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:
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| Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer. |
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!
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| 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.
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| 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 County treasurer declines to attend meeting on concerns surrounding almost $1.3 million in grants
Annual homelessness forum slated next Wednesday in Port Angeles
Nippon mill in Port Angeles adding paper-pulper as part of expansion plans
Timber left standing on Department of Natural Resources trust lands while Peninsula mills shut down
( 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
Water Restrictions for PUD’s Upper Fairview Water District
Working on Clallam’s unemployment problem
Beau Bridges is PT Film Fest special guest
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
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.
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.
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
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