PORT ANGELES DIGEST; PA DENTAL ASSOCIATION TO PA RESIDENTS....

YOU DON'T HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL BACK GROUND TO MAKE A INFORMED DECISION ON FLUORIDE! 

 That was the message I got from the public discussion during the City Council Tuesday night. The city chamber was full of members of the local dental association pitching for their cause to keep fluoride being added to the city's water supply. At one point during the debate from both sides, I heard one of the local dentist actually say, that the general public does not have the educational back ground on dentistry to make an informed decision on the issue of fluoride! I forgot the doctor's name who said it, but it was clear how the dental association views their patients as being not knowledgeable enough to make a rational decision on fluoride. Meaning folks we are too stupid for our own good! Funny, these dentist don't have a problem taking our money on those trips to the dentist do they? So, the whole thing came down to actually asking the public in a public vote what are there thoughts on the subject. Well I be! That's what I been advocating for nearly every time I ran for city council, and low and behold they saw the light apparently, and decided to have an non binding vote by the public whether or not to continue with the fluoride program. I of course question the motives of some council members voting in favor of putting this to a public vote, notably or pal "15 month Lee" Lee Whetham, who is currently running for Port Commission after only 15 months on the job at the city. I suspect this has much to do in seeking those anti-fluoride votes, and now since the city had decided to end the quest of installing those smart meters officially, he is now sounding like he is against the smart meters. I do recall Whetham saying during the election to city council in 2013, that he favored the council in honoring the contract with Mueller Systems, LLC . Now, apparently since the smart meter program is not longer viable for the council, he voted for the approval of the ordinance washing the city's hands of the whole matter, go figure! So here are the stories surrounding the debate about the fluoride issue, including an emailed article by one of the city council candidates,  MAROLEE SMITH. In her article she shared with me, Smith wrote:

 I went to the city council meeting last night (7/21/15). It was packed. Probably as packed as I saw it when the fluoride was jammed through 9 years ago.

Many people spoke. I found it interesting that the citizens were, by large, against keeping the fluoride in the water, but the dentists all said about the same thing.

The quoted the “talking points” from the ADA (American Dental Association) — word for word:

“More than 70 years of scientific research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. Simply by drinking water, Americans can benefit from fluoride’s cavity protection whether they are at home, work or school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Source: http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/advocating-for-the-public/fluoride-and-fluoridation

I can only assume that the dental schools, continuing education classes, and the association itself must hammer this same non-wavering nonsense into the dentists heads.   So much so they each parroted the exact same numbers, percents, and the “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century”. Every one of the speaking dentists said it.

But, folks, it’s the 21st century.

The dentists cited how they must treat children (3 years old) with bad dental caries. How they see these patients “every day”.  Which made me wonder — what has fluoridation in the water actually done for for us?   It’s been nearly a decade, so you’d think that 1/4 of the dentists would be out of business, that they’d be seeing 25% less children with bad dental caries.  I didn’t hear that.  Sounds like business is still booming for them. That’s great. I didn’t hear that this 9-year-test had really changed their lives, or bottom-line.

The attitudes from different professionals (not dentists) on fluoride are quite mixed up.

There are pediatricians who advise against mixing formula with fluoridated water. The European food guidelines (contained in the Codex Alimentarius, a collection of internationally recognized standtoothpaste-label-warningard, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety) insist on a warning on bottled water containing artificially added fluoride, or naturally occurring (over a set ppm), to have the warning “not for children under the age of 6”    If you read the side of a toothpaste tube it has a clear warning label. “Keep out of reach of children under age 6“. ..”call Poison Control Center immediately“.  Yipes!

Fluoridation has been nearly abolished in Europe, Israel and parts of Australia.  Statistics gathered by the World Health Organization do not show any difference in rates of dental caries in fluoridated vs. non fluoridated countries.  In the U.S., the state of Kentucky, which has been fluoridating the longest (70 years), and has 99% fluoridation of its water supply, has the worst dental health of any state in the country.    John Colquhoun, the Chief Dental Officer in Auckland, NZ, studied the effects of fluoridation around the world.  He discovered that people in countries with fluoridation had the worst teeth.

By all accounts (if we listen to the dentists) we should be seeing better teeth, more kids with zero cavities, right? But we aren’t.

Why?  I thought about this last night. Then I realized the problem.  What kid actually DRINKS TAP WATER?  I see kids downing sodas. I see kids drinking from highly sweetened juice boxes. I might see them sipping from bottled water.  Come to think of it, in the last decade, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a kid ask for tap water.

Maybe we should fluoridate soda and other children’s drinks. I think that might do more good. Why is no one suggesting this?

The newest studies (2000 and newer) seem to be changing from the rock-solid “we have to DO THIS” mindset of the mid-last century.  Too bad the dentists seem to not be able to think out of that box.  The studies done in the mid-1940’s were when kids drank water. Everyone drank water — tap water. Back in the 60’s, my grandmother would grouse at me: “You’re thirsty? Drink some WATER”.  Back then, American’s didn’t drink bottled water. They didn’t down sodas by the gallon, or fruit juice.

At the council meeting I started to wonder where does OUR fluoride  comes from.  I can’t seem to get any clear answer — what kind of fluorine was used in the studies in the 1940’s?  I know that the communities with natural fluorine — minerals seeping into the ground water — were the reason for the original “ah-ha” moment.   But, have there been studies done on this other source, the modern sources, of fluoride?

“Fluorine is the world’s 13th most abundant element and constitutes 0.08% of the Earth crust. Fluoride is widely distributed in the environment, occurring in the air, soils, rocks, and water. Although fluoride is used industrially in a fluorine compound, the manufacture of ceramics, pesticides, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, glassware, and Teflon cookware, it is a generally unwanted byproduct of aluminium, fertilizer, and iron ore manufacture.”  (source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956646/)

So, what is being added to our water is a by-product of manufacturing.  We’re drinking, bathing, watering our plants, feeding our livestock and pets with an industrial waste product that is being sold for a profit?   Really? Who is getting rich on this nonsense, and why is the ADA pushing it? Who wins here?  (Somehow I don’t think it’s us.)

It is the 21st century. So, please, lets come up with another option. Lets ask the dentists to start thinking for themselves, instead of parroting what the ADA has programmed into them. Lets get our government out of making health medication decisions for us. I want to know what the real reason small towns are being strong-armed into this crazy scheme.

