WA COMMERCE DEPT: Gov. Inslee proclaims Oct. 30 Weatherization Day in Washington State

Press release issued from the Washington State Dept. of Commerce 10/28/16
Celebrating 40 Years of weatherization and a new initiative to combat indoor asthma triggers

OLYMPIA, WA – Gov. Jay Inslee joins community action agencies, housing authorities and local governments across the state and nation in recognizing Oct. 30, 2016 as Weatherization Day in Washington. This year marked the 40th year nationally, and the 37th year locally, of the federal/state energy-saving service for low-income households around Washington.

“The Weatherization Assistance Program is an important resource for low-income citizens who struggle with high heating bills and energy-inefficient housing” said Gov. Inslee. “The investments we make in their home energy efficiency will save them money for years to come.”

Each year, Washington’s Weatherization Assistance Program has helped many households make it through the cold weather season – and the years ahead – by adding insulation, sealing cracks and making other improvements that reduce heat loss and save money on energy bills. In 2016, the Washington Weatherization Assistance Program expects to weatherize approximately 2,000 low-income homes. Read about successful work in Clark County (Vancouver Columbian).

Asthma and other respiratory diseases are also a chronic problem for many families in the homes weatherized by the Weatherization Assistance Program. Low-income families are more likely to have asthma, and children with asthma have the highest rates of hospitalization. In 2010, Washingtonians with asthma made 164,000 visits to emergency rooms, and paid $73 million for asthma-related hospitalizations. Public funds paid for about 60 percent of these costs (Washington State Department of Health data).

The new “Weatherization Plus Health” initiative can help reduce the impact of asthma by reducing indoor asthma “triggers” such as carpets, cockroaches, water damage and mold. A recent national study of the low-income weatherization program by Oak Ridge National Laboratory showed that weatherization in homes with asthma reduced asthma-related emergency room visits significantly. When Weatherization Plus Health is combined with homeowner education, Medicaid costs for asthma treatment can be reduced by over $400 per year per household.---click here to continue


NEWS NOTEBOOK

Peninsula College composites program’s open house set Tuesday in Port Angeles--PDN
PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College will host an open house for its advanced manufacturing and composites technology program Tuesday.
The free event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the new Composite Recycling Technology Center building at 2220 W. 18th St. near William R. Fairchild International Airport in west Port Angeles. Refreshments will be provided.

CITY SET TO ACCEPT THAT 1% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE...

AND YOU WONDER WHY PA  CAN'T BUILD NEW SCHOOLS!

During their next meeting on Tuesday, the council will consider raising your property taxes, yet again by accepting the state's law regarding property tax rates.
According to the staff memo provided in the city's agenda packet: In accordance with state law, the 2017 Preliminary Budget was filed
with the City Clerk on October 20, 2016. In addition, a presentation of estimated 2017 Revenues was provided to Council at a public hearing on October 18th.
This is the first public hearing related to the overall 2017 budget, which will focus on property taxes; including finding of substantial need, authorizing a 1% increase in the property tax, and levying a property tax to be collected in 2017. State law requires that the City levy property taxes before November 30 each year. The property tax ordinance is scheduled for adoption at the November 15th Council meeting. The two resolutions are scheduled for adoption Tuesday's meeting.
The  public hearing will include an opportunity for comments on:
 2016 Levying of Property Tax for collection in 2017
 Finding of Substantial Need
 Authorizing an increase of 1% for Property Tax
The City Council by simple majority vote can increase the regular property tax levy by the lesser of one percent or the implicit price deflator (IPD). For 2017 collection, the IPD is below 1%, which means the Council may increase the property tax levy by 1% only by adopting the resolution stating substantial need exists – a similar occurrence happened with the 2015 property tax levy for 2016 collection. The estimated value of a 1% increase in property tax collection in 2017 is approximately $45,000.
The City is also able to collect property tax on the value of new construction added during the past year. The City has not yet received notice from Clallam County on the value of new construction; however, this should be received by early November. The levy amount will increase based on the value of new construction. The value of new construction, along with the assessed valuation for 2016, is not yet available, but should be available by the November 15th Council meeting. The amounts included in the table on the next page are merely estimates at this point. There is no longer an Excess Levy amount as the Library levy matured in November 2015. This eliminated a voter-approved property tax of approximately $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation beginning January 1, 2016.

Editorial Comment: WAIT! If the resolution is set to be adopted on the 15th, why the rush to get it adopted on Tuesday, Nov 1st? Nevertheless, the city will consider accepting the 1% increase by resolution this Tuesday it appears. Is it any wonder why we can't seem to pass school bonds, or levies to build new schools when property taxes keep going up. In this week's article in the PDN, the Port will also consider accepting the 1% property tax, and Port Commissioner Connie Beauvais  must have been reading the tea leafs or something because she pointed out that very thing regarding how accepting this 1% property tax increase affects any chances of school levies or bonds being approved by the voters. In the article with the headline: Port of Port Angeles considers tax increase The owner of property assessed at $200,000 would see about a 74-cent increase in property taxes.---PDN

Quoting Beauvais:  “Our communities can’t even pass school bonds or levies,” she said. “Even though it’s a minuscule amount of money, it does not look good.”

Editorial Comment: I would say so,  area business will probably have to pay more rent for the spaces they are renting, because the landlord's property taxes will increase, meaning higher prices for goods and services. Let alone, people who rent houses and apartments will also see increases because of it. We need a new high school built here folks, and raising taxes when we can't even build a new school for the kids, don't sit to well for this community as a whole.

Another hot topic on the Council agenda is  Lodging Tax Committee 2017 Budget Recommendations
According to staff memo provided: At a meeting held on October 20, 2016 the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee reviewed and considered eleven (11) applications for lodging tax expenditures. Due to file size, applications were distributed separately from the Council packet in an email dated October 25, 2016. In addition, the Committee reviewed final recommended allocations for marketing services, visitor center operation, and event grants. ---click here to continue

DOH USES THE OLDEST SHAME TACTIC IN THE BOOKS...

Making towns like PA to think twice about not adding fluoride.

DOH: Public Health Advisory for Port Angeles Water Utility Customers In the absence of fluoridated water, residents should protect against tooth decay

OLYMPIA -- The Department of Health advises Port Angeles Water Utility customers to seek additional sources of fluoride due to the absence of community water fluoridation.

“Fluoride in water is the most efficient way to prevent tooth decay in people of all ages, education levels, and income levels. Community water fluoridation has been shown to be safe for children and adults,” said Dr. Kathy Lofy, Washington State Health Officer.

On Aug. 3, Port Angeles Water Utility stopped adding fluoride to the drinking water.

In the absence of water fluoridation, individuals and families should consult their dentist or health care provider to discuss their risk for cavities and specific oral health needs.

Fluoridation reduces rates of tooth decay for all ages; however, young children, those without regular dental care, and seniors who often have receding gums or dry mouth are especially impacted when water is not fluoridated.

Community water fluoridation is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 REF. 

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2016NewsReleases/16123AbsenceOfFluoridePAWaterUtility

Editorial Comment: You probably seen the above press release issued by the Washington State Dept. of Health yesterday on facebook, being passed around like a joint, declaring the benefits of fluoride! These propagandist tout the benefits of toxic chemicals in your drinking water, yet they don't mention the risk involved in smoking pot. Oh, I forgot pot is legal now!

The DOH are just mouthpieces for pro fluoride zealot dentist who are out to play daddy warbucks. You see folks dentist knows what's best for you because of those degrees they got, we simple folks who never earned  a degree aren't smart enough to make our own choices. This is also a tactic  used by DOH to shame local governments to comply with dentists who think they know what's best.


NEWS NOTEBOOK
NEWS FLASH!
FBI to review more emails related to Clinton's private email use: letter (REU)
The FBI's head said on Friday that the agency would investigate additional emails that have surfaced related to Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email server to determine whether they contain classified information, adding that it is unclear how significant the new materials may be.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-clinton-idUSKCN12S299

For more local headline news and commentary click here

Editorial Comment: This could mean the end of Hillary's bid for the White House. 

