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| My cat Cleopatra, checking up on my work. |
It was large crowd of supporters for the Human Society showed up at Tuesday's evening city council meeting which I attended. Now before someone says I have a cold heart toward our furry and feather friends. I want to share with you this little bit about my history. I grew up in a rural community in the State of Vermont, matter in fact on a farm. From infant to age 14 I was in and out of foster homes, and these so called “clinics” for the disabled. My first ten years was spend in the care of a grandmotherly type of foster mother, who own a farm. We had plenty of animals, to take care of, and I always had a dog or cat when growing up. I currently have a compainon service animal cat. Which I got from the Friends of Animals. So it wasn't out of any precieved notion from someone who may take what I wrote or said in meetings out of content thinking I don't like animals or something as stupid as that. I like animals has much as anyone, but when I see the neglect of our fellow humans by the powers that be, yeah I do get testy! The United Way wasn't even mention in the local paper of record a week earlier, nor in the city staff memo which I once again will quote:
The City Council had only one request for consideration at tonight’s meeting as follows: Olympic Peninsula Humane Society (OPHS) During City Council debate as part of the first reading of the 2016 Budget, Council consensus was that staff bring back to the City Council options for restoring full funding to OPHS for 2016 based on the original amount noted in the 2015-2017 agreement between the City and OPHS. ---from the city council agenda packet page f2
ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2668
Even the city finance director said during the testimony that none of the city council members made mention of any other outside organization other than the humane society. Maybe they were hoping no one would notice, but then that's before yours truly in a previous posting dared to mention the fact that the United Way wasn't even going to get an honorable mention!
That changed a little bit after Tuesdays meeting. Once yours truly went to the council meeting Tuesday, the Peninsula Daily News offered this headline on Thursday:
Port Angeles City Council restores humane society funding, passes budget
PORT ANGELES — Passage of the city's $109.6 million budget for 2016 turned on a minuscule but emotionally charged 0.014 percent of the spending plan.
Faced with a flood of support for the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, City Council members on Tuesday unanimously restored $16,200 in funding to the animal shelter group for next year in a one-time allocation before speaking again with one voice by approving next year's budget.---Peninsula Daily News
Further quotes from the article posted: " The plan does include grant-dependent projects, including $453,000 to replace Civic Field lighting, but no major road repair projects. It also includes cuts in youth and family programs. At the meeting Tuesday, online newspaper publisher Peter Ripley said it was laudable that the council was funding the humane society but urged it not to forget city residents who are on low-income assistance programs and “those living under bridges, living in tunnels.” Councilman Lee Whetham also criticized lack of funding to repair tennis courts in Shane Park." --read more
I should also so add, after I spoke during the meeting that Councilman Brad Collins did a turn around on his stand of cutting funding for outside organizations. He mention that if the city is going to reverse their decision on assisting outside organizations, then the United Way should be considered for full funding as well. Even my old pal Councilman Lee Whetham chimed in after thanking me for my comments about helping the needy in the community, but after he made his statements about the Shane Park tennis courts, that next year 2017, they should focused on more funding for charities. Well, readers, that maybe all and good for next year, how about this year? People are still taking shelter in cars, or doorways in the cold night air in the meantime.
What really threw me readers was the almost the lack of concern of the needy and homeless in that room during that meeting by the audience. No one even stood up and pitched for the United Way, it took yours truly to do that. But, a former council member and business owner Edna Peterson did come in and mention the need to ban these aggressive panhandlers who are causing area businesses to lose customers, that was the only mention of the plight for the needy besides what I stated during that meeting.
Then some council members started in on the bandwagon after statements I made. Even some council members noted how the entire evening was spent hearing testimony on one subject funding for our furry and feather friends. It was just the atmosphere and attitude mainly by some audience members attending that floored me during the meeting, they almost seem to value animal life and welfare over their fellow human beings, people who are needy and apparently little or no voice from the council. So, in this case what is good for the goose, is not necessarily good for the gander, he will have to wait until next year. Oh United Way will get funding but it will be half a loaf compared to the full loaf that Human Society will be getting. It is amazing to me we only seem concern about the needs of the needy during the holidays, perhaps to make us all feel good. The needy however, is just trying to survive day by day, there is no holidays for them. Apparently this year the needy barely gets an honorable mention.
In other note worthy local stories...