Who profits from the fluoride?   Where is this coming from?


Related Stories:

Port Angeles City Council decides to ask voters if they approve of adding fluoride to drinking water; question will appear on Nov. 3 ballot
PORT ANGELES — City Council members voted 4-3 Tuesday night to place an advisory measure on the Nov. 3 general election ballot asking voters if they approve of adding fluoride into the Port Angeles drinking water supply as has been done for the last 10 years.---read more

Port Angeles residents to get November nonbinding vote on fluoride in water
Forty years ago, Port Angeles residents overwhelmingly voted against fluoridating their non-fluoridated drinking water.City Council members then kept the water as it was.In the Nov. 3 general election, citizens will be asked a similar question, with one big difference: Should the city stop injecting the mineral additive into the water system after doing so for nearly a decade?---read more


THE CONTINUING SAGA OF THE COUNTY BELCHES!

It's watching a soap opera on TV on the week day afternoons at the county court house, the feud apparently isn't over as I first thought it was when news reports about the county commission blinking. I thought this little mellow drama was over, but apparently that's not the case given the recent news articles making headlines locally:


Clallam commissioners to hold public hearing on grants, but obstacles could remain
Clallam County commissioners acquiesced in part to county Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis, deciding in a Monday work session to hold a public hearing on two disputed Opportunity Fund grants that she has refused to process.---PDN

Quote: "She was not ready Monday to say she will sign warrants releasing the funds.I guess we'll have to wait and see what they do, Barkhuis, a non-practicing lawyer in her second term as treasurer, said in a later interview.I can't continue to babysit these commissioners."

Why Commissioners “blinked” by Selinda Barkhuis, County Treasurer---PORT O CALL
Quote: "On the same day I received the Prosecutor’s letter, I received an email from James Casey from the Peninsula Daily News wanting my “reaction please” to the “possibility that in refusing to approve the warrants you’ve failed to fulfill your duties as an elected official… That’s a Class B felony upon conviction of which leads to removal from office and cancellation of your license to practice law.”  
Yes, Clallam County’s Good Old Bully Club was out in full force! And their message was loud and clear:  PAY UP OR ELSE"
Another quote which was in the same article posted on Monday's edition of the Port of Call's story: QUOTE: Well, because during that executive session, I think, somebody must have explained to them the ramifications of RCW 36.40.130 if it turns out in court that I was right all along, and that the Commissioners had absolutely no good reason to rely on the Prosecutor’s legal opinion.  Because that opinion, pardon the legalese, is nothing but a pile of crap.  ---County Treasure, Selinda Barkhuis

* I re-posted the above article from Port O Call to show how the County Treasure views the current county commission.

Ex-Clallam official, commissioner spar in meeting on spending, transparency
"Former Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty blasted the current board for its spending policies and a possible violation; of the Open Public Meetings Act. You can come here anytime you want and rip us to shreds, and I'm going to rip you back because you're out of bounds, current Commissioner Mike Chapman told his former colleague Tuesday."---PDN

* The county seems to be getting nailed from two ends these days.

In other local news:

PORT ANGELES SENDS HEALING WORDS TO CHATTANOOGA

 

On Thursday, July 16, 2015, the City of Chattanooga, TN, suffered a terrible loss when a gunman shot and killed five US Marines at two different locations. Several others were also wounded in the attack. The investigation of the crime is ongoing. The gunman allegedly opened fire on the Combined Armed Forces Recruiting Center and then later entered the U.S. Naval Reserve Center where four Marines were killed by gunfire. A fifth officer later died from his injuries 

 

Initial reports are calling those who were killed, heroes. Using skills learned in the service, they were able to secure areas and save lives, including seven people who were in the training center who no doubt survived due to the bravery and skill of the servicemen who lost their lives in the deadly shootout. They were able to keep those in the center safe from the gunman’s bullets, ultimately sacrificing their lives for the safety of others.

 

Three of the officers have spent time serving tours of duty abroad, including Iraq and Afghanistan.  Reports list the names of the officers who died in the attack as Gunnery Sargent Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sargent David Wyatt, Lance Corporal Skip Wells, Sargent Carson Holmquist, and Petty Officer Randall Smith. 

 

Port Angeles developed a relationship with the City of Chattanooga this past year through Outdoor Magazine’s Best Towns online contest in which Port Angeles and Chattanooga were finalists. To offer our condolences to the City of Chattanooga as they suffer from this terrible loss, the City of Port Angeles has a banner available for community members to sign. From now until 4:30 on Friday, the banner will be available at Port Angeles City Hall, across from the City Manager’s Office. 

 

We encourage you to come by and offer your condolences to the City of Chattanooga by signing your name, and sharing words of kindness, sympathy and support.

* A press release from the city.

Cleanup at Rayonier pulp mill site in Port Angeles to be completed in another five years

Cleanup that began on the former Rayonier Inc. pulp mill site in 2000 should be completed by 2020, a top state Department of Ecology cleanup official said Tuesday.---PDN

* So in essence readers thanks to our friends from Ecology we will see this eye sore on the waterfront for another 5 years! 

The Baja is back---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Crazy Columnists---FORKS FORUM

Friends, family mourn Port Townsend man shot by Seattle police---PT LEADER

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT

Minister snubs children’s watchdog in abuse case review---TIMES COLONIST

James Bay abuzz with new bee hives----VICTORIA NEWS

Child protection failure prompts probe----VICTORIA NEWS

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

PORT OF PORT ANGELES COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Clallam Economic Development Council Contract

Full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/07282015-111?html=true

City of Sequim agenda highlight item: Ordinance No. 2015-012 Marijuana Moratorium

Full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1215

Forks City Agenda: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda72715.pdf

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

Psalm 119:60 NKJV

COUNTY TREASURE DEFIANT AS EVER TAKES ON MEDIA AND COUNTY COMMISSION

Why Commissioners “blinked” by Selinda Barkhuis, County Treasurer
OK, I think I know why they blinked.  I don’t claim to have first-hand knowledge of what happened during the June 30 executive session that preceded the open business meeting where the County Commissioners unanimously decided to “rescind the grants” and “pull back” the $1 million warrant to the Port and the $285,952 warrant to the City that I had “referred to maker” two weeks earlier.  ---PORT O CALL---Read more

QUOTE: Well, because during that executive session, I think, somebody must have explained to them the ramifications of RCW 36.40.130 if it turns out in court that I was right all along, and that the Commissioners had absolutely no good reason to rely on the Prosecutor’s legal opinion.  Because that opinion, pardon the legalese, is nothing but a pile of crap.  ---County Treasure, Selinda Barkhuis

 Editorial Comment: Sounds to me she isn't about to give in even when all the protocols are addressed. This was on Port O Call webpage, which she only has communications with currently.