Washington leaders announce $2.7 million federal grant to increase apprenticeship opportunities---October 21, 2016 press release from the governor's office posted on their webpage. (in case you missed it)

OLYMPIA – Hundreds of Washington workers will have opportunities for job-based apprenticeships, thanks to a new $2.7 million federal grant the state will receive over the next 18 months. Washington state and federal leaders announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has chosen Washington as one of 37 grantees to help grow and diversify apprenticeships around the country.
“This important federal investment will provide more Washingtonians with the opportunity to enter in-demand professions in fast-growing sectors of our state economy,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “I appreciate the support that President Obama, Secretary Perez and members of the Washington Congressional Delegation have provided toward expanding apprenticeship opportunities in our state.”
“These investments in apprenticeships will help Washington state workers and businesses compete for and win the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the 21st century global economy,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking member of the Senate Labor Committee, and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “I am very proud to have pushed to secure these investments, and will keep fighting to make sure investments and opportunities like these can reach even more students, workers, and businesses.”
"We need more skilled manufacturing workers and health care workers in Washington. The state and Governor Inslee winning this federal grant means Washington companies will be more successful because they will have a better trained workforce," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, who has advocated for expanded apprenticeship programs on the federal level.
A bipartisan group in the Washington House Delegation also threw their support behind Washington’s grant application, in a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor last month.
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will oversee the state’s grant. The agency expects to register 600 new apprentices in the areas of health care, education, construction industries, and advanced manufacturing. The effort, called Project RAISE (Registered Apprenticeship Initiative for System Expansion), will target women, veterans, youth, low-income individuals, people with disabilities and people of color. The funds are part of an Obama Administration initiative called Apprenticeship USA. It involves more than $90 million in grants to increase access to apprenticeships.
Under Project RAISE, the state will work with various partners to expand apprenticeships, develop a high school-based manufacturing program at select schools, and increase industry demand in rural health care networks. It will also allow L&I to improve its tracking of growth and success of youth apprenticeships.
Partners involved in Project RAISE include the Community and Migrant Health Care centers of Washington, State Board for Community & Technical College’s 10 Centers of Excellence, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee, and Washington State Labor Council.
L&I filed for the grant based on the need to help more people find and keep jobs. The agency’s Apprenticeship Program helps employer and employee groups develop and maintain on-the-job training programs. There are more than 12,000 active apprentices participating in programs across the state.
“We’ll use these funds to make a real difference for Washington workers,” said Joel Sacks, L&I director. “Through Project RAISE we will recruit new employers, promote the value of apprenticeships, and help more workers find and keep self-sufficient jobs.”
The grant will also fund improved web resources with the state Employment Security Department. A team of first responders will also be available to respond to the increased business apprenticeship inquiries as a result of the initiative.
Ref. http://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/washington-leaders-announce-27-million-federal-grant-increase-apprenticeship


NEWS NOTEBOOK:
Inslee, Clinton still atop latest polls in Washington state
Gov. Jay Inslee had more than 50 percent of voter support and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has a 17-point lead over Republican Donald Trump in a new poll.---PDN

Editorial Comment: Well, gee whiz, we must not even vote then right? Let's face it Washington State is bought and paid for by the democrats thanks in part by many unions that supports them. Leaving those of us who are conservative minded blowing out in the wind. Like me,  many of us we are holding back our ballots to see where the wind blows. But, sooner if not later we all will have to come to terms and vote.

For more state news headlines click here

Sen. Murray on Extremely Low COLA Increase: “Woefully Inadequate for Washington State Seniors to Keep Up With the Ever-Increasing Costs Of Everyday Life”

Social Security Administration just announced cost-of-living adjustments for 2017 will only rise 0.3 percent – or just about $5 on average  ‘Raise’ is one of the lowest ever at a time when seniors face mounting costs
The SAVE Benefits Act would give about 70 million seniors, vets, and those with disabilities a supplementary payment of about $581
Bill would end tax subsidies for million-dollar corporate bonuses to give more than 1,200,000 Washingtonians emergency relief

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a new push to urge her colleagues to pass the Seniors and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act, which would provide a one-time payment of $581 to Social Security recipients who were denied a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2016. Even though living expenses continue to increase, Washington state seniors recently learned that they would only be receiving a $5 monthly COLA increase - or 0.3 percent - for 2017.                                                  
“After a lifetime of hard work, all seniors deserve support to live healthy, full, and financially secure lives, and many rely on small annual increases to their Social Security benefits just to get by,” Senator Murray said. “Next year’s COLA is woefully inadequate for Washington state seniors to keep up with the ever-increasing costs of everyday life. I hope my colleagues will support this critical legislation to  help seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities have a fighting chance to make ends meet.”
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security benefits is not eroded by inflation. COLAs are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index which is used to measure the annual change in inflation. CPI tracks the price of the “typical basket” of consumer goods. However, the federal government’s CPI formula heavily weights the price of gas and energy, which many seniors spend less on.
The 2017 increase in Social Security COLA will increase by only $5 a month for an average beneficiary receiving retirement benefits. According to the latest COLA, Social Security benefits and SSI payments will only increase by 0.3% beginning in December 2016. According to the Social Security Administration this 0.3% increase will benefit over 65 million people, but this year’s COLA increase is the second lowest increase since the economy emerged from the 2008 recession.
For more on the SAVE Benefits Act, click here. The bill was introduced last year by Senator Elizabeth Warren, and is co-sponsored by Senators Ed Markey, Barbara Mikulski, Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Charles Schumer, Bill Nelson, Debbie Stabenow, Bernie Sanders, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, Kirsten Gillibrand, Al Franken, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy, Mazie Hirono, Patrick Leahy, Cory Booker, Gary Peters, Richard Durbin, and Tammy Baldwin.---From a press release issue 10.25.16
ref. http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=7DC3CD3C-1C9D-4228-AF5D-92F7F4F21F00
Editorial Comment: It's funny they only care about the disabled, and elderly during election time don't isn't  folks?  If congress would stop dipping their hand in the trust fund of Social Security, and pay back what they took we wouldn't be in so much trouble as we are in now.

NEWS NOTEBOOK:
Man who saved Port Angeles Underground dead at 71 Don Perry’s family believes he died of a heart attack Monday, his wife said.---PDN

Quote: "  Don Perry, a former Port Angeles deputy mayor and historian credited with saving the Port Angeles Underground and its history, has died."
Editorial Comment: We send our condolences to his family during this time of grief.

For more national headlines click here

US STATE DEPT: Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF)---John Kerry Secretary of State

Quote: " Human trafficking is one of the few issues that we face, all of us, on a day-to-day basis in governing where there’s no – unlike a lot of other issues that are clouded by nuance or a kind of complexity, this is not complex except in the execution of the things we know we have to achieve. And there certainly is no nuance whatsoever. There’s a moral clarity here that’s as firm as you could have on any kind of issue. And needless to say, the notion of modern-day slavery is one that touches everybody’s conscience and it is one of just fundamental, basic human decency.
So I think that there are daily threats that are unfathomable that some people live with in some part of the world, whether it’s a pregnant woman who had a miscarriage on a factory floor and then was forced – this is outside of Bangkok – and she was forced to keep peeling shrimp for the next four days, or a fishing crew in Eastern Europe that was coerced into working up to 22 hours a day knee-deep in freezing water, or young women and girls who fled their homes as refugees only to be victimized by large sex trafficking rings elsewhere. Stories like these are common. They’re the everyday stories, unfortunately, and the moral urgency of addressing this issue is what has spurred everybody around this table and a lot of people who aren’t here today to action.
But I want to be clear: This not simply a question of right versus wrong. It’s in our strategic interest as well to ensure that this fight is a priority of our foreign policy. And the fact is that human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise. It’s assault on human rights and is – it’s a threat to global stability. It undermines the rule of law, it breeds corruption, it spreads disease, it widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and it tears whole families apart. So it’s counter to every single thing that we are trying to accomplish in the field of development and everything that we would like to see in our communities and in communities elsewhere in the world as we try to live up to the 2030 development goals.
So we all have an interest in succeeding, in winning this battle and in making sure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. So I think that this Administration, as I said earlier, has done an exceptional job of creating the urgency around this issue that it deserves.
President Obama issued a critical executive order to ensure that no federal contract contributes in any way to human trafficking. It’s why in this year’s TIP Report the State Department is calling on every government in every region develop a better understanding of the needs of at-risk populations and to adopt strategies to reduce their vulnerability and keep them safe. And I will comment that today – what we learned last year is that if we engage with countries two or three months out, we can have a major impact on getting them to kick in to meet what we see is becoming a challenge in the reports. And today, I urged everybody to begin that process with the next administration promptly in January and February so that we double our effort to get ahead of that curve.
We’re gearing up now to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Council’s first annual report, which called for improved outreach on prevention and victim identification. And last month at Our Ocean conference, the State Department committed to invest more time and money than ever before in fighting forced labor in rogue elements of the worldwide fishing industry.
So the bottom line is we’ve been making steady progress to drawing attention to the crime of trafficking, we’re mobilizing resources unprecedented to fight it, and obviously, I hope everybody here will make sure that we’ll make the efforts necessary to make further gains and build on the past successes.
So I hope today we’re not just going to take stock, but we’re going to push harder across the board, that we keep the momentum going, and ensure that this critical work leaves the next administration with the best starting point that anybody’s ever had, and I’m absolutely confident that that’s going to be the case. So thank you. And with that, I think we turn now to Susan Coppedge to give us a update on the work of the Senior Policy Operating Group."

