PORT ANGELES DIGEST: NOT A "BEST EVER" CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THE COUNTY

Editorial Comment: In this week's edition of the Port Angeles Digest, a question comes to mind. Does a County Treasure have the legal authority of overriding a decision made by the ruling party?
It would like be the US Treasury Department overruling a decision made by the President. Or am I off? I collected local headlines from the local media outlets that might shed some light on the matter. Plus an added controversy was tossed into the mix, former County Commissioner Mike Doherty made allegations that public meeting laws were violated. So it's like the Hatfield's and the McCoy's type of atmosphere happening with the county these days. I just see a level of disrespect being shown from all parties involved, sure doesn't show a 'best ever' round of circumstances that the community as a hole want to convey. One side we have a maverick treasure who seems to be usurping her authority over a technologically over protocol of the commission not holding a public hearing, as she put's in an article posted in the PDN. On the other side we have a commission who is fit to be tied, they only see this as a breach of their authority from an rebellious treasure, which many from the public sees as a treasure only doing her job. It would be like me using trying to usurp authority I don't have to over turn a decision made by the President or the Supreme Court, such as same sex marriage, yeah I hear by over turn that decision!  That means churches have the right to refuse to preform weddings that go against their religious doctrine, and biblical teachings. Which they have a right to do in my opinion.

Anyway here are the articles I collected regarding the feud which is now widening at the County level:

Clallam warrants for Port Angeles port, city bounce when county treasurer voids grants funds
Clallam County $1.3 million in warrants to the Port of Port Angeles and the city of Port Angeles have bounced, in effect, like rubber checks. Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis last week fulfilled her promise not to honor the warrants on the county Opportunity Fund to build out the port's Composites Recycling Technology Center and to improve a city waterfront park.---PDN


Clallam County financial policies to go under review, commissioners decide---PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
"Chapman has been a leading force in an effort to release excess county reserves in ways that help the community, particularly the poor.If [Barkhuis] wants the final veto authority over the budget process, I'm willing to give it to her until somebody tells us  above us  that she doesn't have it, Chapman said. Right now she's exercised it. She's rejected warrants for the port and the city, and nobody stopped her."----PDN


Ex-Clallam commissioner triggers open meetings law probe
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS----Retired Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty has alleged that current board members Mike Chapman and Jim McEntire may have violated open public meetings law, saying they supported a timberland exchange without proper notice in 2013.---PDN


Treasurer Rejects Grant Warrants; Seeks Intervention by the State Attorney General
By Selinda Barkhuis, WSBA 24139, Clallam County Treasurer
Last month, I wrote about the Clallam County Commissioners’ attempt to give away $3 million from the County Opportunity Fund in unanticipated, non-budgeted, and no-strings-attached grants ($1 million to the Port of Port Angeles, $285,952 to the City of Port Angeles, and $1.7 million in “Undesignated Projects”), without holding prior public hearings to change the budget and without any written contracts to spell out what the County taxpayers are receiving back for these gifts of their public funds. The $3 million being used to pay for these grants had, up to then, been committed to repaying the $10 million debt to the State that will be incurred in the construction of the Carlsborg Sewer.----PORT O CALL

IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES

Port Angeles man named to board of new Composites Recycling Technology Center
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS---The first appointee to a Composites Recycling Technology Center board of directors wants the facility to make money within two years.
"The recycling center, or CRTC, in envisioned as an independent, nonprofit corporation with the port as one of its customers, not its subsidiary, said Jennifer States, the port's business director."---PDN



Port Report: Composites Project Explored by Dale Wilson
The Port of Port Angeles has undertaken a questionable project sure to cost taxpayers millions of dollars and yet has no business plan which a for-profit board of directors would give the time of day.---PORT O CALL


Another potential violation of state law by county commissioners---PORT O CALL


Community for people with developmentally disabilties in the works in Sequim---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Saving History.......Hiding History---FORKS FORUM

No charges yet for adults home during teen drinking party---PT LEADER


FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Saanich girl’s bid for backyard goats goes to council ---TIMES COLONIST

Student struggling to get around after wheelchair damaged on flights ---TIMES COLONIST

New haunted escape rooms open in Victoria


WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

COUNTY COMMISSION TO HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Board of County Commissioners has requested an executive session with the Administrator, the
Director of Human Resources, and legal counsel. The purpose of the session is to discuss with legal
counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become a party.
Discussing such matters in executive session is appropriate because public knowledge of the discussion would reveal the County's legal strategies and likely result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) expressly authorizes a governing body to convene an executive session for the above-described purposes
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
details of agenda items: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Regional meetings:
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Meeting highlight: Resolution 15-024 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Public Works Contract with Stripe Rite of Sumner, WA for the 2015 Striping Project


Editorial footnote: Where's Waldo?

Readers, I attend many of these governmental meetings locally, mostly once a month to show I am not some faceless blogger hiding behind my computer. It seems to me if you are running for a position on either the Port, County, or City positions you would actually attend those meetings! Maybe I am old fashioned but it shows a lack of interests and commitment on the candidates part on not showing up. I noticed a lot of Waldo's not attending the local meetings which they are running for, from what I seen. If you are Waldo where are you?


DAILY DEVOTIONAL

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25 NKJV

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: AS MCALEER WAS TESTIFYING IN CONGRESS ABOUT COMPOSITES RECYCLING...

COUNTY OFFICIALS WERE FEUDING OVER GRANTS.

Editorial Comment: In this week's edition of the {Port Angeles Digest}. Two lead stories were making headlines. Starting on Monday with a special session of the Port Commission. The Commissioners heard a report from Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer regarding her testimony she gave to congress, she was kind enough to share her testimony along with her report she gave during the Port Commission on Monday:

Oral Testimony of Colleen McAleer Commissioner Port of Port Angeles Port Angeles, Washington Before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources June 9, 2015
Chairman Murkowski, Ranking Member Cantwell and distinguished members of the Committee. Good morning and thank you for allowing me to speak before you.

