Saturday, June 6, 2015

WEEKLY PORT ANGELES DIGEST: CHAPMAN TO MEDIA--- “Keep it out of the newspaper.---Mike Chapman, County Commissioner

Readers, Today's first story is two folded. One, we have a County Commissioner who apparently thinks he can sway the media, meaning the paper of record, The Peninsula Daily News to not run the story of the County Treasure blocking transfer of grant funds to the Port and City, which is now in the hands of the courts. Apparently Chapman underestimates we who are loose cannon balls out there like myself, that believe it is the public right to know what's going on, and would rib the PDN to no end in labeling them as Pravda!
That's probably why you gotten the article from the PDN:

Clallam delays grant payments to give time to resolve dispute between county officials
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Clallam County lawmakers will “step back” before processing a pair of pre-approved grants to allow their legal adviser to resolve a dispute between county officials, Commissioner Mike Chapman said.
Selinda Barkhuis, the county’s elected treasurer, has said she will withhold a $1 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles and a $285,952 grant to the city of Port Angeles until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the funds are being disbursed according to law.

They even mention the part where Chapman asked the PDN to keep it out of the press! Funny, yours truly was attending the meeting so was Port O Call Chapman made no reference to us, just the PDN. That made me wonder, could it be because the PDN has a contract to run their legal notices? Maybe Chapman thinks that the PDN is in the County's back pocket or something. That's what people would think. But, The PDN posting the article in response to Chapman's appeals of not having what's going on with this matter. Perhaps, they saw I was presence and they know very well if they did I'd be all over the PDN giving them a ribbing of becoming Pravda! They sure didn't want that label be on them. Maybe the PDN remembers when yours truly published the Port Angeles Journal years ago, and I had a column in it called THE TABLOID DRAGON! A column of news stories on how local and national media either plays the propagandist, or engages in sensational journalism. From what I saw this week I may bring back that, but I keep a level eye on the media as much as I do politicians.
What Chapman was doing was tantamount to censorship! Something in my book is a big no, no!
Giving all what's been happening all over the world where journalist have either been jailed or murdered for telling things others don't want to hear. So yeah I take infringing on the 1st Amendment seriously, so should the PDN and any other publication.

Now the second part of our first story this week is based on this headline from the Peninsula Daily News:

Clallam treasurer says she will not disburse commissioner-approved grants, doubts their legality
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was “disbursed according to law.”


I Sent a question to the candidates of the City, Port, and County elections. I asked them a two sided question:

As you might of read in the PDN : "Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was;disbursed according to law."
So the question I pose to you is what's your opinion on this right or wrong for the Treasure to withhold these funds, or just practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public?
Also for you city council candidates an old question asked again.
What's your feelings about fluoride? Should we discontinue putting it in our water supply? Or continue it? and why?

Not only did I get answers on the Treasure's decision on not releasing the funds, but on a side note the anti-fluoride folks can take heart they gain some allies. Read the responses:










  •   Richard "Doc" Robinson-:As a candidate for Port Commissioner I have no opinion.  It is now a legal matter and I am not a lawyer.

As a citizen I wonder how we get to this level of dispute rather than the two sides making a few calls together to the legal wizards at the state level and then following their opinion.  Now the county will have to spend money in order for the commissioners to spend money.  We need public access TV just so we can have comedy skits about such doings.---Richard "Doc" Robinson--Port Commission Candidate
( I must admit when I first read this I had to laugh it was pretty good! Clever!)


  •   marolee diane smith: I believe that Selinda Barkhuis is doing her job. In the recent (historical) past it appears that some very bad decisions have been made, without proper oversight. I think she is taking the right step to begin to right the ship. The public has not been adequately protected from over-spending, poor spending, and questionable decisions made by our representatives in government.  Kudos to Ms. Barkhuis.


I feel that the fluoride matter should be put to the people's vote.  I do not trust the executive fiat (i.e. fiat is latin for "let it be done") instead of a public referendum. It should be a vote, by the people.

In a 1973 Stanford PhD Dissertation, Dr. Edward Groth noted:  “The fact that nearly 3 out of every 5 communities which vote on the issue have rejected fluoridation, year after year, does in all likelihood represent a collective judgment on the part of the public that, when all things are considered, fluoridation is not an acceptable public health measure.”   Add to that the recent (April 27, 2015 NYT article) Fed revelation: "Federal health officials Monday changed the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water for the first time since 1962, cutting by almost half the maximum amount of fluoride that should be added to drinking supplies."