More US STATE DEPT. NEWS:
Remarks at Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
The U.S. respects the Philippines’ sovereignty and independence. In fact, U.S. training, capacity building, equipment, these are all crucial to protecting the autonomy and promoting the self-reliance of the Republic of the Philippines.
Now, President Duterte already walked back and explained that comment about "separation" with the United States. He described it as a reference to maintaining an "independent" foreign policy. Well, if "separation" means that the government in Manila makes its own foreign policy decisions based on its own assessment of the Filipino national interests then there is no need for a change.

Related story: Philippines' Duterte hits out at U.S., then heads to Japan (REU)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out anew at the United States on Tuesday and said it could forget a bilateral defense deal if he stayed in power long enough, in the latest jarring statement from Manila about the future of the alliance.

Editorial Comment: See just how much the current administration has done to damage relations with our long time allies. And Clinton was all part of this president's failed foreign policies, now she wants to be president? God, help us if she is elected, because it will be just another four years of Obama, like I have been saying several times.

The Second Meeting of the U.S.-China Space Dialogue
Pursuant to their shared goal of advancing civil space cooperation, as agreed upon in the Strategic Track of the U.S. - China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in June 2015 and reaffirmed in June 2016, the United States and China convened their second Civil Space Dialogue on October 20, 2016, in Washington, DC.


NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT: Turpel-Lafond ends her term as children’s representative--Times Colonist, Victoria BC

For more world news headlines click here

WA STATE DEPT. OF COMMERCE: Solar Plus Regional Initiative Wins $2 Million Grant from US Department of Energy

News release dated 10. 20. 16
Three-year joint effort to develop strategies for increasing solar energy, modernizing energy infrastructure in Washington and Oregon will launch this year.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Solar Plus, a joint effort of more than a dozen stakeholder groups in Washington and Oregon has been awarded a $2,050,000 SunShot grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to further deployment of solar energy in the Pacific Northwest. It is the largest of the 17 awards totaling $21 million announced today.
Washington State is also one of 11 states in the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB), which received the second largest grant award of $2,020,000. The WIEB is based in Denver, CO.
The Solar Plus initiative will convene leaders from utilities, regulators, the Washington State Energy Office at the Department of Commerce, the Oregon Department of Energy, the solar industry and community-based organizations to develop a plan to tap into our region’s unique opportunities to develop solar and provide greater access.
The $2,050,000 grant is matched with additional cost-share commitments from partners. Over three years launching later this year, Solar Plus will look beyond energy generation to additional solar value streams, through three main focus areas:
· Deploying more community shared solar projects in the region
· Creating opportunities for increased resilience and access to solar for low-income communities
· Maximizing the social and electricity grid value of solar development
“Ensuring a clean energy future is vital to strengthening communities, and these awards recognize our leadership in renewable energy development,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “We are excited to guide this effort convened by Northwest SEED and supported by a diverse group of public and private partners representing the needs and interests of our entire region.”
“Solar Plus will equitably grow the solar market in the Northwest and move us towards the energy grid of the future. Our community-driven approach seeks to triple the amount of solar, decrease costs, and double the solar jobs in the region by 2020,” said Jennifer Grove, Executive Director, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED).
Solar Plus will advance the broad-based goals set forth in the 2016 Governors’ Accord for a New Energy Future: diversify our energy generation, expand clean energy sources and modernize our energy infrastructure.
ref. http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-release-solar-plus-regional-initiative-wins-2-million-grant-from-us-department-of-energy/

For more business and financial reports click here


News NOTEBOOK:

State minimum wage campaign: Is initiative best way to hike pay?
Initiative 1433 would raise the hourly minimum wage in Washington by roughly $4 over three years, to $13.50.---PDN


CITY OF PORT ANGELES RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES CAN ENTER A DRAWING FOR A FREE DUCTLESS HEAT PUMP
The City of Port Angeles and Clallam PUD No. 1 will host their fourth Improve The Odds (ITO) Talks on Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The Talk will take place in the Vern Burton Auditorium located at 308 E. 4th St, Port Angeles, WA.
Port Angeles residents and commercial businesses can register in a drawing for one of two ductless heat pumps (DHP). Two DHPs will be given away; one for a residential home and one to a commercial business located within Port Angeles. The value of the ductless heat pump is up to $4,500.
Representatives of the local electric utility’s Energy Efficiency programs will unveil a new commercial incentive to decrease the cost of HVAC systems for local commercial businesses. How both residential and commercial ductless heat pumps work, quality installation guidelines, what energy savings you may expect, and available utility rebates and incentives to help defray purchase and installation costs will also be discussed.
The Improve The Odds Talk will discuss how you can improve the odds of increased home comfort and a lower utility bill by heating your home with a ductless heat pump. Ductless heat pumps are a proven efficient technology for heating and cooling homes and buildings which may save a homeowner up to 50% on their electric bills compared to a forced air furnace.
Representatives of local heating and cooling companies will be on hand to demonstrate their products and answer questions. Free refreshments will be provided.
ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=343

COUNTY WILL DISCUSS AMENDING GRANT WITH DOE, ON MCDONALD CREEK PROJECT

According the staff memo provided in the work session packet: At the September 27, 20t6 public hearing, the Board did not take action on a Draft Ordinance related to the application request to change the underlying zone from Urban Reserve Industrial (URI) to Industrial (M) for approximately 17.9 acres within the Port Angeles Urban Growth Area. The Board listened to staff's presentation, took public testimony and deliberated on the requested map amendment. The Board requested prior to making a decision on the proposed map amendment that staff prepare and present to the Board additional analysis on industrial land inventory in the western portion of Port Angeles. Staff will provide to the Board a land use analysis that includes all industrial lands in western portion of Port Angeles at the Work Session meeting on October 24,20t6.
S.G. Hurwofth submitted an application to request a Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map
Amendment for approximately 7.7 acres from Urban Reserve Industrial (URI) to Industrial (M). The subject area includes the applicant's vacant parcel of approximately 7.7 acres and three adjacent parcels under separate ownership totaling approximately 10.2 acres, for a total of t7.9 acres, The three adjacent properties were added by the Planning Commission for the purpose of review of this map amendment application at their June 1, 2016 Work Session. The subject area is located in the western portion of the Port Angeles Urban Growth Area (PAUGA) on the east side of South Fey Road and just north of US 101, within a portion of Section 7, Township 30, Range 6 (APN 063007429020, a n d 063 007 420200)
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 20, 20L6. A motion was made and seconded to retain the Urban Reserve Industrial zone that was established in 201L, as outlined in the Staff Report under Alternative 1. A roll call vote was taken and did not pass with 4 for the motion and 4 against. The Planning Commission could not obtain a fifth vote to forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. The four votes that were in favor of retaining the Urban Reserve Industrial zone found that the application request did not meet at least three of the six Map.
Amendment criteria needed to warrant a Map Amendment. The application request was tabled for further discussion and deliberation.
At their August 3,20L6, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Comprehensive Plan, and Zoning Map Amendment by a vote of 6 to 3, and adopted Findings and Conclusions to support their recommendation for approval.
See full report for further details
http://clallam.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=12&meta_id=3348
See full work session agenda: http://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=12

For more news on meetings and commentary from national and state news sources click here

PORT WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION ON EDC PRIORITIES FOR 2017 ON TUESDAY (CORRECTION)

