Beer and Wine Sampling at Farmers Markets

For now it's just a remote possibility. A bill has been introduced in Olympia which would allow vendors at ten farmers markets to provide beer and wine samples. If this bill passes, it will be a 14-month pilot project.

The bill doesn't specify which farmers markets would be part of this pilot project.

Low Cost Dental Clinic Closing Next Month

A dental clinic that helps low income residents will close next month. Oral Health Services, which is operated by Olympic Community Action Programs, will close its Port Angeles and Forks locations on February 28th.

OlyCAP Executive Director Tim Hockett said:

"It's too much. We can't do it. It's crushing us."

Property Tax Levy for Civic Field?

Judging by most of the comments at the end of the PDN article, this is probably a non-starter.

Port Angeles Resident Plaintiff in National Anti-Healthcare Lawsuit

"Obamacare," and whether or not it should be repealed, is an extremely contentious volatile issue (to put it mildly).

Therefore, I request that comments be kept civil. Attack the issue, not the person. Remember Jon Stewart's quote: "I may disagree with you but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler."

And on that note:

Discuss.

Laptops, Facebook for City Council?

The Port Angeles City Council is considering using less paper and relying more on laptops and social networking sites like Facebook.

Laptops should make it easier to track documents and comply with record retention laws.

Kent Myers Applies for Job in Texas

Kent Myers has applied for the position of city manager of Corpus Christi, Texas. He wants to be closer to family members who live near that area.

Myers already notified the city council last month.

New Study for Increasing Port Angeles' Retail Potential

The city will be conducting a study to see how to attract more retail business.

This retail market analysis will show what Port Angeles needs to do to bring in more stores, so that people will do more shopping here instead of traveling out of town. The study is being paid for with $25,000 from the city's economic development fund.

The study should be finished in about six months. Kent Myers said it will answer the "big question of how can Port Angeles be more efficient in attracting retail growth in our community?"

Proposed Tax Plan for Washington State Ferries

Governor Gregoire wants to establish a new ferry taxing district that would include Clallam and Jefferson Counties and five other Western Washington counties.

Some district board members would be elected and some would be appointed by the governor.

Washington State's ferry system is the largest in the country, but has lost more than $1.2 billion in revenue since 1999.

Special February Elections

On February 8th, the Port Angeles and Quillayute Valley school districts will be holding special elections to ask for an increase in property tax levies. The elections themselves will cost the Port Angeles School District $45,000 to $50,000, and the Quillayute Valley School District $7,000 to $10,000.