By, Peter Ripley, Publisher.
Well readers, we are down to the wire, and soon the race for city council position 7 will be in the hands of the voters. Will voters take a chance on a candidate who walked away from his campaign just two months away from the general election, then comes back saying he can be relied on, he will serve the entire term in office if elected? He said he would. Did the remaining debates they had convinced the voters he's up to the task? Then we have an incumbent who dodges questions on fluoridation, which I have a hunch what she would vote for on the subject if she is re-elected, which will most likely be a yes vote. Oh, she will probably give a good spin for her reasoning's. While her opponent now active again has been promoting his anti-fluoride stand, which right now seems to be his only saving grace at the moment. Other commentaries have stated similar sediments, in the Port O Call commentary:
"Nov. 3 draws near and you may not be sure what or whom you want to vote for on the General Election ballot, which is most likely now resting on your desk or kitchen counter." ---Pol-i-tics: The Art of Influencing Others/ PORT O CALL---read more
Quote: The council election in Port Angeles has only one contest since Dan Bateham, without explanation, withdrew from his challenge to the re-election of Cherie Kidd. Thus, Kidd and incumbent Sissi Bruch are unopposed. Bateham’s name remains on the ballot, but the only interest will be to see how many voters still want to vote against Kidd.
Since the article was posted Bateham re-entered the race, it will be interesting what John Marrs, will have to say on the issue.
Then we have Kidd she is running a positive campaign, I am re-posting an email I received earlier this month from Kidd, dated 10/21/15
I am continuing to run a positive campaign to represent the people of Port Angeles. Mr. Bateham's actions have been confusing to the voters as I have been declared as "unopposed" in the PDN Voter's Guide and "opposed" in the State Voter's Guide.
I am campaigning for the position because I have the experience, the knowledge, good health and passion for public service. I am not running a campaign against Mr Bateham - I am running FOR the people of Port Angeles! None of my ads mention him and his on and off candidacy.
I will not change my positive momentum or positive direction. I am committed to serve the people of Port Angeles.
You have to wonder though and question the following statements during the election since Bateham's return, was Kidd running a positive campaign?
Port Angeles Council incumbent, opponent debate
" He responded to one questioner who asked for “one good reason why I and others should vote for a person who can't make up his mind if he wants to be a candidate.”
“We all have issues sometimes” that are “unplanned for and unexpected that we have to deal with,” Bateham responded. “I'm not a quitter, as I've heard the word said; I've just had a temporary setback.
“I can be counted on.” In pledging not to increase the city's debt, Bateham said he had “not been to all the City Council meetings.”
Kidd ran with that.
“If you are not informed, how can you serve the people, how can you understand the issues?” Kidd said, reminding him he had “quit the race.”
“He comes to City Council [meetings], makes a comment and leaves, but not to study the issues, to hear and study the issues,” she said.---Peninsula Daily News
We also stumbled on this item from Eye on Clallam....
2015 10 23 Port Angeles Soroptimist Meeting-Candidate Forum- BOCC+City of PA Council
This event happened before the debate that Kidd and Bateham had at the PABA. Why wasn't this mention on any local mainstream media outlets, why did they ignore this event?
Bateham can't just cherry pick what meetings to attend, if you are running for city council, you have to attend all meetings. So Kidd made a point there.
This is the question I emailed to Kidd and Bateham regarding the news coverage I thought the PDN dropped the ball on. Apparently they posted the debate story on the print addition, not their webpage earlier that day. It took a reader to point out that fact to the PDN and by the end of the day, the PDN posted the debate story on their webpage; anyway here is what I sent to both candidates:
Okay...I see the PDN didn't post anything about the Kidd V Bateham debate which happened yesterday! Did any member of the media showed up? I wrote the candidates an email asking what was their take of the debate, let's see who writes back first! If no member of the mainstream media showed up, you have to wonder what gives? Did they just wrote this whole thing off?
I was assuming that the PDN was dropping the ball on this so keep that in mind.
Here is the only response to the question I sent to both candidates, it's from Bateham:
Hi Peter, I enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to speak with the members of the Port Angeles Business Association yesterday morning. We had a good conversation about the issues that concern local businesses.
As I have never owned a business, I am not one to pretend that I have all the answers. However, as a candidate and hopeful for Port Angeles City Council, I know how to listen to the concerns of the very smart business people we have here.
If elected, it would be one of my top priorities to bring all of the interested parties (such as PABA, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, and the City Council, among others, including the Port) together, with their common goals, to work with a spirit of cooperation to resolve important issues.
The small businesses in our community provide the majority of the jobs for our citizens, in turn supporting families, schools, and our quality of life
Our local business owners are smart people, they know what the issues are and they know what they need from the City Council to thrive.
As a hopeful to City Council I would do all I can to support our local businesses.
Peter, for more about the "debate" at PABA yesterday, rather then asking my point of view as a candidate, please ask the members of PABA themselves. Their opinion of the issues is what counts ... Just as it is the opinion, the needs, and the voices of all the citizens of our beautiful City of Port Angeles that count during this important election season.
I hadn't got any response from Kidd and her feeling about the debates they took place since Bateham's return.
So what this particular race will boil down to in the end readers, how bad do you want to end fluoridation of the water supply. We will see how important is this issue with voters on November 3rd. If fluoridation is not important enough with folks they will vote for Kidd, if it is they will take a chance on Bateham.
