It's
another Saturday and I imagine all you local readers are all awaiting
with baited breath on what I have to say all of the local goings on!
Let's start with this poll which the PDN was running on Thursday, and
by the look of things majority of those who voted favored the oil rig
fleet to winter here. But, we don't know the final result of the poll
because the PDN took it down and replaced it with another poll result
instead of posting the final result of the poll they had up! Guess
they didn't like how the tide was going in favor of having the oil
rigs docked here they just made that poll disappear! But, luckily yours truly got the numbers before they took it down and you can see
the following results:
PDN
POLL Question 5.7.15: Since Seattle appears not to want to host the
Polar Pioneer and other Shell Oil rigs for winters, should Port
Angeles invite them to winter in the harbor?
yes:
73.2%
no:
22.5%
Undecided:
4.3%
Number
of votes cast: 768 as of Thursday when published.
(As
you can see majority of this town including yours truly is thankful
in having the extra revenue from the visiting oil rig fleet. I would
go far as saying if I were sitting on the city council, or Port
Commission I would be on the horn with Shell oil negotiating with
them to winter their rigs here, because it's quite clear by the tones
of some area newspapers like in Seattle and Everett that they are
less than welcome. That comes when you allow leftist environmental groups who often act like spoiled brats, have their way in begrudging others for whatever is their cause. Maybe these folks be better off
traveling back in time and try their hand living in the late 1800's I
doubt they would make it, because back then those people would treat
them like kooks! Leftist usually tries to pin the blame of criminal
activities such as drug abuse, or whatever the hot topic of the day
on big business or whatever to put forth their agenda. Yours truly
was in attendance at the last city council meeting when a young
woman, who admitted to be benefiting from the Shell oil rig being
here because she works at a local tavern. But, this didn't stop her
from dishing out her leftist rant of trying to pin the blame of the
increase of heroin addictions on big business, and drilling for oil!
I was shaking my head with disbelief what I was hearing. She
apparently assumes that Shell oil pays no taxes! Because she was
asking the council to tax them if they stay! One media outlet in town
was buying this liberal drivel, I wasn't because I saw this pony act before many times when liberals wanting their way would use something
like Heroin addictions as an excuse to blame it on big oil
companies! In essence what she was doing blaming the presents of an
oil rig for the increase of Heroin addiction in town. In reality the Heroin addictions were around long before any oil rig came into
town! After she gave her little speech however, Council members said
nothing, and only one person in the audience of perhaps around 50
applauded, that pretty much said a lot on how the majority of folks in
this town sees the value of these oil rigs being in town don't you
think? )
Related stories
Length
of Polar Pioneer’s stay in Port Angeles Harbor remains a question
mark for now after Seattle delays plans
PORT
ANGELES — It is clear the Polar Pioneer will be at anchor in Port
Angeles Harbor for a little while longer, but exactly how long
remains unknown.
“As
of today, no decision has been made in regards to extending our time
in Port Angeles, but that is potentially an option,” said Megan
Baldino, Shell Oil spokeswoman. ---PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Shell
and high water: the climate battle of Seattle
IF
you had to pick a logo for the campaign to wreak climate havoc, you
could hardly do better than Shell’s Arctic drilling rig, the “Polar
Pioneer.” Climate denial has reached its fullest expression when
the melting of the Arctic ice cap is greeted as a signal to drill for
more oil where the ice used to be.---SEATTLE TIMES EDITORIAL
Shell
oil-rig lease: The realities of fossil fuels; an eyesore on the
waterfront
"
When our mayor attempts to block the Shell oil rig from temporarily
docking in Seattle, he engages in formulating pie-in-the-sky rhetoric
by stating that it’s time to focus on the economy of the future:
clean energy, electric cars and transit. That’s laudable, but that
is in the future."---SEATTLE TIMES EDITORIAL
Notorious
oil-drilling ship among those to stop
EVERETT
— A drilling ship with a controversial past will stop at the Port
of Everett next week to load and unload cargo, according to a port
spokeswoman.---EVERETTHERALD BUSINESS JOURNAL
(As
you can see the tone of these three articles from Seattle and Everett
newspapers pretty much tells the attitude of these communities of not
wanting these oil rigs in their harbors. While here in PA, most if
not all welcomes the increase money they bring in.)