LAST CALL FOR PRIMARY CANDIDATES UPDATED!

Readers, recently I emailed the Candidates for the local primary election here in Port Angeles which will allow local voters to separate the weeds from the wheat as it were, for the general election in November. I wrote the candidates in the primary to allow them to have their final say on their issues...I will post responses on this page when they come in:

• As a candidate Doc Robinson is focused entirely on jobs.

         
Carbon fiber jobs – recycle it and create businesses here to build everything from skateboards   to snowboards, drones, auto and boat parts.  But before we spend a dime we must see that the recycled product we produce, will sell at a competitive price.  This most basic business
         question has not been answered and it must come first.
         
Wood production jobs – help our young entrepreneurs succeed at making
and selling wood products – from designer furniture, to bee hives, to
whatever marketable idea they have.  Our men and women have the work skills,
         they need micro-loans to get started and local business trainers to help turn ideas into
         companies that employ.

Logging jobs – be a thorn in the side of State DNR to open lands promised and overdue.
         We don’t have to sit by and let the state withhold land.  Sure we don’t have political or legal
         control, but that means we need to become a vocal and visible pain in their backsides.

Pollution cleanup – our Port waters & lands have pollution sites waiting for cleanup.
         The Port this week voted to award the K-ply cleanup contract.  Seven other sites are tied up in
         the courts while lawyers feed at the trough.  The Ports interest is to clear the path to Port
         development.  You and I cannot stop the lawyers.  But we can take this time to get ready
         for the day when cleanup actually starts.  Business, banks, the City, County, Port and the
College need to work together to develop a new private company – Clallam Pollution Cleanup, Inc.
         Pollution cleanup is a growing national and international business.  Let's use our 7 difficult sites
         to train our young men and women in this career.  When our cleanup begins, our local company
         needs to be ready to win the bids and then go on to win them elsewhere with our people.

Marine industries – Our Port is not close to capacity.  Meanwhile the marine transportation industry
         continues to grow because it is the cheapest form of transportation.  We need to attract new Marine
         business servicing this industry.  Meanwhile, Anacortes is slowly squeezing their Marine Industries
         because all the new retirees want more condos and less heavy industry.  Good for us.  We need to park
         a trailer in Anacortes and work with other county agencies and business groups to bring these
         companies to our deep-water port.  This is a every day effort until it is done.  In addition to this clear
         opportunity, we also need to bring in a company to build a small container facility so our new manufacturers
         can cheaply move their products to market.

Tourism – Tourism is good.  It brings cash flow.  But we all know in tourist jobs, the company owners can
         make money, the employees make $13 per hour or so.  So, the Port will only lease to small local shops.  We
         want lots of locals to start and run small businesses.  We will not allow large tourism corporations to
lease spots in the port.  Anything an outside corporation can do, three or four of our local business people
         can do better

County Labor Rule – If you bid for public business then then fifty percent of your workers must have lived
         in Clallam for at least a year and these jobs must be evenly distributed to all levels from trainee to executives.
         Companies may only be excused for a level if they can prove the required skill is not available in Clallam County.

There are other management issues.  Management oversight has been lacking.  At a recent Port meeting there was debate when one commissioner asked for the expected Return on Investment before voting for a project.  ROI is a
basic business investment number, as common as interest rates on loans.  It is unbelievable that the project did not already have this.  And it was more unbelievable when another commissioner stated this was not really necessary.
Try bringing a business proposal to a commercial investor without an ROI.  The meeting will be short and brutal.
We have to upgrade our management practices to reduce costs, increase returns and promote job making industries. ----Richard "Doc" Robinson, Port Commission Candidate

• To the Voters of Clallam County,

I decided to run for Clallam County Commissioner District 1 because I am fed up with the status quo, and the same people that have been in control for far too long with their game of musical chairs going from commission to commission,
board to board and council to council.  When the music stops we see the same faces sitting in the chairs and their revolving door spending sprees on ideas that just never seem to pan out and when they fail they always blame the public
for lack of involvement or community interest.

We need a change from top down, someone who will protect your hard earned tax dollars and spend them on projects that are needed like water supplies for the community, schools, and existing public infrastructure that has been left to decay for far too long.  Businesses
in Sequim have had to install pumps to boost water pressure to support their day to day operations and their fire suppression systems because the water system is inadequate and old.  Our fire department couldn’t test hydrants without setting off fire sprinkler
alarms due to the decreased pressure in the system.  These are but two examples.

I value the small business and the jobs they create and encourage everyone to buy local first.  Make your purchases from the local bakery, dress shop, dinner, farmers markets.  We must become self- sufficient and protect what is left of our farms and open spaces.
I want to be your voice for your ideas and vision for Clallam County. If you have an idea or proposal I want to hear it and discuss it with you.

As of this election there is no unified vision for the City of Port Angeles, frankly it’s scattered and we should not re-elect those responsible.  We need port commissioners with a background in the maritime trades, a city council that actually listens to and responds to those
who have elected them.  Timber is not the future, retirement villages are not the future, tourism will not last because we have nothing to offer.  If we must purport Port Angels as the foyer or gateway to the Olympics then let’s put our best downtown, fake beaches just aren’t enough.

We must draw from our community talents and entrepreneurial spirit to bring their art, crafts, baked goods, clothing, into shops downtown.  Port Angeles is an historic Mill town, maybe someone can come up with a unifying theme and build on that.  Port Angeles is also rich in native cultural heritage
and our local tribes should be in the forefront helping with development.  This is a democracy and all voices and opinions matter, we must work together.

We must all plan for our future here in Clallam County,  we must plan for a secure water supply, we must now place this as a top priority and everyone must do their part to use our water wisely.  I do believe that the county has a responsibility to down zone critical areas in order
to decrease the demand on an already over appropriated water supply and plan for growth in those areas where water can be easily managed around cities with existing public facilities, services and infrastructure.