Clallam County treasurer objects to draft budget
" I object to the proposed 2016 budget on both procedural (lack of transparency, lack of notice) and substantive grounds, and I reserve the right to specify the procedural and substantive defects until such time as I have had a reasonable opportunity (access and time wise) to review the 2016 budget processes and documents,” Barkhuis wrote."---Peninsula Daily News
Clallam commissioner favors sales tax restoration, property tax increase amid debate on revenue, spending strategy
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman said Monday he would restore the county’s sales tax rate and support a 1-percent property tax increase to generate needed revenue.---Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County commissioners forego property tax increase
" Commissioners Jim McEntire and Bill Peach voted Tuesday for no change to the general purpose or road fund property tax levies for Clallam County in 2016. Commissioner Mike Chapman voted no, saying he favored a 1-percent increase on both levies to pay for essential services and to maintain reserves." ---Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles City Council votes to approve visitor center, marketing contracts over objections
PORT ANGELES — City Council members approved $423,636 in 2016-2018 tourism-related lodging-tax spending this week on two 5-2 votes, one of which hinged on a dispute that still must be resolved.--Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County commissioner joins Democrats and is urged to run again
" Chapman filed to run as an independent in 2008. Last March, Chapman announced during a commissioners’ work session that he would not seek another term. The announcement came during a board debate over spending philosophies. “I’m being asked to reconsider,” Chapman said Tuesday."---Peninsula Daily News
Editor's Note: Now if Champman had not intention in running for office again has he said. None of this would even matter whether he changed parties or not now would it? Then why all the hoop la if he isn't going to run for local office again. Of course he could always go for a state rep. posting. There's that.
Sitting Port of Port Angeles commissioner and newcomer have plans for more meetings, transparency and scrutiny
PORT ANGELES — The two women who will form the Port of Port Angeles Commission’s majority promise more meetings, more openness and more scrutiny starting Jan. 12.
That’s when Commissioner-elect Connie Beauvais will join sitting Commissioner Colleen McAleer. The third incumbent commissioner, Jim Hallett, has said he doesn’t intend to participate in more than the bimonthly meetings commissioners currently attend, plus whatever special sessions are called for, such as budget workshops.----Peninsula Daily News
Ozias Already Making a Difference by John Merton Marrs
A new agenda for Clallam County is being negotiated by and between Commissioner Mike Chapman and Commissioner-elect Mark Ozias in these final weeks of 2015 – just as outgoing Commissioner Jim McEntire arranged a new agenda a year ago with then incoming-commissioner Bill Peach.---PORT O CALL
Sequim students and advocates struggle to handle homeless issues
The struggles homeless youth and young adults face daily in Sequim are nearly invisible to many, but are far from absent.---SEQUIM GAZETTE
It’s in the mail
With the holiday season here, it is the time we think about mailing cards and packages. These days we expect things to get where we want them to go with no problem and pretty fast, even the next day.---FORKS FORUM
OlyCAP suspends annual Christmas meal for lack of help
Sponsors reportedly drop support, forcing nonprofit to forgo free meal
A 22-year tradition of hosting hundreds for a free Christmas Day meal at the Tri-Area Community Center likely won't see its 23rd year due to a shortage of volunteers and money.---PTLEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
TIMES COLONIST/VICTORIA BC: New sewage treatment cost: up to $1.3 billion, $500 million increase
Rough cost estimates for the capital region’s sewage treatment options run between $1 billion and $1.3 billion — far in excess of the $788-million plan abandoned this year, according to reports going to Capital Regional District directors.
VICTORIA NEWS/ VICTORIA BC: Helping refugees changes young man’s life
John Skene will forever remember his trip to Greece, not only because of the thousands of Syrian refugees he helped to safety, but because of one family that changed his life.
VICTORIA NEWS/ VICTORIA BC: Former B.C. premier Bill Bennett dies
Former B.C. premier Bill Bennett died Thursday night at age 83.
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK:
COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Resolution adopting the 2016 Clallam County Budget
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
The Port will hold their first meeting on the 15th for this month. Typically they have their first meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. So for this week no Port meeting is scheduled from what I saw on their webpage.
So, it looks like the County Commission is the only show in town this coming week.
PORT TOWNSEND BUSINESS MEETING:
Planning Commission and Advisory Board Appointments; Ordinance 3141 Repealing Water Conservation Measures - Adoption; Ordinance 3138 2016-2021 Capital Improvement Plan - Adoption; Ordinance 3140 2015 Final Supplemental Budget - Adoption; Ordinance 3142 Amending Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates & Adopting Capital Surcharge on Stormwater Rates 1st Reading; Ordinance 3143 Amending the Tax Rate Imposed on Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Garbage Utilities 1st Reading; Ordinance 3139 2016 Budget Discussion Only--The Port Townsend city council didn't post an agenda for this meeting.
ref. http://www.cityofpt.us/calendar/events.asp?action=viewevent&eventid=24176
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Jesus the Good Shepherd ] Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:7, 9-10 NKJV
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