PORT ANGELES DIGEST: AREN'T WE ALL PANHANDLERS IN SOMEWAYS?

During the city council meeting Tuesday, it was decided to forgo imposing stricter provisions against panhandling for the time being, for at least sixty days. This was stemming from a letter to the council by PA Forward, which Mayor Downie chairs, and the Deputy Mayor co-chairs.
Once again the content of the letter PA forward sent to the council:

Peter Ripley,
Publisher

" 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."

Now, according to the PDN article posted with the headline: Port Angeles police to increase panhandling patrols---PDN



Quote from the article posted: " I don't remember having a conversation with someone who told me they had a permanent home and they were down there panhandling so they could pay their rent or their mortgage, Viada said. Viada said no one has ever described panhandling as a job or as a way to deliberately not pay taxes."
" Kidd responded Wednesday that one panhandler told her he makes $200 a day. They get tax-free money, she said." 


Editorial note: Some dispute the claims by Kidd and others that there are those who use the cloak of being needy or homeless to milk the folks giving charity of their money, and deny that these folks are making anywhere from $40 and up daily, just by panhandling.


Reader's, when this all started way back in December, a neighbor lady approached me and express concerns over the city's plan to impose a panhandlers ordinance. Though she told me she is against such an ordinance, she did mention a panhandler did admit he was on governmental pension, and a home, going out panhandling. So, how does that jive with Viada's comments?
Nevertheless readers, the city decided to wait and see how the plan of having beat cops patrolling the streets on foot, to enforce ordinances already on the books, like no loitering and trespassing. After 60 days, the city will review the results, if need be look into imposing stricter measures.
I am personally glad that the police came up with a better solution just by using ordinances that are already on the books, why reinvent the wheel if you don't need to? After all readers we all 'beg" in some fashion do we not? Politicians beg for votes, and campaign monies during elections, businesses by paying for advertising beg for customers to come and buy goods, and services. We "beg" for mercy in our court system, and lastly on the day of judgement we will beg for mercy in the highest court for our very souls. In a way we are like the guy who stands on a street corner with a tin cup and sign asking for mercy.
The following are video clips of the discussions regarding panhandling in Port Angeles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl4nObJFrUI pt1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWiQ9jZCT2I pt2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twYVEAsyLNY pt3
 (see our video clip interview with Brain Smith, Interim police chief in our "Note Pad" section of
this page)

COUNTY UPDATES 60 YEAR OLD PAWN ORDINANCE

The main item on the county agenda this week was updating the pawn ordinance, along with the other items listed on their agenda:
2a Agreement Supplement 1 with Washington State Department of Transportation for the McDonald Creek Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project
2b Contract amendment with Salish Behavioral Health Organization (SBHO) to reflect the addition of charging for assessments only
2c Right of Way Agreement Amendment 1 with Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC to extend terms of the agreement for an additional 10 year
ADMINISTRATION
3a Notice of hearing to be held July 12 at 10:30 a.m. regarding proposed transportation project
selection utilizing federal Surface Transportation Funding (STP) 2016-2018
3b Notice of hearing to be held July 12 at 10:30 a.m. regarding amending the Six Year Transportation Improvement Program 2016-2021
BUDGET
4a Notice of hearing to be held July 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. regarding mid-year review of the 2016 Clallam County Budget
BIDS AND AWARDS
5a Notice of call for bids to be received no later than 10 a.m., July 12, 2016 for the Olympic
Discovery Trail – FS Road 2918 to SR101 Trail Crossing Project, CRP C1191-7
Editorial Note: All items were approved during their meeting on Tuesday.

Related news story
Clallam updates pawnbroker code for those operating in unincorporated areas---PDN



IN OTHER LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES...

Clallam trust lands panel votes no on reconveyance of timberlands---PDN

Little change seen in Peninsula unemployment numbers for May---PDN

Random quotes from the candidates forum---PORT O CALL

B&G Clubs continue fight against summer hunger---SEQUIM GAZETTE

American White Pelicans make Sequim stop----SEQUIM GAZETTE

Lake Pleasant Grocery Store Burglary and Update---FORKS FORUM

Port Angeles City Council new rules: Sit down, shut up, pay up---PORT O CALL

Port Angeles City Council cuts Lauridsen Boulevard as cross-town truck route---PDN

County Timber Strategy With The DNR---KONP

Coming to America: Exploring Cuba---PT LEADER

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT

Victoria Shipyards lays off 250; hiring in fall for new projects---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC

Victoria's tent city still a fire risk, official says----TIMES COLONIST/ Victoria BC

Chinook limits will cost millions, Island anglers say----TIMES COLONIST/ Victoria BC

Esquimalt chamber mulls merger with Victoria---VICTORIA NEWS/ Victoria BC

Syrian refugee students overcoming language obstacles----VICTORIA NEWS/ Victoria BC

*******NOTE PAD*********

Today's video clip:

Interim Police Chief,
Brain Smith, is one of the candidates
for the posting. 

Yesterday, the Ripley Report had an interview with interim police chief, Brain Smith. The following clips is the interview which panhandling was discussed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9RaS6wYt_o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVEUznRYQmM (pt2)









Part two of the public hearing regarding pawn broker ordinance at county commission meeting Tuesday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-BvQZg5kyQ

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL
True Greatness through Serving Others
Would you like to achieve true greatness in your life? Most people think they could never become great, but they are mistaken. Everyone can be great. Would you like to learn how?---Gospel Way