Some countries have opted for fluoridated salt, or fluoride additives, to add a measured amount for dental benefit.  The key thing, is that with a municipal involvement in water -- it is an inaccurate dosage. Fluoride is so readily available, now (compared to when municipalities began putting it into the water supply in the late 1950's) people should be able to decide for themselves whether to use fluoride and how they get it.

As it is, our water, which used to be delicious, now stinks.  It often has an overwhelming smell/taste of the chlorine, chloramine, and chlorine dioxide. I have no idea how close our water correlates to the EPA maximum residual disinfectant level goal (MRDL), of late. (The EPA requires that these "consumer confidence reports" be regularly disclosed to the public, the last one I can find for Port Angeles -online- is 2013.) Many other communities report these monthly findings of their water directly to the EPA each month (so that people can see what IS in our water. Because with excess ground water, drought, and other water changes, the additives vary -- to keep our water safe.) However, Port Angeles does not.  According to the EPA website "Your water supplier does not currently store their water quality report on our online system"   I'd sure like to know why this is.----marolee diane smith, City Council Candidate
 (source: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/index.cfm?action=ccrsearchresults&page=viewAll)


  • Dan Bateham: Your first question is in response to a PDN article, on May 31st, that says: "Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is refusing to pay thousands of dollars in commissioner-approved grants to city and port governments until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was 'disbursed according to law.'" You asked "What's [my] opinion on this, [is it] right or wrong for the Treasurer to withhold these funds, or [is she] just practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public?"

As the County Treasurer, Barkhuis occupies a key “check and balance” position in the financial affairs of the County. As a non-partisan elected official, Barkhuis is directly accountable to the voters of Clallam County.
In that PDN article of May 31st,  Treasurer Barkhuis indicates she is following state law to act on behalf of the public concerning the monies in question.
In the same PDN article, County Administrator Jones is quoted as saying “I respect her as a treasurer, and I respect that she wants to do her duties as they exist” and “I differ with her interpretation of the RCW.” The article then goes on to say: "Jones said he believed Barkhuis might have misinterpreted a part of county policy, which colored her interpretation of state law."

In my opinion Treasurer Barkhuis is "practicing good prudence on the behalf of the public" and is doing so to the best of her ability. The key issue seems, to me, to be on whether a public hearing is required in this particular instance. As there appears to be a difference of opinion on the interpretation of law concerning these particular monies and the processes involved for disbursement, and as Barkhuis is attempting to perform her duty to defend what she calls "important taxpayer rights," I believe she is right to wait until a Superior Court judge has determined whether the money was "disbursed according to law" and to get this important legal opinion "before the funds leave the county treasury forever.”
Peter, you also asked those of us that are candidates for city council: "What's [our] feelings about fluoride? Should we discontinue putting it in our water supply? or continue it? and why?"
As for fluoridation of our water supply, I'm against it. In my opinion, the two biggest lies I've heard about fluoridation all my life is that it prevents tooth decay and that it is safe. It does not prevent tooth decay. It is not safe. The form of fluoride that is added to our water supply is an industrial waste by-product. The Port Angeles City Council has been allowing it to be put into our water supply against the wishes of many of our citizens, for money. In my opinion, fluoridation of our city water needs to stop.
 I will not pretend to be a scientist or a doctor with all knowledge on the subject of fluoridation. So, please let me point you and your readers to a couple of links that I find to be informative:
For some "Notable Quotes from Top Scientists" please see this link on the yes4cleanwater.org website: http://www.yes4cleanwater.org/notable_quotes_from_top_scientists.php.
And an informative article in the "Port O Call," by Dr. Eloise W. Kailin, MD, entitled "FLUORIDATION—Pro and Con" can be found here: 
I hope you and your readers find the information at those links useful in continuing the debate on the fluoride issue. It is my hope that the contract the city now has for fluoridation of our water will not be renewed.------Dan Bateham, candidate for Port Angeles City Council.


  • Bryan D. Frazier: In response to your question concerning our County Treasurer.  Our County Treasurer is the check point against possible improper spending of taxpayer funds placed in her control, she has a responsibility first and foremost to protect public assets.