Open
letter to city attorney & city council
"At
city council this past Tuesday night a young 20-something year old
lady came to the podium during public response and made an
impassioned plea about Heroin use and other dismal facts concerning
young people in Port Angeles. She ended her remarks with something
akin to, “give us some hope” and “don’t sell us out.”---Dale
Wilson, PORT O CALL
(
Perhaps Wilson didn't notice that the majority of the audience
attending the meeting along with yours truly didn't buy what this
girl was trying to do, pin the blame on Heroian addictions on big
companies, and oil rigs! Companies like Shell oil, and others which
is needed badly here in this town, companies which keeps the taverns
open so she can stay employed)
Other
local news stories
Port Angeles City Council ends flat water rate in light of expected shortage
PORT
ANGELES — The City Council has rescinded a seasonal flat water rate
that would have benefited gardeners and green-lawn proponents to
encourage conservation in light of an anticipated water shortage.
By
a 5-2 vote Tuesday —with Lee Whetham and Dan Gase opposed —
council members decided to stay in a tiered-rate structure for June
rather than impose a uniform seasonal-rate system that would have
encouraged gardens and lush lawns.---Peninsula Daily News
(
The report didn't mention Lee Whetham's reasons for voting no, so I
will have to do that task! What Whetham was grumbling about mainly
was that the city didn't include their industrial customer in the
mix. Meaning they were leaving Nippon out of paying additional water
rates. Something which Whetham said would make him not vote for the
rates because it puts the payment of water rates solely on the
residents. But I am skeptical of the motives here, something about
this reminds me of the ploy liberals usually take in sticking it to
big companies like Nippon or Shell Oil. )
OMC's Expansion Requests OK'd by City Council
Port
Angeles -- Olympic Medical Center's expansion efforts are another
step closer to reality as the Port Angeles City Council approved two
measures that will close off a street and allow a rezoning of mixed
commercial overlay.--KONPRADIO
Clallam
Charter Review Commissioner closer to recommendations
(PORT
ANGELES) The Clallam County Charter Review Commission has neared the
parring down process of proposals for a public hearing, that could be
on the ballot this November.---KONP RADIO
Connie
Beauvais Announces Candidacy
Port
Angeles, WA, May 7, 2015 — Connie Beauvais, Vice Chair of the
Clallam County Planning Commission and 2015 Charter Review
Commissioner, has announced her candidacy for the District 3 position
of Commissioner, for the Port of Port Angeles.---PORT O CALL
(Well,
this must have disappointed our pal Lee Whetham who is running for
Port Commissioner after only serving 15 months on the city council! I
imagine he we thinking he have a free ride to the Port seat!)
U.S.
Rep. Kilmer iN port Angeles Friday to promo launch of Olympic
Peninsula Collaborative
On
Friday, May 8, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wa.) will be in Port Angeles
to join in the official launch of the Olympic Peninsula
Collaborative.---SEQUIM GAZETTE
Anderson
Lake closed due to toxin
The
lake at Anderson Lake State Park is closed again to public use in
what has become an annual decision since toxic algae became a known
problem in 2006.---PT LEADER
FORKS
FORUM: SMOKE HOUSE REOPEN? (green edition)
From
across the Strait:
Rules
tighten for doctors who prescribe medical marijuana
Doctors
who prescribe medical marijuana to their patients are being directed
by their regulatory body to follow a new professional standard that
may reduce legal access to the drug.---Victoria News
City
of Victoria to add parking ambassadors
The
City of Victoria is looking to hire roughly two dozen people to act
as on-street parking ambassadors to enhance the parking experience in
the downtown core.---VICTORIA NEWS
Two
Capital Region mayors want advance sewage-treatment tax cancelled
Capital
region taxpayers in seven municipalities have been forking over for
too long for a sewage-treatment plant deep-sixed last year, say two
mayors unhappy with the situation. ---TIMES COLONIST
WHAT'S
ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK!?