The Port commission will meet in a special meeting on Tuesday starting at 9AM, and one of the budget item highlights is discussions over the priorities of the EDC for 2017.
According to the staff memo in the agenda packet posted on their webpage:
Port of Port Angeles Strategic Plan Priorities and Support by the EDC
The Port’s Strategic Plan involves several key initiatives which could be supported by
the EDC’s efforts in business recruitment, expansion, and retention. Key initiatives of
the Port are listed below along with ideas for EDC support and collaboration.
• Port: Expand maritime commerce and develop Marine Trades Industrial Park
o EDC to advocate for support from Department of Commerce.
o EDC to identify common suppliers and trades where it could be advantageous
to relocate or expand an office in Clallam County.
• Port: Promote innovative value-added wood products manufacturing (e.g., cross
laminated timber)
o EDC to coordinate with the Department of Commerce’s wood product sector
lead.
o EDC to support timber advocacy efforts to achieve a reliable and sustainable
harvest.
o EDC to participate in the state-wide leadership committee led by Forterra.
• Port: Establish commercial air service
o EDC assistance with welcoming committee or other outreach efforts in the
community will involve Port staff.
o EDC to help engage existing businesses to use air service.
o EDC to explore subsidies, incentives, revenue guarantees, ticket banks, or
anything else that private industry would support. Many of these ideas are
prohibited for the Port to engage in per the Federal Aviation Administration.
o EDC to proactively advocate for support of local TSA screening with
Congressional representatives.
• Port: Market Port facilities and Clallam County as the place to do business
o EDC in cooperation with the Port will plan for and work towards developing an
availability property list, a needs assessment and analysis report for industrial
property in Clallam County. The intent is to complete this project by
December 2017. (Note: The EDC has started implementing Zoom Prospector
software.)
o EDC assistance in identifying infrastructure needs to support business
recruitment and expansion.
o EDC will collaboratively involve the Port where Port property and assets are
necessary for business recruitment or expansion. The Port will be the lead
agency regarding Port assets that are identified, as required to fulfill potential
tenants’ requirements.
o EDC assistance with welcoming committee or other outreach efforts in the
community will involve Port staff.
• Port: Advance the development of a diversified and skilled workforce
o The EDC, along with the Port, will work in cooperation with Peninsula College
to identify workforce training needs and constraints in the following areas:
 Marine trades boat building and repair
 Composites and advanced manufacturing
 Advanced wood products manufacturing
o EDC to act as pass-thru agency or fiscal agent for federal and state grant
funding opportunities, such as the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund or
other Commerce and agency funding. If the EDC is not able to act as the
pass-thru agency, then inform the Port to assist with finding another
alternative.
o EDC, along with other partners, to involve the high schools in workforce
training opportunities.
o EDC to advocate that the Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC)
supports Clallam County’s workforce training needs. EDC Executive Director
to attend quarterly OWDC meetings.
o EDC to work with a variety of partners in workforce training: Peninsula
College, Olympic Workforce Development Council (OWDC), SBDC, local
trade associations, chambers, NOPRC&D, the NOP Skills Center, Centers of
Excellence – maritime and Aerospace, etc.
See full agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/10252016-193

For more local headline news, and on the spot commentary click here

White House, Washington state and federal leaders announce major new initiatives for Puget Sound recovery

Press release issued on 10. 18. 16 from the governor's website
 SEATTLE – Today officials from the Obama administration and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Reps. Denny Heck, Derek Kilmer and Rick Larsen announced new federal actions to help protect and recover the health of Puget Sound, one of the nation’s largest estuaries. These actions demonstrate a firm commitment from the federal government to help restore Puget Sound, and are similar to federal actions taken in recent years to protect other large aquatic ecosystems, such as the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes.

Christy Goldfuss, managing director of President Obama’s White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), joined federal, state and tribal officials in Seattle to announce a new memorandum of understanding that directs federal Puget Sound restoration activities and that recognizes the pressing need to address salmon recovery and protect tribal treaty rights. This MOU creates a Puget Sound Federal Task Force that includes several members of Obama’s cabinet and will enhance coordination among federal and state agencies, tribes and local restoration efforts.
In addition to this landmark task force and MOU, today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency announced more than $600 million in new federal funding commitments for habitat restoration, stormwater runoff, shellfish sustainability and other key strategies to improve the health of Puget Sound.
“A healthy Puget Sound provides key economic, cultural and ecological benefits, and serves as the cornerstone of the region's high quality of life. Building on decades of conservation efforts from federal, state, local and tribal agencies, today's actions will strengthen federal efforts to bolster conservation, restoration, and enhance tribal treaty rights within the Puget Sound at a critical juncture in the ecosystem's recovery,” Goldfuss said.
“Today’s announcements mark an important step on the path to restoring the health of Puget Sound, the recovery of our salmon species and fulfilling our nation’s commitment to Washington’s tribes,” Inslee said. “The federal commitments build upon our state’s investments and the strong partnership between all levels of government that are working to restore this estuary central to our state’s history, commerce and future.”
Kilmer and Heck lauded today’s federal executive actions, which closely reflect policy changes they have sought through their Promoting Unified Government Efforts to Save Our Sound (Puget SOS) Act.
“Too often, conversations in Washington, DC, on restoring America’s waterways start with the Chesapeake Bay and end with the Great Lakes. Today we are pushing our nation’s conservation priorities westward and bringing attention to Puget Sound, the iconic estuary that is part of our national identity and the heart of the Pacific Northwest,” said Heck, who with Kilmer co-chairs of the Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus. “With this announcement, we are reaffirming that Puget Sound recovery will be a central part of our federal government’s conservation priorities moving forward. I look forward to working with our next president and Congress to provide the necessary resources to save our Sound.”
"Puget Sound is central to our region’s identity, history and culture,” said Kilmer. “It helps attract visitors to our area, supports critical habitats you won’t find elsewhere and powers our economy. In order to keep it healthy for future generations, the time for action is now. That’s why I’m glad we are here today to announce a new playbook that ensures the federal government is working in tandem with local partners and Native American tribes to more effectively protect and restore our Sound.”
The new federal MOU and task force will prioritize the protection of Puget Sound through development of a Puget Sound action plan to better coordinate federal programs, complement the state action agenda from the Puget Sound Partnership and focus on restoration work. The task force will develop the action plan in collaboration with state officials and in consultation with tribal governments. ---read more

For more state news headlines click here

TRUMP ANSWER'S QUESTIONS ON DISABILITY IN QUESTIONNAIRE

Editorial Comment: There's been lot to do over the attitude of Trump toward people with disabilities. The AAPD The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
They sent a questionnaire to the two presidential candidates, Trump and Clinton. Apparently didn't bother to send a questionnaire to third party candidates from what I saw.
The following are just examples of the questions asked and answered by both Trump and Clinton:

ADVANCING THE CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE INTEGRATED IN SOCIETY
The vast majority of Americans with disabilities and older Americans prefer home and community based services that allow them to live independently in their communities, however, states and insurance providers of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) still restrict access to community-based services which results in unwanted institutionalization, depriving institutionalized individuals of their fundamental freedoms and cutting short their lives.  This reliance on institutional placement is also far more expensive than services in the community.
If elected, will you support the Disability Integration Act (currently S.2427/HR.5689) – bipartisan civil rights legislation that establishes in statute the right of Americans with LTSS disabilities to receive services and supports in the community and be integrated in society – and sign this or similar civil rights legislation into law?
What other investments will you make in expanding long-term services and supports?

Answer: This is another example of inflexible federal regulations that waste money and fail to deliver the services needed. My administration will work with Congress and agencies to eliminate unneeded regulations to improve the services the government provides individuals with disabilities. I will consider all legislation that accomplishes that goal. ---Trump

HEALTH CARE
People with disabilities rely on both public (Medicaid) and private insurance options to obtain coverage to meet their health care needs. Access to affordable comprehensive health care coverage is essential for people with disabilities to live independently and maximize the quality of their lives. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities continue to lack access to the services and supports they need. In addition, despite existing legal protections, people with disabilities are subject to discrimination in both the financing and provision of health care services.
What will you do to address discrimination in the financing and provision of health care services to people with disabilities? Will you make enforcement of existing health care nondiscrimination protections for people with disabilities a priority?
How will you work to expand access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for people with disabilities?
How will you work to improve the Medicaid program, including ensuring access to home and community based services and the elimination of the bias toward institutional services in the Medicaid program?
Answer:
Inflexible, one-size-fits-all regulations in federal programs including Medicaid have harmed, not served, people with disabilities. The bias toward institutional care built into to regulations promulgated by the HHS waste money and fail to deliver the services needed. My administration will work to eliminate unneeded regulation and allow for greater flexibility in regulations to ensure programs including Medicaid better serve the needs of people with disabilities.---Trump
See full questionnaire: http://www.aapd.com/our-focus/voting/2016-election/presidential-candidate-questionnaire/trump-campaign-response-rev-questionnaire/

Editorial Note: Does this show a person who has it in for people with disabilities? Granted It may have appeared he was mocking that NY Times Journalist who is disabled during one of his rallies, has anyone considered that maybe, just maybe, he was acting out how journalist react at times of a cover up of some sort? Giving plausible deniability of a cover up of corruption of some sort while covering up their preferred candidate. Granted Trump made the mistake of acting out some reaction that was made by the journalist in question, he should have just stated the comment not go Mr. Broadway on the stage and act out a reaction the journalist who was probably not use to being confronted with facts.