Port Commissioner,
Colleen McAleer

My name is Colleen McAleer.  I am a combat veteran, mother of two boys, and small business owner, but I offer my testimony today in my capacity as a Commissioner for the Port of Port Angeles. We are located in Clallam County on the northern portion of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Today I will talk to you about the effort we’ve spearheaded, the Composite Recycling Technology Center (or CRTC) where industry, small business, academia and government converge to reduce energy use and costs and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
Carbon fiber is replacing other materials in products that benefit from high strength to weight ratios. It’s a $27 billion dollar global industry and growing.  Lightweight carbon fiber composites reduce the weight of a product, thus reducing energy consumption.  However, they are expensive to produce and do not deteriorate, creating long term disposal issues.  Twenty-seven million pounds end up in U.S. landfills each year; two million from Washington State alone.  Our Port is well on its way to providing a solution to this problem through a public-private partnership, the Composite Recycling Technology Center.
Our Port has headed an effort to recycle the production scrap of carbon fiber manufacturing processes, a first-of-its-kind recycling center. There are research efforts in the U.S. and Europe addressing so-called end-of-life carbon fiber recycling—a more complex and energy-intensive process—but we will first focus on the low hanging fruit of recycling and repurposing production scrap.
Carbon fiber products already reduce energy consumption by reducing weight in industries from transportation to sporting goods.  Recycling carbon fiber composites will drastically reduce the energy required for manufacturing.  The recycled carbon composite in the CRTC approach will use only 6% of the energy required to produce virgin carbon fiber fabrics.
In my rural, economically-distressed county, we have several manufacturers that use advanced composites and are dealing with this very issue.  They make yachts, cutters, snowboards, aerospace parts and more.  Also located in our county is the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Marine Science Lab; it has permitted in-water facilities to test carbon fiber wave and tidal energy technologies.  Last year, our community was an integral part of a West Coast application for the $70 million Department of Energy award for a composites institute.  Our multi-state team lost that competition to Tennessee, but the program represented a compelling solution for industry and small businesses, so we have carried on without the DOE funding.
Our Port has received preliminary award of $4 million from the US Department of Commerce, Washington State, and Clallam County.  In addition, the Port has provided the space for the facility and committed $1.5 million in cash for its development, an advanced manufacturing program in the works since 2012.
The 25,000 square foot facility will be a shared equipment center that serves four functions. It will accept uncured scrap carbon fiber fabric and remake it into a useable form.  It will manufacture and sell secondary repurposed products.  It will serve as a workforce training space for local colleges.  Most importantly, it will serve as an industrial-scale shared equipment space for entrepreneurs and universities.
These functions will create a locally trained workforce, drive accelerated technology transfer with a national reach, and deliver a significant economic impact to our struggling county.
I sit on the Executive Board of our state’s Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing. I often hear business owners say they can’t find employees with the needed skillsets. This Center of Excellence has aggressively coordinated with the state’s technical and community colleges to address this issue.  Washington state community colleges deliberately design their curriculum to match local employers’ requirements.  In fact, colleges often buy equipment identical to that used by manufacturers in their facilities. Standardization through certification programs serve two constructive purposes.  First, it develops the certification programs employers need.  Second, it enables employers to readily hire qualified workers.
At the CRTC, we have a parallel workforce training effort.  Peninsula College is relocating their Advanced Manufacturing Composite program and equipment to our facility.  The CRTC will house both the business innovators and their future workers.
The CRTC will accelerate commercialization of technologies from the lab to the manufacturing floor.  Small businesses will lease the CRTC lab space to develop proprietary products at our shared equipment center.  They will also have access to CRTC material and process experts, accelerating the development process.  We believe the reduced costs and resident expertise will produce innovation and induce capital investments in carbon fiber technologies.
Mervin Manufacturing, a local company with $13 million in annual exports, makes skis, skateboards and surfboards, and several brands of snowboards from virgin carbon fiber.  They intend to further innovate in the Center’s maker space in order to replace virgin carbon fiber with recycled carbon fiber for their snowboard bindings, skateboards, and surfboard fins.
We currently have five major universities from three corners of the country that intend to send researchers and students to the Center. They intend to demonstrate and commercialize their technologies to the CRTC community.
At Washington State University, we intend to leverage the Composite Material Engineering Center. It has a 35-year history of commercializing composite wood products like the plastic lumber materials used in decking. We are finalizing an agreement with WSU to test CRTC products for certification in the construction industry at their facility.
CRTC efforts will re-shore jobs back to the United States.  As an example, Batson Enterprises is a local wholesale supplier of fishing rods.  They currently purchase component composite and aluminum parts overseas in order to keep their overall costs competitive.  By partnering with the CRTC for product development using our recycled carbon fiber, Batson Enterprises will be able to manufacture those components with higher quality materials that were formerly cost-prohibitive.
The CRTC will be a small step in bringing back American manufacturing. We can’t and don’t want to compete with foreign countries on labor costs.  Recycled carbon fiber lowers material costs, allowing companies to profit while paying a living wage.
I thank the committee for considering legislation supporting carbon fiber recycling.  I look forward to your questions.

Report McAleer gave to the Port on Monday:

Commissioner McAleer’s report on:
Hearing on Energy Accountability and Reform Legislation
June 9, 2015
Senator Cantwell is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Senator Cantwell asked me to testify on behalf of the Port and our partner’s efforts associated with the Composites Recycling Technology Center. A copy of my oral testimony is attached.   The Energy Committee works on far-reaching legislative activity covering the following major areas:
Energy resources and development, including regulation, conservation, strategic petroleum reserves and standards;

• Nuclear energy; 
• Indian affairs; 
• Public lands and their renewable resources; 
• Surface mining, Federal coal, oil, and gas leasing; and 
• Water resources.

Five energy experts, including the Department of Energy’s Undersecretary for Science and Technology, Lynn Orr, testified at the hearing as well about national level energy issues and programs supported through the Department of Energy funding.  Undersecretary Orr’s office oversees 14 of the 17 National Labs to include Pacific Northwest National Laboratory that has their Marine Science Lab in Sequim. This hearing was the fourth and final hearing in a series specifically addressing energy legislation and authorization. Forty two different bills are being considered as part of the legislation. One of those bills is the Carbon Fiber Recycling Act of 2015.
Boeing also submitted written testimony about the importance of the legislation.
I had eight meetings in two days. I met with twelve staff members from four senator’s offices and Derek Kilmer’s office.
The importance of this trip to our community is that our efforts have been highlighted on a national stage as an example of innovation supporting advanced manufacturing.
I’d like to thank Port staff, our technical and business consultants and my fellow commissioners for driving this effort. The work is just beginning though. Once the Composite Recycling Technology Center is officially stood up and begins operations the real work will begin to become a transformational program for our community.

Editorial Note: While that drama was playing out in D.C. locally, the feud between the County Commission, and County Treasure was heating up like the sunny days of summer. Which were reflected on the local media headlines which I collected:

Clallam commissioners to issue $1.3 million in warrants for Opportunity Fund grants despite treasurer's objections
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) Clallam County commissioners will proceed to issue $1.3 million in disputed warrants from their Opportunity Fund, despite the elected county treasurer's refusal to approve them.


Clallam prosecuting attorney says treasurer must release funds; Barkhuis seeks attorney general's intervention
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) The Clallam County treasurer has no legal reason to delay paying $1.3 million from the Opportunity Fund to support a composites recycling center and a waterfront park, the county prosecutor has decided


Candidate weighs in on prosecutor’s opinion
(PORT O CALL) Bryan Frazier, candidate for county commissioner, weighs in on county prosecutor’s opinion in re treasurer’s refusal to honor grants to Port of Port Angeles and city of Port Angeles which she feels were made in violation of the law and county policy.  Here’s Bryan’s take on it.

Treasurer rejects warrants; seeks proper review by Selinda Barkhuis

By Selinda Barkhuis, WSBA 24139, Clallam County Treasurer

(PORT O CALL) Last month, I wrote about the Clallam County Commissioners’ attempt to give away $3 million from the County Opportunity Fund in unanticipated, non-budgeted, and no-strings-attached grants ($1 million to the Port of Port Angeles, $285,952 to the City of Port Angeles, and $1.7 million in “Undesignated Projects”), without holding prior public hearings to change the budget and without any written contracts to spell out what the County taxpayers are receiving back for these gifts of their public funds.  The $3 million being used to pay for these grants had, up to then, been committed to repaying the $10 million debt to the State that will be incurred in the construction of the Carlsborg Sewer.---read more

Editorial footnote: Many of the candidates that responded to my question on the decision of the County Treasure to withhold these funds were favorable to that decision. So why is the current County Commission seems hell bent in giving this grant funding? I have a hunch that the Treasure will be found correct in her decision, and it will end up being drugged in a long court battle. Still no word on what the State Attorney Office has to say on the matter. So I would keep my eyes on the State Attorney General office.

So, I hope we get the Composite Recycling Center here in Port Angeles, but it has to be operated by private business, not under governmental management. As for the feud between the County Commission and County Treasure, it will be interesting to watch how all that plays out. Many times something like this could end up causing a bad working environment, and resentment all around, usually end up costing someone to loose their job, or cause them to resign out of principle.  ---Peter Ripley, Publisher

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK?

PORT TO DEFEND FORMER PORT DIRECTOR CLYDE BOODY

During their regular session on Tuesday the Port will issue DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION OF FORMER EMPLOYEE.

According to staff memo provided: Defense and Indemnity: RCW 53.08.208 authorizes the Port to defend and indemnify Port employees, officers and agents against claims arising from their good faith

performance or failure of performance in their employment with or duties for the Port.

According to the statute, the Port Commission may grant the request of any such Port

employee, officer or agent, for counsel of the Port’s choosing to defend any such claim.