PORT
WILL HEAR STATUS REPORT ON COMPOSITE FUNDING
During
their next scheduled Port meeting on Tuesday one of the highlight
items on their agenda will be a verbal report regarding Composites
Recycling Technology Center Funding Report
(Like
I said kodo points if the Port pulls off getting a composite
recycling center here, but at some point it has to be run by private
contractors. )
As
for the rest of the Agenda:
- 2015 Quarter Financial Operating Report
Total
operating revenues are $1.8 million, which is ($485k) or (21%) lower
than budget. The operating expenses are $1.7 million, which is
($176k) or (9%) under budget. Operating net surplus before
depreciation is $88k which is an unfavorable variance of ($309k) or
(78%). Due to the significant impact of the recent decline in the log
export market staff analyzed the potential year-end net decrease
(lower revenues offset by cost savings) as $1 to $1.2 million, which
results in approximately $.5 million net surplus (cash flow) before
depreciation at year end. A separate presentation will address
historical trends as well as revised budget considerations in light
of the unpredictability of the log export market. (read more)
2015
Northwest Aerospace & Defense Symposium May 27-28
(verbal report)
KPly
Concrete Demolition Contract
The
cleanup of the KPLY site is scheduled for this summer and fall
(August – October 2015). The cleanup consists of contaminated soil
excavation that is currently overlain by approximately 7,000 tons of
concrete mill foundations and footings. To meet the aggressive
cleanup timeline the concrete structures will be demolished, crushed,
and stockpiled on-site this June. The concrete spoils will be used as
backfill during the cleanup excavation work. (read more)
Excavator
Purchase
The
2015 Capital Budget includes $100,000 for an excavator. A thorough
search was made for a used excavator in good condition. However, it
was determined that the nominal savings of buying used equipment was
not as beneficial to the Port as purchasing a new excavator with full
warranty. (read more)
Community
Partner Program (verbal report)
COUNTY COMMISSION TO HOLD
HEARING ON: Proposed ordinance amending Clallam County Code 5.06,
Additional Sales or Use Tax, to reduce sales tax from .5 percent to
.3 percent effective July 1, 2015
That's the agenda
highlight on the County Commission agenda this coming Tuesday meeting
along with these other items:
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Introduction of new code enforcement field officer Barbara McFall
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
2a Agreement with
Peninsula Behavioral Health for screening and case management
services in the Clallam County Jail; and public health syringe
services program
2b Amendment 2 with the
Washington State Department of Health adding and amending
statement(s) of work
2c Agreement with the
Washington State Military Department and the US Department of
Homeland Security for “Operation Stonegarden”
2d Agreement with
BergerABAM for the Ward Bridge scour repair and the McDonald Creek
seismic retrofit projects 2e Agreement with Anthony N. Dougherty for
a right of way easement to fix a roadside drainage problem adjacent
to Edgewood Drive
2f Amendment 1 with the
Washington State County Road Administration Board increasing funding
for the paving of Old Olympic Highway from US 101 to the Sieberts
Creek Bridge
2g Agreement with the
Washington State County Road Administration Board for construction
proposal for paving and improvements to Dry Creek Road from US 101 to
Edgewood Drive ADMINISTRATION
3a Resolution authorizing
a grant from the Opportunity Fund to the City of Port Angeles
3b Resolution authorizing
a grant from the Opportunity Fund to the Port of Port Angeles
H2 Proposed ordinance
creating a new chapter in the Clallam County Code titled “Carlsborg
Sewer System”
Other meetings on the
docket:
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
SEQUIM CITY COUNCIL
PORT
TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
highlight agenda item:
YMCACapital Project Presentation
highlight agenda item:
YMCACapital Project Presentation
Across the Strait
AGENDA
- VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL
Agenda
highlight: Council
is to consider an application to construct a new office area and to
convert the existing office to a hotel room.
Final note:
I recently posed the question to local elected officials on their feelings on the whaling issue
One gave me a verbal answer to my email, Commissioner Bill Peach said he favors the whale hunt because of the cultural heritage of the Makha tribe. The second answer I got via email from City Council member Dan Gase: Thanks for your question. Since this is not a topic on which the City council will debate or vote on my personal opinion statement would not benefit the citizens. If the tribe has a legal right to hunt then that is their right.
UPDATE: The following message is from Bill Peach sent via email: "My personal take is that the hunt will reinforce the Makah appreciation of their cultural history. There is tremendous value in having this conversation."
Bill Peach
Bill Peach
Now I gave the other elected officials plenty of time to answer this question, goes to show how some will speak up on such issues while others remain deadly silent. Proving my point so far that it is conservatives who favor Indian rights as appose to liberals! Yet, the tribe votes democratic every time! Go figure!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Free from Indwelling Sin ] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