In other local news....
Moorage rates to rise at Port Angeles, Sequim marinas beginning in January
" Commissioners John Calhoun and Jim Hallett voted to approve the moorage increase, saying current rates are too low, while Commissioner Colleen McAleer voted against the moorage increase."---Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County commissioners seek bids for mental health treatment services
" The services will be paid for through the Hargrove fund, a one-tenth-of-1 percent sales tax dedicated to low-income clients with drug addictions, brain disorders or both." ---Peninsula Daily News
Towering Polar Pioneer oil rig returns to Port Angeles Harbor for month-long visit
PORT ANGELES — The looming Polar Pioneer oil rig floated back into Port Angeles Harbor on Wednesday, escorted by a small flotilla as it concluded its two-week journey to the city from the Arctic waters of Alaska's Chukchi Sea.---Peninsula Daily News
Port Angeles City Council reviews $108 million budget; future taxes are considered
" Some of the cuts would be in funding for United Way, the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society and the Feiro Marine Life Center." ---Peninsula Daily News
Port of Port Angeles director to step down at year’s end
He cited being closer to his grandchildren and an opportunity in the private sector as his reasons for leaving the port. O’Hollaren and his wife, Denise, plan to make their new home in Clark County in 2016.---Peninsula Daily News
Spectral faces and skeptic-stopping encounters could await underground in Port Angeles Heritage Tours
" Also, one visitor took a photo of Perry in one of the underground tunnels, and in the initial viewing of the photo on the computer screen, it appeared there were three faces peering out of the grimy antique window of the abandoned storefront behind him."---Peninsula Daily News
Editor's Note: With the homeless, who maybe camping out down there within those areas, along with drug dealers probably hanging out down there when no one is around, ghosts should be the last thing on the mind of the former City Council members mind, don't you think? I think we would do better in focusing on the living, then those who are no longer among us.
Property taxes are due Nov. 2
Clallam County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis reminds the taxpayers of Clallam County that the second-half property taxes for 2015 are due by Monday, Nov. 2. Since Oct. 31 is on Saturday, the deadline is extended until Monday.---SEQUIM GAZETTE
Washburn’s General Store Celebrates
Greg and Mary Ann Lovik, owners of Washburn’s General Store in Neah Bay, went all out to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, hosting an ice cream cake social for their customers and honoring an employee, Franklin Ides.---FORKS FORUM
City Council OKs eminent domain for Howard Street properties
City of Port Townsend staff hope the authority to acquire certain real estate parcels by eminent domain won't be necessary to start the long-awaited Howard Street Extension road project by year's end.---PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Captain praises heroism of passengers and crew on boat that sank
Passengers and crew were courageous and heroic when the whale-watching vessel Leviathan II capsized, its captain said Friday.---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
Ministry injects $2 million to fund genomic research---VICTORIA NEWS
Muslim and Christians working together for Syrian refugees---VICTORIA NEWS
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK
Notice of Filing of Preliminary Budget and
Notice of Budget and Tax-Related Public Hearings
Preliminary Budget 2016
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Manager of the City of Port Angeles filed the preliminary budget for the year 2016 with the City Clerk as of October 23, 2015. The proposed budget is available for public review at the Port Angeles Library, on the City’s website, in the City Clerk’s office, or the Finance Department at City Hall, 321 East Fifth Street.
Property tax levy
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on proposed revenue sources for 2016, including the property tax levy, will be conducted on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., or soon thereafter during the regular Port Angeles City Council meeting at City Hall, 321 East Fifth Street. A second hearing on proposed revenue sources, including the property tax levy, will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., or soon thereafter.
Proposed Budget 2016
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on the proposed 2016 Budget will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., or soon thereafter during the regular Port Angeles City Council meeting at City Hall, 321 East Fifth Street. A second public hearing on the proposed 2016 Budget will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., or soon thereafter.
City Hall is accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the City Clerk, (360) 417-4634, if you will need any special accommodations to attend the public hearings.
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Agreement with Lutheran Community Services NW to provide childcare associated with chemical dependency treatment services.
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM: Approval of Cable Access Service Agreement with Peninsula Area Public Access (PAPA)
Background/Analysis: The current Cable Franchise Agreement (first with Northland Cable,
currently with WAVE) allows for up to 3 cable channels be set aside for Public, Educational, and
Governmental (PEG) cable access programming. The City is not currently utilizing these PEG
channels. PAPA, a non-profit organization, requested they be provided the opportunity to
broadcast PEG programming using the City’s Cable channel allocations under the Cable Franchise Agreement. On September 1, 2015, City Council endorsed PAPA as the cable PEG access provider.
The attached Service Agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the City and PAPA in regards to utilizing the Cable Franchise Agreement for broadcasting PEG programming, and operating a media center.
Funding Overview: There are certain funding allocations outlined in the attached City/PAPA
Service Agreement. These funding allocations are direct transfers from the Cable provider to the City, in turn to PAPA, as authorized in the Cable Franchise Agreement for PEG programming.
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2641
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection
The most important series of events in the history of the world was the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus. By means of His death, Jesus fulfilled prophecy and bought man’s freedom from slavery to sin. ---TRUTH FOR THE WORLD
