[ You Will Know Them by Their Fruits ] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
Though the above scripture is about false teachers, and prophets, could the same be said about those who take advantage of people showing charity to those in need, to gain wealth?
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Peter Ripley,
Publisher. |
The following is an item on the city council agenda next week, that addresses the problem of separating the predator, who preys on the gullible who show charity towards them by giving a couple bucks, never realizing of course they just been taken for fools. But, before we get to far up on our high horse, let us not forget there are people out there who are truly homeless, and not pulling any con jobs. How does one get homeless you may ask? There are plenty examples on how people suddenly find themselves turned out into the streets to fend for themselves, a few are; loss of job, lost of home due to indebtedness, or on the run from the law, or escaping an abusive relationship. Many of these folks have mental illness. Now with the specter of an natural disaster such as a earth quake, you can add that to the mix. Lot of people who are homeless have no friends to speak of, or family who are willing to take them in, or even help them. Now before we get to callus in our attitude toward folks who are actually homeless, let us not forget in any moment we ourselves may end up joining their ranks.
As you recall way back during the last city council election Cherie Kidd brought up the need for an ordinance much like what other communities have done. You also might recall in December, yours truly had coffee with Kidd, discussing this very issue. Back then she told me of stories locally that some of these con artist posing as being homeless, would claim an area of down town as their turf so they alone could panhandle, and bully anyone who dares to enter that area to panhandle. It was the stuff you might find run by a mob boss kind of activity. Will this ordinance be able to weed out the wolves from the sheep, or will it make things even harder on those who need the help most?
Staff summary report: At a Port Angeles Forward Committee meeting on May 12, 2016
a presentation was provided by Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd regarding panhandling in Port Angeles. Following the presentation, the Committee unanimously approved a motion to draft a letter in support of a panhandling ordinance.
letter as written by PA Forward:
City of Port Angeles City Council
June 10, 2016
Dear City Council Members, We, the members of the PA Forward Committee, have followed with growing concern the increase in panhandling and aggressive solicitation in Port Angeles and the negative effect this has on our already struggling downtown businesses. Panhandling and aggressive solicitation make potential customers uneasy and make shopping in Port Angeles less attractive.
They can also create a hostile environment for owners and employees of businesses. Most panhandlers conduct this activity out of choice as a full time occupation that can produce a considerable tax free income. There are many opportunities for the truly needy to obtain shelter and food. Most panhandlers choose not to utilize these opportunities.
This is not a problem limited to Port Angeles. It is our understanding that a significant majority of communities nationwide have already availed themselves of the legal option to prohibit coercive solicitation and limit panhandling as to time and place so that it does not result in intimidation or public safety issues. Many communities in the State of Washington, such as Chehalis, Centralia, and Arlington, to name only a few, have adopted such ordinances. Port Angeles should follow suit. We request the Port Angeles City Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting coercive solicitation and limiting panhandling as to time and place, as other similar ordinances elsewhere have already done. To avoid reinventing the wheel, one can look at ordinances such as the City of Chehalis Ordinance N. 944-B and adapt it for local use. Thank you for your consideration, and your assistance in making Port Angeles a safe and enjoyable place to shop and go out in.
*The above letter from PA Forward paints a picture of what's been going on in regards to panhandlers clearly.
Other items on the council agenda:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS HIGHLIGHTS:
Council Rules of Procedure Resolution / Open Public Hearing / Conduct First Reading
Staff memo summary: During the work sessions on March 29 and April 26, Council reviewed
and agreed to changes that had been proposed for all sections of the Rules of Procedure, except
Section 13. On May 24th and June 7th, Council reviewed changes to Section 13 and at the June 7th meeting selected Section 13 Option 2 for integration in the Council Rules of Procedure.
During a prior work session, Council requested that a public hearing be scheduled prior to final
adoption of the rules. A public hearing was noticed for the June 21st and July 7th Council meetings with Council adoption anticipated on July 5th.
