PORT ANGELES DIGEST: YES THERE WAS A PORT MEETING THIS WEEK...

THOUGH YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW IT BY THE FOCUS OF LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE...

 Yes, Readers there was a Port meeting held this week, and because of the coverage of the local media outlets, whose main focus was on the continuing melodrama going on in the County Court House, which I call: "When the County Blink."

Nevertheless the Port finally posted their agenda on their webpage on Monday, just a day before of their meeting which was on Tuesday.  Here is the highlight of the Port agenda this week:

• COMMISSION BUDGET CALENDAR FOR 2016 BUDGET

Resolution 644 specifies the dates for budget preparation and filing for the annual budget and
tax levy. One of the first steps is to develop a budget calendar. The following calendar is for
Commission meetings. There are many other budget meetings at the staff level. In addition to
the following meetings, we may need work sessions.
ref. http://wa-portofportangeles.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/708?fileID=417
See agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/08252015-113?html=true

If you look on the agenda, you may note no mention of the opportunity grant MOU  from the County.
The very MOU which the City approved of two weeks ago. The very MOU that the County Treasure doesn't recognize as legit according to published reports:

• Clallam treasurer reiterates position on Opportunity Fund grants in letter to commissioners

 Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is holding firm to her stand on Opportunity Funds grants.For at least the third time and second by way of her attorney, David Alvarez  Barkhuis on Thursday said she would refuse to release $1.3 million in Opportunity Fund grants until the commissioners approve them as debatable budget emergencies with attendant contracts approved by Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols  or include them as part of the 2016 budget.---Peninsula Daily News dated 8.23.15


County Treasurer Barkhuis demands explanation from Clallam Commissioner Peach
Clallam County Commissioner Bill Peach should put up or shut up, according to county Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis.---PDN dated 8.23.15


Commissioner Mike Chapman to bow out of closed session on grants dispute at board meeting today.
PORT ANGELES --- As they inch closer to possible court action, two of three Clallam County commissioners will meet behind closed doors today to discuss legal strategy they will employ to break the board's months-long impasse with Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis. PDN DATED 8/25/15


Two Clallam commissioners vote to take grants dispute with county treasurer to court
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners have voted 2-1 to ask a judge to settle a dispute with the elected treasurer over the process by which the board approved a pair of infrastructure grants this summer.
Commissioners Jim McEntire and Bill Peach voted Tuesday to direct Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols to seek a declaratory judgement and order from a Superior Court judge that county Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis should issue the warrants for $1.3 million in Opportunity Fund grants to the port and city of Port Angeles.
Mike Chapman was adamantly opposed to his fellow commissioners taking their feud with the treasurer to court.---PDN  dated Aug 25, 2015


Letter to the Editor by Mark Ozias
At today’s meeting of the Clallam County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Jim McEntire led the charge for pursuing a legal remedy to his dispute with our elected Treasurer, despite the fact that the Treasurer has offered two extremely reasonable methods of avoiding this disappointing conclusion---PORT O CALL


Judge to decide Clallam dispute over Opportunity Funds
(Port Angeles) -- A Superior Court judge will be asked to settle a dispute among Clallam County elected officials regarding a grant process after a 2-1 vote by County Commissioners Tuesday.---KONP RADIO


As you can see from the headlines collected readers the main focus of media coverage was on the drama going on in the County Court house, which will end up being a mellow drama in court it looks like now. Now readers, I looked at these publications and no word about the happenings at the Port. it was like the Port gotten a break from the local media this week.


As for the rest of local news...