Additionally, the statute authorizes the Port to pay attorney fees and, if the employee,

officer or agent was acting in good faith and within the scope of his or her employment,

the defense costs and any settlement or judgment amount awarded to the claimant.

On January 13, 2015, the Port Commission adopted Resolution No. 15-1096,

confirming the Port’s intention to defend and indemnify its current and past employees

and officers against claims arising from their good faith performance or failure of

performance of their duties to the Port. According to that resolution, whenever any

action, claim, or proceeding is instituted against any individual who is or was an

employee or officer of the Port, arising out of that individual’s performance or failure of

performance of employment with, or duties for, the Port, and if the Port Commission

determines such employee or officer was acting in good faith and within the scope of his

or her employment with or duties for the Port, the Port Commission shall grant a request

by that individual that the attorney of the Port’s choosing be authorized to defend said

action, claim or proceeding, and the costs of defense, attorney fees, and any obligation

for payment arising from such action, claim or proceeding not otherwise paid by

insurance shall be paid from the Port’s funds.

Claim Against Past Executive Director: Past Port Executive Director Clyde Boddy has

been named as one among multiple defendants in a lawsuit filed in Clallam County

Superior Court, under case number 14-2-00407-1, involving real property interests near

the Port Angeles harbor waterfront. The Complaint alleges that Mr. Boddy is personally

liable for alleged damages to the plaintiff for an alleged taking of the plaintiff’s alleged

property rights. The claims against Mr. Boddy are related to a Short Plat and a Binding

Site Plan he signed on behalf of the Port in 2004, in his capacity as Executive Director

of the Port and not in his individual capacity.

See other items on the Port Agenda this coming Tuesday: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/06232015-107?html=true

COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: 

Some noted budget hearing items from the County Treasure:

Prosecuting Attorney, Local Crime Victim Compensation – Change from 37.5 hours to 40/$2,582

Treasurer

 Part-time fiscal specialist III/$19,500

 Computer setup/licenses for new employee/$3,040

Treasurer, REET Electronic Technology – Part-time fiscal specialist III/$23,500

Treasurer, Operations and Maintenance – Change from 37.5 hours to 40/$1,399

See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf

Details of agenda items: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Other local and regional meetings:

City of Sequim agenda highlight: Temporary Appointment of Interim City Manager position

FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 

PORT TOWNSEND PARKS, RECREATION & TREES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AGENDA

Agenda highlight: Lead Pool Operator New Hire Update

Full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=235

FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

AGENDA - VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL

Agenda item highlight: Council is considering an application to authorize the creation of three small lots to enable the construction of one new small lot house.

See full agenda: https://victoria.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=83778

Candidate questions and answers

This week's question was about the CSO project:

Candidates, This question is mostly directed to City Council candidates, but feel free to put your two cents in. You probably seen this item on this week's Port Angeles Digest, a item which is on Tuesdays City Council agenda:

"Summary: The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Phase 1 project is the first of two parts of the City’s approved CSO Reduction program. A contract to construct Phase I was awarded to IMCO General Construction on August 7, 2012. Work on Phase 1 has been successfully completed, but during construction a dispute arose regarding the amount of sales taxes due to the State of Washington and the method of payment. The City and IMCO reached a settlement of that dispute on December 10, 2014. The settlement agreement was ratified by the City Council on December 16, 2014. This Change Order implements that settlement and allows the Phase I contract to be closed out.

 Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a change order to increase the final contract amount to $17,976,027.52 to implement the settlement agreement ratified by the City Council on December 16, 2014. "

My question is what can you do to help getting funding for this project which now costing the local taxpayer well over 17 million. This is the largest undertaking perhaps not since 1914 when the street levels were raised to solve a sewage issue back then. Was Kilmer right to point out the faults of Victoria BC with their dumping raw sewage in the Strait, while we are struggling with a huge bill to fix our own? Should he be more focus in finding funding instead of pointing fingers up north? 

Shan Pak was the only responding Candidate:

This doesn't look like a well thought out undertaking. I suspect it will cost more and more in the future. I believe there must be a simpler and more effective solution in fraction of the cost. 

The bottom line is that we cannot go in debt as a city and potentially ruin its economic future.---Shan Pak, City Council Candidate

Now, I gave everyone on the mailing list plenty of time to answer the question regarding the ever increasing CSO project, which now is at little over 17 million, and probably end up being more when it is all said and done.

FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:

Murray Calls on Washington State Insurers to Increase Access, Transparency on Affordable Care Act Services that Help Tobacco Users Quit

IMMIGRATION: Sen. Murray Commemorates 3rd Anniversary of DREAMer Initiative, Calls for Immigration Reform

Murray Statement on Department of Education Decision to Deny Central Kitsap School District Critical Funding

Kilmer, Cantwell, Murray, and Heck Reintroduce Maritime Heritage Legislation to Promote WA Tourism

Other local news headlines:

 Port of Port Angeles schedule for KPly mill site cleanup advances

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) The Port of Port Angeles may know by mid-July who will clean up the former KPly mill site  and how the contractor will do it

Lawmakers in Olympia grinding it out

(SEQUIM GAZETTE) If silence is golden, a lot of wealth is stockpiled in the state Capitol, where lawmakers and the governor are mum on progress in reaching a deal on a new state budget.

Salmon slayers head north

 ( PT. LEADER)The rules are, you press the coffee button before the engine button,” said the authoritative skipper. Fishing is serious business.

FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT:

Now the westside: 20 potential sewage-plant sites selected   

(TIMES COLONIST) Twenty “technically feasible” sewage treatment sites on the westside were identified on Thursday by Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton, who now want the public to weigh in on the options.

Jack Knox: Stink of grow-op stigma lingers for homeowners

(TIMES COLONIST) Bad enough to have a nightmare. Worse when it comes back to haunt you six years later. Which is what a Cowichan Valley couple are finding as they try to sell a house that...

COLUMN: The perilous path of public perception

(VICTORIA NEWS) After nearly 40 years in the journalism business, one would think I’ve “seen ‘em all,” at least when it comes to political public relations disasters.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

  

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Mark 8:36 NKJV

  

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST: WHILE PORT COMMISSION MCALEER WAS ON HER ROAD TRIP TO D.C....

Local Candidates were pondering what to do with huge eyesore on the waterfront, Rayioneer Mill sight.

Readers, once again two lead stories has taken the spotlight, which if it hadn't been for that my report on the local end of things would be dull. To start things off we take a look at Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer's road trip to D.C.

The following press release was issued by the Port:

Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer.

Senator Cantwell Calls on Department of Energy to Collaborate with the Port of Port Angeles
Washington, D.C. – Today, U. S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to collaborate with the Pacific Northwest’s composites industry so as to better leverage federal investment and prevent duplicative spending.

Dr. Lynn Orr, undersecretary for science and energy at DOE, noted that “carbon fiber materials are a very important component to our Vehicle Technologies office. One of the principal ways you can increase the efficiency of vehicle transport is to provide the same strength, but with lighter-weight materials. We have an active program in that area and are very interested in pursuing that going forward.”

Carbon fiber composites are transforming the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors, and are projected to have a worldwide market of $27 billion next year. Given this significant economic opportunity, Sen. Cantwell commended Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer for her leadership and vision in converting a displaced workforce and unused facilities into an innovative market that is creating local jobs, reducing landfill waste and saving energy by recycling scrap fibers instead of having to manufacture new ones through the Composite Recycling Technology Center.

“We have three large mills that have closed their doors in just the last year. This workforce is ideally suited for the carbon fiber industry. Both sectors are automated, high volume industries that require precise processes and quality control. A strong composites manufacturing capability holds the promise of becoming a sorely needed economic driver,” McAleer said. “Since 2012, the Port of Port Angeles has spearheaded the idea of an advanced composites manufacturing, where industry and researchers share work space and workforce. It would leverage our existing technologies and assets.”

