Privatization of Port Angeles' Water Supply?

A recent anonymous comment at this blog stated:

"You heard it here first: Watch Veolia Water and see how they will eventually swoop in and get control of the city's water supply. Google them and be amazed at their seemingly endless chain of bad-faith water grabs (and related lawsuits) around the world. It's no accident that they already have a presence here. Cutler is their chief minion, and I'm sure they have a person or two in the park service as well."

 So I Googled it.  Here are some links to Veolia Water.

And this article was particularly "interesting."

What say you?  Should we be worried about this?

Juan de Fuca Festival Attendance Not Hindered by Rain

The twentieth annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts was successful in spite of the rain.  Final attendance figures are not available yet, but executive director Dan Maguire said attendance was about the same as, or possibly higher than, the past few years.

After Hours in the Clubs, in which Juan de Fuca musicians performed in several downtown nightclubs, was also successful.

Cherie Kidd to Speak at PABA meeting

At this Tuesday's meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association, Mayor Cherie Kidd will be discussing the effects of increased Elwha River sediment on the city's water supply.

Juan de Fuca Festival 2013

Here is a list of the musicians performing in this year's Juan de Fuca Festival.

And here is the timetable.

Clallam County Unemployment Rate Down

As of the end of April, Clallam County's unemployment rate is 9.2%, down from the March unemployment rate of 10.1%.

The unemployment rate in Jefferson County is 8.9%.  The statewide unemployment rate is 7%.

Star Video to Close

Star Video, one of the last of the Peninsula's video rental stores, will be closing on June 2nd. The store has been in business for 21 years.  Manager Genna Ferrie said the closure had nothing to do with poor sales:

“Business has never been better.  That's the sad thing. It's sad for the community.”

A Chinese restaurant will be opening in the Star Video space and the Star Video owner was unable to find a new space. 

Open Discussion at This Tuesday's PABA meeting

At this Tuesday's meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association, there will be an open discussion of topics “with an eye to future political issues facing our area that PABA may want to take a position on.”

Country Aire Receives Business of the Year Award

Country Aire Natural Foods Market received the Business of the Year award at Washington Main Street's “Excellence on Main” award ceremonies.  The award was given in conjunction with RevitalizeWA, Washington State's Preservation and Main Street Conference.

 Sarah Hansen, Washington State Main Street coordinator, said of Country Aire owners John and Robyn Miletich:

“The Miletiches clearly see the importance of investing in the community and have focused on creating an inviting retail space while continuously increasing and expanding their offerings.  Their vision and hard work has paid off; they've created 50 local jobs and a loyalty program boasting more than 4,500 members.  Their success is an inspiration.”

Big Lots Coming Back to Peninsula

Big Lots Stores Inc., which closed their Sequim branch six years ago, is opening a new branch in Port Angeles.  Sometime later this summer it will be opening in Port Angeles Plaza between Rite Aid Pharmacy and Jo-Ann Fabric Store.

Van De Wege to Speak at PABA meeting

State Representative Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) will be this Tuesday's guest speaker at the Port Angeles Business Association meeting.  Van De Wege's congressional district includes Clallam and Jefferson Counties and part of Grays Harbor County.

May 17th Filing Deadline for Local Races

There are forty-four local positions with seats up for grabs.  Anyone who wishes to run for one of these positions has until May 17th to file for office.

State Administrative Office of the Courts computers hacked. Peninsula residents could be affected.

Over 6,000 people who have been booked into North Olympic Peninsula jails may have had their names and Social Security numbers accessed by computer hackers.  Anyone booked into a city or county jail in Washington State between September 2011 and December 2012 could be affected by this data breach.

City Manager Says No Threat to City Water Supply

City Manager Dan McKeen said the city water supply is not in jeopardy; at least not right now.  But he said there are concerns that the sediment level in the Elwha River could cause problems in the future.  He told KONP:

"Water has not been an issue in terms of quality. The issue is: Because we're using the Ranney collector, there is the possibility or likelihood we could be pumping some of these fines down and occluding what would normally, naturally happen and degrade the life of that facility."

Wild Pacific Salmon Threatened by Deadly Virus

Wild Pacific Salmon have been testing positive for a European strain of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA).  This is according to Canadian biologist Alexandra Morton.  This virus has already struck farmed salmon populations in other parts of the world.  The virus is not harmful to people who eat the salmon, but poses a huge threat to ecosystems and local economies that depend on salmon.