Sprint Boat Races Approved by Planning Commission
The Port Angeles Planning Commission gave unanimous approval for A2Z Enterprises to build a sprint boat race track near Fairchild Airport, and to hold events there. The track is expected to be finished by July, and the sprint boat race finals will be held on September 17th.
A2Z Enterprises is expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people to attend the race.
A2Z Enterprises is expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people to attend the race.
posted by Tom Harper at 7:11 PM
24 Comments:
Right. No business plan. No feasibility study. No traffic study. No emergency or accident planning. No nothing.
All of which adds up to no chance of success. Hey gang! Let's put on a show!
Yeah...right. Must be nice to have crooked friends at the Port and money to burn.
Great to see the city leading the way with something that is not so dependent on fuel.
NOW is the time to find ways to encourage people to burn even more gasoline!
I'm so proud of Port Angeles.
I saw the small legal notice in the paper about the opportunity to comment on the land use application for this track. I was hoping the PDN would write a story that would better alert people about it, so that they could attend the Planing Commission hearing. Instead, it sounds like the approval process was able to "hide in plain sight". The legal notice said the application included a request to allow camping on the site, as well as some other racing-type uses in addition to the boats.
It's a good bet that there will be a lot more than sprint boat racing going on there.
Bread & Circuses, were it ever thus.
From what I hear they are really fun to watch, the redneck in you can enjoy them.
But I'm not enthused about a bunch more monkeys coming here to watch them just so a few can make big bucks off of it all.
WTF will be highly displeased when he learns about this load of crap.
I think they're being pretty damn optimistic with those attendance projections! What is that, a quarter of Port Angeles?
WTF will be highly displeased when he learns about this load of crap.
....
And, you know WTF is a male?
Right. No business plan. No feasibility study. No traffic study. No emergency or accident planning. No nothing.
All of which adds up to no chance of success.
So you know Dan and the rest of the group who are putting this thing together, right? You know he’s a local boy who made good running his own successful business here for years right? You know that he’s the vice president of the national sanctioning body for this sport and has tons of experience with most of the “issues” you’ve outlined, right? You know that the property in question is out by the airport adjacent to a business park, right? You’re aware that this is the only original, creative idea to get off the ground in Port Angeles in 30 years, right? You know no public money is being spent, right? You know that the drag races in Forks are just a big drag on their local economy with no benefit to local businesses, right? You know that you’re just one more mealy mouthed pain in the ass with no regard for anything that doesn’t directly and immediately benefit you, right?
Hey WTF...Despite your (seemingly) glowing recommendation of Dan Morrison, who has "run his own successful business here for years," I see him as the guy who has had numerous run-ins with the Department of Ecology and other agencies because he doesn't follow the rules. Not exactly "best business practices."
And, yes, "he's a local boy who made good." Like in this case, where he got appointed to a Port subcommittee just before this issue came before the Port. Which means it was a conflict of interest for the Port to sell the land to him. Oh yeah, and when this came before the Port, it was a "pleasant surprise" - it wasn't on the agenda for that meeting, but hey, Dan's a "local boy," so who cares if there wasn't proper public notice, right? And you might recall that the Port Angeles Parks Commission voted unanimously in recommending that the Port NOT sell the land to him - and the Port went ahead and did so anyway. And that, of course, essentially sold out the remaining industrial-zoned land in the city. (AND left unexplained was why they needed to buy over 100 acres for what they said was a 4 or 5 acre event area...)
And, though you might see him as having "tons of experience" with things like traffic studies, I disagree. I can't wait until 101 is shut down by the first RV crash if this thing actually comes off. And I can't wait to see how much people love having those same RVS clogging up city streets. No plan - no problem!
And, while you might see this as an "original, creative idea," I see it as a foolish, outdated pipe dream, built around vehicles that burn fossil fuels, being watched by people who are supposed to come here in their own fuel-inefficient RVs. Being that gas prices are only going to go up, this seems like a pretty long-shot to have any long-term success at all. (Especially given that our own local racetrack just went under...)
And, finally, is this really what you see as the best and most productive use of this unique and beautiful natural setting we live in? Noisy, polluting hotdog bullshit boat "races"?
I'm so sorry if my mealy mouth and ass-paining abilities trouble you so on this issue. I just have a different view of what this place could be in the 21st century - and it isn't looking to "good ol' local boys" to replicate something from the past that is doomed to fail.
This deal stunk from the get-go. The people behind it haven't been honest. And I hope and pray that this just crashes and burns ASAP. And that they lose their money. Then the grown ups can come in and actually build something useful.
(I know I sound terribly snotty here, but...I'm just really, really tired of apologists for redneck yahoos. And yes, that sounds snotty too.)
