THE PORT ANGELES DIGEST: A MIX BAG OF PRIMARY SUPPORT

Peter Ripley, Publisher

Two candidates running for state, and county commission office snags my vote this primary election, both from two different parties. One Republican, the other Democrat, yeah I know weird huh? One of the advantages of being an independent voter, you can vote either way. I choose these two candidates because both attended the county commission meetings regularly, though one had to attend because he is already on the board of commission, the other is the candidate running for that position he is vacating.  Plus, both were willing to be interviewed by this publication, not give me the run around or hide behind the desk kind of thing. Mike Chapman has demonstrated careful decision making in my book, not wanting to spend taxpayer's money on a land deal lawsuit, costing the taxpayers a cool $500,000 plus dollars. Though I disagree with raising property taxes annually. His handling of the conflict between the County Treasure, and County Commission was fair, willing to settle disputes rather than making matters worse by not adding gas to the fire by adding insult to injury kind of thing. Also quoted on his position page in the PDN: "  I will support eliminating the 60 percent voter super majority needed to approve new school construction bonds."

Editorial Note: Good move, on that, to bad this wasn't thought of when the Port Angeles Senior High needed funding for a new high school. Better late than never I guess.  Plus any candidate who gets the cold shoulder of a local newspaper (Port O Call) by not announcing his candidacy when he first signed up, and not until I raised cane over it, deserves my vote.

Maggie Roth, I feel anyone who is willing to come and serve in public office should have a chance to prove what they got to offer. Roth has attended the meetings of the commission faithfully, and that to me of her commitment to the job she is wanting to do.
One of the questions in the PDN article posted yesterday in the candidate question and answer form was:  With government grants vanishing, how should the county continue to fund social services?

Roth's Answer: Use a variety of strategies to deal with reduced funding while looking for new revenue either contributed or by seeking increased contributions from the public, and by advocating with state and county legislators. Avoid cutting back on services to programs until they have no other choice. One potentially positive outcome is that budget deficits often initiate more innovative, creative and perhaps, in the long run, better ways to fund and operate the services.

To bad she didn't clarify this in more detail. My question how can you do this without raising taxes?

One question that was missing in the Peninsula Daily News article posted was how the candidates for County Commission would have handled the Lange lawsuit case? I would like to know.

THE PORT WILL HOLD JOINT MEETING WITH COUNTY MONDAY.

See agenda for details: http://wa-portofportangeles.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/07252016-170

Port Regular session on Monday agenda highlight:
Airport fund donation
see full agenda: http://wa-portofportangeles.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/07252016-169

County Work session agenda highlight item: Joint meeting with Port starting at 10AM

Other hot topic items on the county work session before their joint meeting includes:
Agreement and release with Scott K. Lange and Elizabeth R. Lange, Trustees of the Lange Family Trust for fully and finally concluded litigation matter Lange, et al. vs Clallam County, et al. 14-2-01064-0
4 Agreement with Scott K. Lange and Elizabeth R. Lange, Trustees of the Lange Family Trust for land purchase of two adjoining parcels located along Salt Air Street, Clallam Bay, WA
5 Quit Claim Deed with Clallam County to encumber the property identified as tax parcel number 123221-510195 for public use purposes only as a park or open space.
see full work session agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_worksession_agenda.pdf
See details of work session items: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_worksession_packet.pdf

Topics during their joint meeting with the port will include:
 Goals – Port and County, areas of mutual support
 Planning for a joint request to EDC on 2017 goals and metrics prior to the end of 2016
 Composite Recycling Technology Center second quarter report
 North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development, Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategies (CEDS)
 Workforce Development – Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC), Peninsula College
o Port’s role in the OWDC process
o Funding for the marine trades workforce through OWDC including a supply/demand study
o How best to achieve representation on the OWDC of all businesses and workforce needs in the County

PUTTING THE LANGE SAGA TO BED?

Tuesday's County Commission agenda highlight items:
2g Agreement with Scott K. Lange and Elizabeth R. Lange, Trustees of the Lange Family Trust for land purchase of two adjoining parcels located along Salt Air Street, Clallam Bay, WA
2h Quit Claim Deed with Clallam County to encumber the property identified as tax parcel number 123221-510195 for public use purposes only as a park or open space
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Details of agenda items: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf

Editorial Note: Though the county may put this to bed, I am sure there will be those out there still howling conspiracy and corruption, yet provide no proof of it.


Other local and regional meetings....

PUD TO MEET ON MONDAY, HERE IS THEIR AGENDA:
https://www.clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Preagenda-July-25-2016.pdf

CITY OF SEQUIM MEETING AGENDA
http://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1436

FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
http://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/agenda72516.pdf

PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL FINANCE AND BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
http://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=590

Jefferson County Commission meeting agenda
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/Agenda/2016%20Agendas/07-25-16.pdf

NEWS COMMENTARIES FROM NATIONAL AND STATE SOURCES

Munich All Over Again---PJ MEDIA

Donald Trump and America’s Moral Authority---NEW YORK TIMES

Living in American Freedom---AMERICAN SPECTATOR

Donald Trump is a unique threat to American democracy---Washington Post

Editorial Note: The usual scare tactics the liberal media uses. This time it won't work.

Northwest opinions:

Bellingham Herald: Here’s what sheriff says of Whatcom County Jail booking restrictions

EVERETT HERALD:  Oil terminal’s promise of jobs comes at huge cost

SEATTLE TIMES: Who owns this country? We all do

SEATTLE PI: State GOP Chair Susan Hutchison: Cruz a 'traitor to the party'

****NOTE PAD****

Today's video clip: The regular meeting of Clallam County commission:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmHB2pvahJk (pt1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zU3O3K5eBM (pt2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg03EBA3r_c (pt3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHBkH0oI5_Y ( pt4)

Join the debate @ our face book group page


DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Christians Wearing Jewelry
May Christian women (or men) wear jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, etc.?---Gospel Way