Large manufacturers and suppliers have agreed to donate their scrap carbon fiber to the Center to be reprocessed into recycled carbon fiber composites. Currently, only nine sites worldwide are in the carbon fiber recycling industry.

“We are ushering in a new era in carbon fiber. … But we also need to usher in this new era of recycling research because we know it’s going to be a highly used material,” Sen. Cantwell said.

Recognizing the growth in composite research and manufacturing at the Port of Port Angeles and looking to build on that success on a national level, Sen. Cantwell introduced S.1432, the Carbon Fiber Recycling Act of 2015. The bill requests a study of the technology and energy savings of recycled carbon fiber and directs DOE to collaborate with the automotive and aviation industry to develop a recycled carbon fiber demonstration project.
ref. http://www.portofpa.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=77

RELATED PRESS RELEASE FROM CANTWELL: Cantwell Calls on Department of Energy to Collaborate with Port Angeles
Washington, D.C. – Today, U. S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to collaborate with the Pacific Northwest’s composites industry so as to better leverage federal investment and prevent duplicative spending.---read more


RELATED STORY: Port of Port Angeles commissioner names sources, customers for composites recycling center in testimony before Congress
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS — A Composite Recycling Technology Center could supply Westport Shipyard with carbon-fiber material at a fraction of the current cost, a Port of Port Angeles commissioner testified in Congress.

Yours truly emailed McAleer and asked about her trip and did she saw the sites, she answered:

" I'll email you a copy of my oral testimony. When I was in junior high and first years of high school my dad was stationed at the Pentagon and then later was the U.S. Army Senate Liaison. So during those four years I did a lot of sight-seeing.

Coincidentally, my older brother, Bob McAleer retired last month as a Colonel in the U.S. Army and his last assignment was as the U.S. Army Senate Liaison Division Chief. That came in very handy. He escorted me to the right offices on Monday and Tuesday  Bob introduced me to the right people that I hoped to see prior to the meeting from four separate Senate offices and Congressman Derek Kilmer's office." 

When she shares her report with yours truly I will post it when it comes available, so stay tuned.

A NOT SO "BEST EVER" EYESORE ON THE WATERFRONT!

old Rayoiner Mill Site.
An eyesore for decades on the waterfront. Trapped
in a bog of litigation and clean up activities for decades.

My, readers am I on a roll. So far many candidates running for these postings for City, Port, and County positions have been good at answering some questions I been asking. Some however has been hiding or avoiding questions posed to them. Anyway, this week's question was this:  As you are aware the old Rayoiner mill has been an eyesore on the waterfront for years now. Trap in the bog of litigation, mainly from the tribes, and clean up of that site is still not done! The question was: What would you do to speed up the process toward development, and if we had that land to develop now, what would your choice on how it is to be used? Tourist Recreation, light industrial? What?

But, before I share the answers I got from some candidates, I want to give my two cents worth.  If we ever get out of this endless litigation and cleanup circus that's been going on for decades now since the late 90's, I think that site would be ideal for light industrial and tourist related development. A port of call for those Cruise Ships, plus resort/casino kind of development, complete with a carnival type of atmosphere. That kind of thing.

However, let us not forget tourism is only a part of our economic puzzle in my opinion not the hole ball of wax. Anyway, here are the responses I gotten to this week's question:

• Marolee Diane smith ---IF I understand the situation correctly, the Washington State Department of Ecology is the group tracking this, and enforcing clean up (supposedly).  

I know that, even though in 1999, we were recommended to become a Superfund site, this never happened. (Superfund site for Washington State http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/webpage/Washington+Cleanup+Sites) 

I remember the controversy, the downright WEIRD city council meetings, and the proponents of the project rambling on about things -- but never answering questions.  I read article after cryptic article in the PDN. I remember the total  lack of straight answers, big numbers, and a lot of "we'll get a grant for that". Even then it was a curious flurry of disorganized action. 

Even the money doesn't add up.  I can find references where Ecology gave the city $50k in 2007, to explore "visionary future uses" for the site. In 2008, the city council voted to fund a HarborWorks Development Authority (2008) along with the Port of Port Angeles.  Then, Ecology gave this agency $200,000.  In 2009, the city was provided $230,000. to "explore" a visionary process for sewer overflow.  But, in 2010, the HarborWorks was disbanded. At that point it was reported that HarborWorks had received $1.3 million in loans from the city and Port of Port Angeles. 

And, after that everything tumbled into finger-pointing, and the council members making excuses for the whole exercise, even though they had fully supported it.  

I'd really like to know what went on, is going on, what we have in the future, myself.

Heck, I'd like to know why the whole thing (from the standpoint of a citizen of Port Angeles) just reeked of corruption (including a couple of questionable characters involved in HarborWorks). Seems to me we got a whole lot of nothing for the money.

Can anyone tell me how Jeff Lincoln came to be involved?  I never heard about his background until an Astoria newspaper wrote about him in 2012 (he was looking for a job for the Port of Astoria).  The local paper outlined his credentials as: "Lincoln serves as director of planning and development for Dakota Oil Processing, a company focused on developing a crude oil facility in northwestern North Dakota. It is owned by Trabucco, the former Astoria resident and owner of the No. 1 and No. 10 Sixth Street buildings that burned in December 2010. Lincoln also independently consults through Lincoln Logic LLC. He previously served as executive director of HarborWorks Development Authority, created by the city of Port Angeles, Wash., and Port of Port Angeles to help redevelop and clean up a nearby former mill site owned by Rayonier."  (source:  http://www.opb.org/news/article/port_of_astoria_narrows_search_to_four_candidates_for_top_job/)  

An oil guy, really?  

As for what was said about time-frames, all I know is what was reported.  IN 2010, before HarborWorks dissolved, Kaj Ahlburg said (reported in the PDN June, 2010) ""The derelict pier and jetty may not be removed until close to the end of the decade."  "Similarly, Ennis Creek will probably not be restored until the end of this decade or into the 2020s."   He did not say what would happen to $1.3 million in seed-money loans from the city and port to the authority for its operations.  He said he believes that if Harbor-Works acquires the property, the state Department of Ecology can be persuaded to allow cleanup to begin even as studies continue."   In the same article  Jim Hallet, chamber president and also a Harbor-Works board member said "If the value of the property once cleaned up is $5 million and the cost of cleanup is $25 million, we would expect Rayonier to pay $20 million."

Here we are rapidly approaching the "end of the decade" (2020) and, I haven't seen anything happen. Have you?

From what I can find from a search on the Washington Department of Ecology website, it appears any real movement stalled out in 2010 (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites_brochure/rayonier/2010/2010_Feb_Comm_Period.html) when HarborWorks folded.  And, then there is this curious little update:  (Summer of 2014)  the Rayonier Mill cleanup was said to be (by Natalie Graves, public involvement coordinator, Toxics Cleanup Program) "ON SCHEDULE". (source: http://ecologywa.blogspot.com/2014/08/around-sound-rayonier-mill-cleanup-on.html). 

I'd suggest that we direct our questions and comments to the Ms. Graves, or her boss.   

Contact: Site Manager, Marian Abbett, Marian.Abbett@ecy.wa.gov 

Public Involvement Coordinator, Natalie Graves, Natalie.Graves@ecy.wa.gov

----Marolee Diane smith, City Council Candidate

• Richard "Doc" Robinson ---My focus with Rayoiner is the same as I have for all of our

pollution cleanup sites.  Find ways to turn a slow process to our

advantage.

    These cleanup efforts are taking a long time wasting time.  It reminds

of basic when the Sergeant said, "Robinson, move that hole." I knew this was

a waste of time. Sarge couldn't care less what I thought. The cleanup

system also doesn't care that I think they could move about ten times faster.

Just like in basic, I can either adapt to the program or lose every day.