"I see it as a foolish, outdated pipe dream, built around vehicles that burn fossil fuels, being watched by people who are supposed to come here in their own fuel-inefficient RVs."
I agree. However, the US government is busy taking over oil producing countries (Iraq was the #2 producer, now Libya) to ensure Americans can keep burning up oil as fast as they want to. Sovereign rights of governments? Who cares (Unless it is US rights to bomb other coutries as it wishes, of course!). Future impacts like climate change and devastating sea level rise? Who cares.
So, who cares. The Sprint Boat racers will be exempt of any air pollution laws. The whole event is based on burning up fuel with little regard of impacts. Who cares.
Typical Port Angeles.
A town that sets the example for a responsible future. The town that shows by it's actions that it cares about it's children's future.
And people wonder why youth in Port Angeles commit suicide? What can they see of a future WE are providing for them?
Yeah, ok so you hate gas burnin’ motorsports. OK.OK It’s horrible… I’m just sayin’ you don’t have to slander the neighbors to get you’re point across. Morrison isn’t a crook; he’s just a guy trying to build a racetrack. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Crazy scenarios about out of control RV crashes and your obvious disdain for the hillbilly locals are just gas from a different source. I don’t know where you came from, but it’s a sure bet nobody asked you to come. I don’t know why people move to a crazy fucked up mill town and then complain they live in a crazy fucked up mill town. There used to be an eight foot rotating middle finger on the approach to town. They ought to put that sucker back up and forget all this “Welcome to Port Angeles” crap. And you ought to move someplace where your obviously higher developed sensibilities would be appreciated.
"And you ought to move someplace where your obviously higher developed sensibilities would be appreciated."
No thank you. I'd rather stay here and help elevate the quality of life here. This is too beautiful a place to stay backwards forever. The rednecks can go - I'm here to stay.
I'd rather stay here and help elevate the quality of life here.
And keeping some local yokel from building a sprint boat track is how you're going to "elevate” the quality of my life, right? Gee thanks
No one is stopping this fool from building his gas-soaked nightmare playground. But there will be plenty of us here working on sustainable, future-oriented and money-making projects to move things along before, during, and after his boat show flips over and crashes.
And yes, as arrogant as it sounds, I DO think avoiding noisy, polluting, outdated "recreation" activities such as sprint boats DOES create a better quality of life for everyone. Or, put another way, few people would want to live next door to a racetrack - a lot of people would like to live next to a park. Again, quality of life.
And let the best ideas win.
WTF? sez: "And you ought to move someplace where your obviously higher developed sensibilities would be appreciated." In the defense of a proposal that clearly is bad for our future, in most any context.
If this were Bush's proposals to take away civilian rights under the "Patriot Act". or the Bush doctrine of pre-eminent force (which Bush created to "legalize" the US position that it could use military force on other countries it even just SUSPECTED of mal intent), I would expect WTF? to rail on about how bad the policy is, and what should be done to oppose it.
But here, WTF? says, in effect "America, Love it, or Leave it". Rather than work for needed change, he/she suggests any persons concerned about needless promotion of fossil fuel consumption should just go away, and not attempt to promote the kind of change in habit and policy we ALL know is needed.
Dissappointing.
Burn, Baby Burn. Only slightly different than Sarah Palins' "Drill Baby Drill".
Well , like most of your ilk, you have the “arrogant” and “snotty” part down. Good luck with building consensus with that attitude. As far as your” most people would rather live next to a park” baloney, the site is out by the airport, by a business park. There’s a beautiful natural setting for you. I’m sure you and your little pals are working on all kinds of “sustainable, future-oriented and money-making projects to move things along ” …be sure and give us a call when you actually get something off the ground… till then I guess you can whine and bitch about the locals. I’ll be at the races.
And so we’ve progressed from a stinky gas guzzling boat race to RV wrecks to a Haborworks like scandal to finally the failed policies and war crimes of a past president. Whew! All over a race track. Of course if you look at my statement in context, you’ll see it’s not about “Love it or leave it” it’s about “Yankee Go Home”. Who needs ya and your ego driven vision of what’s best for us? Who invited you and your arrogant, snotty attitude to save us from ourselves? When you finally throw up your hands in disgust at the fact that you just can’t seem to reach us with your preachy pronouncements and insults, (and you will - they always do) we’ll still be here. Just like we always have been.
WTF? Says: "Of course if you look at my statement in context, you’ll see it’s not about “Love it or leave it” it’s about “Yankee Go Home”. Who needs ya and your ego driven vision of what’s best for us?"
And you know I'm not a "local", how?
How can you assume that anyone and everyone born and raised in Port Angeles will automatically support a polluting enterprise?
How can you claim to support "inclusion", if the only views to be supported, are your own? Otherwise it is "Yankee Go Home"?!
Again, dissappointing. I used to be impressed with your writings here.