If you want STRONG-INCLUSIVE-LEADERSHIP, I’m your candidate.  If you want someone who will protect you HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS, I’m your candidate.  If you want someone that is COMMITTED, HARD WORKING and INVESTED, I’m your candidate.

LET US BUILD A BETTER COUNTY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW!
Byran Frazier Candidate for County Commissioner, District 1

•  My name is Mark Ozias and I hope to be your next Clallam County Commissioner.

I am a former small business owner (The Red Rooster Grocery, Sequim) who understands the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs around the County.  As Commissioner I will advocate for policies that support and advance the local business community and local economy.

I am a skilled non-profit executive who builds budgets and crafts policies to carry out budgetary priorities.  Since non-profit organizations depend on individual donors for their support, the concepts of transparency and accountability come naturally.

I am a proven leader who achieves results.  We ensure the best ideas come forward when citizens are actively engaged in their governance.  I will prioritize public participation and work to ensure that all who wish to participate feel their voice will be heard.

I look forward to elevating the entrepreneurial small business owners who are today’s job-creators and the leaders of tomorrow’s economy as well as looking outward for new “big picture” opportunities that take advantage of our unique resources and skilled workforce.

My priorities include increased planning for water scarcity and other vital environmental issues such as global climate change; a renewed focus on the crucial subject of community health and a commitment to transparency and open government.

Please visit markozias.org to learn more about my positions, catch my song of the week, register to vote, contribute to my campaign or volunteer to help.  I look forward to earning your vote.

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: 15 MONTH LEE SHOWS UP AT A PORT MEETING!

Yes, readers that's Lee Whetham's new nick name I gave him, 15 month Lee! Why you may ask? Well he served only 15 months on the city council which he wanted to serve on so he said at that time, now after 15 months he decided to move on up the political ladder, and these positions here locally are just "stepping stones" to higher office using his words. But, this week he made an appearance at a Port Commission meeting I attended this week, the first time I saw him attend any Port meeting which I attended since May. He came to speak about his continued support of chopping down the trees at Lincoln Park that are blocking the air space for landing, and taking off airplanes at the near by airport Fairchild International. He asked about the status of the environmental impact of cutting down those trees. You know what readers, maybe it's just me I think he was sending a message to his pal John Calhoun...."I supported you in wanting to cut down the trees, now you owe me buddy!" That's what I think the real message he was conveying, but that's just me. The other two Port Candidates were present too,  Rick (Doc) Robinson, and Connie Beauvais. Both Robinson, and Whetham started a little debate between them during the closing public comment session of the Port meeting, Beauvais staid out of the little debate that transpired which was about Whetham's pet project the apprentice utilization program. I think yours truly only met  Michael Breidenbach, once at one Port meeting, but nevertheless with the lack of coverage given about the primary election from the local media, is it any wonder candidates are now taking matters in their own hands to get their message out to other venues that will make mention of the primary election, ballots were mailed out this week for the primary election so this will be the time when voters will have to separate the shaft from the wheat so to speak. Weed out the pretenders, and opportunist, from those who truly want to serve this community, not seek their own advancement, or "name" in bold print!

With that, here is the latest local happenings;


 Clallam County commissioner candidates discuss county grants, water issues 
Three candidates for the Clallam County District 1 commissioner seat debated water and the distribution of county funds at a League of Women Voters of Clallam County forum Incumbent Commissioner Jim McEntire and challengers Mark Ozias and Bryan D. Frazier were questioned by audience members during the Sunday afternoon forum on the controversy surrounding County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis refusal to honor funds transfers to other agencies, as well as about water rights and building permits in water-critical areas.---read more
(Well, now looks like PDN finally said something about the primary, along with Port O Call's article I shared earlier this week.)

Clallam asks state auditor for review of grant allocation process in wake of treasurer's rejection
 Clallam County commissioners have asked the state auditor if they botched the process of awarding a pair of infrastructure grants to city and port governments in May


Port of Port Angeles gets $596,913 federal grant to study Lincoln Park trees, airport flightpath
The Port of Port Angeles has started the process of finding a solution to the ever-growing, obstructive Lincoln Park trees in the path of William R. Fairchild International Airport.But dont expect a decision on cutting down trees to increase visibility of the airports flight path until the beginning of 2018, port Airport and Marina Manager Jerry Ludke said.

( No mention of the Port candidates attending the meeting in the article, guess that was up to me to do huh!? Readers! My job, readers is to comment on news stories posted, hence news commentator, but I guess if the local media isn't doing the job of covering primary elections, just the general ones well that falls to guys like me to do, which I am glad to do readers!)

Don’t follow leaders–don’t re-elect anybody---PORT O CALL
As we get ready to mark our ballots and select the next leadership class let us keep one thing in mind–the incumbents are the ones who got us into the situation we are in now.

(PORT O CALL's second article about the primary election I found on their site, believe me readers I have been looking at both of these publications, maybe I missed some articles about the primary election, I am just noting the lack of coverage on both sides of the ledger)

Bloom time: The Gazette’s guide to Sequim Lavender Weekend---SEQUIM GAZETTE


Spruce Railroad Trail Improvements to Begin July 27---FORKS FORUM


FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Advocate for homeless backs moves to affordable housing ---TIMES COLONIST


Victoria, Esquimalt mayors take initial steps toward Victoria-area amalgamation---VICTORIA NEWS


Victoria's fossil fuel divestment movement heats up---VICTORIA NEWS

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK...

COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution adopting a Budget Emergency in the following fund: Health and Human Services, Homelessness Task Force – Transfer from ending fund balance to professional services for contracted services to the homeless in response to a request for proposals/$300,000
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 Items highlights:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON, DECLARING THE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCUTRE (AMI) PROJECT NO LONGER VIABLE, TERMINATING THE ADVANCED METERING INFRATRUCTURE PROJECT, AND DESIGNATING ELIGIBLE ELECTRIC, WATER, AND WASTEWATER CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR RECEIPT OF BOND PROCEEDS AS A RESULT OF THE TERMINATION OF THE AMI PROJECT----page h1
The City Council in August 2010 authorized the issuance of an Electric Revenue Bond and
a Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond to provide funding for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. In 2014, the City Council approved the acceptance of a settlement agreement with Mueller Systems, LLC to terminate the contract with Mueller for the implementation of the AMI project. Once the Settlement Agreement had been approved, staff began work on assessing the highest and best use of the bond proceeds previously designated for the AMI project together with refunds and repayments from Mueller associated with the termination of the contract to implement the AMI project. Included as part of the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) process brought before Council for briefings, public hearings and adoption were a series of Electric, Water and Wastewater projects that were proposed to be considered as eligible projects for the former AMI funding. With the adoption of the resolution, Council will formally terminate the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project as an authorized capital project of the City and designate the projects listed in the resolution as eligible projects to potentially receive funding from the former AMI-designated funds. 