Now for Clinton answers to the same questions:
ADVANCING THE CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE INTEGRATED IN SOCIETY
The vast majority of Americans with disabilities and older Americans prefer home and community based services that allow them to live independently in their communities, however, states and insurance providers of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) still restrict access to community-based services which results in unwanted institutionalization, depriving institutionalized individuals of their fundamental freedoms and cutting short their lives.  This reliance on institutional placement is also far more expensive than services in the community.
If elected, will you support the Disability Integration Act (currently S.2427/HR.5689) – bipartisan civil rights legislation that establishes in statute the right of Americans with LTSS disabilities to receive services and supports in the community and be integrated in society – and sign this or similar civil rights legislation into law?
What other investments will you make in expanding long-term services and supports?
Answer: I am proud to support efforts like the Disability Integration Act that will help shift more resources to providing home and community-based care for those who choose it. As an original sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) in 2008, I understand the importance of ensuring equal access for people with disabilities. I will continue to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure the ADA is being upheld, and that states are complying with Olmstead’s mandate to provide community options for individuals with disabilities. I will work with the Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure that we are issuing policies that advance competitive integrated employment so that individuals have jobs that help them live full, quality lives in the community.
I will also launch the Autism Works Initiative to help connect Americans who are living with autism with employment opportunities. I look forward to continuing the tremendous work of the Administration for Community Living, formed over 4 years ago as part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that has made significant progress in policies that support individuals and their access to quality long term services and supports.
Editorial note: Funny Clinton suddenly embraces disabled people into society. It was reported in some news outlets insulting people with developmental disabilities:

VIDEO: Hillary Clinton Caught Making Fun Of Retarded Man In 1995 For Laughs---US Herald

Hillary Clinton once called disabled children at an Easter egg hunt 'f***ing ree-tards' and referred to Jews as 'stupid k***s' while Bill called Jesse Jackson a 'damned n****r,' claims Bill's former lover---DAILY MAIL UK

*It is interesting that none of the main stream media has picked up on any of this, don't your think?

HEALTH CARE
People with disabilities rely on both public (Medicaid) and private insurance options to obtain coverage to meet their health care needs. Access to affordable comprehensive health care coverage is essential for people with disabilities to live independently and maximize the quality of their lives. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities continue to lack access to the services and supports they need. In addition, despite existing legal protections, people with disabilities are subject to discrimination in both the financing and provision of health care services.
What will you do to address discrimination in the financing and provision of health care services to people with disabilities? Will you make enforcement of existing health care nondiscrimination protections for people with disabilities a priority?
How will you work to expand access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for people with disabilities?
How will you work to improve the Medicaid program, including ensuring access to home and community based services and the elimination of the bias toward institutional services in the Medicaid program?

Answer: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 20 million more Americans have health insurance, which among numerous other benefits, ensures that people with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage. As president, I will protect and expand upon this legislation to finish our fight to provide universal coverage.
To ensure care is more accessible, I will cap the prescription drug costs that people have to pay out of pocket, and limit excessive out-of-pocket health costs.  I will protect consumers from unjustified prescription drug price increases from companies that market long-standing, life-saving treatments and face little or no competition. I will also put forth new enforcement tools that make drug alternatives available and increase competition, broaden emergency access to high-quality treatments from developed countries with strong safety standards, and hold drug companies accountable.
I will fight for health insurance for the lowest-income Americans in every state by working with governors in the remaining 19 states to expand Medicaid—and make enrollment through Medicaid and the ACA easier. Under Medicaid, states are required to cover all medically necessary treatments for disabilities, including developmental disabilities, yet not all states are fully compliant.
I will expand access to rural Americans, who often have difficulty finding quality, affordable health care. I will double funding for community health centers, explore ways to expand access to telemedicine, and support our healthcare workforce. I am also committed to doubling the funding for primary-care services at community health centers over the next ten years.
In addition to strengthening health care coverage for people with disabilities across the board, I have proposed specific initiatives that will make a difference in health care and health coverage for people with disabilities, such as my autism initiative and mental health agenda. I am committed to improve how our healthcare system functions for people with disabilities and ensure that they are eligible for and can access the care that they need.
See full questionnarie: http://www.aapd.com/our-focus/voting/2016-election/presidential-candidate-questionnaire/clinton-campaign-response-to-rev-up-questionnaire/

For more national and advocacy news click here

DOE: Environmental review stopped after Shell withdraws applications for Anacortes project

Press release issued 10. 13. 16
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2016/129.html
ANACORTES – Following Shell’s request to withdraw their permit applications, Skagit County and the Washington Department of Ecology have stopped their environmental review for the proposed crude-by-rail unloading facility in Anacortes.
Shell withdrew its permit applications following its public announcement last week that it will not move forward with the project.
As a result, Ecology and Skagit County have cancelled the comment period and hearings that were scheduled for the public to review and comment on the draft environmental impact statement.
Press release issued from Shell Oil company on Oct 6th:
Economic conditions no longer support permitting of rail unloading facility
ANACORTES, Wash. – Shell’s Puget Sound Refinery is suspending permitting of its planned crude-by-rail project. The current global crude oil market and the tight capital environment make this project non-economic at this time.
“When we look at current crude oil supplies, prices and markets globally, and the cost of the project, it just doesn’t make economic sense to move forward at this time,” said Shirley Yap, the refinery’s general manager. “We are committed to investing in this facility and there will be other ways to do that.”
The refinery receives its crude oil now via tankers that unload at its dock, and via a pipeline that serves Canadian oil fields. Shell had sought the rail project so that it could tap new supplies of crude oil in the Midwest that are not served by pipelines. However, low oil prices and abundant production elsewhere have slowed production in the Midwest and made other sources of crude more viable.
“We are confident with current crudes now available that we can continue supplying the refinery,” Yap said. “The Puget Sound Refinery will continue to produce the fuels that power life in the Pacific Northwest.”
A draft Environmental Impact Statement was released by Skagit County and the Washington Department of Ecology on October 4th laying out proposed conditions for building the project. Shell supports the environmental review process and our preliminary assessment of the proposed conditions is that they would be achievable and feasible, and it remains confident that the project could be built and operated in a way that protects our employees, our community and the environment.
“We would like to thank Skagit County and the Department of Ecology for their diligence and professionalism in this EIS process. We also want to thank the Corps of Engineers and other agencies for their work on other permits, as well as our project team who worked so diligently to design a safe and modern rail facility to co-exist with the natural environment we all cherish.” Yap said. “Of course, thank you also to our partners in the community whose feedback made this a better project as we went through the process.”
The Puget Sound Refinery produces roughly 25 percent of Pacific Northwest’s fuel. It is among the largest employers in Skagit County, with more than 700 employees and contractors. It is also the county’s largest taxpayer.
Ref. http://www.shell.us/about-us/projects-and-locations/puget-sound-refinery/puget-sound-refinery-news-events/crude-by-rail-project-suspended.html

Editorial Comment: You can chalk another one up for the DOE for botching up job opportunities in Washington State readers!

State Agencies are Bringing the Farm to School!---USDA BLOG

Editorial note: This article is from the USDA blog page.

From organizing statewide conferences, to training farmers and child nutrition professionals, to developing farm to school curricula and resources, state agencies are playing a big role in bringing the farm to school. This fact sheet describes effective strategies state agencies are using to help community food systems take root. Here’s a sampling of three ways state agencies are making an impact.

1. Coordinate Statewide Networking and Goal Setting
State agencies are strategic stakeholders in farm to school initiatives as they offer vital connections to the many groups and organizations engaging in food systems across the state. By facilitating a collective vision, coordinating statewide goal setting and strategic planning, and tracking state progress, agencies understand the wide breadth of activities and partnerships and can identify stakeholders who are not yet at the table or part of networks.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture established a partnership between GrowFood Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Education to develop local food procurement resources for a pilot “farm to freezer” project. Thanks to the partnership, frozen blueberries are now available for schools beyond the traditional growing season.

2. Host Local and Statewide Trainings
State agencies identify needs among stakeholder groups and host statewide conferences and events. Training events can include a wide variety of audiences including educators, farmers and producers, school nutrition professionals and non-profit and cooperative extension professionals. Trainings often focus on delivering technical assistance to help schools purchase local foods; build and maintain school gardens; and integrate agriculture, nutrition and health education into school curricula.
In Nevada, the Department of Agriculture provided Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training and on-site group mock audit demonstrations for schools and farmers, ensuring both groups understood the certification process. In 2015, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture delivered 15 on-site workshops on maintaining and connecting school gardens to curriculum standards. State agencies such as the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Wyoming Department of Education have also hosted regional and statewide conferences to engage new stakeholders and provide technical assistance on supply chain connections and procurement.