    I choose to adapt.  Rather than wait, I choose to use the extra time.

Turns out we have a whole bunch of cleanup sites, in the water at both ends

of the Port and on lands nearby.

    Rather than wring our hands, we - the county, the Port, the City of PA,

the business leaders, the media leaders and all the rest of us - create a

Port Angeles cleanup company to work within the system.  We bring in teaching

experts, we train our people to do this work, we underbid every other company

because this is our home, and we provide some of our people a whole new career

with first class OJT on cleanup of water and land sites.  This is training our men

and women and our company can take to sites around the nation and world.

    What would I do as Commissioner?  Do all I can to make this task into work

for our young men and women.

    You also asked about the future of the Rayoiner site.  Do I favor tourism

(yes,) industry (yes,) cultural (yes.)  Here's the thing. First off the

tribes have a heritage interest in the site and may end up owning it.

Whether they do or not, they have to be involved in all the planning.

    There are other issues as well.  The idea is being floated to redirect

cruise ship traffic toward the Rayoiner pier.  Why?  What happens to

downtown?  Is there a capacity problem downtown?  Let's fill up our existing

tourist district before we create a new one.

    If instead we go light industrial and use this site can we get the traffic

in and out?  Is this a place for a container feeder ship dock so we can have

larger scale manufacturing?

    Is this a place for a cultural center?  Can that also be an attraction?

Should Platypus and the Tribe co-develop the site?  Should the

City/County/Port try again to buy the site?

    It is all questions at this point.  What is clear is that right now there is

every reason to keep the Cruise ships downtown and build up that area as our

tourism center.  What is next for the Rayoiner site remains open.

     All of this begs for a comprehensive plan for development of city, county

and port lands from the Coast Guard Station all the way around to Rayoiner.

A plan that moves our town to more light manufacturing, more marine services

industry, better shipping, more and better tourism with more town centered

cultural/historical attractions.  A plan we let our experts lay out as a

package of options to choose from.  A plan we put to discussion, makes changes to

and vote on when it is ready.  ----Richard "Doc" Robinson, Port Commission Candidate

• Bryan Frazier ---With all due respect.  As far as I can determine the Rayonier Mill site (Y’innis) was forcibly taken from the Elwhas and their village and cemetery were destroyed in 1887 when the first mill was constructed at the site 128 years ago. 

In light of this history I believe that the site should be restored to the Elwha Tribe and they should be paramount in leading the way to turn the site into an historical site, visitor and interpretive center.  I would suggest reconstruction of

the village and demarcation of the cemetery site.  This could become a local attraction for residents and tourists alike benefiting the Tribe, city, schools and county.  I believe 128 years has been long enough to wait for reparations and

acknowledgement that the Elwha Tribe was here first.  This is my vision for the Rayonier Mill site, Y’innis restored.

As for the cleanup of the site, I firmly believe that 18 years has been long enough for the Department of Ecology  and Rayonier to complete their studies and submit a comprehensive cleanup plan.  The Elwha Tribe, City of Port Angeles and Clallam County must apply more pressure on

those responsible for the contamination and restoration of the site at the earliest possible time frame.  We must stop throwing money at the site and wasting time with organizations like Harbor Works and get something more

substantive in place.  Let’s get this job done so we can move forward.

Bryan Frazier

Candidate for Clallam County Commissioner District 1

• Shan Pak---There is no need to speed up development while the city is in debt.

Shan Pak, City Council Candidate
He is in a primary race.

When the city pays off its debt one day, we can revisit the question.

It really doesn't matter what I want, it is what the people of PA wants to do with the site.---Shan Pak, City Council Candidate

Editor's Note: This is the first time Pak answered one of my questions I posed, largely I think due to sending the questions to a wrong email address which is posted on the County Auditor's webpage under who filed. 

He did however sent me an introduction of his candidacy:

His goals at city council are to lower utility costs, cease fluoridation of the water supply, help the city recover from its deficit, and focus on improving the business climate and the viability of sustainable jobs. Shan has been a problem-solver throughout his career, from working with air traffic control simulation to massively parallel database analysis. His specialty is seeking the most cost effective solution, which is often the simplest.

 He was a programmer analyst at the NASA Ames Research Center, a founder and co-founder of various tech companies, and a senior consultant at Oracle Corporation. He holds an engineering degree from California Institute of Technology and a master degree from Stanford University.---Shan Pak, City Council Candidate. 

Pak, is in a primary election against two other canidates: Michael Merideth, which I have yet to get any answers from on any of the questions I sent, and the other candidate is Marolee Smith who has been good enough to send answers since I began sending questions. I invite candidates to look back on emails I sent and answer questions I posed earlier if they hadn't already done so. I don't leave anyone out who is on my list of candidates they are all given an opportunity to respond. To those who been respond regularly thanks this helps those who vote here give a clear picture of what's make these people tick. 

Stay tune readers for next week's question and answer segment with the candidates!

IN OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS: 

  Clallam pot ordinance likely headed to voters

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS — Clallam County will ask voters to weigh in on a proposed law that would regulate the recreational marijuana industry in unincorporated areas.

Clallam County treasurer declines to attend meeting on concerns surrounding almost $1.3 million in grants

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS — Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis was invited but did not attend a closed-door meeting of Clallam County officials to attempt to resolve concerns over a recent board decision to award nearly $1.3 million in grants to port and city governments.

“Last week, yet again, I was told quite publicly, courtesy PDN, to shut up and sit down and to do as I'm told, to be specified in a closed-door meeting,” Barkhuis said in a Tuesday email."---Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis

Annual homelessness forum slated next Wednesday in Port Angeles

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS---  Agencies and individuals who fight homelessness will hold their annual planning forum from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Nippon mill in Port Angeles adding paper-pulper as part of expansion plans

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS---Nippon Paper Industries USA has purchased a new paper-pulping machine to expand the range of products manufactured at its Ediz Hook mill.

Timber left standing on Department of Natural Resources trust lands while Peninsula mills shut down

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS--- Recent mill closures and Allen Logging Co.'s upcoming stoppage were hastened by the state's failure to sell logs that were authorized to be sold on North Olympic Peninsula trust lands

Further quote from the article: " Fleck said that groups within the environmental community have stalled harvests with lawsuits; but added that DNR has not done enough to meet its sustainable harvest calculation for the past decade." 

( You know it would figure that wacko environmental groups would go out of their way to destroy logging in this area. Though it was logging that build many of our communities in this area, including Port Angeles. These clowns seem not to understand this! These are the same lot who are under the illusion or should I say delusional thinking that tourism is our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Everyone knows that's not the case here! We were build on logging and fishing and thanks to these nut cases we are suffering economically even more!

RELATED STORY: Allen's Mill to close

FORKS FORUM-- LLOYD ALLEN started in the logging business in Oregon in 1937, he was just out of high school and he began delivering fir to Scappoose. He was eventually attracted to the Olympic Peninsula by the abundant supply of hemlock.

 Water Restrictions for PUD’s Upper Fairview Water District

PORT O CALL---Port Angeles, WA – June 10, 2015 – The State Department of Ecology has directed the PUD #1of Clallam County (PUD) to implement a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert for all water customers in the upper Fairview Water District.  This alert is effective immediately.

Working on Clallam’s unemployment problem

SEQUIM GAZETTE---Hundreds of jobs are available, yet the unemployment rate of Clallam County hovers among the top in the state at 8 percent.

Beau Bridges is PT Film Fest special guest

PT LEADER---The 2015 Port Townsend Film Festival welcomes “special guest” Beau Bridges, an award-winning character actor who has appeared in more than 50 feature films.

FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

TIMES COLONIST---B.C. aims new rules at left-lane hogs; changes now in  

City to host summer of free outdoor concerts and festivals

VICTORIA NEWS: Victoria will be the place to be on the Island come summertime with a host of free outdoor concerts and festivals this year.