Clallam tagged a ‘Primary Natural Disaster Area’---SEQUIM GAZETTE


Peninsula Housing Authority project starts in PT---PT LEADER


Medical Management company to evaluate Bogachiel and Clallam Bay Clinics---FORKS FORUM


NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Barge tips, spilling wrecked cars into Gorge waterway ---TIMES COLONIST


15 Questions: With Lisa Helps, Victoria mayor---VICTORIA NEWS


Latest scam riles up seniors and police---VICTORIA NEWS


WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

City of Port Angeles; Agenda highlight items:

• DOE Interagency Agreement for Financial Assistance - Landfill Bluff Cell Stabilization – Project SW02-2012

Summary: The State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology (Ecology), is providing
financial assistance in the amount of $6,495,500 for waste relocation that is part of the Landfill Bluff Cell Stabilization Project. An interagency agreement has been developed to provide for the acceptance and administration of these funds.
Recommendation: Accept the financial assistance from the Washington State Department of
Ecology in the amount of $6,495,500 and authorize the City Manager to sign the Interagency
Agreement for the acceptance and administration of these funds, and to make minor
modifications to the Agreement, if necessary.

• Electric, Water, Stormwater and Wastewater Utility 2016-2017 Retail Rate Adjustments (PAMC Chapters 13.12, 13.44, 13.63 and 13.65), 2nd Reading

Retail rate studies for the City’s electric, water, wastewater including combined sewer
overflow, and stormwater utilities have been completed. The recommended biennial 2016-2017 electric, water, stormwater, and wastewater retail rates are provided in the attached ordinances. Following Council’s ratification, the recommended rate adjustments would become effective on January 1, 2016 and on January 1, 2017. It is necessary to increase retail rates to maintain the City’s utility funds in a financially prudent position.

• Summary The Morse Creek Hydroelectric Project and all associated property should be declared

surplus because they are not needed to meet any current or projected City requirements, and they cannot be economically used in any City program or operation.
Recommendation: 1) Pass a Resolution to declare the Morse Creek Hydroelectric Project and all
property surplus, and 2) Authorize the Director of Public Works and Utilities to prepare a
method to dispose of it in the most efficient manner, subject to the conditions delineated in the
attached Resolution.
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2473

* Again, they should build a watermill that generates hydroelectric power there, instead of completely abandoning hydroelectric power. Off shore wind mills could also produce electrical power.

COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: 2b Agreement with Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, for reimbursement of coordinator professional development expenses for Peninsula Communications (PenCom)
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda Details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 NKJV

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: DESPITE COUNTY TREASURE DECLARING MOU'S WEREN'T ENOUGH...

CITY APPROVES  THEIR GRANT FUNDING MOU.

 Maybe city staff didn't catch the news article in Sunday's edition of the Peninsula Daily News, or didn't read the memo from the County Treasure...

Clallam County treasurer requests public documents in case commissioners start court fight
Barkhuis has insisted the $1 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles and the $285,952 grant to the city must go through debatable-budget-emergency hearings and be accompanied by contracts, or she could be held personally liable as treasurer. Commissioners for a second time approved the funds Tuesday on a 2-1 vote with Chapman voting no but in the second go-round held hearings and subjected the grants to memos of understanding, which Barkhuis told the PDN later Tuesday was not good enough.----PDN dated 8/16/15

During their meeting on Tuesday despite County Treasure's Barkhuis was quoted in saying in published reports that those MOA's were good enough for her to release any funds. The City approved their MOA by a 6-0 vote, our pal Lee Whetham "15-month lee" wasn't present at the meeting according to the Peninsula Daily's News report on what transpired during Tuesday's Council meeting with the headline which read: Port Angeles City Council votes to have county's criminal justice services handle misdemeanors 

PORT ANGELES ---- Government officials have agreed that Clallam County should take over responsibilities for adjudication, prosecution, public defense and jailing services under one contract, saying the plan would save the city of Port Angeles money and increase the county's revenue.---read more

Now, why no mention of the MOU approval of grant funding in the PDN? 

Nevertheless here is the staff memo from the city again to refresh your memory:

OPPORTUNITY FUND - GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE WTIP PROJECT TR02-2003

The City has received a $285,952 grant for phase 2 of the Waterfront Development Project.

Considering this is authorization to receive money for a Council approved and budgeted project

this item has been placed on the consent agenda. The grant has already been incorporated in the City Council adopted Capital Facilities Plan.

