http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ago-files-campaign-finance-complaint-against-clark-county-republicans
OLYMPIA —The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) today announced that it filed a complaint in Thurston County Superior Court alleging campaign finance violations by the Clark County Republican Central Committee. Specifically, the AGO asserts the committee failed to timely report a total of $586,268 in contributions, and $463,079 in debts and expenditures since 2012.
In September, the AGO received a Citizen Action Notice alleging multiple violations of the state’s public disclosure laws by the Clark County Republican Central Committee.
After receiving the notice, AGO staff determined the committee failed to timely file numerous reports of contributions received and expenditures made since 2012.
Washington law requires political committees to regularly report information to the state Public Disclosure Commission about sources of contributions, starting with those over $25. Political committees must also regularly report information about their activities, including expenditures, debts and obligations.
Among the reporting deficiencies, the Clark County Republican Central Committee:
Failed to timely disclose $586,268.15 in contributions it received on 278 separate reports, up to 330 days late.
Failed to timely disclose $463,079.30 in expenditures (such as political donations) made on 72 separate reports, up to 130 days late. For example, the committee reported $176,014 in expenses after primary or general elections each year from 2013 through 2017, which should have been disclosed before the relevant election. Of those, $33,720 were contributions to state and local candidates.
By not timely reporting its contributions and expenditures, the committee inhibited the public’s right to know the source of the committee’s income and how it spent its funding.
The state seeks penalties and injunctive relief. The defendant will have 20 days from the date they are served to respond to the state’s complaint.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Linda Dalton is handling the case.
When the Attorney General’s Office receives a Citizen Action Notice, it has 45 days to investigate and respond to the citizen. If the Attorney General’s Office or local prosecutor does not initiate litigation, the individual may sue in the name of the state. If litigation is successful, any penalties awarded go to the state, and the individual’s attorney can recover attorney fees and costs. If the citizen’s litigation is unsuccessful, the defendant may recover attorney fees from the state.
The Attorney General’s Office enforces the state’s campaign finance disclosure law to ensure free, open and fair elections in Washington state. A summary of campaign finance case resolutions is available here.
WEEKLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT
NEWS FROM THE USDA:USDA Offers Support to People and Communities Affected by California Wildfires
Press release issued 10/ 25/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/10/25/usda-offers-support-people-and-communities-affected-california
WASHINGTON, October 25, 2017 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced today that USDA is making resources available to help rural people and communities recover from the effects of California wildfires.
“While the full extent of damage from the current wildfires is not yet known, USDA Rural Development is committed to supporting the recovery of impacted rural communities,” Hazlett said. “We have a variety of assistance rural communities can use during the rebuilding process.”
Help for Communities
Rural communities that have been impacted by the fires can receive assistance through the Community Facilities Program to repair or rebuild essential community buildings and infrastructure and replace damaged equipment. Also, USDA can provide relief through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to help repair or rebuild rural water and wastewater systems in the aftermath of this disaster.
Help for Businesses
Rural Development can help businesses recover from the damage caused by wildfires by guaranteeing their business loans with eligible lenders through the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. Funds also may be available from Rural Development’s intermediary lenders.
Help for Housing
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking the lead to provide emergency housing for people who need it in these affected areas. Existing USDA home loan borrowers may qualify for assistance with their loan payments.
More detailed information on available resources from Rural Development may be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/services/rural-development-disaster-assistance.
Additional resources from USDA and other organizations for those impacted by disasters may also be found at https://www.usda.gov/topics/disaster.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ca.
USDA BLOG: A Source of Hope, Investing in Prosperity
Blog posted on 10/ 26/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/10/26/source-hope-investing-prosperity
In the early 2000’s, shopping malls were often a pinnacle of growth and prosperity in rural America. In the recent years we’ve seen the decline of so many of these rural establishments. These shopping centers were once a sign of success in rural communities, but now sit, falling apart, as disheartening archetypes of a dying era.
Times have changed. These shopping centers, if used as originally intended, may never be successful again. Yet, if we think creatively, there are solutions to making these giant buildings community centers and a driver of rural economic growth again.