Petronas tentatively commits to Pacific Northwest LNG plant

VICTORIA NEWS: The Pacific Northwest LNG plant proposed near Prince Rupert now has preliminary investment approval from its proponents, prompting confidence from Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman that the massive project could be under construction by the end of this year.

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

PORT WILL HOLD THEIR FIRST MEETING OF THE MONTH ON MONDAY

The Port Commission postpone their first meeting of the month last week. I assume it was because of Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer's road trip to Washington D.C.

So they rescheduled their meeting for Monday, slated for 11:am on Monday. And yes the highlight item on their agenda is U.S. Senate Testimony Report - Commissioner McAleer.

There was no written document attached to the agenda. So, as for the rest of the agenda:  http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/06152015-106?html=true

COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Acknowledgement of proposals received for “Clallam County General Funds for HomelessRelated  services.

See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf

Agenda item details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

City Council Agenda highlight item: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Phase I, Project US06-01, Change Order No. 24 – Sales Tax

 The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Phase 1 project is the first of two parts of the

City’s approved CSO Reduction program. A contract to construct Phase I was awarded to IMCO

General Construction on August 7, 2012. Work on Phase 1 has been successfully completed, but

during construction a dispute arose regarding the amount of sales taxes due to the State of Washington and the method of payment. The City and IMCO reached a settlement of that dispute on December 10, 2014. The settlement agreement was ratified by the City Council on December 16, 2014. This Change

Order implements that settlement and allows the Phase I contract to be closed out.

Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a change order to increase

the final contract amount to $17,976,027.52 to implement the settlement agreement ratified by

the City Council on December 16, 2014.

Full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2292

OTHER REGIONAL MEETINGS:

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

Agenda highlight: Ordinance 3130 Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way; Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for a Second Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area.

Action: Move to Waive Council Rules and Adopt Ordinance 3130 Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way; Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for a Second Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area.

Full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=231

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will yourheavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Luke 11:13 NKJV

PORT AUTHORITY POSTPONES first monthly meeting until next Monday.

Your's truly called the local Port Commission office today asking about the meeting they usually have scheduled for today. But apparently they rescheduled the meeting until next Monday, I assume it had something to do with  Commissioner Colleen McAleer has been invited to testify on carbon fiber recycling and energy workforce development before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, June 9, in Washington, DC.

So, that's the reason for no Port meeting today.



Port Commissioner Invited to Testify before the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources


Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Colleen McAleer has been invited to testify on carbon fiber recycling and energy workforce development before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, June 9, in Washington, DC. The invitation was given by the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Committee is conducting this hearing to receive testimony on legislation concerning energy accountability and reform. The invitation was given at the request of Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Of the 42 initiatives under consideration during this hearing, several focus on supporting advanced technology and improving productivity and energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector. Commissioner McAleer will give testimony specifically concerning Senate Bills 1304 and 1432. S.1304 addresses the development of a skilled 21st century energy workforce. S. 1432 would require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on the technology, potential lifecycle energy savings and economic impact of recycled carbon fiber.

“The development of composite manufacturing in Clallam County under the auspices of the Port of Port Angeles has gained the attention of both federal and state agencies,” said Commissioner McAleer. “Our county is increasingly recognized as a leader in this industry sector, especially with the development of the Composites Recycling Technology Center (CRTC). I am delighted to have the opportunity to testify before the Senate energy committee as to the importance of recycled composite fiber and let them know that we are well on the way to providing this crucial service to the advanced manufacturing industry.”

Some of the points Commissioner McAleer will touch on include the importance of manufacturing, recycling and innovation in carbon fiber composites, partnerships and tech transfers that the Port has been engaged in, the need for partnerships in education and investments in developing a skilled workforce, international markets, and exports.

Upon her return, Commissioner McAleer will give a full report of her experience at the following Port Commissioners meeting. These bi-weekly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Port’s meeting room, and are open to the public. The text of her testimony will be published in the upcoming issue of the Port Pilot.

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST: CHAPMAN TO MEDIA--- “Keep it out of the newspaper.---Mike Chapman, County Commissioner

Readers, Today's first story is two folded. One, we have a County Commissioner who apparently thinks he can sway the media, meaning the paper of record, The Peninsula Daily News to not run the story of the County Treasure blocking transfer of grant funds to the Port and City, which is now in the hands of the courts. Apparently Chapman underestimates we who are loose cannon balls out there like myself, that believe it is the public right to know what's going on, and would rib the PDN to no end in labeling them as Pravda!
That's probably why you gotten the article from the PDN:

Clallam delays grant payments to give time to resolve dispute between county officials
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Clallam County lawmakers will “step back” before processing a pair of pre-approved grants to allow their legal adviser to resolve a dispute between county officials, Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
Selinda Barkhuis, the county’s elected treasurer, has said she will withhold a $1 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles and a $285,952 grant to the city of Port Angeles until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the funds are being disbursed according to law.

They even mention the part where Chapman asked the PDN to keep it out of the press! Funny, yours truly was attending the meeting so was Port O Call Chapman made no reference to us, just the PDN. That made me wonder, could it be because the PDN has a contract to run their legal notices? Maybe Chapman thinks that the PDN is in the County's back pocket or something. That's what people would think. But, The PDN posting the article in response to Chapman's appeals of not having what's going on with this matter. Perhaps, they saw I was presence and they know very well if they did I'd be all over the PDN giving them a ribbing of becoming Pravda! They sure didn't want that label be on them. Maybe the PDN remembers when yours truly published the Port Angeles Journal years ago, and I had a column in it called THE TABLOID DRAGON! A column of news stories on how local and national media either plays the propagandist, or engages in sensational journalism. From what I saw this week I may bring back that, but I keep a level eye on the media as much as I do politicians.
What Chapman was doing was tantamount to censorship! Something in my book is a big no, no!
Giving all what's been happening all over the world where journalist have either been jailed or murdered for telling things others don't want to hear. So yeah I take infringing on the 1st Amendment seriously, so should the PDN and any other publication.

Now the second part of our first story this week is based on this headline from the Peninsula Daily News:

Clallam treasurer says she will not disburse commissioner-approved grants, doubts their legality
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was “disbursed according to law.”


I Sent a question to the candidates of the City, Port, and County elections. I asked them a two sided question:

As you might of read in the PDN : "Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was;disbursed according to law."
So the question I pose to you is what's your opinion on this right or wrong for the Treasure to withhold these funds, or just practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public?
Also for you city council candidates an old question asked again.
What's your feelings about fluoride? Should we discontinue putting it in our water supply? Or continue it? and why?

Not only did I get answers on the Treasure's decision on not releasing the funds, but on a side note the anti-fluoride folks can take heart they gain some allies. Read the responses:

•   Richard "Doc" Robinson-:As a candidate for Port Commissioner I have no opinion.  It is now a legal matter and I am not a lawyer.

As a citizen I wonder how we get to this level of dispute rather than the two sides making a few calls together to the legal wizards at the state level and then following their opinion.  Now the county will have to spend money in order for the commissioners to spend money.  We need public access TV just so we can have comedy skits about such doings.---Richard "Doc" Robinson--Port Commission Candidate
( I must admit when I first read this I had to laugh it was pretty good! Clever!)

•   marolee diane smith: I believe that Selinda Barkhuis is doing her job. In the recent (historical) past it appears that some very bad decisions have been made, without proper oversight. I think she is taking the right step to begin to right the ship. The public has not been adequately protected from over-spending, poor spending, and questionable decisions made by our representatives in government.  Kudos to Ms. Barkhuis.

I feel that the fluoride matter should be put to the people's vote.  I do not trust the executive fiat (i.e. fiat is latin for "let it be done") instead of a public referendum. It should be a vote, by the people.