The County has presented the City with a Memorandum of Understanding entitled the “Clallam

County Opportunity Fund Program Memorandum of Understanding. The document is attached to this staff report. The only obligation of the document is that the City will provide a presentation

to the County on the success, progress, and/or lessons learned from implementation of Phase 2 of the Waterfront Transportation Improvement Plan.

Staff recommends that Council accept the Opportunity Fund grant approving the Memorandum of Understanding. Council should also authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of

Understanding and make minor modifications as necessary. 

If the County Treasure hadn't signed off on releasing these funds, which she indicated she would not MOU or not, how is it they got this funding? Is there something I missed here? I suspect the Port during their meeting on Tuesday will also have one of these MOU's to approved of as well. Unfortunately, they have yet to release their agenda for Tuesday. Did the County just ignored the County Treasure and wrote out the checks anyways!? 

 In other local news headlines...

Port of Port Angeles faces loss of $222,660 in annual lease income when Westport cabinetry shop moves to former Walmart building 

PORT ANGELES ---- The Port of Port Angeles must plug a $222,660 hole in annual income plus 100,000 square feet of vacant space  when Westport Shipyard leaves William R. Fairchild International Airport industrial park. That doesn't count $308,000 the port recently approved to improve the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system in the building at 2138 W. 18th St. that Westport LLC will vacate.---read more

McEntire, The Rainmaker

McEntire remains consistent in his distaste for moratoriums of all kinds, including one on water use. Based on his interpretation of the Dungeness River flows, McEntire said the average annual flow is on an uptrend since 1988.---PORT OF CALL

SARC: Now what?

Multiple changes at the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center are planned in an ongoing effort to maintain the public exercise facility and only public pool within the City of Sequim.---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Remembering.....Sappho

In February 2009, the roof of the old building that stood at the Sappho junction finally gave out under the weight of snow.---FORKS FORUM

Dale Wilson takes helm as OlyCAP director Sept. 1

Housing and in-home care services are two areas in which Dale Wilson of Colville, Washington, expects to bring expertise to Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) when he takes the helm as its executive director on Sept. 1.---PT LEADER

* No it's not Dale Wilson who publishes the Port O Call. 

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Tax-debt scam left man out thousands of dollars, woman in tears  

A telephone scam involving someone purporting to be from the Canada Revenue Agency has left a Victoria businessman out a few thousand dollars and sent a woman crying to police because she thought she was about to be arrested.---Times Colonist

Chief judge reviews online provincial court records

B.C. is the only province where charges and convictions in provincial court are posted on a public database as well as being available to courthouse visitors.---VICTORIA NEWS

Private sewer pipes in Esquimalt due for inspection

The condition of sanitary sewer pipes running beneath the homes of Esquimalt residents isn’t something that’s typically on a homeowner’s mind.---VICTORIA NEWS

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK...

CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Resolution adopting the following Budget Reduction: Public Works, Carlsborg Sewer Projects – Delays in regulatory approvals pushing project into 2016/($2,285,952)

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

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

Port has a scheduled meeting on the 25th, but they not have yet published their agenda.

CITY OF SEQUIM AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM:

Resolution Establishing a Community Arts Support Program 

http://wa-sequim.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6874

Full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1232

CITY OF FORKS AGENDA: http://www.forkswashington.org/pdf/agenda82415.pdf

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 NKJV

55 STILL ALIVE!

It's your's truly's 55th birthday today. I realize that might not be news worthy news! But way back in 1960 God started me on this little journey of life. Some if it had been good, some bad. But I think my faith in the Old mighty has seen me through a lot of things of this life. So I will continue to publish this publication until the good Lord calls me home. I walked this life without true love from a woman, or have kids to call son or daughter. I know even though, romance has abandoned me, I am never really alone. It amazes me that with some guys who would relish a love of a good woman, remain single because they can never seem to fine someone who appreciates them for who they are, not what they aren't. I know, this might sound like me going on a pity party, but hey! It's my birthday, and my blog I can say what I want right!? So three cheers for 1960!