I was fortunate to see an innovative approach to this challenge in Ontario, Ohio. With affordable financing from USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, Avita Health System was able to install a state of the art hospital in a vacant section of a rural shopping mall. This approach has made a struggling shopping center become home to all kinds of healthcare including substance use disorder treatment and mental health services now accessible to more than 125,000 rural residents in three counties in Ohio. These services are essential for Ohio communities who have been devastated by the opioid epidemic in recent years. Knowing they play a leading role in response and recovery, Avita Health System is working with local community leaders to create an actionable strategy to address this challenge and fill the gap in accessible treatment in these rural communities.
In addition to filling a gap in accessible healthcare services, Avita is able to increase the overall prosperity in Ontario and the surrounding communities by employing hundreds with good-paying rural jobs.
Since the grand opening of this hospital, the stores and businesses barely hanging on in the empty corridors of a struggling shopping center now experience enough foot traffic (and therefore business) to make it in this rural town center.
Earlier this year, Secretary Perdue elevated USDA Rural Development into the Office of the Secretary to ensure USDA is focused on and accountable for bringing back prosperity in rural America. This hospital in rural Ohio is an excellent best practice in the use of grassroots innovation and private-public partnerships to bring prosperity back to a rural community. As we examine the challenges rural America faces while trying to thrive in a modern economy, we need to be creative and resourceful in our investments.
In Ontario, Ohio, I saw that there are so many opportunities with existing infrastructure, vacant buildings, and partners to make meaningful investments that change the trajectory of a rural region. And, I am looking forward to seeing Rural Development facilitate more investments just like this one.
USDA NEWS BLOG: A Hurricane Named Harvey
Blog posted on 10/ 25/ 17
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/10/25/hurricane-named-harvey
Catastrophic, ferocious, devastating and unprecedented are just some of the words still being used to describe the hurricane known as Harvey that slammed Texas’ coast in late August.
Harvey made landfall in Rockport as a Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds over 130 mph causing excessive damage and complete destruction of buildings. The city of Houston and entire southeast region of Texas experienced the worst flooding that Harvey had to offer as it moved inland and stalled out for days. While daily news coverage focused on the impact upon urban populations, farmers and ranchers in rural southeast Texas were also feeling the wrath of Harvey.
“Hurricane Harvey was a lot different than anything we have experienced here in south Liberty County,” said Jack Carraway, who has spent a lifetime ranching in the southeast region of Texas. Almost two weeks after Harvey struck, Carraway was still unable to get to all of his Trinity River bottom pasture to fully assess the damages.
Harvey hits Texas
It had been nine years since a hurricane made landfall in Texas. But Carraway and his family were monitoring the situation and watched as Harvey developed into a catastrophic storm headed for landfall in Texas. Evacuation plans for his cattle began in earnest. Two days prior to landfall, Carraway began moving his cattle off 1,000 acres of his Trinity River bottom land. Harvey made landfall on Friday, August 25, and by Saturday morning the hurricane had dumped 17 inches of rain in the area.
Carraway’s eyes got moist and he took a minute to compose himself when he recalled that morning.
“By Saturday morning, we came to move the cattle out of the area completely and the water was up, nearly getting into your truck to get to the pens to load them out,” he said. “That morning there was seven trailers sitting here to haul, plus there was three cowboys came … so there was help.”
However, in the end, the water had risen so quickly and was moving too swiftly to push the cattle solely on horseback, so boats were used to finish the gather.
“We had to get a couple boats to get them back on this end of the pasture. This end being the east end where the pens were set up. We got them all out. We had 56 cows, 3 bulls and 15 calves left in here. We got them all out except 3 calves.”
He later found two of the three calves. The third calf Carraway saw swimming north in flood waters five days later when the water was at its peak.
“I assume she is dead,” he added.
According to the news reports, floodwaters rose to 32.74 feet. The previous record was a little less than 31 feet, noted Carraway.