Editorial Comment: I imagine this will be welcome news for the anti-smart meter crowd. These so called smart meters I ran against during the 2013 campaign for City Council.


Along with the next topic: FLUORIDE – BACKGROUND INFORMATION
FLUORIDE OPERATIONS OVERVIEW:
The fluoride system was put into operation on May 18, 2006. Washington State
Department of Health (Division of Environmental Public Health, Office of Drinking Water)
requires fluoride levels be maintained between 0.8 and 1.3 mg/L. The average City fluoride
levels are between 0.8 and 0.95 mg/l. Fluoride treatment testing results are provided to the
Department of Health on a monthly basis, and are reported to consumers in the annual
Consumer Confidence Report as required by Federal law.
The fluoride used by the City is Fluorosilicic Acid (FSA) which is delivered approximately
every 6 months. The Fluorosilicic Acid is added to the water supply as a pretreatment prior
to entering the water treatment plant. The Fluorosilicic Acid is added to the water as a
liquid from a day tank through an LMI fluoride diaphragm injection metering pump.
The annual costs to provide fluoride treatment are as follows:
 1. Fluorosilicic Acid (FSA): $16,500/year
 2. Labor cost for Fluoride operation: $ 1,700/yr (approximate)
 3. Maintenance & repair costs: $1,700/yr (approximate)
Due to the age of the fluoridation system installed 10 years ago, there will likely need to be
an equipment upgrade in the future. In addition, it would be recommended to relocate the
fluoride injection system from the water intake of the plant, to the end of the treatment
process, for improved control
CITY’S OBLIGATION OVERVIEW:
In the 2005 agreement between the City and the Dental Foundation, the City assumed
several obligations, many of which have already been fulfilled. Of the remaining
obligations, probably the one of most current interest is the obligation to fluoridate for a
minimum of ten years.
Under the agreement, if the City stops fluoridation before 10 years of operation, the City is
obligated to repay to the Dental Foundation the costs it paid to design, construct, and install
the system. At the time the agreement was made, the system had not been designed or
constructed. Therefore, those costs were unknown. Recognizing that, a cap of $433,000
was placed on this repayment amount. The City could be liable for additional damages if it
were to deliberately breach the agreement.
In summary, the City is obligated to continue fluoridation until May 18, 2016. At that date
the contractual obligation ends, but fluoridation does not automatically cease. The actions 
of the prior City Councils in 2003 through 2005 set in motion the water fluoridation
program, and now that program will continue until and unless the City Council takes some
formal action to halt it.
COUNCIL OPTIONS:
1. Status Quo: After May 18, 2016, the City Council may do nothing, in which case
fluoridation will continue as it is currently proceeding.
2. Termination: City Council may take action, by majority vote, to cease the fluoridation
program. This choice is entirely within the discretion of the City Council.
3. Advisory Options: Before making any decision on this issue, the City Council may
want to, but is not required to, conduct some public process. If so, the City Council
may decide what that process is. There is no particular requirement. Options include:
a. Public Comment – It could be an informal public comment period, with
opportunities for both oral and written comments.
b. Public Hearing – It could be a more formal public hearing with equal
opportunity for both pro and con presentations.
c. Advisory Ballot – It could be an advisory ballot in the upcoming general
election or a subsequent special election. (Note that for an advisory ballot
to be included in the November general election, the wording of the ballot
must be submitted to the County no later than August 4, 2015.) If the City
seeks an advisory vote, consideration should be given to including those PUD
customers that also receive fluoridated drinking water from the City.
d. Combination – It could be some combination of these or something else. In
any event, the final decision still must be made by the City Council.  pages I1-I3
See full agenda for details

Editor's footnote: This is also something a ran against in previous campaigns for city council, told you this topic was once again going to be a hot topic for the current and new council to consider.

Other regional meetings:
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Agenda highlight: Waste Water Treatment Facility and Biosolids Awards Presentation with the Department of Ecology


FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
AGENDA - VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Council is considering an application to permit the construction of a garden suite.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

Psalm 119:7 NKJV

PORT O CALL POST PRIMARY ELECTION STORY AFTER MY COMPLAINING ABOUT LACK OF COVERAGE

See readers, what happens when yours truly starts complaining about the lack of news coverage on the local primary elections. No sooner did I post my little rant and support Connie Beauavis for Port Commission, Port O Call must have read my little rant because the very next day (Sunday) this article appeared on their page:

The debate to end all debates!---by Doc Robinson, PORT O CALL
"So anyway, the League of Women voters held political debates recently so the people could see their candidates.  About twelve people attended.  The PDN could not be bothered to cover it.  The League did not film it for you to watch later on YouTube."
(As I said, the candidates have now taken up the role of journalist, doing the job which the 'local" media should be doing)

They even confirmed much what I reported on Saturday on the Port Angeles Digest report, that Whethem has been absent on many of primary debates! And that he is pretty much ignoring this election, that could be because Calhoun who current sits on the Port Commission decided to pitch his tent in Beauavis camp not his. So, readers at least one of the local newspapers heard me complaining and jump into action and submitted a report on the primary election, lest I missed some articles about it on their page.
I gave these candidates opportunity to post their opinions on my page as well, but guess they decided to pine away for bigger coverage on the main stream media outlets. They forget 1500 voters voted on my side of the fence during my bid for the local city council in 2013. So, my words does carry some weight. But, nevertheless I am please to pitch my tent in Connie's camp.

COMMENTARY: THE COUNTY FEUD MAYBE OVER, BUT THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER FEUD RAGING SINCE 2013, LOCAL MEDIA!

