Expensive City Council Races
The eight City Council candidates have raised more than $22,000 for their campaigns. That isn’t a lot if you’re used to following state and national politics, but it seems like a lot for a small town.
Judging by the contributors listed in this article, realtors seem to be playing a huge role in backing certain candidates. It’s always seemed like local government “players” have to be former (or still practicing) real estate agents. But I hadn’t realized what a huge role they also play in financing local races.
Don’t forget to vote, if you haven’t already. Ballots have to be postmarked Tuesday November 3rd at the latest.
Judging by the contributors listed in this article, realtors seem to be playing a huge role in backing certain candidates. It’s always seemed like local government “players” have to be former (or still practicing) real estate agents. But I hadn’t realized what a huge role they also play in financing local races.
Don’t forget to vote, if you haven’t already. Ballots have to be postmarked Tuesday November 3rd at the latest.
posted by Tom Harper at 1:47 PM
26 Comments:
I listened to the debate on the radio between the two guys running for the port position. That was after I mailed in my vote. I sure would like a do-over. Brad just sounded like an ill-informed guy bent on scrapping harbour works and start spending money on an airport contract we do not even have in hand yet! He also did not seem to have a basic understanding of how the port functions and makes money.
I am not a fan of harbour works, but I am not for ignoring the waterfront problems. Rayonier needs to be responsible for their mess. That is what Calhoun advocates.
I sure should have looked at him more closely.
Sigh. Neither of them really thrill me, but I prefer some basic understanding of the port over wingnut crazy.
The Edna Dead-Enders are sure gonna be wailing and moaning come November 4!
To get some good change, we need people in there who represent the Citizens of this City. Not business interests and agendas.
Problem is, when we get someone in there who could do some real good, the others still outvote them. We need to get a majority of Council to support us regular people.
I took my ballot to the courthouse the other day, but being outside the city limits it's different than the one in the city.
I guess 22 grand isn't all that much, less than three grand a piece (on average) for eight runners.
Hey, don't get me started about real estate agents, you know how I get.
Back in the Good Old Days, the government didn't go around meddling in.....
Well, back in the good old days the government provided for the basic needs of all. Electricity, water, communications, roads things like that.
It damn well didn't just serve a small downtown business area that should be putting out their own money to make their area prettier if they want it so.
I do the paint the town thing most years but I'm damn if I will ever help paint a building downtown, make it or go broke I say.
I never expected anyone to help spiffy up my business when I owned one.
"Judging by the contributors listed in this article, realtors seem to be playing a huge role in backing certain candidates. It’s always seemed like local government “players” have to be former (or still practicing) real estate agents. But I hadn’t realized what a huge role they also play in financing local races."
Who else has a greater personal financial interest and gain from land use decisions (such as HarborWorks) than the real estate community? This is "just business" for them.
Gee, Larry Williams works for Carroll Realty, as does Karen Rogers' husband.
The majority of the current candidates either are real estate folks themselves, or are very closely associated with the industry.
The extensive funding is to keep the money flowing to their pockets, as always.
" Brad just sounded like an ill-informed guy bent on scrapping harbour works and start spending money on an airport contract we do not even have in hand yet! He also did not seem to have a basic understanding of how the port functions and makes money.
I am not a fan of harbour works, but I am not for ignoring the waterfront problems. Rayonier needs to be responsible for their mess. That is what Calhoun advocates."
As you may not know, Brad was the City Planning Director for a number of years, and knows very well how THIS local government functions, who the players are, and the realities of community planning. If he opposes HarborWorks, then it comes from a base of very well aquired knowledge, not the wishful thinking fantasies the current decisions are being baased upon.
If Calhoun supports HarborWorks, it is a great example of how out of touch he is with the economic realities of our region, and for that alone, he should not be re-elected.
If you want a leader who represents fantasy visions, write in Santa Claus on your ballot!
Great time to do an economic viability study for HarborWorks!
Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The economy may slow down early next year as unemployment rises and the boost from the government stimulus fades, said Raymond Stone, managing director at Stone & McCarthy Research in Skillman, New Jersey.