And you know I'm not a "local", how?
Well it's not your views, princess. I know plenty of "green" and or Liberal locals...
It's your snotty, holier than thou attitude, dude.
Locals don’t piss in the other guy’s sandbox. If somebody gets something (anything) going on, they tend to support it. Yeah, even if it’s crazy, or counter to their own position. I’ve got all kinds of conservative friends, as well as liberal ones and everything in between. We all grew up together, and tolerance and consensus is far more important than a given political stance. Teabaggers and MoveOn! Types are pretty much the same thing to me. Just a bunch of out of towners with an agenda dedicated to changing the place to fit their preconceived idea of what we should be. Ain’t gonna happen anytime soon.
Again, dissappointing. I used to be impressed with your writings here.
Gee I'm crushed...
WTF? Says: "We all grew up together, and tolerance and consensus is far more important than a given political stance."
LOL! Yes, I can see that in your "Yankee Go Home" tolerance. Your entire stance with this issue has been ALL about "tolerance" and "consensus".
But, to back up a bit, I still don't understand why you would support a totally fossil fuel dependant enterprise, given all that we know. In Port Angeles, "locals" may laugh off efforts to conserve, reduce consumption, find alternate ways, and yes, even make changes in lifestyle.
But in increasing numbers across the globe, people ARE trying to change their ways. Governments are imposing laws to reduce energy. You might have noticed incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, now, across the country.
Wasting fuel is a recognized concern now.
So, you're only seeming defense of this obviously regressive and "harmful" enterprise is that: "Locals don’t piss in the other guy’s sandbox. If somebody gets something (anything) going on, they tend to support it."
Really?
And this is why Port Angeles is so successful?
Orv (Campbell) and his crew on the HarborWorks board sure endured a lot of criticisms. Even by you, if I remember corectly. Not "local" enough for you?
By your statements, there can be no change in Port Angeles. "Locals" are not interested.
"Just a bunch of out of towners with an agenda dedicated to changing the place to fit their preconceived idea of what we should be. Ain’t gonna happen anytime soon."
There is that "tolerance and consensus" you're talking about, I see.
Those that have moved here, read and be aware.
It’s all in the way you present yourself, sugar. Karen Rodgers has been here for years, raised kids here, etc. She could live here for a million more and never be a local. She will always be seen as an interloper and a carpetbagger. (because she is one) same with Dirty Dick Piling (sp). Perennial oddball and cheesy republican dickhead, Larry Williams on the other hand, will always be a local. (If only a “local” embarrassment) This is one of those concepts that “If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand” … Suffice to say that when you come riding in on your white horse of superiority, waving your flag of condescension, you’re going to be met with resistance, whatever your position.
Sorry if you’re offended by our backwardness, but if you want something from me, it’s a good idea not to insult me or talk down to me while you’re making the request.
It’s also a question of scale there chicken little. See, I can tell the difference between Harborworks and a boat race. If you’re going to get all pissy over everything, you’re just a scold.
I’m sure you’re a big supporter of native rights, until it’s time to hunt whales. Just as I’m sure you’re a big supporter of my constitutional rights, until I want to do something like build a racetrack. You don’t know ANYTHING about consensus and cooperation. All you know is that you’re right, and the rest of us are just too stupid to grasp that fact.
WTF? says:
"You don’t know ANYTHING about consensus and cooperation. All you know is that you’re right, and the rest of us are just too stupid to grasp that fact."
LOL! If only you knew what I do, you would see how funny these comments are.
"..but if you want something from me, it’s a good idea not to insult me or talk down to me while you’re making the request."
A bit of a one-way street there, don't ya think?
But, I'm quite sure this is pointless.
So many are now trying to make the world a better place, and will continue to do so. Port Angeles is proud to have parents that brand their kids like cattle, to appear on TV (Trading Spouses) showing the world our best, the racists that emerge when native issues arise,and to promote new ventures to waste energy. "Sorry if you’re offended by our backwardness.."
Towns get recognition as communities with innovation in efforts to conserve energy, and ranked as "best places to live."
When new companies look at the demographics and press, they can decide if they want to be affiliated with the "market", or not. There are lots of choices in this country, if one is looking to relocate.
As we see throughout your comments, if you were not born in Port Angeles, you're not "local"; so just keep your views to yourself.
Wow...this is amazing. It's fun to see the elitists come out and chastise anything that has a motor. Frankly, drill baby drill, and let's see all those gas hog RV's and high octane sucking boats come to town, and spend their money here. Nothing like the smell of race fuel on a Saturday afternoon, so bring the kids and get them hooked for a less green tomorrow. For those race haters...maybe you can find a nice quiet drum circle somewhere, and pass the talking stick around while you share your feelings about carbon footprints.
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