3. Develop and Share Resource Materials
State agencies develop resources such as state procurement guides, farm to school curricula, school garden guidance and local food promotional materials. In Alabama, the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Department of Education partnered with other organizations to develop a farm to school website that surveys farmers and enables schools to find farmers who match their procurement needs.
State agencies also create websites or devote portions of their websites to disseminate farm to school related resources and information. For instance, West Virginia’s Departments of Agriculture and Education collaborated with partners to create the Grow.Educate.Sell website that connects farm to school practitioners across the state.
Dig in!
Since 2013, the USDA Farm to School Grant Program has funded 36 state agencies in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands with nearly two million dollars to expand statewide initiatives including training and technical assistance, increasing capacity for incorporating local foods into school meals and connecting school gardens and culinary activities to classroom curricula. In September, USDA began accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2017 Farm to School Grant Funding. State agencies are eligible to apply for training and support service grants and USDA strongly encourages state agencies to apply. Applications are due December 8, 2016.
Ref. http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/10/17/state-agencies-are-bringing-the-farm-to-school/

For more business and finance reports click here


News Notebook:
Social Security 2017 raise: $3 more a month?---USA TODAY
Social Security & Disability benefit checks. Those people counting on their Social Security checks are likely to see them rise by just a few dollars per month — $3 if there's a 0.2% increase and $7 at 0.5% — for retired workers getting an average benefit of $1,341.

CITY ATTORNEY TO ISSUE HIS OPINION ON MEETING RULES TUESDAY

Editorial Comment: Though this is another byproduct of the Feb. 2nd meeting, the city will discuss attendance rules of conduct during meetings. In other words the audience will have to mine their peas and cues during meetings, by the tone of the rules being brought to the council Tuesday night, which is billed as "discussion" only item in their agenda.
According to the staff memo in their packet on Tuesday's meeting, the new rules proposed which was written by the attorney Bill Bloor: " Any person disrupting the business of the Council, either while addressing the Council or attending its meetings, shall be asked to cease such disruption.
For clarification, disruption of a City Council meeting does not require behavior that constitutes a breach of the peace, although a breach of the peace would constitute a disruption of a City Council meeting. Rather, disruption of a City Council meeting is any behavior that interrupts the Council meeting or prevents the Council from accomplishing its business in a reasonably efficient manner. For purposes of illustration only, such disruption may include, but is not limited to:
 irrelevant or repetitious speech
 continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired
 audience demonstrations such as booing, display of signs, or any other conduct that
disrupts the Council proceedings
 continuing to speak after being ruled out of order by the presiding officer
 other speech or behavior that disrupts the orderly conduct of the Council meeting.
He also gave this opinion in the memo: ' The question raised was whether this provision – in so far as it applies to: 1) irrelevant speech; 2) repetitious speech; 3) profanity1 ; and 4) signs in chambers – is an invalid limitation on speech.
In my opinion it is not an invalid limitation. The reason is that these four examples are not prohibited per se. They are only examples of conduct that might cause an actual disruption of a Council meeting. It is equally possible that such conduct might not cause an actual disruption of a Council meeting. Only when the conduct does cause an actual disruption of a Council meeting can the conduct be prohibited.
Limited Public Forum
To answer the question more fully, it will be helpful to review of some basic principles that were cited several months ago during the discussions of proposed changes to the Rules of Procedure.
One of the key principles in analyzing free speech issues is the location. The amount of protection afforded to speech varies depending on the location.
Courts recognize that some locations are considered to be “traditional public forums.” Examples of traditional public forums are parks and sidewalks. Signs and other types of speech presented in traditional public forums are entitled to the greatest protections of freedom of speech. Apart from traditional public forums, the courts recognize that other locations may be categorized as "designated public forums" or "limited public forums." In terms of hierarchy, traditional public forums are given the most protection. Less protection is given to speech in designated forums, and the least to limited public forums.
City Hall and Council Chamber are “limited public forums.” City Hall being so classified is not new or unique about Port Angeles. So far as I am aware, Port Angeles City Hall always has been considered a limited public forum. And most, if not all, city halls in the state fall under the limited public forum designation. Other examples of limited public forums are schools, post offices, and airport terminal areas.

 In these limited forums, the type and manner of speech can be prohibited or limited. So in fact, as a legal matter, the public does not have a First Amendment right to speak during a council meeting. Nonetheless, almost all city councils do allow some public comment.
They rightly consider such things as public policy, community relations, open government, and similar ideals of public process. And on those bases, most city councils allow public comment as a regular part of their meetings, but the extent of public comment is subject to limitation. As examples, many cities limit comment to topics on the agenda; give preference to city residents; and almost all impose time limits on the individual speaker, on the total time allotted for public comment. In summary, 1) citizens do not have a legal right to speak at a City Council meeting; 2) most Councils do extend an opportunity for public comment at council meetings; and 3) the opportunity to speak at a council meeting is almost always subject to limitation. Signs are speech, and the same rules are true for signs. Signs on the sidewalk outside city hall are located in a traditional public forum and are given the greatest protections of free speech. In contrast, signs inside city hall can be prohibited or regulated, and they routinely are.

Limitation on Conduct
Expressive conduct can be restricted in a limited public forum to maintain order in a proceeding
and prevent disruption of the Council meeting. Beginning in April, Council did spend a considerable amount of time discussing what parameters to place on public comment periods. The legal analysis presented at that time demonstrated that the courts were fairly consistent. In summary, courts generally rule that City Councils may not censor particular ideas or particular words. Council may only prohibit conduct that actually disrupts a meeting. Particular words might actually disrupt a City Council meeting, but they might not. If the speech actually produces a disruption of a meeting, the Council can prohibit the disruption. However, if the words do not cause an actual disruption, the Council may not prohibit them. To this general rule, there are a few exceptions – fighting words, for example – but the exceptions are narrow.
The City Council Rules of Procedure contain examples of activities that could possibly result in the actual disruption of a City Council meeting. “[I]rrelevant or repetitious speech” are specific illustrations drawn from court case. “[A]udience demonstrations such as booing, display of signs, or any other conduct that disrupts the Council proceedings” is a slight variation of the provision that was recommended in April. It was included in a draft distributed to the City Council on April 22, and it was discussed at a Council work session on April 26. The April 22 draft was a revision of the first full revision prepared by Councilmember Collins earlier in April. Although Council has discussed this provision in detail since April 26, only a few changes to this provision, not relevant here, have been made since then.
The activities referenced in the Rules of Procedure are for illustration only. If they produce a disruption, those activities can be controlled or prohibited. However, in a different context those same activities might not produce a disruption. If they do not produce an actual disruption, and if they are intended as speech or communication, they cannot be prohibited. Only actual disruptions of City Council meetings are prohibited under the Rules.

Signs in Council Chambers
Another question was raised about the Rules’ treatment of signs. Prior to the April 26 Council work session, Council requested sample language from other cities addressing signs in Council Chambers. As to this, there are few examples. The Legal Department reviewed the rules of procedure of approximately 50 code cities (a fair representation of the 194 code cities). Of the cities, some have not adopted local rules of procedure. Of those that have adopted rules of procedure, the majority do not say anything about signs in Council Chambers. Of those cities that do address signs, most simply prohibit them. Only one Washington city was found allows signs subject to conditions. That is Bothell. The provision from Bothell’s Rules of Procedure reads:
Signs will be allowed in the meeting by the presiding officer so long as they are limited in size to 11 x 17 inches and are not displayed or otherwise employed in a manner that disturbs or threatens others as determined by the presiding officer. All signs, placards or other forms of public display type written comment must be composed of soft, collapsible materials with no protrusions or hard mountings. Any person bearing a sign or other form of public display type written comment that violates the provisions of this section will be required to remove such sign from the meeting chambers and may themselves be barred from the meeting if they become disruptive by refusing to remove such signs.
This information was provided to Council, and it was discussed in detail at the April 26 Council work session. However, Council elected not to adopt any language within the Rules of Procedure that would specifically prohibit or regulate signs in Council Chambers. This leaves Council in the same position as before. The Presiding Officer or the Council may prohibit or regulate signs at its discretion.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the Rules of Procedure do not violate constitutionally protected speech. The reason is that the Rules do not limit speech; they limit conduct that disrupts a Council meeting. The examples referenced within the Rules of Procedure (i.e. irrelevant speech, repetitious speech, and display of signs) are intended only to be illustrations of conduct that could potentially lead to a disruption of a meeting. However, the same conduct, if it does not lead to disruption of a Council meeting, it cannot be prohibited. The Rules do not prohibit particular words or thoughts; the Rules prohibit conduct that actually disrupts a City Council meeting. That prohibition is valid. "---Bill Bloor City Attorney
Cases and citations:
Reza v. Pearce, 806 F.3d 497, 503 (9th Cir. 2015).
Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa, 718 F.3d 800, 811 (9th Cir. 2013).
Norse v. City of Santa Cruz, 629 F.3d 966, 976 (9th Cir.2010) (en banc).
Kindt v. Santa Monica Rent Control Bd., 67 F.3d 266 (9th Cir. 1995).
White v. City of Norwalk, 900 F.2d 1421, 1425-26 (9th Cir. 1990).
Ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3401

Editorial note: Well, there you have it readers, the new proposed meeting rules for we voters who elect these folks into office to fallow during public meetings. Remember where this all started, way back in Feb. 2 during that circus of a meeting that lead to ethics complaints, and reviewing the ordinance regarding audience conduct. Which this is. This all stemming from the root cause of four councilmembers deciding to ignore the will of the majority of citizen taking part in that straw poll to stop adding fluoridation. Remember this is being billed as just discussion, it would be interesting if some on the council will move to take action on this. Plus, note the timing of this on the agenda, toward the end of the meeting under "information" just before the final open comment session of the evening. It will also be interesting if any council members will move to bring this discussion sooner then what it's slated for at the tail end of the meeting, when probably half of those attending may skip out early during the meeting. As you know Council member Whetham often spoke about his objections of banning signs in the chambers, one of the issues raised after the Feb. 2nd meeting when it was reported that the Deputy Mayor, Cherie Kidd made moves to ban signs in the chamber at the last minute. It will be interesting to see if Whetham will hold his stand on against posing any bans on signs in the chamber. In essence readers you should feel lucky you are even allowed to talk during public meetings...how about that!


