Harbor-Works: “If I keep Asking, Begging and Pleading, maybe Rayonier will go out with me”
posted by Tom Harper at 5:55 PM
Saturday, August 28, 2010
About Me
- Name: Tom Harper
- Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington, United States
Previous Posts
- Bomb Squad Called to Port Angeles Neighborhood
- Elwha Dam Removal
- New Marketing Theme for Port Angeles
- New Location for Border Patrol
- Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's Design for Rayonier Pr...
- Employment Situation to be Discussed at PABA Meeting
- Survey on Future Harbor and Shoreline Uses
- New Hope for Empty Gottschalks Building
- Sprint Boat Race Track Gets Clearance
- More News From Rayonier
35 Comments:
You're finished before you began, Kaj "Evil Wall Street Sharpie" Ahlburg! Ha ha ha! And take Jeff Lincoln and that lickspittle Kent Myers with you!
Completely unrelated, but I finally made my way to the Farmer's Market today. There was a lot more energy there than I'm used to in Port Angeles. People bustling around happily shopping. It was kind of weird actually.
And I listened to the band a bit (Abby Mae and the Homeschool Boys??). They were a pretty good band, if you're into that kind of music. It struck me, we really do have a lot of talent up here... Lonely H, Kory Nagler, these guys. I guess the Dirt Punk genre is going strong up here.
Of my main complaint, as always, is anyone talented has to leave to accomplish anything. That's one reason I think the whole Rayonier quagmire is pointless. If there isn't enough economic activity up here to support what we've got (be it artistic, blue collar, entrepreneur or nerd) why are we so desperate to expand?
And don't forget Orville Campbell and that spineless nitwit of a mayor, Dan di Guilio! Take those two with you, Kaj!
PA Nerd asks; " If there isn't enough economic activity up here to support what we've got (be it artistic, blue collar, entrepreneur or nerd) why are we so desperate to expand?"
Because the same little circle of real estate folks that have shaped Port Angeles to date figure they can screw the Indians out of any claims they might make on the former village the occupied for thousands of years, used public funds to fight those issues, set a precedent, AND get MORE public monies to get the land developed. They get the contracts to build, market and sales commissions.
If the scheme falls apart (as it looks like it might), THEY don't care. It wasn't THEIR money on the hook. So far, over $1.3 million of public monies spent by Port Angeles, with nothing to show for it excewpt a letter from Rayonier saying HarborWorks' offer was " commercially unattractive, which no sane land owner would accept".
All good for them. They can make everyone else look bad (Rayonier, Ecology, The Tribes, enviromentalists) while not appearing to be personally involved. If it works, they're rolling in the good life. If it goes bad, no loss to them.
Few in Port Angeles, other than the same old real estate crew, really care about HarborWorks and it's goals. So, the majority of Port Angelians suffer the results.
To Anonymous @ 12:17 AM, August 29, 2010, Very well said,thank you.
Nerd, The Lonely H guys are moving to Nashville this fall.
Also, we're supposed to hate the Gateway Center and all that it represents. See the post above.
If there isn't enough economic activity up here to support what we've got (be it artistic, blue collar, entrepreneur or nerd) why are we so desperate to expand?
WE are not desperate to expand. The Real Estate driven local politicians are desperate to expand. They (theoretically at least) look to increase tax base without raising taxes. This old timey approach rarely is successful , however , because increased populations tend to raise demand for services faster than tax revenue. Of course since Real Estate firms , agents, and developers get their unearned commissions up front, they don’t really care about the aftermath.
WTF? Said: "This old timey approach rarely is successful , however , because increased populations tend to raise demand for services faster than tax revenue."
Yes, I've seen many studies that verify this.
"Nerd, The Lonely H guys are moving to Nashville this fall. "
And Nagler's in Seattle I think. I think Abby Mae has the potential to make it big... but elsewhere. I've been resisting moving but, man, I can't deny that there's a lot better jobs for nerds elsewhere.
I think the perfect illustration to my point, as far as real estate goes, is the Oak Street property. The city's been wanting that developed for... what? 20 years? 30? It's passed through a succession of owners, it's had some nice plans drafted for it, but it's still a big empty lot. If that one piece of property, near the waterfront in downtown, isn't viable, why would a 74 acre lot off the beaten path be viable?
I'm not saying "don't ever think about developing Rayonier"... I'm saying that Port Angeles has some major problems they need to focus on first: retention of local talent, development of existing community and, no offense to BBC, but if Port Angeles really wants to grow it's going to have to pull in some monkeys from outside that have the time, ambition and capital to help expansion.