You see when I was a kid I was a ladies man!



Yours truly at age 1




Me at 17

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: WHILE THE COUNTY WAITS FOR THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP...

CITY READY TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING!

It's another episode of our little mellow drama which I now will give the theme: "When the County Blinks"! Seems more fitting than what I been calling this on going soap opera from the county: "As the County Belches"! Don't you think? Nevertheless jesting aside, as the County is waiting to see if the County Treasure will release the opportunity grant funds that the County approved of ...Again! After holding a public hearing on the matter a week ago. However, the County Treasurer: Selinda Barkhuis' did offer a olive branch  of sorts:

Treasurer offers compromise to County Commissioners
As you likely know, I have been appointed by Prosecuting Attorney Nichols to represent Selinda Barkhuis, Clallam County Treasurer, with respect to warrants that would reduce the “ending fund balance” in the Opportunity Fund by some $1.3 million, with another $1.7 million set aside for “undesignated projects.” The scope of the representation extends all the way to possible litigation in Superior Court between the County Commission and my client.---PORT OF CALL DATED 8/6/15

However the County apparently rejected that compromise apparently as reported in the Peninsula Daily News:

Clallam panel approves Opportunity Funds in challenge to treasurer

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners threw down the gauntlet Tuesday by approving two resolutions and two memos of understanding that authorize $1.3 million in disputed Opportunity Fund grants to the city of Port Angeles and Port of Port Angeles. In their 2-1 decision, commissioners did not follow Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis' recommendation that they delay the grants until the 2016 budget, laying the groundwork for a possible court battle Barkhuis has threatened to wage and which a majority of the commissioners have not backed away from.

Commissioner Mike Chapman, who said he favored the projects but was against the budget process employed by the board, was the lone no vote on the two resolutions and agreements, with Commissioner Bill Peach and board Chairman Jim McEntire voting for approval.----PDN

While that little see saw battle was playing out, the city apparently assuming the money is in the bank. This little item appears on their next agenda this coming Tuesday:

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: OPPORTUNITY FUND - GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE WTIP PROJECT TR02-2003

The City has received a $285,952 grant for phase 2 of the Waterfront Development Project.

Considering this is authorization to receive money for a Council approved and budgeted project

this item has been placed on the consent agenda. The grant has already been incorporated in the City Council adopted Capital Facilities Plan. The County has presented the City with a Memorandum of Understanding entitled the “Clallam County Opportunity Fund Program Memorandum of Understanding. The document is attached to this staff report. The only obligation of the document is that the City will provide a presentation to the County on the success, progress, and/or lessons learned from implementation of Phase 2 of the Waterfront Transportation Improvement Plan. Staff recommends that Council accept the Opportunity Fund grant approving the Memorandum of Understanding. Council should also authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and make minor modifications as necessary. 

See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2414

Wait! A minute here! Did the Treasure signed off on any warrants while we were not looking? How is it the city is assuming that they already has gotten the monies, without warrants being issued by the county, and without the treasure signing off on them? What's going on here? Is there some kind of end run rope a dope action going on here? So, what's the game now? If we are not going to have a treasure doing our bidding, we are just going to find a way around her is that it!?

IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS....

Will Port Angeles council members' fluoridation votes mirror survey results? So far, four noncommittal

PORT ANGELES — Four of the seven City Council members are noncommittal on abiding by the results of an upcoming survey of water users who will be asked if fluoridation of city water should continue after May 18.