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PORT MAKES UP FOR CANCELED MEETING LAST MONDAY, CALLS FOR SPECIAL MEETING THIS COMING MONDAY.

DURING THEIR SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY, PORT SET TO ACCEPT COMPOSITE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY CENTER –ROGNLIN’S, INC. CONTRACT 

Editorial Comment: The Port is billing this meeting as a special meeting since they canceled their first regular meeting on Monday due to scheduling issues, but managed to do a telephone meeting on last Friday to decide on the Masco Maritime contract which was reported on in the Peninsula Daily News earlier this week: Port of Port Angeles keeps Masco Maritime as managers of boat haven, yard The area formerly operated by Port Angeles Marine has been under Masco’s management since Feb. 29.----PDN

Apparently to make up for cancelling their regular meeting on Monday, this coming meeting is going to be a special meeting and the highlight item is about the contract with CRTC; according to the staff report in the agenda packet of the Port: BACKGROUND: The Composite Recycling Technology Center is located in the Port’s Composite Manufacturing Campus. The exterior shell was originally constructed in 2011 – 2012 at the same time as the 2230 building. The project completed the interior of the building and added exterior freezers and a loading dock.
The bid documents were completed under a consultant agreement with Carletti Architects. The bid documents included the base bid and four (4) alternates to allow the Port to have flexibility in prioritizing capital investments to stay within budget. The alternates were:
1. Apply Polished Concrete Finish to Floors in Laboratory and Manufacturing Space.
2. Install Solar Thermal Hot Water System.
3. Install 50KW Photovoltaic System.
4. Install additional 30KW Photovoltaic System The project was bid last November and the Commission approved a contract with Rognlin’s Inc., including all four (4) alternates, for $4,052,000 plus applicable Washington State Sales Tax.
ANALYSIS:
Rognlin’s Inc. mobilized to the site and began construction just after the first of the year and are now complete with the project. A temporary certificate of occupancy was granted by the City of Port Angeles Building Department on June 29th, just prior to the July 1st Memorandum of Understanding Signing Event, but there were still a number of loose ends to complete. The final Certificate of Occupancy was granted on August 18th. The Composite Recycling Technology Center is operational and Fall Quarter is under way for Peninsula College.
The project was completed with only a 2.3% increase from the original bid amount thanks to an excellent design and construction team. The major players in the successful completion of the project include: Carletti Architects (Architect - Lead), Rice Group (Mechanical Engineer), DCI Engineers (Structural Engineer), Zenovic & Associates (Civil Engineer), K-Engineers (Electrical Engineer), Northwestern Territories (Testing and Inspection), Rognlin’s, Inc. (General Contractor), Schmitt Sheet Metal (HVAC Contractor), Bratonia (Mechanical & Plumbing Contractor) and VECA (Electrical Contractor).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
An 80 KW photovoltaic and solar thermal hot water systems were installed to help offset energy consumption from manufacturing.
FISCAL IMPACT: The construction cost to complete the facility will be mostly covered by outside grant funding. The Port has received $2M from the United States Economic Development Administration, $1M from the Washington State Clean Energy Fund and $1M from the Clallam County Opportunity Fund for a total of $4M in outside funding. There is $300K allocated in the Port Capital Projects Budget to pay for non-grant eligible costs such as construction management, testing and inspection services and construction costs in excess of $4M. Below summarizes the original contract and five (5) change orders:
Original contract = $ 4,052,000.00
Change Order 01 = $ 9,923.87
Change Order 02 = $ 10,380.19
Change Order 03 = $ 30,043.10
Change Order 04 = $ 6,271.35
Change Order 05 = $ 37,622.39
 Total = $4,146,240.90 plus applicable Washington State Sales Tax
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends the Commission accept the project as complete with Rognlin’s, Inc. in the Final Amount of Four Million One Hundred Forty-Six Thousand Two Hundred Forty Dollars and Ninety Cents ($4,146,240.90). The Commissions acceptance of the project as complete will start a 45-day waiting period before the Port can release Rognlin’s, Inc. retainage, performance and payment bonds.
See complete agenda for more details
http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/10172016-192

Editorial note: I think this is a positive step toward economic rebirth to this town, hopefully this will translate into much needed employment for the area. What is needed are more industrial related businesses coming into the community to replace what we lost in timber, and fishing trade.

For more local news and Commentary click here

Cantwell Accepts Legislator of the Year Award, Outlines Key Priorities for Waterways Opportunities, Economic Development

Cantwell: “Everywhere from right here in Vancouver, to the outskirts of Spokane, to some of our smallest communities, everyone gets how interdependent and dependent we are on our waterways.”

From a press release issued 10.12.16
VANCOUVER, WA – Today, the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association honored U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) as their “Legislator of the Year” for her commitment to navigation, freight mobility and economic development in the Pacific Northwest. In particular, the Association lauded Cantwell’s accomplishments on harbor and port infrastructure improvements and freight transportation.
In her address to the conference, the Senator highlighted recent successes that will be felt locally in communities that depend on their waterways like Ilwaco, Seattle, Chinook, and Tukwila. She also thanked the association for their partnership on critical issues to the region.
Cantwell noted that despite recent achievements there is still much to be done to unlock the full potential of the region’s waterways. Maintaining a competitive advantage in trade, further investment in salmon restoration and icebreaking capacity, and modernizing the Columbia River Treaty were all areas the Senator identified as crucial priorities for the Pacific Northwest.
“It truly is an honor because so many of you put your heart and soul into these efforts and you want to see good results. I am so happy to have worked with you on the freight act,” said Cantwell. “We are a trading region and we want to continue that but we need to continue it in the right, safe and secure way.”
“We are so pleased to honor Senator Cantwell as our 2016 Legislator of the Year,” stated Kristin Meira, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. “She has been a longtime partner and an outstanding champion for navigation and economic development in our region. We applaud and appreciate her work to support freight transportation and infrastructure, and economic development throughout the Northwest and the nation.”
Senator Cantwell’s record reflects her belief that the Pacific Northwest’s waterways are crucial for the region’s growth.  Last week, after years of working closely with the State Department and local stakeholders, she announced that the U.S. was finally prepared to begin negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty.
In September, the Senator worked with her colleagues from the Pacific Northwest to push for two waterways-focused provisions to be included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which successfully passed the Senate. The provisions would help American harbors stay competitive internationally and boost salmon recovery.
Last year, a Cantwell championed the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Project Program as part of the FAST Act. The program recently brought $50 million to Washington State to support projects in Seattle and Tukwila. Oregon’s Coos Bay Rail Line also received $11 million as part of the project.
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) is a non-profit trade association that advocates for federal policies and funding in support of regional economic development. PNWA is a collaboration of ports, businesses, public agencies and individuals who combine their economic and political strength in support of navigation, energy, trade and economic development throughout the Pacific Northwest.
ref. https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-accepts-legislator-of-the-year-award-outlines-key-priorities-for-waterways-opportunities-economic-development

For more State related news click here...