If Port Angeles doesn't want to grow then, honestly, I'd suggest doing what Detroit's doing and start pulling back, revert some land to rural farmland and focus on a smaller area.
The Gateway... geez, the price tag was pretty severe and there are a lot of things I don't like about it, but it's here and it does look better than that old tavern. Maybe the Waterfront Promenade will help make the Oak Street property more attractive. It sure would make Railroad look better for tourists. Downtown is looking a lot better than it did 15 years ago, and despite what I hear about an empty downtown, it's really not that bad. Hey, I can buy Pocky downtown now and I never used to be able to do that. There's starting to be more of a nightlife downtown. A little bit.
Honestly, I think downtown's looking pretty good, especially compared to Lincoln and First streets. I think the 101 corridor should be a priority, making it pretty would lure in tourists and their money like a water pitcher plant lures in food.
Peninsula College is getting a huge makeover and the library already has. Colleges and libraries tend to bring and retain talent, if done right. It amazes me that even during a downturn the old Salvation Army building and the old Safeway plaza are being renovated. So there are good things going on, and high visibility things, even during the Great Recession. But I think the city really needs to focus on retaining and acquired talented people. "War on Homelessness" is very noble, but why not a "War on Brain Drains" as well?
Good God I talk a lot. Sorry, my bad.
WTF, please run for city council next year. As we've heard from the morons, they're planning to shove Cody, Kaj and who knows who else down our throats. I don't think Cherie, Dan or Brad stand much chance unless someone with some brains and guts stands up to fend off these twerps. Think it over, please!
It occurs to me I might seem to be contradicting myself. Shrink! Expand! Shrink to expand!
I think Port Angeles has enough problems to consider pulling back a bit. It needs to reconsider its area of influence, both geographically (eg the Rayonier site) and with what the city does for and to businesses.
The city government should work on shrinking itself. Prioritize infrastructure, laws and taxes (by whatever name). Make things simple and inexpensive as possible for citizens and businesses (within reason, I'm more of a "simplify!" guy than a "starve the beast!" guy). Work on consolidating any competing services. That's shrinking.
Once shrunk, it needs to focus on that infamous Quality of Life that knocked PA out of the NOAA round so quickly. Schools, parks and the government bureaucracy are all things that impact citizens and businesses directly and could always use some tweaking.
Port Angeles needs to prioritize what it's going to be and focus on those. If tourism is important, fix up the tourist areas: Railroad Ave, the 101 corridor. Should it encourage small and medium size businesses and startups within the existing area? How and how much? Take a good look at what works and the value of each organization, CDC, Incubator, etc. How can it encourage sale and development of "black pit of doom" areas, like the Oak Street Property, the Chinook, 8th and Lincoln, the gaps in downtown, 1st and Washington.
Once the city has shrunk and streamlined its geographic area and its bureaucracy, then it can worry about expanding, to the Rayonier site, to the Urban Growth Areas. Until then it's just biting off more than it can chew, again.
Anyway, that's what I'm talking about. Even though I don't really know what I'm talking about.
I think the perfect illustration to my point, as far as real estate goes, is the Oak Street property.
It hasn't sold because the current owner won't sell it to anyone that wants to put a hotel on it because he owns the the Best Western Olympic Lodge.
And he has the money to keep anyone from doing that, he doesn't care if he sells it or not, it's still an investment and a tax write off to him at this point.
He's one damn smart cookie, which is why he doesn't live here.
And he has the money to keep anyone from doing that, he doesn't care if he sells it or not, it's still an investment and a tax write off to him at this point.
What a minute, tax write off? what is that?
Anyone who makes over $250,000 has lost virtually all tax write offs and it's going to get worse on 1/1/2011. When Obama and his administration implement the biggest government tax increase of all time. It won't be the $250K earners only like Obama promised, either it will be every single tax paying american including senior citizens.
Be forwarned
Anyone who makes over $250,000 has lost virtually all tax write offs
well exept capital gains, prefered dividends, etc ...
Maybe you Teabaggers should move to Ethiopia or the Sudan - they don't have any taxes there (or roads, schools, hospitals, law enforcement, etc. etc. etc.
Face it, you're just one more greedy pig who refuses to pay your share.
Well said, Comrade WTF! Let's remember the Dear Leader's words of wisdom: "What is yours is ours and what is ours is ours!"