“The more troublesome outlook is for the early part of 2010,” Stone said in a Bloomberg Radio interview today. With the end of the cash-for-clunkers incentive and tax credits for first-time homebuyers, “unless we get some footing from the fiscal stimulus we’ve already witnessed, we could have a slowdown in economic growth next year.”
The unemployment rate is rising because more people are re-entering the labor market or joining it for the first time as the economy stabilizes, Stone said. The jobless rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, the highest level since 1983, signaling the recovery will be slow to develop.
“What we ultimately need is continued growth in aggregate demand, which will foster stronger production and ultimately stronger employment,” Stone said. Growth this quarter will be a “little bit slower” than the previous three months, he said, adding, “I wouldn’t be too optimistic” about the retail sales outlook for the holiday season.
The economy will probably grow at a 2.4 percent annual rate this quarter after expanding at a 3.2 percent pace from July through September, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists taken from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8. The jobless rate will exceed 10 percent in the first quarter of 2010, it showed.
Holiday Sales
U.S. holiday sales for November-December will probably fall 1 percent from the same period in 2008, the National Retail Federation forecast on Oct. 6. Last year’s 3.4 percent decline was the first drop since the Washington-based NRF started tracking the data in 1995.
The government’s cash-for-clunkers program, which offered credits of up to $4,500 for consumers to trade in older models for new, more fuel-efficient ones, ended Aug. 24. Auto sales fell 35 percent in September from the prior month to a 9.2 million annual rate, after the clunkers plan expired, according to Bloomberg data.
The government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers is due to expire Dec. 1. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders might extend or expand tax credits and housing aid as they seek to counter the decline in the housing market and reverse job losses, lawmakers said last week.
To contact the reporter on this story: Shobhana Chandra in Washington at schandra1@bloomberg.netThomas R. Keene in New York tkeene@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: October 12, 2009 12
Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Oh how I love an election! The simple pleasures of smear campaigning. That certain look that only a candidate who has been bought and paid for has. And oh those nights in the smokey backrooms with "the boys" stuffing ballot boxes to insure the win!
Of course this election is a good deal simpler given the simpletons I have to work with. Nevertheless, I am manipulating all the candidates with my powers of evil mental telepathy. "Do this Max Mania!" "Do that Edna Petersen!" I must admit that the fun never stops.
As for your "new" City Council, please rest assured that very little will change. I will continue to control the malleable minds of the City Council with my powers of mental manipulation and they will tirelessly, albeit unknowingly, work to further my evils ends in this city!
Toodles,
Doctor Nosferatu, Electioneer Par Excellence
Rayonier needs to be responsible for their mess.
Good luck with that, I can assure you that from this point on they will not spend one more penny on that property than they have to.
It's not making them money anymore, it's like a cobweb they have to sweep out of the way. Someone is going to get stuck with it, my best guess is the taxpayers.
The question becomes, which taxpayers. City, county, national. Maybe it doesn't make any difference, it all ripples out.
The only way to not spend anymore taxpayers money on it is to just it sit idle and not make any big plans for it.
Well, maybe some grass seed. Open the gate and turn it into a dog park so they have a place to shit and piss instead of on the Olympic Trail, that I have worked on a lot over the years.
Let the future worry about what to do with it, it's not for this time.
"Rayonier needs to be responsible for their mess.
Good luck with that, I can assure you that from this point on they will not spend one more penny on that property than they have to."
I heard a comment about this from a PABA (Port Angeles Business Association)member last week which may reflect the current leadership views. They said that everyone expects Rayonier to clean up the property to "Industrial" standards, but if the community wants it cleaned to "Unlimted" (which will allow public access and use of the lands)standards of contamination removal, the community will have to figure out how it is going to pay to accomplish that.
Hey, that is just wrong! The standard "Industrial" was set by the city council in 2004, after the majority of the public comment wanted it set at "Unlimited". It is a choice established BY the city council!
I think Betsy, Cherie, or any of the councilmembers who claim to care about the publics' concerns should propose a motion to change that standard from "Industrial" to "Unlimited". Let's see what happens. Let's see where everyones' alliances REALLY lay, when it comes to changing that standard for Rayonier to clean up.