NEWS NOTEBOOK
SEATTLE TIMES: Forest trust lands help fund schools, fuel rural economy
Our state forest trust land system is an integral part of the past and future success of all of Washington---By Jim McEntire

FROM THE WA. AG: JUDGE RULES 5-HOUR ENERGY® VIOLATED CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Oct 10 2016
Company used thousands of deceptive ads to mislead consumers
SEATTLE — The makers of 5-hour ENERGY® violated the state’s Consumer Protection Act by making claims in thousands of ads that were not backed by scientific evidence, according to a ruling filed in King County Superior Court today.
After a three week trial that ended in early September, King County Superior Court Judge Beth Andrus agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson that advertising campaigns and press releases by the companies that produce 5-hour ENERGY® — Living Essentials LLC and Innovation Ventures LLC — were misleading.
Judge Andrus issued her 59-page ruling after the court closed on Friday. Her ruling was officially entered into the court record today.
Ferguson filed the lawsuit in July of 2014 against the makers of 5-hour ENERGY®, a popular flavored energy shot sold in 1.93 oz. containers. The Attorney General’s Office alleged they deceived consumers with ads claiming that doctors recommend 5-hour ENERGY®; that the product is superior to coffee because its “energy blend” interacts in a “synergistic” way with caffeine to make the energy and alertness associated with caffeine last longer; and that Decaf 5-hour ENERGY® provides consumers with energy, alertness and focus that lasts for hours.
“The makers of 5-hour ENERGY® misled consumers in pursuit of profit,” Ferguson said. “They broke the law, and they will be held accountable for their deception.”
One ad campaign implied that doctors recommend the product based on survey data. The judge agreed that 5-hour ENERGY®’s “Ask Your Doctor” campaign inappropriately combined two separate surveys — one done online, and one by paper with very different survey methodology. The results of those surveys did not support the ads’ impression that 73 percent of doctors in both surveys recommended 5-hour ENERGY®, the judge ruled.
Further, the judge agreed with an expert who testified for the Attorney General’s Office that the surveys were based on biased questions designed to solicit positive responses for the energy drink.
Ferguson also challenged claims that 5-hour ENERGY® was superior to coffee because of the “synergistic” interaction of caffeine and the energy drink’s other ingredients. Judge Andrus agreed that the claims were not backed by scientific evidence.
Judge Andrus wrote: “None of the studies Living Essentials submitted to the Court support the claim that combining specific B vitamins, taurine, choline, glucuronolactone and tyrosine with caffeine will cause the energy, alertness and focus effects of caffeine to last longer than if the caffeine were consumed alone.”
Judge Andrus also agreed Defendants’ claims that decaffeinated 5-hour ENERGY® offered similar effects to the product’s caffeinated version lacked “competent and reliable scientific evidence.”
Judge Andrus sided with the makers of the product that there is scientific evidence to support that the non-caffeine ingredients in 5-hour ENERGY® themselves may support energy and alertness. She also found that the companies didn’t violate the Consumer Protection Act with the claim that the product doesn’t produce a “crash.”
Judge Andrus will determine the penalties and other remedies in the case at a future date.
Lisa Erwin and Trisha McArdle, both senior counsel with the Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant Attorneys General Daniel Davies and Kimberlee Gunning handled the case.
REF: http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/judge-rules-5-hour-energy-violated-consumer-protection-act

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News Notebook: Body found in water in Port Hadlock area Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigating after man is spotted offshore.---PDN 

OBAMA PITCHES FOR CLINTON IN SPEECH...MEANING 4 MORE YEARS OF OBAMA!!!

The White House: Remarks by the President at DCCC Luncheon

Quote: We have made unbelievable progress over the last eight years: Taking an economy that was in a tailspin and cutting the unemployment rate in half; creating jobs for 72 consecutive months; reducing poverty by the largest percentage since 1968; seeing wages increase by the largest percentage ever recorded over the last year; providing 20 million people with health insurance that didn't have it before; locking in a climate change plan that has actually reduced our greenhouse emissions, even as the economy has grown and mobilizing 200 nations to join us in that effort.
None of this I could have done had it not been for the partnership with the Democrats in the House of Representatives. A lot of the work that we got done that saved the economy and put us on a clean energy track and ensured that health care got done was in those first two years when we had the Democratic majority. It was when we had a Democratic majority that we were able to significantly expand the help that we provide young people going to college, increasing the levels of Pell grants, making sure that we had a Consumer Finance Protection Bureau that is looking after consumers. A whole range of the initiatives around Wall Street reform that has made our financial system more stable. We could not have done that unless we had courageous, thoughtful members of Congress in partnership with me.
Now, I'm confident that we will have an incredibly capable Democratic successor in the White House by the name of Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Applause.) And when I say I'm confident, I'm not overconfident. (Laughter.) So we've still got a lot of work to do and nobody knows that more than she does. But even if we're able to maintain the White House, the ability of Hillary to build on the legacy that we’ve established these past eight years is going to depend on, ultimately, what happens in the House, as well as our ability to take back the Senate.---President Obama
Read full statement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/07/remarks-president-dccc-luncheon

In other White House press releases:

Weekly Address: Continuing to Strengthen the Middle Class
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/08/weekly-address-continuing-strengthen-middle-class
Quote: " Strengthening benefits at work helps, too. Last week, for example, I took action to make sure up to one million more workers can earn seven days of paid sick leave on the job. We’re also helping states expand opportunities for workers to save for retirement. But there’s a lot more we should do to strengthen the middle class and help more Americans get ahead. Making childcare more affordable, for example. Making sure women earn equal pay for equal work. Guaranteeing paid family and sick leave. Increasing the federal minimum wage. Preparing workers for the jobs of the future. And closing tax loopholes that benefit just the wealthy and big corporations. " ---President Obama


Remarks by the President on the Paris Agreement
Quote: " Ten months ago, in Paris, I said before the world that we needed a strong global agreement to reduce carbon pollution and to set the world on a low-carbon course.  The result was the Paris Agreement.  Last month, the United States and China -- the world’s two largest economies and largest emitters -- formally joined that agreement together.  And today, the world has officially crossed the threshold for the Paris Agreement to take effect. " ---President Obama
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/05/remarks-president-paris-agreement

FACT SHEET: Let Girls Learn – A Comprehensive Investment in Adolescent Girls Education
“The single best indicator of whether a nation will succeed is how it treats its women. When women have health care and women have education, families are stronger, communities are more prosperous, children do better in school, nations are more prosperous.... If you want your country to grow and succeed, you have to empower your women."
 President Barack Obama (July 28, 2015)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/11/fact-sheet-let-girls-learn-comprehensive-investment-adolescent-girls


For more World and National news click here...

Editorial note: Can this nation really afford another four years of Obama's failed policies under Hillary?



NEWS NOTEBOOK

** COMMISSION MEMBERS WILL BE PHONING IN FOR MEETING**
Port to hold telephone meeting on October 12th, canceling out the second Port Commission meeting this month, but instead calling for two special meetings, during this month. So, their next regular meeting won't be until November. The topic of the meeting which will be a call in meeting the decision regarding Agent Agreement and Marina Lease.
See agenda: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/10122016-190

JOHNSON ONCE AGAIN ON THE BENCH WHILE THE OTHER CANDIDATES GET'S SPOTLIGHT

STATEMENT FROM GOV. GARY JOHNSON REACTING TO TONIGHT’S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

"When Donald Trump holds a press conference an hour and a half before the debate begins with the intent of deflecting attention from his own misogyny by trying to convince us the Clintons are worse, we probably knew everything we needed to know about this debate, and more important, this campaign.
We have fallen through the looking glass. Thanks to two candidates who are each running on a platform of not being the other, we are in historically uninspiring territory.
Yes, thanks to some great questions from the audience, there were a few brief discussions of issues. I even heard some things from each of them with which I agreed. But the bigger question hanging over the entire debate is whether either of these candidates can be believed. We heard predictable answers, incessant attacks and, sadly, no indications of leadership. Without any confidence that a President will have the integrity, character and principles to actually put the nation first, the rehearsed sound bites don’t mean very much.
Americans deserve better. They deserve candidates who are not embarrassments, who aren’t interested in pitting Americans against one another, and who have actually proven that they can lead with principle, nonpartisanship, and a singular purpose of giving Americans the opportunity to improve their lives, be safe, and be free.
That’s why Bill Weld and I are running, and why Americans deserve a chance to see the very different approach we take to governing."
REF: https://www.johnsonweld.com/statement_from_gov_gary_johnson_reacting_to_tonight_s_presidential_debate_10_9

In case you missed it the second presidential debate, once again featuring the two main party candidates...still, Johnson was forced to issue the above statement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxhERjENFt8

Media badger treatment of Trump while sloft balling Clintion:

Pushy Martha Raddatz Spars With Trump Over Media Bias ---News Busters

NBC, ABC Interrogate Clinton Accuser: Aren’t You Just a Trump ‘Prop’?---News Busters

MRC’s Brent Bozell Slams Raddatz’s ‘Utter Contempt’ for Trump, NBC for Sitting on Trump Tape---News Busters

Giving up on Trump? Ryan focusing on saving GOP majority. (AP)

AP FACT CHECK: Trump, Clinton and their debate claims (AP)

Trump threatens jail time, Clinton says rival's campaign is 'exploding' (REU)

The debate takeaway? We need a new way to vet presidential nominees (REU)