Well said, Comrade WTF! Let's remember the Dear Leader's words of wisdom: "What is yours is ours and what is ours is ours!"
Here, stupid , let me break it down for ya. There is a cost differential between a ‘81 Toyota and a brand new Corvette…see a Glamorous Vegas call girl and an AIDS infested street whore come with different price tags… and if you want to live in the best country in the world, well , you can expect that to cost more as well. Maybe if you stopped trying to freeload on the good life and actually tried to appreciate and contribute to the country where you live , you could find some contentment.
Here, stupid , let me break it down for ya. There is a cost differential between a ‘81 Toyota and a brand new Corvette…see a Glamorous
WTF>>>>>
spoken like a true freeloader. you sit back and use all the government services and expect the wealth to pay for them all.
If you want socialism move to canada
Tea Party Member said:
"WTF>>>>>
spoken like a true freeloader. you sit back and use all the government services and expect the wealth to pay for them all.
If you want socialism move to canada"
So, if it is not for taxes, who is going to pay for the police, fire and emergency medical services? Just for starters.
How about street lights? Road paving?
Your "arguement" that anyone that expects any kinds of services from the government is some kind of "socialist freeloader" is just plain idiotic, by ANYONES' perspectives.
If this is truely the views the Tea Party members have, America has hit a new low for stupid political discourse.
When are tea party people going to wake up and realize they are being played by corporations that want to be free of regulations that are actually protecting people whether it is health or finances. They want to do what they want to do and not be held liable for their actions- a privelege the average citizen does not enjoy.
The corporate big wigs, such as the Koch brothers are laughing at the tea party but paying for them to succumb to their worst instincts - hate, anger and resentment and yes, sometimes outright racism.
And by the way - while the tea party does the dirty work for this country's elite, they will never be allowed into the gated neighborhoods and the clubs.
When will HarborWorks Directors and certain City Council members wake up and accept reality? The studies they commissioned ("due diligence") said there was no economic viability for any industrial, commercial, retail or residential development of the former mill site. But, they still are trying to find a way for the public to buy the site.
What ARE "due diligence" studies, anyways, and why are they even done/required? According to the on-line "Investopedia" : "1. Offers to purchase an asset are usually dependent on the results of due diligence analysis. This includes reviewing all financial records plus anything else deemed material to the sale. Sellers could also perform a due diligence analysis on the buyer. Items that may be considered are the buyer's ability to purchase, as well as other items that would affect the purchased entity or the seller after the sale has been completed 2. Due diligence is a way of preventing unnecessary harm to either party involved in a transaction."
So, these studies are done to be USED. Not IGNORED.
But, I know, this is Port Angeles. The studies are only a way for tax dollars to be passed along to the chosen. One of many ways these people have figured out to get tax money from the State, as this last effort revealed.
Remember, the City and the Port both got millions from the State after the Graving Dock mess, most of which they still hold. But, here we see they go back to Olympia asking for more.
What do we learn from what we see?
One thing is for certain, the United States tax codes are flawed.
Some people pay no taxes
Some people pay nearly 6 digits
Some use tax laws to avoid paying as much or any
The top 5% of earners pay 95% of the taxes
I've alway been in favor of a flat tax, 10% on everyone, collected by employers. This eliminates 700,000 non essential federal workers and burdens every worker equally.
If you Democrats out there think the government is taxing everyone fairly and spending our money wisely then don't be surprised when your paying more and getting less
I suggest reading the current NEW YORKER article about the Koch brothers to learn about who is really behind the "grassroots" TEA Party "movement." The Koch's are corporate BILLIONAIRES who are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to (covertly) try to shape our economy to suit THEM. This is not an attempt to help the average person; it is an attempt to help the average billionaire. Left, right or center, you should be worried about this kind of self-serving corporate interference.
2010 City Officials have been saddled with the unethical, self-serving backroom deals made by their predecessors. They may be beginning to realize that the public interest is better-served by un-doing Harbor Works, though. How wonderful it would be if they would take decisive steps to distance themselves from bad decisions made in the past.
A cause for some worry, though: although Madsen, Rogers, and Williams are gone from official positions of power, they may still be pulling strings from behind the scenes to manipulate the outcome of the Harbor Works drama.
Watch out for dirty tricks to come, as self-interested insiders struggle desperately to keep that public money gravy train on the tracks.
