorships to be reviewed by Bonine; the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission; and the City Council’s Parks and Facilities Oversight Committee. Bonine said: “If they think it's a good idea and I think it's a good idea, then we would go with it.”

I think this approach is worth trying. The William Shore Memorial Pool isn’t the only facility in jeopardy. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center and the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center are also on the chopping block.

Come on Sponsors.

National Geographic meets the Missing Foot Mystery

National Geographic might do a documentary on the floating foot that washed up near Pysht last summer. It was found near what used to be the Silver King Resort.

Clallam County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Lyman Moores was contacted by National Geographic about the use of DNA evidence to solve the mystery of the missing feet. They want to compare the DNA profile to those of the other five missing feet that were discovered earlier near the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia.

In other death-related news, the Washington State Supreme Court has stayed the execution of Cal Coburn Brown, less than eight hours before his scheduled execution time. He was supposed to be executed for a 1991 murder.

Today’s online PDN question asks whether Washington State should abolish the death penalty. With 697 votes cast:

No — 78.3%
Yes — 16.2%
Undecided — 5.5%

Three Peninsula Parks Now on Chopping Block

In addition to Old Fort Townsend and Bogachiel, now Fort Flagler might be getting the axe too.

Today’s online PDN survey asks: “Which of these North Olympic Peninsula state parks on the chopping block should be kept open?”

With 535 votes cast, the responses are:

All of the above — 42.6%
Fort Flagler — 26.2%
None of the above — 16.6%
Bogachiel — 10.1%
Old Fort Townsend — 4.5%

Family Medicine of Port Angeles

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow, 12:30 p.m. at Family Medicine’s new downtown location — 240 West Front Street. The ceremony will include Mayor Gary Braun, representatives from Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, First Federal and Shorebank.

The new location is the site of the old City Light building.

Dr. William Hennessey, one of the Family Medicine partners, said: “We’re looking forward to providing a patient-centered medical home under one roof for all our patients and hope to bring new energy to downtown Port Angeles.”

Renaissance on Eighth Street

Two weeks after the reopening of the Eighth Street bridges, business is booming in this formerly sealed-off neighborhood. The manager of West Side Video and Tan said: “Most days have doubled. We were just barely hanging on by the skin of our teeth.”

The owner of Van Goes Pizza and Mexican said: “The difference is between night and day.”

Sabai Thai and Page Turners Etc. are coming up with ways to “reintroduce” themselves after being isolated so long. Sabai Thai’s marketing director said he’s hoping for a revitalization of “uptown Port Angeles.”

Customers are also returning to the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store. And Steven Bridge — owner of three businesses between the two bridges — said: “Busy is a good problem at this point in time. We've doubled. We've at least doubled. So that is a good thing.”

The downtown area is also showing a few burgeoning signs of life. There’ll be a yoga studio opening soon on Laurel Street near Front Street. In the space where Zenzizi used to be, the For Rent sign is gone and the windows are papered over. And there’s a Jazzercise studio on Fifth Street where the liquor store used to be (it only takes up part of the building).

So — think positive.

Large Housing Development Approved by Port Angeles City Council

There’ll be a 139-lot development in Port Angeles, near Ahlvers Road and Laurel Street. The completed project will consist of single-family and multi-family homes on 34.5 acres.

The development should be completed during 2011. Yesterday’s approval was just for the first of three phases of the project.

The developer is Sharron and Associates, based in Bellevue. According to Sue Roberds — city planning manager — the multi-family units should be the easiest to sell with the economy being what it is.

The development, near Valley Creek, will include wetland mitigation (as required by the Army Corps of Engineers). Nathan West, city economic and community development director, said the project is a good balance of housing needs and environmental protection. He said: “It's an efficient use of urban resources.”

Port of Port Townsend Might Buy Old Fort Townsend State Park

Old Fort Townsend State Park might be sold by the state government, and the Port of Port Townsend is a possible buyer.

Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Larry Crockett and Port Commissioner John Collins both think the park’s operation and maintenance could be “cost neutral.” They’re counting on additional fees and revenues being generated by making improvements to the park’s RV sites.

There’s also the possibility of a boat ramp being constructed at the park.

So far, Bogachiel State Park — the other Olympic Peninsula park that might be sold or closed — doesn’t have a potential buyer. Forks Mayor Nedra Reed is hoping that officials from Forks, Clallam County and local tribal leaders will find a way to keep the park open.

Public Art — Yes or No?

Today’s online PDN survey question is: “Do you like public art in North Olympic Peninsula locations such as downtowns and waterfronts?” This question seems relevant right now, since some local artists have generated a lot of strong opinions, pro and con.

As of this writing (642 votes) the answers are:

Yes — 46.9%
Depends on the art — 34.9%
No — 16.8%
Undecided — 1.4%

Kenmore Air Losing Money — Might Leave Port Angeles

If Kenmore Air doesn’t break even in 2009, they might discontinue service to Port Angeles.

According to Craig O'Neil, Kenmore Air marketing director, the company has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2004 when they started offering service between P.A. and Boeing Field in Seattle. And they don’t plan on raising air fares.

The Port Angeles City Council might allocate $10,000 in lodging tax revenue for a marketing project to help Kenmore attract more passengers.

Karen Rogers said: “This is not about an incumbent air carrier that happens to be Kenmore, it’s about maintaining passenger service for the general area of Port Angeles and Sequim and Forks, frankly.”