I firmly believe that Selinda Barkhuis is acting within the scope of her responsibilities as our Treasurer and is indeed “practicing good prudence on behalf of the public”.  If our Treasurer has any doubt about an expenditure of public assets being improper
she has the responsibility to seek higher council for interpretation of the laws and policies involved and a responsibility to abide by the decision of that higher council to release or not release the funds.
 In my opinion, Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis is fulfilling her “key position of public trust in the financial affairs of local government.”
 In response to your second question concerning whether to continue or discontinue fluoridation of the water supply?
 In my opinion, the public should not be forced to ingest anything against their will regardless of the purported benefits.
Adding fluoride to a community water supply should be done by a vote of the people after being fully informed and disclosing the risks and costs.
 In an analysis, Recognition and Management of Fluoride Toxicity referencing 44 separate studies of Excess Systemic Fluoride pointed to the risks associated with excess fluoride ingestion and Fluoridated Water.
Dental Fluorosis (Mottling of teeth)
Skeletal Fluorosis (increased bone mass, arthritis like symptoms, joint stiffness, limited mobility)
Risks to patients with renal problems (accumulation and retention of fluoride in the kidneys. Recommended to avoid Fluoridated water)
Risks for people who drink large quantities of water (Recommended to avoid Fluoridated water)
Risks to bottle fed infants when formula is mixed using fluoridated water. (Recommended to mix with distilled water and avoid Fluoridated Water)

Sources of Excess Systemic Fluoride
All foods and beverages prepared with fluoridated water.
Fluorinated medications.
Accidental fluoridation overfeeds.

http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Recognition+and+Management+of+Fluoride+Toxicity
 This is all cumulative effects from Fluoridated Water use. Whether or not fluoridation should be continued?  Let the public decide, place it on a ballot, I’m sure you’ll get your answer from them.----Bryan D. Frazier Candidate Clallam County Commissioner, District No. 1

Wow!  I must say didn't expect to get responses of fluoridation from candidates not running for City Council, who will be reviewing the contract with the supplier of the fluoride come in 2016.

Now for the second lead story in this week's edition....

Best ever, was it just a tourist trap?

Editorial Comment: I have to ask. Has the national, and local media gone completely insane?
On the national level all week long online we were inundated with news stories about Bruce Jenner turning into a fake woman, sending our national image further down the sewer of immorality.
 While locally the over the top coverage of a Best town Contest, seem to overshadow the real news stories locally. Come to find out that is was nothing more than a contest to draw tourist here. Which is fine and good, but it comes from people who are under the illusion that tourism is the goose who laid the golden egg for this community.

Related Stories

  •  WELL DONE, PORT ANGELES! Chattanooga tallied the most votes . . . but we won, too!

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles didn't lose, even though it came in second to Chattanooga, Tenn., in Outside magazine's hotly battled online contest to determine the nation's "Best Town Ever" for 2015.
“I could not be prouder of the town right now,” said Lesley Robertson, founder of Revitalize Port Angeles, a Facebook group with more than 1,100 members that was the primary mover in getting out the vote for Port Angeles.

Editorial Comment: Like I said on my previous posting I don't play into these shorts of contest normally, but I did vote for PA to show "I CARE" little good that got me however, when I voted on Outside Magazine site they automatically subscribed me to their email list! I had to go in and unsubscribe to their mailing list. Clever ploy actually to use a silly contest to gain more readers to your publication!

Fake posts, alleged voting fraud and suspected hacking mire final day of Outside's 'Best Town Ever' contest
(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Fraudulent posts, including one supposedly from a deceased woman, an allegation of voter fraud and a Google suspicion that Outside magazine's website had been hacked, excited passions on the final day of Internet voting in the “Best Town Ever” contest.

Editorial Comment: Maybe the democrats were in on the voter fraud! Sad thing to have to cheat to win an election!  However, will there be a turn out for the local elections that matters like the City, County, and Port elections, as this tourism gimmick was?

Question is  "Port Angeles' Star Keeps On Rising"
(PORT ANGELES ONLINE) Go ahead, be cynical.  But Port Angeles has still another claim to fame:  We're Number Ten on the Top 100 Best Small Towns, according to Livability.com.  Port Angeles was outranked by Lebanon, N.H.; Los Alamos, N.M.; Durango, CO; St. Augustine, FL; Bar Harbor, ME; Louisville, CO; Hood River, OR; Spearfish, SD; and Sebastopol, CA.