In recent separate interviews, Mayor Dan Di Guilio and Councilmen Lee Whetham and Dan Gase said they would vote to stop fluoridating city water if that's what water users say they want in the survey, which will be conducted by mail on a still-undesignated date in November.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Downie and council members Brad Collins, Cherie Kidd and Sissi Bruch took a wait-and-see attitude.---PDN

Port of Port Angeles awaits possible decision on passenger airline service to Seattle

PORT ANGELES ---  Two airlines have expressed interest in linking Port Angeles with Seattle, and at least one of them may make up its mind this month.---PDN

SeaPort Airlines  carrier eyed by Port of Port Angeles finds Southern skies unfriendly, but Coos Bay, Ore., loves carrier

TUPELO, Miss.  This Southern city wants to evict from its airport the same carrier the Port of Port Angeles says may connect the North Olympic Peninsula with Seattle. A SeaPort Airlines executive vice president concedes the airline has had trouble serving Tupelo but blames problems on a pilot shortage it says is worse in the South than in the Northwest.---PDN

Bacteria count leads Clallam County to close Cline Spit beach

After finding high bacterial concentrations in waters off Cline Spit beach, officials with Clallam County Health and Human Services' environmental health division have closed Cline Spit's beach, advising the public to avoid recreational water contact — no swimming or wading — in waters at Cline Spit County Park.---SEQUIM GAZETTE

Jefferson County residents among Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor demonstrators

Three Jefferson County residents were among as many as 40 demonstrators Monday morning, Aug. 10 who carried signs and temporarily blocked an entrance to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.---PT LEADER

The mysterious disappearance of Mr. Robison

What if someone in your family disappeared? Just decided to leave their life behind, start a new life in another town? What kind of questions would those left behind want answered?---FORKS FORUM

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Shawnigan Lake soil-dump foes win a court battle---TIMES COLONIST

Victoria hosts 21st annual dragon boat race festival this weekend---VICTORIA NEWS

VicPD wary of deadly drug---VICTORIA NEWS

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution adopting amendments to Policy 120 – Board of Commissioners Operating Guidelines

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

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

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA

Agenda highlight item: Resolution 15-028 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Public Works Contract with Shold Excavating, Inc. for the Replacement and Installation of Sewer Mainlines and Maintenance Holes in the City’s Wastewater Collection System.

See full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=253

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:8 NKJV

PORT ANGELES DIGEST: WILL THAT BE FLUORIDE MAPLE SYRUP WITH THEM WAFFLES CHERIE?

The following lead article I am sharing today is from Port O Call. Wilson pretty much paints a clear picture on who was the main waffler, Cherie Kidd. Whom I am giving the nick name Waffling Cherie! No wonder when I spoke during the Council meeting Tuesday night, and merely mention the phrase waffling, Cherie Kidd seemed to be wiggling in her seat! She wasn't the only one who waffled in their decision on placing this on the November ballot, our pal 15 month Lee also voted to have this poll done by a mailer, rather than on the ballot, after he voted to have this question on the November ballot.


End fluoridation now
" Two weeks ago City Council member, Cherie Kidd made a motion to put the question of fluoridation to an “advisory vote” on the November ballot.  The motion passed.  A week went by and, Port O Call presumes the medical mafia got to Kidd.  When she returned to council a week later she craw-fished on her previous motion and suggested it not go to the ballot.  Now it will be simply a questionnaire mailed to city residents.  A questionnaire does not have the heft of an actual ballot." ----PORT O CALL

* I couldn't say it any better!


FLUORIDATION ADVISORY POLL RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles, Washington,
providing for the submission to the water system customers of the City and
to water customers in the unincorporated county who receive City water
from Public Utility District No. 1 of an advisory poll seeking citizen input
regarding the fluoridation of the City’s municipal water supply. ---from page H7 of the council's agenda packet:
http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2360

Survey on Port Angeles fluoridation to be mailed after October hearings
PORT ANGELES — Two public meetings in October will precede a single-question, nonbinding survey mailed in November to all residential and business addresses that receive the city’s fluoridated water asking them if the practice should continue after May 18.----PDN


AND NOW FOR OUR CONTINUING SOAP OPERA: AS THE COUNTY BELCHES ....In this week's episode....


COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS:
4b Resolution reauthorizing expenditure from the Opportunity Fund to the City of Port Angeles and authoring the Chair to execute the memorandum of understanding
4c Resolution reauthorizing expenditure from the Opportunity Fund to the Port of Port Angeles and authorizing the Chair to execute the memorandum of understanding
http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf

Editorial Comment: When these funds are approved and I have a hunch they will. The ball will be back in the Treasure's Court. The question is will she release the funds or not. Let's not forget that little settlement she is now proposing to settle this dispute. Will the County Commission reject this settlement?
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Jefferson County prosecutor named to represent Clallam treasurer in fight with commissioners
PORT ANGELES — A special deputy prosecuting attorney from Jefferson County has been named to represent Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis in her $1.3 million Opportunity Fund dispute with the county commissioners and other county officials.---PENINSULA DAILY NEWS


Clallam County grants to Port Angeles city, port debated in public hearings; no action taken
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners will wait another week before considering a pair of Opportunity Fund grants to port and city governments.---PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Treasurer offers compromise to County Commissioners
As you likely know, I have been appointed by Prosecuting Attorney Nichols to represent Selinda Barkhuis, Clallam County Treasurer, with respect to warrants that would reduce the “ending fund balance” in the Opportunity Fund by some $1.3 million, with another $1.7 million set aside for “undesignated projects.” The scope of the representation extends all the way to possible litigation in Superior Court between the County Commission and my client.----PORT O CALL


Clallam treasurer proposes settlement of her dispute with commissioners over Opportunity Fund grants
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis has said she will settle her dispute with Clallam County commissioners over $1.3 million in Opportunity Fund grants to the city and Port of Port Angeles if the board will place the grants in the 2016 budget.
The proposal from Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Alvarez, representing Barkhuis, was contained in a two-page letter to commissioners titled “offer of settlement” dated Tuesday and obtained by the Peninsula Daily News.----PDN







Top candidates locked in for general election
The second round of ballot counts in the Clallam County Aug. 4 primary election didn't bring any better news for supports of the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center Proposition 1.---SEQUIM GAZETTE


CLALLAM/JEFFERSON ELECTIONS — Breidenbach widens lead in Port of PA race; other races stay stable as more votes counted
PORT ANGELES — Mike Breidenbach has widened his lead over Lee Whetham by 34 votes and nearly a percentage point in the close race for a position on the Nov. 3 general election ballot for Port of Port Angeles commissioner.---PDN

* Look's like the voters aren't buying what 15 -month Lee is selling this time around of the vote count holds up. It also proves that people don't appreciate the attitude that attending public forums and debates as a big inconvenience, or view their current positions as mere "stepping stones" to higher office.


In other local news...

Emergency Closure of Recreational Fishing in Most Olympic National Park Rivers and Streams to Begin August 10
To protect fish during the ongoing severe drought conditions, an emergency closure of recreational fishing will be enacted on Monday, August 10 at 12:01 a.m. on most rivers and streams within Olympic National Park.  Current conditions have made Pacific salmon, steelhead and bulltrout exceptionally vulnerable because of low stream flows and high water temperatures.---Forks Forum


Food bank's hope for freezers for harvest falling short
The Port Townsend Food Bank's hope to install refrigerated storage in time for the 2015 harvest season has collided with the City of Port Townsend's need for a complete Mountain View Commons facility plan---PT LEADER

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Government ‘sadistic’ for appealing abuse case, mother says
A mother called the B.C. government “cruel” and “sadistic” Friday for appealing a court ruling that found social workers ignored or misled the courts and delivered her children into the hands of their sexually abusive father.  ---TIMES COLONIST


B.C. NDP oppose oil pipeline approval
B.C. New Democrats have staked out a formal position against approval of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion ahead of final arguments later this month before the National Energy Board.---VICTORIA NEWS
http://www.vicnews.com/news/321079411.html

Anti-violence measures increase at four hospitals
The B.C. health ministry is adding an extra $2 million to improve security at four facilities identified as having the highest risk for violence.----VICTORIA NEWS


WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK

PORT COMMISSION HIGHLIGHT AGENDA ITEM: FIA Apron 3 Project - Design & Bid Assistance


SEQUIM CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHT: MPD Action Plan – Engage the community and stakeholders in developing a Metropolitan Park District Plan


Full agenda: http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1221

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT WORKSHOP AGENDA


FORK CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA




DAILY DEVOTIONAL

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.
Psalm 149:4 NKJV

PORT ANGELES DIGEST; CITY OF PA CHOOSES COP OUT ROUT OF ENGAGING THE PUBLIC ON FLUORIDE

During their next city council meeting, the council will pass the following Resolution for a public advisory poll on the fluoride question on whether or not they should continue adding fluoride in our water supply. They were going to have this poll on the next general election ballot in November, but they decided to take the cop out rout of just stuffing your utility bill with "ballots" hoping you take notice and vote on the question posed....yeah, right! How many people you know will actually read anything other than their utility bill when it comes? Hey! At least the local dental association could rest easy because I imagine many of those mailed ballots in utility bills will probably end up in the trash anyways!


FLUORIDATION ADVISORY POLL RESOLUTION
At its special meeting on July 28, the City Council voted to conduct an advisory poll of City and
PUD customers who receive fluoridated water from the City. The Council then asked staff to
recommend the process for conducting that poll. There are several items to consider.
First, Council must adopt the language that will be sent out to customers. There is no law or
regulation that governs in a situation such as this, but there are statutes that govern the language of
a ballot proposition that is binding. Those statutes are designed to assure that the language used in
a ballot proposition is neutral and easily understood. Recognizing that, staff recommends the
language of the poll follow the statutory rules for binding ballot propositions. A recommended
resolution containing such language accompanies this memo.
That language, along with a “for” and “against” statement from assigned committee chairs, would
be included in one mailing to City and PUD customers.
The second item to consider is the method of distribution. The PUD is willing to, and in fact
prefers to, distribute the same poll to its own customers who receive fluoridated water. Since that
is the case, the simple means of distribution is that the City mail the poll to City water customers
and the PUD mail the poll to its customers. The mailings should be sent out on the same day.
The next item to consider is collection and counting the polls. As of the date this memo is written,
city staff have at least two different proposals for collecting and counting the polls. However, we
have not yet been able to determine the practicability of either. We will provide supplemental
information on this topic as soon as possible.
The final item to consider is timing. Staff recommends that Council choose a public hearing date
in October that will set in motion a timeline for the advisory poll mailings. That public hearing is
intended to be the center piece for public education regarding the fluoride issue. Therefore, it
seems appropriate that the polls should go out soon after the public hearing.
Staff recommends that mailings are sent out by the end of the calendar week that follows the
hearing, and that customers have 21 days to return their votes.
See full city council agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2360

PORT O CALL PUBLISHER CALLS OUT DENTIST FOR A DEBATE...
 The question is will Kennedy accept? Or Dale Wilson will have to do his best Clint Eastwood impersonation talking to an empty chair?

Dr. Scott Kennedy, Chief Medical Officer
Olympic Medical Center
Dear Dr. Kennedy:
Since you have taken it upon yourself to be the spokesman for those seeking to continue fluoridation of our city water supply I would like to challenge you to an open debate on the merits of fluoridating the municipal water supply.
If, as  Harvard Medical School scientist conclude, children exposed to fluoridated water lose up to 14 points on IQ scores by age 14, then this important topic should be given more attention than it has received locally.
If you accept this challenge I will attempt to engage the League of Women Voters to moderate such a debate.  If they are not acceptable to you as moderators then please nominate a reliable entity.
Hopefully we can secure the city council chambers as a venue for such a debate.  Please let me know if you accept and also send over two or three dates in late August or early September that are available to you.  Early evening is best for me.
Respectfully,
Dale Wilson