Editorial Note: Two week's ago the council did accept option 2 of the rules by a 6-1 vote. That was according to a summary agenda action shared by the city clerk to this publication.
Other agenda items are:
- Comprehensive Plan / Conduct Second Reading / Adopt Ordinance
STAFF MEMO SUMMARY: Updates to the City of Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan have been proposed as required by the Washington State Department of Commerce for Cities planning under the Growth Management Act.
- Capital Facilities Plan Resolution / Continue Public Hearing / Conduct Second Reading
STAFF MEMO SUMMARY: The Capital Facilities Plan and Transportation Improvement Plan (CFP/TIP) are a required component of our Comprehensive Plan. In order to be eligible for some loans and grants, the project must be listed in our CFP.
See full agenda:
http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3145
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK
COUNTY COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT: Proposed Personal Service Agreement with Shannon & Wilson Inc. for engineering design services for the design phase of the Lower Dungeness Floodplain Restoration project
See full agenda:
http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_worksession_agenda.pdf
See work session packet:
http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_worksession_packet.pdf
COUNTY COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON PAWN SHOPS
One of the highlighted items on next week's commission meeting: Consideration of amending Ordinance Clallam County Code, Chapter 7.02, Pawnbrokers
See full agenda:
http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
See agenda details:
http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
PUD AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHTS:
• Resolution 2059-16 Indemnification of Officers & Employees
The Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution authorizing the defense and indemnity of District officers and employees for actions performed in good faith and on behalf of the District.
• Resolution 2060-16 Declaring Sole Source Supplier The Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution declaring Southwest Solutions Group as a Sole Source Supplier.
See full agenda:
https://www.clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Preagenda-June-20-2016.pdf
OTHER REGIONAL MEETINGS...
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MEETING HIGHLIGHT ITEMS:
Resolution 16-029 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Three-Year Strategic Plan 2016-2018
Ordinance 3152 Related to Building Codes; Adopting by Reference the 2015 Version of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code (Commercial) and Washington State Energy Code (Residential), and Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code
Tasking the City Council Information and Technology Committee with Reviewing Options for the City’s Use of Social Media Platforms
See full agenda:
http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=831
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS:
HEARING NOTICE re: 2016 Conservation Futures Funding Applications; 1) 2016
(QWC) Quimper Wildlife Corridor Addition; 2) Big Quilcene River-Moon Valley Reach;
3) Irondale Beach County Park Addition; and 4) Tarboo Creek, Farm and Forest Projects;
Hearing scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’
Chambers
2. AGREEMENT re: Management Plan & Landowner Outreach; Funding thru NOSC by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Department of Ecology (DOE), will
not exceed $4,359.84; Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control, Jefferson County
Extension, Washington State University (WSU); North Olympic Salmon Coalition
3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) re: Rain Garden Installation on a
Jefferson County Right of Way, Walker and Washington Street, Port Townsend;
Jefferson County Extension, Washington State University (WSU)
See full agenda for details:
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/Agenda/2016%20Agendas/06-20-16.pdf
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NEWS COMMENTARIES....
The U.S. has a responsibility to help to solve the refugee crisis---WASHINGTON POST
Have Christians Created a Harmful Atmosphere for Gays?---NY TIMES
Editorial note: The kind of trash you expect from the liberal media, blame Christians for everything. While ignoring the fact that it was Muslims who pulled the trigger in Orlando.
How Hillary Clinton went from loser to winner---LA TIMES
Why This American Supports ‘Brexit’---PJ MEDIA
Being a substitute teacher has been disturbing---BELLINGHAM HERALD
Why blaming the homeless makes people feel better---CROSSCUT SEATTLE
Editorial note: Something that Port Angeles city council should read....
Precedent set for off-reservation casinos — now, scrutiny is needed---SEATTLE TIMES
Inslee: Congress must act now on oil trains----THE COLUMBIAN
******NOTE PAD*******
Today's video clip:
County Commission presentations during county commission meeting on Tuesday.
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