In yesterdays edition of the Peninsula Daily news early edition, ran the story that no decision will be made regarding the ethical conduct of Deputy mayor, Cherie Kidd until next Thursday. Apparently, a decision was made during Friday's mornings Ethic complaint hearing which was hearing the complaint of Council members, Dan Gase, and Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd. According to a news flash from the Peninsula Daily News under the headline: Ethics panel finds Port Angeles deputy mayor violated code---PDN
Quoting from the article posted: Among possible actions that could be recommended are removal from the position of deputy mayor, issuance of a cease-and-desist order to the council member that the person can seek review of from Clallam County Superior Court, a verbal admonition, a letter of reprimand or public censure. The council also could decide not to take action, according to City Attorney Bill Bloor.
So from I read from the article posted, the "punishment" amounts to be either a scolding, or removal of her posting as deputy mayor, not from the council. In essence readers this look into misbehavior of the council members involve is one big circus act at the expense of the taxpayer. Do you really think the council is going to demand her removal from the council? Or her position? Think again, that would probably end up in court battles lasting for months, all on the taxpayer's dime in legal fees. Oh, you may have one or two council members scolding her for bad behavior, maybe have her censored. Don't think many council members will go for a letter of reprimand, without implicating themselves. So those who think these ethic complaints are going to force these council members to quit, thin again. Even if one or all four does, where would that leave the council? They wouldn't be able to do anything until they appoint new members to the council, and who in their right mind would want to be appointed to the council, when the next regular city council race is in 2017! Forget about holding any special elections if all four council members quit, it would cost the taxpayer even more.
Not saying these ethic complaint should never be filed, just don't expect much after the rulings of the ethic boards who will be ruling on them. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?
Watch pubic eye video
Olympic Medical Center Street Vacation Petition
Another City Council highlighted item on the agenda for next week:
According to the staff memo provided:
A petition requesting the vacation of a portion of City rights-of-way was received on
January 29, 2016, from the Olympic Medical Center. The petition is valid and it is signed by one
hundred percent of the abutting property owners. The petition proposes the vacation of right-of way in order to consolidate property to provide additional off-street parking and allow for the reconstruction of the helicopter landing site so that Olympic Medical Center may provide more comprehensive emergency services on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The landing site is currently inadequate for some types of aircraft. When an emergency
aircraft does land at the facility, multiple hospital employees are required to place temporary
safety fencing, and those employees that are parked adjacent to the helipad are sometimes forced to wait for the area in which they are parked to safely open before they may leave.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on this matter on March 23, 2016,
and forwarded a recommendation of approval for the vacation by a vote of 7 – 0. There were no concerns raised by the Commission, or the public, at the meeting.
ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2881
Editorial Note: I think it's great that the hospital is expanding, and improving it's services.
To bad that we can't seem to muster some support for a new high school.
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