In a 1973 Stanford PhD Dissertation, Dr. Edward Groth noted:  “The fact that nearly 3 out of every 5 communities which vote on the issue have rejected fluoridation, year after year, does in all likelihood represent a collective judgment on the part of the public that, when all things are considered, fluoridation is not an acceptable public health measure.”   Add to that the recent (April 27, 2015 NYT article) Fed revelation: "Federal health officials Monday changed the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water for the first time since 1962, cutting by almost half the maximum amount of fluoride that should be added to drinking supplies."

Some countries have opted for fluoridated salt, or fluoride additives, to add a measured amount for dental benefit.  The key thing, is that with a municipal involvement in water -- it is an inaccurate dosage. Fluoride is so readily available, now (compared to when municipalities began putting it into the water supply in the late 1950's) people should be able to decide for themselves whether to use fluoride and how they get it.

As it is, our water, which used to be delicious, now stinks.  It often has an overwhelming smell/taste of the chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide. I have no idea how close our water correlates to the EPA maximum residual disinfectant level goal (MRDL), of late. (The EPA requires that these "consumer confidence reports" be regularly disclosed to the public, the last one I can find for Port Angeles -online- is 2013.) Many other communities report these monthly findings of their water directly to the EPA each month (so that people can see what IS in our water. Because with excess ground water, drought, and other water changes, the additives vary -- to keep our water safe.) However, Port Angeles does not.  According to the EPA website "Your water supplier does not currently store their water quality report on our online system"   I'd sure like to know why this is.----marolee diane smith, City Council Candidate
 (source: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/index.cfm?action=ccrsearchresults&page=viewAll)

• Dan Bateham: Your first question is in response to a PDN article, on May 31st, that says: "Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was 'disbursed according to law.'" You asked "What's [my] opinion on this, [is it] right or wrong for the Treasurer to withhold these funds, or [is she] just practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public?"

As the County Treasurer, Barkhuis occupies a key “check and balance” position in the financial affairs of the County. As a non-partisan elected official, Barkhuis is directly accountable to the voters of Clallam County.
In that PDN article of May 31st,  Treasurer Barkhuis indicates she is following state law to act on behalf of the public concerning the monies in question.
In the same PDN article, County Administrator Jones is quoted as saying “I respect her as a treasurer, and I respect that she wants to do her duties as they exist” and “I differ with her interpretation of the RCW.” The article then goes on to say: "Jones said he believed Barkhuis might have misinterpreted a part of county policy, which colored her interpretation of state law."

In my opinion Treasurer Barkhuis is "practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public" and is doing so to the best of her ability. The key issue seems, to me, to be on whether a public hearing is required in this particular instance. As there appears to be a difference of opinion on the interpretation of law concerning these particular monies and the processes involved for disbursement, and as Barkhuis is attempting to perform her duty to defend what she calls "important taxpayer rights," I believe she is right to wait until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was "disbursed according to law" and to get this important legal opinion "before the funds leave the county treasury forever.”
Peter, you also asked those of us that are candidates for city council: "What's [our] feelings about fluoride? Should we discontinue putting it in our water supply? or continue it? and why?"
As for fluoridation of our water supply, I'm against it. In my opinion, the two biggest lies I've heard about fluoridation all my life is that it prevents tooth decay and that it is safe. It does not prevent tooth decay. It is not safe. The form of fluoride that is added to our water supply is an industrial waste by-product. The Port Angeles City Council has been allowing it to be put into our water supply against the wishes of many of our citizens, for money. In my opinion, fluoridation of our city water needs to stop.
 I will not pretend to be a scientist or a doctor with all knowledge on the subject of fluoridation. So, please let me point you and your readers to a couple of links that I find to be informative:
For some "Notable Quotes from Top Scientists" please see this link on the yes4cleanwater.org website: http://www.yes4cleanwater.org/notable_quotes_from_top_scientists.php.
And an informative article in the "Port O Call," by Dr. Eloise W. Kailin, MD, entitled "FLUORIDATION—Pro and Con" can be found here: 
I hope you and your readers find the information at those links useful in continuing the debate on the fluoride issue. It is my hope that the contract the city now has for fluoridation of our water will not be renewed.------Dan Bateham, candidate for Port Angeles City Council.

• Bryan D. Frazier: In response to your question concerning our County Treasurer.  Our County Treasurer is the check point against possible improper spending of taxpayer funds placed in her control, she has a responsibility first and foremost to protect public assets.

I firmly believe that Selinda Barkhuis is acting within the scope of her responsibilities as our Treasurer and is indeed “practicing good prudence on behalf of the public”.  If our Treasurer has any doubt about an expenditure of public assets being improper
she has the responsibility to seek higher council for interpretation of the laws and policies involved and a responsibility to abide by the decision of that higher council to release or not release the funds.
 In my opinion, Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is fulfilling her “key position of public trust in the financial affairs of local government.”
 In response to your second question concerning whether to continue or discontinue fluoridation of the water supply?
 In my opinion, the public should not be forced to ingest anything against their will regardless of the purported benefits.
Adding fluoride to a community water supply should be done by a vote of the people after being fully informed and disclosing the risks and costs.
 In an analysis, Recognition and Management of Fluoride Toxicity referencing 44 separate studies of Excess Systemic Fluoride pointed to the risks associated with excess fluoride ingestion and Fluoridated Water.
Dental Fluorosis (Mottling of teeth)
Skeletal Fluorosis (increased bone mass, arthritis like symptoms, joint stiffness, limited mobility)
Risks to patients with renal problems (accumulation and retention of fluoride in the kidneys. Recommended to avoid Fluoridated water)
Risks for people who drink large quantities of water (Recommended to avoid Fluoridated water)
Risks to bottle fed infants when formula is mixed using fluoridated water. (Recommended to mix with distilled water and avoid Fluoridated Water)

Sources of Excess Systemic Fluoride
All foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water.
Fluorinated medications.
Accidental fluoridation overfeeds.

http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Recognition+and+Management+of+Fluoride+Toxicity
 This is all cumulative effects from Fluoridated Water use. Whether or not fluoridation should be continued?  Let the public decide, place it on a ballot, I’m sure you’ll get your answer from them.----Bryan D. Frazier Candidate Clallam County Commissioner, District No. 1

Wow!  I must say didn't expect to get responses of fluoridation from candidates not running for City Council, who will be reviewing the contract with the supplier of the fluoride come in 2016.

Now for the second lead story in this week's edition....

Best ever, was it just a tourist trap?

Editorial Comment: I have to ask. Has the national, and local media gone completely insane?
On the national level all week long online we were inundated with news stories about Bruce Jenner turning into a fake woman, sending our national image further down the sewer of immorality.
 While locally the over the top coverage of a Best town Contest, seem to overshadow the real news stories locally. Come to find out that is was nothing more than a contest to draw tourist here. Which is fine and good, but it comes from people who are under the illusion that tourism is the goose who laid the golden egg for this community.

Related Stories

•  WELL DONE, PORT ANGELES! Chattanooga tallied the most votes . . . but we won, too!

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles didn't lose, even though it came in second to Chattanooga, Tenn., in Outside magazine's hotly battled online contest to determine the nation's "Best Town Ever" for 2015.
“I could not be prouder of the town right now,” said Lesley Robertson, founder of Revitalize Port Angeles, a Facebook group with more than 1,100 members that was the primary mover in getting out the vote for Port Angeles.

Editorial Comment: Like I said on my previous posting I don't play into these shorts of contest normally, but I did vote for PA to show "I CARE" little good that got me however, when I voted on Outside Magazine site they automatically subscribed me to their email list! I had to go in and unsubscribe to their mailing list. Clever ploy actually to use a silly contest to gain more readers to your publication!

Fake posts, alleged voting fraud and suspected hacking mire final day of Outside's 'Best Town Ever' contest
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Fraudulent posts, including one supposedly from a deceased woman, an allegation of voter fraud and a Google suspicion that Outside magazine's website had been hacked, excited passions on the final day of Internet voting in the “Best Town Ever” contest.