There's lots of questions that came to mind when I saw the latest headline in the Peninsula Daily News today: Who won in $1.3 million dispute: Clallam County treasurer or county commissioners?----PDN
 "Barkhuis did not respond to numerous phone calls and emails last week. She could not be found at her office Thursday or Friday."----read more

Now, that quote begs the question, why is Barkhuis in essence snubbing the Peninsula Daily News, and only communicating with the Port O Call, which was established in 2013? They have stories written by her on their webpage, while the PDN, or any other publication are snubbed by her. Could she be taking sides of a feud between the two leading newspapers? By the look of the evidence, shown by the number of stories by her, and about her are mostly in the Port O Call paper. I on the other hand never approached Barkhuis about any of this, on this current matter or anything. Just watching the drama being played out in the media. Which thus far has been one sided, counting the number of stories about the County Treasure. However, she her self writes a blog too, called PATODAY.
How did this little media feud began you may ask? It started around 2013, when Dale Wilson wanted a letter to the editor of the Peninsula Daily News, they didn't publish the letter that Wilson submitted, thus Wilson decided to establish his own publication the Port O Call. However, he wasn't the only one who started a publication out of being snubbed by the PDN. Yours truly also was snubbed by the PDN over selling newspapers at a new newsstand I wanted to start up in one of the shopping malls way back in 97'. Thus I started my old news blog called the Port Angeles Journal, and in time that anger subsided, and I became friends with the current publisher of the PDN, John Brewer. Oh, I still shoot jabs at the guy now and then, but never at the level Wilson seems to be doing. Holding grudges never work folks. The follow stories I have collected paints a clear picture I think of the level of destine between the two leading publications, and how Barkhuis has taken sides in this media feud. Normally no one would care right? But we are talking about an elected official taking sides in a Media dust up locally.

 Related stories
Clallam judge denies injunction against city of Port Angeles----PDN


Who flung dung?---PORT O CALL
"Another theory has to do with a visit to Nichols’ office by Bryan Frazier, candidate for county commissioner.  According to Frazier, within 24 hours of Frazier’s visit to the prosecutor’s office the commissioners hit the “reset” button and put off the grant-giving for an indeterminate period of time."----read more


The bucks stops with the County Treasurer.
On June 18, 2015, I rejected payment of the $1 million warrant presented by the Port, and on June 19, 2015, I likewise rejected payment of the $285,952 warrant presented by the City. I rejected disbursement of these funds because once these funds leave the County Treasury, they will likely be lost to the County forever, regardless of whatever findings the State Auditor may produce at some later date.----Port o Call


 Constitutional crisis looms in Clallam County
"The reason I am reaching out the State Attorney General for immediate intervention is because $1.3 million in County public funds is at imminent risk of loss, being diverted from their appropriation to the County general-fund obligated Carlsborg Sewer project, to being sent out of the County Treasury as no-strings-attached “grants” to outside entities, without any prior public hearings that change the budget, and without any written contracts to overcome the presumption that these grants are really unauthorized gifts of public funds.  ---Port O Call


Falling through the Looking Glass Treasurer Withholds Funding; Seeks Judicial Review---PATODAY, a publication which Barkhuis publishes on line


Open letter to John Brewer, publisher PDN---PORT O CALL



In other news commentaries:
Memo to Hillary: 'You're Still the Problem'

South Carolina’s losing battle to rewrite its racist history

Review: Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set a Watchman’ Gives Atticus Finch a Dark Side

What the Islamic State shows us about human nature and torture
( On the contrary it shows us what Islam is really all about)

How Donald Trump pressured Hillary Clinton to sell out Latino immigrants

Megyn Kelly Goes There: Why Is Obama Ignoring Murder of Katie Steinle?

Evangelicals Should Return to Core Beliefs

To Get Acceptable Iran Deal, Obama Must Avoid Mistakes Made in Syrian Chemical Weapons Negotiations

V.A. SCANDAL LINKED TO OBAMA

Free to Shut Up



INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: 

Why So Many Denominations?
In the religious world today there are many different religious groups. Each has its own peculiar name, organization, doctrine, form of worship, and plan of salvation. Why are there so many religious groups? Nearly all Bible students agree that in the New Testament there was only one church belonging to Jesus. Denominations did not exist. But today there are hundreds of churches all claiming to believe in God and most claiming to follow Jesus. Where did they all come from?
Could it be that people in all these churches are pleasing to God and are following Jesus? In 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul rebuked the Corinthian church because there was division among the members there. If God condemned that division, why would He overlook the fact that far greater division exists today? In verse 13 Paul asked, "Is Christ divided?" The clear answer is: No, Christ is not divided! Jesus does not contradict Himself. He does not teach one thing to one person, and then teach the opposite to someone else. But the modern denominations do contradict one another. How then can they all be following Jesus? Jesus is not divided, so denominational division did not come from Jesus. Where then did it come from?
In Acts 20:29,30 the apostle Paul spoke to a group of bishops and made this prediction: "...after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." After Paul left, there would be apostasy among God's people. Religious leaders in the church would pervert or change the gospel in order to get a following for themselves.
We urge you to consider the evidence that the existence of modern denominational division fulfills these prophecies. Modern denominational division came about over a period of hundreds of years because men departed from God's will.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about denominationalism, religious division and confusion, and how to identify Jesus' true church.
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
ref. http://www.gospelway.com/topics/church/denomination-origins.php

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: PORT COMMISSIONER CALHOUN LENDS SUPPORT TO BEAUAVIS....CORRECTION!

 Connie Beauvais
Port Commission Candidate

Well, now this may have came quite a shock to our pal Lee Whetham when according to Connie Beauvais who I had a chance to have lunch with on Friday this week, that Port Commissioner John Calhoun decided to endorse her election to Port Commissioner over Whetham!  That must have really frost Whetham to no end.
Yes, readers for the last two week's I had two lunch meetings with two of the women candidates running for local elections. Funny, Cherie Kidd, Sisi Bruch, (city council) or Colleen McAleer (Port Commissioner) never asked me out for coffee! But that's besides the point, however, City Council  Candidate Marolee Smith which I had lunch with last week, and Connie Beauvais Port Commissioner Candidate this week. As a side note these two sources of information on what's been going on during the primary election forums and debates have been very news worthy material. Since hardly any mention of what's been going on during these debates have reported by the local media! I have to ask the question, why is the local media all but ignoring these forums and debates? Beauvais reported, that Whetham only showed up to one primary debate! Apparently taking on the attitude he has already got this race for Port Commissioner won already! Oh, really Lee? You see readers what you can pick up from candidates running for office sometimes when the local media pretty much ignores what's happening during these elections? Have they taken on the attitude from Whetham on waiting to do anything about the election for the general election? The media may do that, but for someone running for office you can't have this arrogant attitude you got this whole election in the bag even before there's been a vote cast!