Editorial Note: As you can see not everyone was falling for the gag! And saw this for what this was, a ploy to promote tourism to the area. That's not a bad thing mind you, after all I use to rely on tourist dollars long time ago, and so does a lot of businesses in town. The thing of it is I know where this is coming from. It's from those who believe that the tourist trade should be the sole source of income for this community. Everyone knows that the tourist season only last for a few months out of the year, and the rest of the year this town pretty much shut down! We don't have a Civil War, or Revolutionary War battle field to tout about, nor do we hold any claim of being visited by notorious outlaws like Jesse James, or Billy the Kid! Our claim of fame is Sluicing the Hogback


Picture from google
Port Angeles circa 1914

  • Events to mark centennial of Port Angeles' 'Sluicing the Hogback' today, Sunday

(PENINSULA DAILY NEWS) PORT ANGELES — Two days of events this weekend will mark the 100th anniversary of the completion of “The Sluicing of the Hogback,” which raised the downtown streets and led to the creation of the present downtown.
" In 1914, the City Council decided to raise the downtown area, which was plagued with flooding and raw sewage, above mud flats, where many of the buildings were constructed on piers and docks."




Rayonier mill site still caught up in litigation
and clean up!
Now if we had access to the Old Rayonier mill site, there would be a possible tourist related development. This could be a port of call for Cruise ships, and a resort kind of development maybe include a casino and a sea fair type of circus complete with carnival rides. But it still tied up in litigation and clean up operations.

Now I want to ask you something is it the best ever when a big chuck of land like this is being held up in endless litigation?





Voters voted against building a new high school which had
a price tag of 98 million this last election.
Is it the best ever when new schools are not being build, and kids are forced to use one drinking fountain due to plumbing issues?

Are we still the best ever when utility rates and taxes are so high the area businesses are shutting down, and more people are ending up on welfare?






This is what happens when you ask for my opinion on a silly "best ever town" contest. You might not get a pretty picture! It show how twisted our priorities have become both nationally, and locally.

Other local news:

Port Angeles City Council grants $15,000 contract to county Economic Development Council — and questions absence


Commissioner Colleen McAleer to testify before Senate Committee

RELATED PRESS RELEASE: Port Commissioner Invited to Testify before the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Colleen McAleer has been invited to testify on carbon fiber recycling and energy workforce development before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, June 9, in Washington, DC. The invitation was given by the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Committee is conducting this hearing to receive testimony on legislation concerning energy accountability and reform. The invitation was given at the request of Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Of the 42 initiatives under consideration during this hearing, several focus on supporting advanced technology and improving productivity and energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector. Commissioner McAleer will give testimony specifically concerning Senate Bills 1304 and 1432. S.1304 addresses the development of a skilled 21st century energy workforce. S. 1432 would require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on the technology, potential lifecycle energy savings and economic impact of recycled carbon fiber.

“The development of composite manufacturing in Clallam County under the auspices of the Port of Port Angeles has gained the attention of both federal and state agencies,” said Commissioner McAleer. “Our county is increasingly recognized as a leader in this industry sector, especially with the development of the Composites Recycling Technology Center (CRTC). I am delighted to have the opportunity to testify before the Senate energy committee as to the importance of recycled composite fiber and let them know that we are well on the way to providing this crucial service to the advanced manufacturing industry.”

Some of the points Commissioner McAleer will touch on include the importance of manufacturing, recycling and innovation in carbon fiber composites, partnerships and tech transfers that the Port has been engaged in, the need for partnerships in education and investments in developing a skilled workforce, international markets, and exports.

Upon her return, Commissioner McAleer will give a full report of her experience at the following Port Commissioners meeting. These bi-weekly meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Port’s meeting room, and are open to the public. The text of her testimony will be published in the upcoming issue of the Port Pilot.


Port of Port Angeles commissioner explains why public waterfront should stay public
James D. Hallett


PAPA meets today


Warm temperatures having impact on area’s water supply


MORE OPNET CHARGES FILED


Safety for elementary students is lesson in Port Townsend

FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Victoria considers micro-housing for homeless


Kinder Morgan pledges to protect against spills


Pair found guilty in B.C. legislature bomb plot



WHAT'S ON TAP NEXT WEEK

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Agreement with West End Outreach Services for behavioral health services to low income clients.

Port is scheduled to meet coming Tuesday, however they didn't post their agenda as of yet, so when that is available I will post it here.
(UPDATE: The meeting had been rescheduled for next Monday at 9:AM according to Port the Port Authority.)

OTHER REGIONAL MEETINGS:
Sequim City Council meeting is also schedule to meet this coming Tuesday, but they have yet to release their agenda when this report was published.

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
Agenda highlight: Fort Worden Public Development Authority (PDA) Annual Report

City of Forks agenda item highlight: Discussion on all terrian vehicals operating within the city of Forks

FROM ACROSS THE STRIAT: VICTORIA CITY COUNCIL TO MEET
Agenda highlight: Lawrence Lapadat, re: Affordable Housing for the Homeless



DAILY DEVOTIONAL


that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV
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