Sounds pretty straight forward to me! If you say that you believe Rayonier should be responsible for cleaning up the messes it made, so that the property can be made "productive" again, then where is the problem?
There should be no opposition within the Port Angeles leadership to support this motion, right?
Watch.
Yes, Calhoun is right, the recession is over, and now is the time to proceed with HarborWorks.
Read through this, about loans for commercial real estate. I can see why Port Angeles is spending money now to explore developing commercial real estate. Couldn't be a better time.
Elect those real estate professionals!
"Federal regulators close 9 banks, mostly in West
By TIM PARADIS and MARCY GORDON (AP Business Writers)
From Associated Press
October 31, 2009 8:31 AM EST
NEW YORK - Regulators have shut California National Bank of Los Angeles and eight smaller related banks as the weak economy continues to produce a stream of loan defaults.
The banks had combined assets of $19.4 billion and deposits of $15.4 billion at the end of September, the FDIC said.
The closing of nine banks in one day was the most the FDIC has shut since the financial crisis began taking down banks last year. The closings boost the number of failed U.S. banks this year to 115.
As the economy has soured, with unemployment rising, home prices tumbling and loan defaults soaring, bank failures have cascaded and sapped billions out of the federal deposit insurance fund. It has fallen into the red.
The FDIC expects Friday's closings will cost the fund $2.5 billion. The FDIC and U.S. Bank agreed to share losses on about $14.4 billion of the combined purchased assets of $18.2 billion.
Failures have been especially concentrated in California, Georgia and Illinois. While the pounding from losses on home mortgages may be nearing an end, delinquencies on commercial real estate loans remain a hot spot of potential trouble, regulators say. If the recession deepens, defaults on the high-risk loans could spike. Many regional banks, especially, hold large concentrations of these loans.
The 115 failures are the most in a year since 1992 at the height of the savings-and-loan crisis. They have cost the federal deposit insurance fund more than $25 billion so far this year, and hundreds more bank failures are expected to raise the cost to around $100 billion through 2013.
To replenish the fund, the FDIC wants the roughly 8,100 insured banks and savings institutions to pay in advance about $45 billion in premiums that would have been due over the next three years.
The 115 bank failures this year compare with 25 last year and three in 2007.
Banks have been especially hurt by failed real estate loans. Banks that had lent to seemingly solid businesses are suffering losses as buildings sit vacant. As development projects collapse, builders are defaulting on their loans.
The number of banks on the FDIC's confidential "problem list" jumped to 416 at the end of June from 305 in the first quarter. That's the most since June 1994. About 13 percent of banks on the list generally end up failing, according to the FDIC."
I heard a comment about this from a PABA (Port Angeles Business Association)member last week which may reflect the current leadership views.
I'm well aware that they would like to get them to foot the bill, and just as aware that they won't. The business community would love to get their hands on that property, with next to no cost to them.
I didn't know Karen Roger's had a husband, what was he thinking. :-)
Betsy "Change" Wharton and Cherie "I Listen To You" Kidd ... uh huh. I know exactly how they'll vote. Uh huh.
I know exactly how they'll vote. Uh huh.
I don't, I don't follow Monkeyville politics that close.
Lets see, what do I know, Jackson believes in aliens and Cherie wastes a lot of time and talent on politics and self promotion but has a cute butt, he he he.
In the PDN the other day. Seems to be a pretty consistent story. Locally, or nationwide. But of course, the leaders in Port Angeles know something all of these financial professionals don't! Obviously.
EVERETT -- The parent company of Frontier Bank, which has three branches on the North Olympic Peninsula, announced a $141.1 million third-quarter loss Thursday, up from a net loss of $50 million in the second quarter of this year.
Everett-based Frontier Financial Corp. has lost $224.9 million so far this year and has been plagued by plummeting stock prices, defaulting loans and regulatory censure since the first signs of recession paralyzed the construction industry.
$98 million charge-off
Frontier charged off $98 million in bad loans during the quarter and set aside $140 million more to buffer against bad loans.