What I gotten from Smith during our lunch meeting, that she just wanting new faces to the council. And mentioned that one of the candidates Shan Pak doesn't stay at council meetings or don't even attend because they are boring! You can't take that kind attitude when running for office, it's either you are completely committed to the job at hand, or you are just trumpeting your own horn, to get you name in lights! You can't have caviler attitude when you run for public office, people see right through it.

During my lunch meeting with Beauvais this week, she told yours truly that Whetham approached Calhoun to endorse his candidacy, Calhoun declined and instead choose to support Beauvais, this was all confirmed by her campaign manager, Bill Peach who also currently sits as County Commissioner.
I found that all quite ironic because it was Calhoun who showed his support for Whetham during his election for Port Angeles City Council. So, I imagine Whetham sees all this a betrayal from his old pal Calhoun! So it comes full circle don't Lee! I have yet to see Whetham attend any Port meetings, yet I have seen Beauvais in attendance every time I attended those meetings.
So, readers I am getting all this news and information about what's going on during the primary elections from CANDIDATES! Which should be from the local media! Where are they!? In essence readers it's the Candidates who are doing the job which the local media should be doing! Putting out news worthy information and news, yet the local media dead silent! That's means it's up to yours truly to the others are not doing! Tisk! Tisk!
At the end of our lunch Beauvais said, "It's okay to have ambition if it is the right ambition, mine ambition is to serve the Port, not to fill my resume" She was referencing Whetham's statement during a Port O Call event back in May, when he was quoted in saying that serving on these local governmental positions are just mere stepping stones for his advancement to higher office! So, in my book if Calhoun can support Connie so can I.
(Correction: Connie clarified something to me during the Port Meeting on Monday, July 13th,. That Calhoun offered his support but not as an endorsement of her campaign, just supported some of her statements she made during a public forum)

 In other local news

Port Angeles considering stricter city water curbs to protect fish; other sources studied
PORT ANGELES — City officials are pondering imposition of stricter, Stage 3 water conservation measures within the next three weeks as the Elwha River flows slower and slower during the North Olympic Peninsula’s rainless summer, Craig Fulton, city public works and utilities director, said Wednesday.

Clallam County Charter Review Commission raises issue of trust land — and desire to increase timber harvest
PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Charter Review Commission has asked the three county commissioners to establish a county trust lands advisory committee in the next three months.

Two “open letters” to Charter Review Commission---PORT O CALL
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury”  5th Amendment to the Constitution"


Navy Electronic Warfare Training update--PORT O CALL
Various groups on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and beyond continue to pursue a variety of outreach, political, legal and direct action strategies opposing the Navy’s plans for establishing an electronic warfare range right over our heads here on the Olympic Peninsula, and bombing and sonar ranges on estuaries and seas from the Gulf of Alaska to Southern California to Hawaii and the Marianas Islands, during peak times when major fisheries are present as well as whales and seabirds.


Thousands of hatchery-raised steelhead kept out of Dungeness River---SEQUIM GAZETTE


Drought conditions harming fish and wildlife, disrupting some fisheries----FORKS FORUM


Port officials clarify, enforce best management practices---PT LEADER


FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT
Victoria mayor has high hopes for amalgamation talks---TIMES COLONIST


Average household debt in B.C. up 26 per cent---VICTORIA NEWS


Christy Clark, Ricky Gervais weigh in on bear cub controversy---VICTORIA NEWS


WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution calling for a hearing to be held at 10:30 a.m., July 28 for the following Debatable Emergency  Non-departmental, Hotel/Motel Tax – Expenditures to Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau and Feiro Marine Life Center/$99,000
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 COMMISSION MEETING HIGHLIGHT AGENDA ITEM: FAA Grant Approval - Apron Phase 3

Full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/07132015-109?html=true

City of Sequim Agenda highlight: Storm and Surface Water Master Plan – Schedule for Adoption

Full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1195

CITY OF FORKS AGENDA: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda71315.pdf

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA: Water Supply Status



DAILY DEVOTIONAL

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: FIRE WORK BAN BY DEFAULT, WILL ANYONE COMPLY?

Editorial Comment: It started back in July of 2014, when a group of citizens wanted to ban the use of private fireworks, because it sounded like a war zone in some cases if not all. Our pal, Lee Whetham, (who served just 15 months on the council, then decided to run for Port Commission, a stepping stone to more important venues according to him.) Was spearheading the effort of imposing a ban on private fire works. After months of public testimony, and many news articles. Which featured the police department's lamentation over enforcement of such an ordinance, Whetham suddenly change his stance seeing that the cops weren't too happy with it, he voted against the ordinance he promoted. And this is the kicker readers, though he voted against the ordinance saying that more discussion need to be done, the supporters of the ordinance he voted against still fawned over him! Can you believe that, it was like, didn't these people just saw what this guy done? That was months ago, now it's July 4th 2015. Because of drought conditions city residences are being ask not to fire off fire works, in essence imposing a fire work ban by default a year early as was indicated by the ordinance they voted on to start in July 2016. Cops are still expressing concerns over enforcement issues, which no one has even started to address. So the lead headline in this week's edition of "Port Angeles Digest" is asking the question, even though there is a ban on private fire works by default due to the drought conditions, will anyone comply. I could swear, I heard fireworks being sounded off in the distance over the past two days leading up today, I can just imagine what will happen this evening, along with the fireworks display which will be going on the waterfront, I can almost hear other fireworks going off in the distance.  So here are the leading headlines this week:

Fire Department Urges Extreme Caution With Fireworks
This is an extraordinarily dry year and the fire danger risk is exceptionally high. The Fire Department strongly recommends that citizens forego the use of personal fireworks and instead celebrate the Fourth of July by attending the public display that will be held on the waterfront.
There are many ways to celebrate the Fourth without exposing yourself and your neighbors to the potential of fire and serious injury through the use of fireworks.
If you feel that you must discharge fireworks, you are asked to do so with extreme caution and follow these basic rules:
DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF PORT ANGELES IS ONLY LEGAL FROM 9 AM – 11 PM ON THE FOURTH
Under no circumstances allow children to ignite fireworks. It sends a confusing message to children when they are told not to play with fire 364 days of the year and that it is okay on the Fourth of July. Even sparklers are extremely dangerous. A sparkler burns at over 1000 degrees!
Have a hose, a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher immediately available.Do not light fireworks anywhere near dry grass or brush.
Please be considerate of your neighbors. Fireworks are extremely disturbing to many people, pets and people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Never look into a mortar tube.
Duds should be soaked in a bucket of water. Again, we strongly encourage citizens to forego the use of personal fireworks and instead enjoy the public display at the waterfront.
ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=182


Just don't do it': Fire, police officials implore Peninsula residents to refrain from fireworks amid arid conditions---PDN
"Gallagher has long lamented the difficulty of enforcing the ban on use of illegal, non-safe-and-sane fireworks on July Fourth. “I would love to see people just avoid fireworks completely this year,” he said. Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict echoed the refrain."

(I just have a hunch this was the real reason why Whetham voted against the ordinance he spearheaded last July.)

Peninsula leaders seek way to ban fireworks during emergency conditions; measures could go into effect no earlier than 2017
Clallam and Jefferson county commissioners and county fire marshals are working to find a way to allow bans of fireworks under emergency conditions, but any such measure couldn't legally go into effect until 2017 at the earliest.---PDN


Fourth of July memories: Fireworks have been one way Port Townsend celebrates
Fourth of July celebrations have been part of local tradition since Port Townsend was founded in the 1850s---PT LEADER


COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution voiding warrants approved June 16 for the City of Port Angeles and the Port of Port Angeles.
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
Related stories:
Clallam County to start over on Port Angeles port, city grants after treasurer rejects warrants
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has hit the reset button on a pair of stalled grants to the city and Port of Port Angeles.---PDN
Commissioners Tuesday voted 3-0 to “take a step back” and send the grant applications back to the Opportunity Fund Advisory Board for a second look.
Commissioner Mike Chapman’s motion to rescind the grants included the withdrawal of two disputed warrants — or checks — for the $1 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles and a $285,952 grant to the city of Port Angeles.
County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis had rejected the warrants on the grounds that the board did not hold a public hearing or secure written contracts with the port or the city prior to approval.
(I wonder if they go through the motions of having a public hearing on this issue as they should have done in the first place, will Barkuis find another excuse in not releasing the funds?)

Clallam County will ask port and city officials if they would be willing to wait six months to collect commissioner-approved grant money for infrastructure projects.--PDN



IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS


Agree or Disagree?
Per the controversy about the timber land exchange letters of support that Mike Chapman and Dim King Jim McEntire sent behind then Commissioner Mike Doherty’s back----PORT O CALL


Peninsula sees a rising risk of fires
The increasing fire risk tied to abnormally warm and dry weather conditions is igniting concerns statewide, including in Clallam County and Sequim.---SEQUIM GAZETTE


Robert Hall -Hometown Hero
Former Forks resident Robert Hall, who now resides in Bellingham, will be honored with a ride on the Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July float in the Grand Parade on Saturday. ----FORKS FORUM


Jefferson County road painting to begin July 7
Motorists can expect minor traffic slowdowns during the Jefferson County Department of Public Works Road Operations Division's annual pavement marking slated to begin Tuesday, July 7. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this September.---PT LEADER


FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Jack Knox: Activist wants police to weed out Victoria pot shops ---TIMES COLONIST

The B.C. government has asked the province’s ombudsperson to probe a flawed Health Ministry investigation that led to the dismissal of eight drug researchers.----TIMES COLONIST


Breakwater Market targets locals, tourists---VICTORIA NEWS


WHAT'S ON TAP NEXT WEEK
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Civic Field Lighting Project- Local Parks Grant In 2014 the Parks & Recreation Department put in for a Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) Local Parks Grant for the Civic Field Lighting Replacement Project. The project did not get ranked high enough to receive any State funding for 2015 but remained on the RCO grant ranking list. On July 1, 2015, the City of Port Angeles was notified by the RCO that after the State Budget was signed the RCO got its typical amount of funding for grants, plus an additional 38 million to be split into three Recreation Grants. One of the categories that got additional funding was the Local Parks Grant. These added funds allowed additional projects to be funded, including the Civic Field Lighting Project. Total funding amount will be in the amount of $226,500, which is 50% of the total project funding. The City’s 50% match will be $106,500 from Real-Estate Excise Tax, $60,000 from the City’s General Fund, and $60,000 that was donated from the Port Angeles School District. The project should be completed in the Fall of 2016.
Full City Council agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2301
related news Story: Clallam County to poll port, city of Port Angeles on delay of $1.3 million in grant funds

Related news story: State money will wash across North Peninsula; capital outlay of $753 per person for Clallam, Jefferson in new budget---PDN
"While most people won't see some of the improvements — like the nearly $11.1 million for a security cameras, new roofs, and road repairs and a culvert replacement the Clallam Bay Correctional Center — others will brighten some lives — namely, the $227,000 to replace lights at Port Angeles Civic Field."
 $7 million to remove garbage from an eroding bluff at the now-closed Port Angeles landfill site.
$1.5 million to clean up the former KPly mill site on Marine Drive.
(I call this a lucky break, no one should be trying to claim credit of this in hopes to advance their political aspirations. But I imagine someone will, I can guess I know who will...let's see...

FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT
AGENDA - VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHT: Gillian Montgomery, Surfrider Foundation-Vancouver Island Chapter, re: Single-use Plastic Bag Ban (see agenda) 


 Editorial footnote:
Now I am all for freedom of speech and expression. But blowing off fireworks in a middle of a drought is not smart, it's like playing with matches in a barn full of dry hay! There is many ways to show your patriotism for this great nation without blasting off fireworks on you own. Like going to a ball park and taking in a Mariners game, having BBQ's in your back yard, or taking in watching a parade, and fire works which are handled by professionals. At least those fireworks will be done over the harbor. I know some people are not happy with an ordinance that was passed, neither are the cops far as I can tell, because they will be the ones trying to enforce it. So, why make an already difficult situation more difficult by blowing off fireworks in your own back yard to just prove a point? So with that HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
Psalm 33:12 NKJV