Neighbor helping Neighbor
The farming and ranching community is a strong family during good times and bad. Carraway suffered losses and neighbors and strangers immediately began helping him recover post Harvey. He lost cattle, 200 round bales of hay, fencing and 1,000 acres of pastureland that will need time to recover from the flood waters. (read more on the USDA webpage)
AT THE STATE LEVEL
WSDA: WSDA to host one of many Women in Agriculture Conference sites
Press release issued 10/ 24/ 17
https://agr.wa.gov/news/2017/NR2017-10-24WomenInAg.aspx
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is hosting one of the 40 Women in Agriculture Conference locations, to be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Each year, the conference connects women in the agriculture industry during a day of networking and learning with locations around Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska.
The site WSDA is hosting will be at the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There are more than 20 other sites in Washington state alone. Visit WomenInAg.wsu.edu for additional locations and more information on the conference.
This annual event connects women in agriculture throughout the Northwest with a unique in-person and remote convention experience.
This year’s event theme is “We Can Do It” and features Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor and Anne Schwartz, owner of Blue Heron Farm in Skagit County, as the keynote speakers. The day’s agenda also includes group discussion about topics on farming, business, and leadership.
Washington state First Lady Trudi Inslee lauded the conference and its goals.
“It is wonderful that there are organized efforts to both celebrate the growing role of women in the agriculture industry while also providing an opportunity for women to connect with each other and improve their professional relationships,” Mrs. Inslee said. “We celebrate women who grow food for our communities, farmers markets and restaurants, like Betsey Wittick of Bainbridge Island, and those who process our food and drink, like Meghann Quinn, brewing craft beer in the Yakima Valley. Keep up the great work!”
The conference is geared toward established, new, and aspiring women farmers, as well as supporting spouses, students, interns, or women who own an agriculture-related business.
General registration is $25 until Nov. 5, after which it is $30. The rate is $20 for agriculture students, farm interns, or FFA and 4-H members. Registration covers breakfast and lunch as well as all conference materials. Scholarships are available to qualifying women and students interested in attending. All applications are due Nov. 10.
LOCAL MEETINGS AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS.
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS
Work session agenda highlights:
1) Discussion of joint letter with Port of Port Angeles to Senator Van de Wege, Representative Tharinger, and Representative Chapman requesting support in asking the Department of Revenue to expand its data sharing policy via interlocal agreements
2) 2018 Indigent Defense Services Update
3) Discuss coordination of transportation and infrastructure issues and projects common to Lower Elwha and Clallam County
( see full agenda)
Regular County Commission agenda highlights
1) Agreement amendment 8 with Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington Center for Women for transportation of sentenced female inmates
2) Resolution adopting the following Budget Reduction:
DCD – Long Range Planning – Reduce the projected 2017 expenditures and revenues for DOE grant G1400671. These funds have been moved to the 2018 budget/($898,570)
3) Consideration of resolution adopting the following Debatable Emergencies:
Superior Court - Indigent Defense - Requesting additional funds to support Adult Felony indigent Defense and Expert Services/$200,000 Human Resources - Transition of training from retired Payroll Administrator to new Payroll Administrator/$30,000
Human Resources - Risk Management - Mandated BOCC approved transfer and assignment of Public Records functions to the HR-Risk Management/$95,000
Parks and Facilities
a. Unforeseen expenditures required to eliminate health and safety hazards at County Facilities and parks/$18,600
b. Additional costs - Janitorial Service required for HHS upper floor of Third Street Building, Courthouse utilities for cooling requirements, and landscape service required to maintain grounds/$63,250
BOCC - Operations - Funds needed to set up a new work space - computer, file cabinet, phone, desk, chair, etc./$2,624
NonDepartmental
a. Washington State Association of Counties 4th Quarter 2016 assessment was billed in January 2017 which was not included in the 2017 budget/$2,675
b. Funding needed to cover additional BOCC projects not included in the 2017 Budget - Spirit Vision Films and WSAC Coastal Caucus Assessment/$5,500
Indigent Defense - Additional funds to meet our contractual agreement with the Clallam Public Defender and translator/interpreter services/$25,968
http://clallam.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=347&meta_id=15653
4) EXECUTIVE SESSION - Friday, November 3 at 2 p.m.