The bank has been operating under a cease-and-desist order from federal and state regulators since early this year and received notice of possible delisting from the NASDAQ.
The bank's nonperforming assets -- one measure of bad loans -- increased during the quarter to about 24 percent of all its assets, or $912 million.
Its capital levels are also slipping, with one key capital ratio decreasing to 3.4 percent from 6.7 percent during the quarter -- below what regulators deem a "well-capitalized" institution.
Frontier was counting on millions of dollars in capital from a potential merger with SP Acquisition Holdings, a New York blank check company, to help boost its capital levels.
That deal fell apart this month after the bank was unable to get regulatory approval fast enough.
"While we were disappointed our merger with SPAH was terminated, the number of banks able to raise capital since we entered into the agreement with SPAH has increased dramatically," Frontier executive Pat Fahey said Thursday.
Last week, Frontier announced a new team of executives to oversee lending, part of an ongoing restructuring attempt aimed at fortifying the bank's shaky footing.
The bank's strategy includes an added emphasis on commercial and retail banking along with private client services.
Frontier operates branches in Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim as well as 48 other locations in Western Washington.
Sterling Savings Bank
In addition to Frontier, Spokane-based Sterling Savings Bank, which has branches in Port Angeles and Forks, is also operating under a federal cease-and-desist order.
Four consecutive quarters of losses totaling $879 million prompted the order Oct. 9.
It has resulted in a management shakeup and an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and state Department of Financial Institutions that requires Sterling to improve its lending procedures, increase board oversight and raise $300 million by Dec. 15 to buffer against a pileup of bad commercial real estate loans.
Last modified: October 30. 2009 12:52AM
I'm sure after this guy leaves Port Angeles, he will kneel down and kiss the ground of Victoria, thanking his lucky stars that he lives where he does.
"Collaboration"?? What does Port Angeles have to offer Victoria? Get real.
As Jackson said, "It is better to keep your mouth shut, and let people think your are a fool, than to open it, and dispell any doubt".
With all the vacant stores, I'm sure this President of the business association will see all that Port Angeles has to offer! I'm sure he will be polite and professional, but just imagine what he will relay to anyone asking when he returns home.
How embarassing.
Program Announcement
PORT ANGELES BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 7:30am
This week the Port Angeles Business Association welcomes Ken Kelly, Executive Director of the Victoria Downtown Business Association, (DVBA). Mr. Kelly, a graduate of University of British Columbia and Queen's University, is an urban planner who has worked for the past thirty years throughout Canada to revitalize downtowns and inner cities.
Ken became Director of the DVBA in 2004 after serving as General Manager of Downtown Moncton, New Brunswick. He was the principal author of a strategic planning manual for Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in New Brunswick, created by Mt. Allison University in 1994, as well as a former President of Downtown New Brunswick (DNB), and an honorary citizen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a result of his work there.
The Victoria Downtown Business Association is composed of more than 1400 businesses. It has a daily working population estimated to be upwards of 24,000, 60% of whom are employed by government with the balance working in the private sector. Downtown Victoria is ranked among the top 20 downtowns in North America. In 2006, Condé Nast Traveler ranked Victoria as tied for third place in the Top Ten Cities in the Americas (North, Central & SouthAmerica).
In his presentation; Hands Across the Strait...Downtown to Downtown, Ken will present the DVBA's vision, mission, and strategic plan, as well as how it has addressed some of the common challenges of downtown business. Ken will also be discussing the possibilities of opening up a dialogue between our two downtowns and business communities and how we might consider collaborating and partnering on cross border commerce, event, or project.
Learn more about the DVBA: www.downtownvictoria.ca
Ken will have already had a tour of the Port Angeles Downtown Core including the historical underground and a scenic tour of Hurricane Ridge or Lake Crescent sites and waterfalls depending on the weather.
I took heart when I read a letter in this morning's dear PDN in which a letter writer said he opened the ballot he was prepared to send and crossed off the name of "Max Mania" and proudly cast his vote for dear Edna Petersen who will soon sit in seat number two on of beloved City Council!
The reason for this decision was "Max Mania's" unseemly conduct during several recent forum toward Edna Petersen. His rude behavior has sturck a negative chord with voters across our wonderful city and the voters are responding accordingly. I can only hope more dear citizens have done likewise, striking the name of this old hoddy-doddy off their ballots and casting their votes for our very own, home bred Edna Petersen!
Yes, come November 4, it will the "Max Maniacs" who will be shedding bitter tears! Yes, those negative ninnies and their cohorts in the county will be certainly sorry.
But true artists such as Bob Stokes and dear Jackson Smart among many others, will help Edna achieve her vision for our dear little down town and our beloved city.
"old hoddy-doddy" ... WTF?!
"Ken will also be discussing the possibilities of opening up a dialogue between our two downtowns and business communities and how we might consider collaborating and partnering on cross border commerce, event, or project."
In other words... "Please clean up your town! It's embarrassing when tourists take the boat from our city to your town. No? Well, I guess we'll have to help, give you a little nudge or something."
I count five "dear"s in that comment. Wow. Couldn't you have squeezed some more in there? Yes you can, dear!
"Unseemly conduct"? The dear guy is coming off as nucking futs!
"In other words... "Please clean up your town! It's embarrassing when tourists take the boat from our city to your town. No? Well, I guess we'll have to help, give you a little nudge or something.".."
Hey! They painted buildings. Didn't that make Port Angeles as wonderful as Victoria? Didn't that bring in the tourists from miles around?
Really, what DOES Port Angeles have to offer, that cannot be found better anywhere else?
There is the POTENTIAL of the ancient villages and that Port Angeles COULD capitalize on the unique aspects of all that. Anyone who watched the international coverage of the Olympic Flame ceremonies in Victoria last Friday saw how prominantly the tribal/native heritage of the region was featured for all the world to see.
But, I know, we are talking about Port Angeles, where the leadership continues to push for "industry" as the salvation for the community. We heard this recently, as the Port of Port Angeles directors said they wanted the majority of the Rayonier property for marine related industrial uses. (Like, there is not enough vacant waterfront industrial property the PoPA ALREADY owns?!) They don't seem to understand that most all "industry" and manufacturing has been shipped over to China!
So, year after year, the community waits for "industry" that will never come.. with shrinking populations, dropping property values, and increasing numbers of vacant buildings.
And Victoria continues to thrive.
The differences are obvious, and the respective communities enjoy the results.
And don't forget the thingummyjigs on Laurel Street that continue to "delight" and "draw" tourists from all over the four corners of the earth.
If anyone can bring tourists to this town it will be the natives and their cultures returning and on display.
But I'm not sure they should do that, I like a lack of tourists around here other than as a way point to other places.
That is what this place is on a gps unit, a way point.
we can't bring tourists to this town unless there is something they want to SEE. We still don't get it about that. The town needs to invent itself....decide what direction to go. Attracting non-existent industry (hey, we don't speak Chinese) which has long ago left for far shores, or attracting something "high tech" (ditto on the far shores) is just not going to pan out. If we can cater to the fancy of those with extra $$. Hmmm, but who has done that? Ashland, OR? Branson, MO? Lake Compounce/Bristol, CT? Sandusky, OH? Wall, SD?
The problem is...PA thinks the walk of rusted art is going to attract anyone. Nope. The other stupid concept is that Twilight is going to last, and last, and last. Nope.
small thoughts for small people. The town really needs to THINK big if it's going to turn into a tourist nook.
To the person responding to my post at the top here: He may very well have been the City Planning Director, but he did not sound well informed. That does not speak well of the caliber of employee at the city (but that is for another day). I would encourage you to contact KONP and have a listen for yourself to the interview with both candidates (even though the race is over). Why? Because it was very enlightening. Not only about the candidates, but the situation with Harbourworks (HW), development along the waterfront, leasing issues between the Port and companies wishing to do business in our county and issues with the airport.
It was an eye opener for me. I am still not a HW fan and wish for it to be disbanded in favor of another group to be formed differently, openly and with clear purpose. The very things HW lacks.
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