Related stories....
Port Angeles fluoridation advisory ballot has strange twist for election system
" The city voters and Clallam County Public Utility District residents will be asked if the city should continue fluoridating drinking water after May 18, 2016, when the citys obligation to fluoridate runs out under an agreement with the Washington Dental Service Foundation, a nonprofit funded by Delta Dental of Washington.But Clallam County Auditor Shoona Riggs said the county cannot mail ballots solely to more than 1,550 utility district addresses that receive city water because ballots are mailed by precincts, not geographic areas that contain portions of precincts."---PDN


Port Angeles City Council decides on fluoridation poll by mail rather than ballot item
PORT ANGELES — The fluoride question will not be posed to voters on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
The City Council decided Tuesday that it would be too logistically difficult to include in a ballot question those Clallam County Public Utility District customers who drink the city’s fluoridated water.----PDN




OUR CONTINUING SAGA OF THE COUNTY BELCHES 

Is the second try a charm? County to hold two public hearings regarding grant funding.
H2 Consideration of Resolution reauthorizing a grant from the Opportunity Fund to the City of Port
Angeles
H3 Consideration of Resolution reauthorizing a grant from the Opportunity Fund to the Port of Port
Angeles
see full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Related Stories....
Clallam County Treasurer Barkhuis lightens stance on Opportunity Fund grants
Selinda Barkhuis is backing off on her threat to challenge the Clallam County commissioners disbursement of Opportunity Fund proceeds in Superior Court.For now.---PDN


Clallam commissioner wants report on Opportunity Fund grants, past processes
Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman wants a paper trail to show that he and his fellow commissioners have gone above and beyond the normal public process to award a pair of infrastructure grants---PDN


In other local news:
Port of Port Angeles, Economic Development Corp. reach accord on industrial recruiting
 The Port of Port Angeles and the Clallam County Economic Development Corp. have made up a spat over which agency will recruit new industry to the area.----PDN


Clallam County commissioners approve $99,000 to Feiro, visitor bureau
Clallam County commissioners have approved a $99,000 debatable budget emergency to support the Feiro Marine Life Center and Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau.---PDN

Community TV Gains Momentum by Tyler
With more than four organizational meetings under its belt, the group working to bring community access television and live streaming of local events to everyday reality on the Olympic Peninsula is gaining momentum----PORT O CALL


Pot is coming to town as city ends moratorium
Sequim residents won’t have to venture too far to purchase recreational and medical marijuana.---SEQUIM GAZETTE


FAA: Wildfires and Drones Don’t Mix
WASHINGTON – Responding to recent incidents in which unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as “drones,” interfered with manned aircraft involved in wildland firefighting operations, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is supporting the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service in their simple message to drone operators: If you fly; we can’t.----FORKS FORUM

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Agenda highlight: Ordinance 3132 Related to an Emergency Related to Water Supply and Fire Hazards; Amending Ordinance 3131
See full agenda: http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=253

Related news story:
Water restrictions on City Council agenda for Aug. 3
 People in Port Townsend could soon be asked to water their gardens every other day if the Port Townsend City Council agrees Aug. 3 to a more aggressive conservation program outlined in a proposed ordinance dealing with water supply and fire hazards.---PT LEADER


NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Victoria mayor faces furious Topaz Park crowd
It was no walk in the park for Victoria politicians who met the wrath of Topaz Park area residents on Thursday night over a proposed temporary tent city for the homeless ---TIMES COLONIST


$500,000 severance for boss as sewage program staff is disbanded
The head of the Seaterra sewage program will walk away with almost $500,000 in severance pay at the end of September.  ---TIMES COLONIST


Review flags denial, confusion in slow response to Marathassa oil spill
An independent review of the spill of bunker fuel oil into Vancouver's English Bay has blamed cleanup delays on the MV Marathassa's initial denial it was the source, as well as miscommunication between responding agencies.----VICTORIA NEWS





DAILY DEVOTIONAL

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:114 NKJV