If you Democrats out there think the government is taxing everyone fairly and spending our money wisely then don't be surprised when your paying more and getting less
Of course, if you Republicans out there think your party will ever do anything other than lie to you while the real tax cuts go to large corporations , well don’t be surprised when they destroy most of our infastructure as they crash the economy… (oh yeah, they already did that)
Of course, if you Republicans out there think your party will ever do anything other than lie to you while the real tax cuts go to large corporations , well don’t be surprised when they destroy most of our infastructure as they crash the economy… (oh yeah, they already did that)
Of course if you look at the facts you will see the democratic congress seated in 2006 is the root cause of our economy's fall.
Oh, and by the way, the Obama administration has spent more ($862 Billion in 2 years) to recue our economy than the entire Iraq war ($738 Billion in 7 years) cost. FOR WHAT, IS OUR ECONOMY RESCUED?
Oh, also remember, the Bush tax cuts affected every working American, even those that paid no taxes got money back, $600 at least a couple times. And these tax cuts which Obama is going to take back saved our economy from the disaster the Clinton era left us in.
If you want to revive our economy you better stop spending and give the money back to small business's and their employees.
The Squawk-a-doodle Squadron is in full flight. Beware of sh*t falling from the skies!
"...And these tax cuts which Obama is going to take back saved our economy from the disaster the Clinton era left us in."
And yet, the Clinton era left us with large surplusses, not the deficits left by the Bush II era!
All Bush did was give the surplus back to the people who paid for it.
Congress voted overwhelmingly to go to Irag and Afghanistan, as well as the United Nations, hence the Bush II deficit.
Obama has blown the deficit even higher and guess who's going to pay for it all.
Of course if you look at the facts you will see the democratic congress seated in 2006 is the root cause of our economy's fall.
Righhhhht....
And these tax cuts which Obama is going to take back saved our economy from the disaster the Clinton era left us in.
Are you even reading the silly shit you write?
WTF ... do you?
Crazy how everyone is blaming Clinton, Bush, Obama for the recession. A Free Market is also Free to crash. This recession is beyond a single president, no matter what letter is beside his name (D or R). Lots of people were responsible. I'd say we all share the guilt, so let's move on and figure out how to get things going again. Or we could just sit here blaming each other until China buys us for a couple cents on the dollar.
And tax cuts aren't any good without budget cuts. I know you like to blame Obama and Clinton for everything, but cutting revenue while raising expenditures only produces a - suprise! - deficit. You'd think some of the smarty pants business owners who vote Republican would have figured that out. Oh wait "deficits don't matter-unless there's a democrat in office".
I miss the old conservatives that made sense and tried to get things done.
"I miss the old conservatives that made sense and tried to get things done."
I agree. I sure don't care about party affiliation, but I do care if they care about the country, and work for achievable solutions. The "Fox News" sound bites of idiotoic rhetoric do nothing to help out the country.
Come on. Get past the stupid talk, and pitch in.
Think about it. Are your efforts really doing anything to help? If not, why?
I miss the old conservatives that made sense and tried to get things done.
Uh, and when was that? EVERY Republican administration since WWII has served up a recession, No Republican administration in that period has ever reduced the size of Govt. Virtually every financial disaster from Black Monday, to the S&L Disaster, to Enron, to this most recent mess has dirty Republican fingerprints all over it. Watergate, Iran Contra, CIA involvement with the cocaine trade, WMDs…. Just who are these conservatives that made sense? Would that be Jesse Helms? Strom Thurmond? Orrin Hatch?
teabagger, socialist, lefty, righty, republican, democrat, obamabot...whatever, you're all not getting it. The government has been hijacked by corporate shills who want to enslave us by saddling us with debt, making it so we can't do anything without breaking a law (and paying a fine) and taxing and regulating small business to the brink of poverty.
It's our government that has gone rogue. Harbor Works is a mere mirror of the big picture.
All the parties are the same...and the powers that be like us all fighting and finger pointing. Means we aren't seeing the bigger picture: we're screwed.
Anonymous 10:18 AM, September 02, 2010
"...whatever, you're all not getting it.
Means we aren't seeing the bigger picture: we're screwed."
So, you’re like 19 or 20 years old, or what? Throughout the history of mankind, the issues you describe have been extant . The Roman Empire, the British Empire, the American Empire, the various dynasties of Egypt and China, etc. etc. etc. When the masses accept your premise : “we’re screwed” , they simply perpetuate whatever corrupt system they find themselves subject to. No Magna Carta , no Declaration of Independence, just “we’re screwed”. It is ONLY through radical Liberal politics that the human race ever progresses socially.
Quit crying and get involved
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