Finalized Deal Between Rayonier and Ecology Dept.

The State Department of Ecology has signed a cleanup agreement with Rayonier Properties LLC.

The agreement outlines a three-year time line for cleaning up the 75 acres at the foot of Ennis Street and 1,325 acres of harbor sediment. Harbor-Works and the City of Port Angeles had both wanted a shorter time line.

Chrysler and Murray Motors

Chrysler has offered to reinstate 36 of the 789 dealers that it threw under the bus last year. Port Angeles’ Murray Motors is one of the dealers that got cut loose by Chrysler, and so far it isn’t one of the dealers that Chrysler has offered to take back.

Mark Murray, owner of Murray Motors, said: “To me, it's like remarrying your ex-wife. Most of us don't want to do it. It's pretty well past the point of no return. I got rid of all the Chrysler cars and a lot of the parts.”

Mark Murray is the third-generation owner of Murray Motors. Murray Motors started in Clallam Bay in 1934 and moved to Port Angeles in 1944.

The contrasts between Murray Motors and Chrysler is a microcosm of two vastly different types of companies: a local small business that’s thrived for three generations by providing excellent service and has countless loyal customers, vs. a gigantic bloated corporation that doesn’t care about anything except enriching its highest-paid executives.

Linda Rotmark to Speak at PABA Meeting

Linda Rotmark, director of the Clallam County Economic Development Council, will be the guest speaker at this Tuesday’s meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association (Joshua’s Restaurant, 7:30 a.m.)

The Economic Development Council is coordinating the upcoming 3-day summit that will focus on developing an economic action plan for Clallam County.

Pierce Guilty

Michael J. Pierce was found guilty yesterday of two counts of first degree murder. On March 18, 2009, he fatally shot Patrick and Janice Yarr in their home near Lake Leland.

In addition to the two murders, Pierce was convicted of robbery, arson, theft of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm and theft of a credit card. Pierce's lawyer said he plans to appeal.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 22nd before Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser.

Marketing Experts: Don’t Stop Advertising

The Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel of marketing experts: Strait WEB owner Roxi Baxley, Call Center 24X7 owner Shane Miller and graphic designer Laurel Black.

About advertising, Laurel Black said “you can’t afford not to.” She also urged business owners to “pretend you’re the customer.” And she said it’s important for businesses to have a clear message because “confused people don’t buy.”

Roxi Baxley talking about the importance of using Facebook for promoting business.

Shane Miller said the customer service industry is one of the few industries that’s thriving in the current economy. “One of the big reasons for that is because retention of customers costs less than gaining new customers.”

Port Angeles Seminar by Jon Schallert

Marketing Consultant Jon Schallert will be giving a one-day symposium in Port Angeles. The date and location haven’t been determined yet.

I won’t go into whether he’s worth $8,000 for a one-day appearance, or whether the City Council should have agreed to contribute $4,000 of that money. (That’s for YOU, the reader, to discuss.)

But I went to one of his lectures three years ago when Main Street had their national convention in Seattle; he has some excellent information and an entertaining presentation style. I think any business owner would benefit from this seminar.

Here are some links to Jon Schallert.

Betsy Wharton Elected to North Olympic Land Trust

Betsy Wharton, former city council member, has been elected to the board of the North Olympic Land Trust.

The North Olympic Land Trust (based in Port Angeles) recently merged with the Sequim-based Friends of the Fields.

Land-Use Permit Approved for Zipline

Dan Williams, project manager and CEO of Green Planet Inc., has received the land-use permit he needs for building a $1.8 million zipline course and eco-park. It will be on 40 acres of commercial forest south of Port Angeles, leased from the state Department of Natural Resources.

Clallam County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to uphold the conditional use permit.

Green Planet will be operating passenger vans to take people from downtown Port Angeles to the park.

Wal-Mart Downsizing

Even though the Port Angeles Wal-Mart is in the process of expanding to a larger store, they're downsizing some of their employees at the same time.

This hasn't been publicized in the local papers, but if you know anyone who works at Wal-Mart, they'll probably verify it.

Does this make sense?

School Districts Can Now Raise More Money Through Levies

The state legislature has approved a measure that will allow school districts to ask voters for more money.

School districts will now be able to raise up to 28% of their money through levies; the previous limit was 24%. The levy equalization rate is increased from 12% to 14%.

The bill hasn't yet been signed by Governor Gregoire.

New Public Records Officer for Clallam County

This Monday, the clerk of the county’s board of commissioners, Trish Holden, will take over the position of Public Records Officer. County Auditor Patty Rosand currently holds that position.

There will be a public hearing on this change on April 20th, 10:30 a.m. in room 160 of the Clallam County Courthouse.

This change is the result of the increasing number of public records requests — about a thousand requests per year.

Port Angeles Economic Summit

Kent Myers wants to hold an economic development summit in early April. Tentatively it’ll be April 1st at the Red Lion. The meeting is for the “entire community to tell us what they want from economic development in the next five to ten years.”

The following day there’ll be a meeting of local stakeholders to develop an action plan, which is supposed to be completed by June.

(This was from today’s PDN; it’s not posted on their website.)

Harbor-Works Cleared Again by State Auditor's Office

The city and port did not break any laws when the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Development Authority was created two years ago. The Auditor's Office made this determination last May, and they confirmed their findings again yesterday.

The audit was a result of concerns raised by Port Angeles residents Norma Turner and Shirley Nixon over the legality of Harbor-Works' formation.

Unemployment Up on Olympic Peninsula

In January the unemployment rate went up to 11.4% in Clallam County. That's a 1.5% increase from the previous month.

Jefferson County's unemployment rate was 10.6%, a 1.7% increase from the previous month.

Statewide, the unemployment rate is 9.3%.