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has requested an Executive Session with the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, the Director of Community Development, the Planning Manager, the Building Official, outside counsel and the Director of HR/Risk Department.
Judy Lee asserts she is proposing a bed & breakfast as part of a residence her family intends to occupy. DCD has concluded the proposed use is more accurately seen as a hotel, a prohibited use in the zone where it would be built. Also, the applicant and the County disagree on which building code should be used to analyze and review the application. Mrs. Lee has asked that the project be reviewed pursuant to the International Residential Code (or "IRC") and has sent the County a letter asking DCD to prepare a "notice of correction" under the IRC. The County has received an Amended Notice of Tort Claim from Lee’s litigation attorney. Attached to that Amended Notice of Tort Claim is a proposed Complaint that would be filed in U.S. District Court. Named as Defendants in the proposed Complaint are the County and Director Winborn, both individually and in her capacity as DCD Director.
RCW 42.30.110(1)(ii) expressly authorizes a governing body to convene an executive session because litigation against Clallam County is reasonably likely given the Amended Tort Claim includes a proposed Complaint. Discussing such matters in executive session is appropriate because public knowledge of the discussion would reveal the County’s legal strategies and likely result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.
See full agenda
CITY OF PORT ANGELES
2018 Lodging Tax Event Grant Application Opportunity
Attention: Lodging Tax Event Grant Applicants
The 2018 Lodging Tax Event Grant Application is now available for local events intending to attract visitors from outside the North Olympic Peninsula Region. The application is intended to ensure that the revenue created by the City’s lodging tax is administered in a way that will generate the most benefit to local businesses and lodging facilities.
The program strives to incentivize and place more emphasis supporting new events, and events occurring outside the peak tourist season (Mid-September through May). Overall focus is on demonstrating positive lodging impacts. Funding may be used for the marketing and operations of an event, including the cost of right-of-way use permits and traffic control. Funding will not be allocated for the purchase of equipment or the improvement of property.
The 2018 Lodging Tax Event Grant Application consists of a cover page delegated to contact information and an application questionnaire. All information must be filled out completely and attachments presented in the order designated on the coversheet, or the application will be deemed incomplete.
The Community and Economic Development Department understands that newer events may have trouble answering some of the event related questions in the questionnaire, but asks that the questions be answered to the best of the applicant’s ability.
For general questions, or if any assistance is required to complete the application packet, the applicant can contact:
Ben Braudrick, AICP Assistant Planner
http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=470
WORLD AND NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS...
Sacked Catalonia leader calls for opposition to Madrid's rule
MADRID/BARCELONA (Reuters) - Sacked Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont on Saturday called for peaceful “democratic opposition” to the central government’s takeover of the region following its unilateral declaration of independence from Spain.
In Kenya election re-run, polling incomplete and next steps uncertain
KISUMU, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyans who boycotted a repeat presidential election voiced relief on Saturday after authorities indefinitely delayed further attempts to hold the vote in some opposition areas due to the risk of violence.
Big role for U.S. at climate talks despite withdrawal from Paris deal
OSLO/LONDON (Reuters) - The United States will play a big role at global talks next month on shaping the Paris agreement on climate change, to the dismay of some nations that want Washington sidelined because of President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw from the deal.
First charges filed in U.S. special counsel's Russia investigation: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury on Friday approved the first charges in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters.
Tennessee cities brace for protests over refugee resettlement
(Reuters) - White nationalists and neo-Nazis are expected to converge on the small Tennessee cities of Shelbyville and Murfreesboro on Saturday to protest refugee resettlement in the state, seven months after it sued the U.S. government over the issue.
U.S. women gather in Detroit to build on anti-Trump Women's March
DETROIT (Reuters) - Thousands of women who marched to protest Republican President Donald Trump’s inauguration gathered in Detroit on Friday to organize around issues like the viral “Me Too” movement exposing the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and violence.
Daily Bible Verse: because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25 NKJV
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn english using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
http://www.pacofc.org/index.php
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