Editorial Comment: Maybe the democrats were in on the voter fraud! Sad thing to have to cheat to win an election!  However, will there be a turn out for the local elections that matters like the City, County, and Port elections, as this tourism gimmick was?

Question is  "Port Angeles' Star Keeps On Rising"
(PORT ANGELES ONLINE) Go ahead, be cynical.  But Port Angeles has still another claim to fame:  We're Number Ten on the Top 100 Best Small Towns, according to Livability.com.  Port Angeles was outranked by Lebanon, N.H.; Los Alamos, N.M.; Durango, CO; St. Augustine, FL; Bar Harbor, ME; Louisville, CO; Hood River, OR; Spearfish, SD; and Sebastopol, CA.

Editorial Note: As you can see not everyone was falling for the gag! And saw this for what this was, a ploy to promote tourism to the area. That's not a bad thing mind you, after all I use to rely on tourist dollars long time ago, and so does a lot of businesses in town. The thing of it is I know where this is coming from. It's from those who believe that the tourist trade should be the sole source of income for this community. Everyone knows that the tourist season only last for a few months out of the year, and the rest of the year this town pretty much shut down! We don't have a Civil War, or Revolutionary War battle field to tout about, nor do we hold any claim of being visited by notorious outlaws like Jesse James, or Billy the Kid! Our claim of fame is Sluicing the Hogback

Picture from google
Port Angeles circa 1914

• Events to mark centennial of Port Angeles' 'Sluicing the Hogback' today, Sunday

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Two days of events this weekend will mark the 100th anniversary of the completion of “The Sluicing of the Hogback,” which raised the downtown streets and led to the creation of the present downtown.
" In 1914, the City Council decided to raise the downtown area, which was plagued with flooding and raw sewage, above mud flats, where many of the buildings were constructed on piers and docks."

Rayonier mill site still caught up in litigation
and clean up!

Now if we had access to the Old Rayonier mill site, there would be a possible tourist related development. This could be a port of call for Cruise ships, and a resort kind of development maybe include a casino and a sea fair type of circus complete with carnival rides. But it still tied up in litigation and clean up operations.

Now I want to ask you something is it the best ever when a big chuck of land like this is being held up in endless litigation?

Voters voted against building a new high school which had
a price tag of 98 million this last election.

Is it the best ever when new schools are not being build, and kids are forced to use one drinking fountain due to plumbing issues?

Are we still the best ever when utility rates and taxes are so high the area businesses are shutting down, and more people are ending up on welfare?

This is what happens when you ask for my opinion on a silly "best ever town" contest. You might not get a pretty picture! It show how twisted our priorities have become both nationally, and locally.

Other local news:

Port Angeles City Council grants $15,000 contract to county Economic Development Council — and questions absence

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — As the City Council awarded a $15,000 contract for 2015 to the Clallam County Economic Development Council, some were displeased that no one from the group attended the meeting.

“Is there any reason why they shouldn’t be here?” asked Patrick Downie, Port Angeles deputy mayor, before the 5-1 vote approving the agreement Tuesday night.

Commissioner Colleen McAleer to testify before Senate Committee

(PORT O CALL) Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Colleen McAleer has been invited to testify on carbon fiber recycling and energy workforce development before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, June 9, in Washington, DC. The invitation was given by the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Committee is conducting this hearing to receive testimony on legislation concerning energy accountability and reform. The invitation was given at the request of Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

RELATED PRESS RELEASE: Port Commissioner Invited to Testify before the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources

Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Colleen McAleer has been invited to testify on carbon fiber recycling and energy workforce development before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, June 9, in Washington, DC. The invitation was given by the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Committee is conducting this hearing to receive testimony on legislation concerning energy accountability and reform. The invitation was given at the request of Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Of the 42 initiatives under consideration during this hearing, several focus on supporting advanced technology and improving productivity and energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector. Commissioner McAleer will give testimony specifically concerning Senate Bills 1304 and 1432. S.1304 addresses the development of a skilled 21st century energy workforce. S. 1432 would require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on the technology, potential lifecycle energy savings and economic impact of recycled carbon fiber.

“The development of composite manufacturing in Clallam County under the auspices of the Port of Port Angeles has gained the attention of both federal and state agencies,” said Commissioner McAleer. “Our county is increasingly recognized as a leader in this industry sector, especially with the development of the Composites Recycling Technology Center (CRTC). I am delighted to have the opportunity to testify before the Senate energy committee as to the importance of recycled composite fiber and let them know that we are well on the way to providing this crucial service to the advanced manufacturing industry.”

Some of the points Commissioner McAleer will touch on include the importance of manufacturing, recycling and innovation in carbon fiber composites, partnerships and tech transfers that the Port has been engaged in, the need for partnerships in education and investments in developing a skilled workforce, international markets, and exports.

Upon her return, Commissioner McAleer will give a full report of her experience at the following Port Commissioners meeting. These bi-weekly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Port’s meeting room, and are open to the public. The text of her testimony will be published in the upcoming issue of the Port Pilot.

Port of Port Angeles commissioner explains why public waterfront should stay public

James D. Hallett

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS)  WAS STROLLING along our downtown waterfront the other day with some friends who were visiting Port Angeles for the first time, showing them the city's improvements and extolling the virtues of where we live.

As we made our way toward the Waterfront Trail, they asked me: “How is it this street is called Railroad Avenue? Were there ever trains here?”

PAPA meets today

(PORT O CALL) PAPA inaugural meeting today Since 2002 the city of Port Angeles has had access to our own Public Access Television Channel.  No one has yet seen fit to access it.

Warm temperatures having impact on area’s water supply

(SEQUIM GAZETTE) A warm winter has kept snow from accumulating in the mountains statewide, including the Olympic Mountains.

MORE OPNET CHARGES FILED

(FORK FORUM) Bernadette S. Guzman, a.k.a. Bernadette Afterbuffalo, age 36, of Forks was charged on May 27, with Delivery of Methamphetamine.

Safety for elementary students is lesson in Port Townsend

(PT LEADER) The inaugural Grant Street Safety Fair staged May 28 aimed to familiarize school children with construction equipment and emergency vehicles – things they might encounter while walking to school, especially with sidewalk improvements being made to Sheridan Street between 14th and 19th streets.

FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Victoria considers micro-housing for homeless

(TIMES COLONIST) Victoria councillors, two of them in tears, agreed Thursday to a plan to help people camping in city parks, approving measures that could cost up to $350,000, including the possibility of creating a community of tiny homes.

Kinder Morgan pledges to protect against spills

(VICTORIA NEWS) BURNABY, B.C. - Kinder Morgan is pledging to protect against any threat of oil spills caused by its Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, as opposition to the project mounts in British Columbia.

Pair found guilty in B.C. legislature bomb plot

(VICTORIA NEWS) A Surrey couple has been found guilty of plotting to detonate bombs at the B.C. legislature on Canada Day 2013.

WHAT'S ON TAP NEXT WEEK

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Agreement with West End Outreach Services for behavioral health services to low income clients.

Full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf

Details on agenda items: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Port is scheduled to meet coming Tuesday, however they didn't post their agenda as of yet, so when that is available I will post it here.
(UPDATE: The meeting had been rescheduled for next Monday at 9:AM according to Port the Port Authority.)

OTHER REGIONAL MEETINGS:

Sequim City Council meeting is also schedule to meet this coming Tuesday, but they have yet to release their agenda when this report was published.

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

Agenda highlight: Fort Worden Public Development Authority (PDA) Annual Report

Full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=240

City of Forks agenda item highlight: Discussion on all terrian vehicals operating within the city of Forks

See agenda: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda6815.pdf

FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT: VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL TO MEET

Agenda highlight: Lawrence Lapadat, re: Affordable Housing for the Homeless

Full agenda: https://victoria.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=83083

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV