From Congressman Kilmer's webpage: Founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Introduce Bill to Help Stop the Spread of Toxic Stormwater Runoff
Quote: " Stormwater runoff may be hard to spot but it’s taking a toll on Puget Sound,” said Kilmer “When heavy rains hit, the pollution that washes into our waterways hurt the salmon, oysters, and the overall health of our Sound. It’s a problem that communities across the country are wrestling with as well. Our legislation supports the groundbreaking work being done in places like Tacoma to capture more of these pollutants and clean up our waters.”--Congressman Kilmer
ref. http://kilmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/founders-of-the-puget-sound-recovery-caucus-introduce-bill-to-help-stop
Editorial Note: Now, why I would re-run a statement from Congressman Kilmer on storm water run off you might ask, since I already ran it yesterday? That got me to wondering, how does our Congressional, and State leaders feel about the subject of fluoridation of municipalities? I wrote to our congressional delegation, and the Governor this message:
Since we never met, My name is Peter Ripley, publisher of the Ripley Report here in Port Angeles WA. There's been an heated debate here in Port Angeles regarding Fluoridation. Forced medicating people against their will by adding a toxic substance as fluoride is just as harmful to the people and the environment as any other pollutant in our harbors. So, what are your thoughts on fluoridation in general?
The following is what Congressman Kilmer wrote in response:
Dear Mr. Ripley,
Thank you for contacting me about fluoride in drinking water. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
In 1945 Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first city worldwide to add fluoride to their water system and in 1962 the U.S. Department of Public Health released a recommendation that water systems set fluoride levels to 0.7 – 1.2 parts per million because they said it promoted dental health. About 67% of people in the United States have fluoride in their publicly provided water system. The Department of Health and Human Services recently changed the recommendation to reflect that Americans now take in fluoride through several sources, whereas in the past food and water were almost the only ways for people consume fluoride.
Washington State does not require that fluoride be added to the water supply. Communities themselves are able to choose if they would like to add fluoride. Some communities – including a number of areas in Eastern Washington -- have naturally occurring fluoride and others are connected to systems that add fluoride to their water. There are more instances of this in Eastern Washington. The Washington State Department of Health monitors which water systems have fluoride and the information is available online. The Department is currently in the process of considering a new set of rules related to fluoride in drinking water. It will hold a hearing on these proposed changes on March 9th at 1:00 PM at the following address: Point Plaza East, Rooms 152/153, 310 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, Washington 98501.
I encourage you to continue to share your views with me on this topic or any other issue. Thank you for reaching out. It is an honor to serve as your representative.
ref: http://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2015/04/27/hhs-issues-final-recommendation-for-community-water-fluoridation.html
Editor's Note: Now, readers I asked Congressman Kilmer point blank about his personal feelings on the fluoridation issue and the above letter is what I got as a response. This goes to show you readers none of these big time politicians wants to make a bunch of dentist withdraw those campaign contributions, which I suspect is what is behind the response I got from Kilmer. I also wrote the the two Senators, Murray and Cantwell, along with the Governor...still no response as of yet.
Meanwhile....WATER MAINS AND HARBOR CLEAN UP, REASONS FOR PROBLEMS CONVENIENTLY OVERLOOKED?
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles,
Washington, affirming and ratifying the Declaration of
Emergency issued by the City Manager on February 23, 2016.
t. The alignment of this pipe goes down a steep ravine and under Tumwater Creek. The main
break was located at the top of the ravine and washed out a large portion of the hillside exposing approximately 70 feet of water main.
2. The failed segment of pipe is a critical component to the City's water distribution
system. There are two cast iron water mains that distribute water to approximately 300 customers within the Pine Hill area. Both water mains were installed in 1955 and have similar alignments.
Repairing this main break is critical to maintain water quality and distribution redundancy,
eliminating the risk all 300 customers in the area could be without water.
3. Due to the severity of the main break, its location, and current lack of water
redundancy, an emergency is present which may necessitate activation of the City of Port Angeles Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, including utilization of emergency powers granted
pursuant to RCW 35.33.081 and RCW 38.52.070(2).
pages H 1 & h2 of council agenda packet
Amendments to Agreements with Cascadia Law and Integral Consulting....page J-12 of agenda packet
See agenda items: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2836
Meanwhile...
Port Angeles mayor issues statement after ethics complaint is filed against him---PDN
Quoting from the article posted, which Downie stated in his written statement:
“I regret that across America, as well as here in Port Angeles, political discussion in any number of public settings has become so discordant.
“I'm saddened that there would be those, including Marolee, who would misinterpret my attempts to quiet the tone of certain voices during the council meetings referred to in the ethics complaint, with trying to silence their legitimate right to speak.
“I simply do not think it is wrong to believe that earnest but civil discourse should not remain the standard of conduct for any such conversation between two individuals.”---Mayor Downie's written statement
Editorial Note: I wrote to both Marolee Smith, and the Mayor to get their response, I have yet to get an answer from any of them. But, when I do I'll pass it along.
NEWS FROM OLYMPIA:
Inslee signs first bill of the session, ensures continued bipartisan collaboration on education funding
AG wins $1.2M judgment against company defrauding thousands of WA businesses
AG: Criminal charges for false water-quality data, endangering firefighters and environment
AG secures $2.7 million Medicaid fraud judgment against Wheelchairs Plus president
Assessing oil spill risks on Columbia River and Puget Sound
Editor's Note: Again, the DOE seems to focus on oil spills, but pays little or no attention to fluoride which is just as toxic to fish and the whales as oil spills are.
Consumer Protection Week March 6 - 12, 2016
New Chickenpox Vaccine Requirement for High School Students this Fall
Free safety seminar on March 24 features companies recognized for safety excellence
Tacoma Public Utilities to receive 70 acres of state land near Lake Cushman
Grant Co. businessman sentences for theft of $41,000 in taxes
OSOS joins state agencies in promoting National Consumer Protection Week
Newest Legacy WA profile: disability activist Duane French
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Friday, March 4, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
THE RIGHT TO OFFEND AND FREE SPEECH--"Je suis Charlie"
With the latest ethic's compliant leveled on the beleagered city council as of late, this complaint which was filed by Marolee Smith, is focused on the current mayor, Patrick Downie.
Reminded me of the events in Paris France 2015, in January of last year. The reason why it did because I think it addresses much of what that magazine Charlie Hebdo was cited for so many times and some tried to censor, their right to offend.
The reason why this sort of reminded me of Charlie Magazine's message of the right to offend was this statement from Smith's speech:
The Court said:
“Our constitution reflects ‘a profound national commitment to the principal that a debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials’.”
Verbal attacks may be warranted. Part of the bargain in laying down arms and creating a civil society is that the people retain the right to verbally attack public officials who may be in the wrong. People retained the right to wound with words in exchange for giving up their right to wound with weapons. The very essence of First Amendment speech protections is to verbally humiliate public officials into complying with the law. --Marolee Smith quoting court ruling during speech.
Readers, I think that Feb. 2nd meeting had enough rudeness to go around, and not just from one or two city council members.
Full text of speech
Editor's Note: She recalls two meetings these violations accord during the two meetings in January:
In the meeting of 1/05/2016, the newly elected Mayor made admonishments to the public that included all of the following:
“the public comment is a democracy, that’s the irony for me, but these discussions we have had today, personal attacks towards a specific member of council, is out of order”
“we need to be a bit more civil a bit more, as a matter of fact.”
“we welcome the public, we allow you to talk, having said that, I hope in the future, in the second public comment tonight, and subsequently you avoid personal attack, out of order, does not further the discussion.”
In the meeting of 1/19/2016, the Mayor repeatedly admonished the citizens with long-winded, chiding lecturing, and threatening (to shut down public comment if the audience doesn’t “behave”). In a five minute lecture, which included finger waving, he said, in part, all of the following:
“I am deeply saddened we are at this point in our lives, we are getting these arguments, we have to stop. We have to stop. We aren’t moving forward with the cloud of bullying, angry voice, intimidation, that’s not how I rock and roll”
“It’s a matter of principal. I am not going to be intimidated. I am not going to be bullied.”
“I am not going to be intimidated in any way into a decision”
“so long as we have this cloud of threatening to turn our town upside down”
“Threatening and angry voices.”
“YOU can do better than this, ladies and gentlemen.”
“If you are going to disrespect ME, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.”
“You’ve taken hours of our time”
“You are disrespecting my right to speak”
She, then quotes MRSC: “Make sure elected members address colleagues and not the audience. Directly addressing the audience can result in loss of control of the meeting.”
“Don't belittle small but vocal sources of opposition. Don't label people.”
Editor's Note: Now, during the February 2nd meeting, another council member labeled the mayor as the "real" mayor, seemingly making the insinuation that the deputy mayor was "fake". Why has he yet to be cited by anyone other than me?
To be fair I emailed Marolee Smith, who ran during the last city council election unsuccessfully in November the follow questions regarding Council member Lee Whetham "real mayor" comments he made during that Feb. 2nd meeting:
Thanks Marolee,
In all fairness, don't you think Lee Whetham also should be held to ethical standards?
I'm sure you were there when he made that swipe at Kidd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOKjLqhBsM
time index 33:40 and on word.
Any comments?
Her answer: ..well, here is the thing... there was no motion to make Cherie the acting Mayor, and since the Mayor was connected via phone, he was technically "present". That omission was against the rules. So, Lee was making a valid point. The Rules of Order were not observed at that meeting -- and really any business done at that meeting should be struck down and re-done, because things weren't done properly. AND, the meeting was not adjourned properly.
...The whole thing was a mess.
Interesting to watch, but a mess.
I responded: Ill give you that, the meeting wasn't done correctly, and should be deemed illegal and re-done,. if Whetham was so concern following protocol , and Roberts rules of order he should have been the one calling for a redo of that meeting...but he didn't. You heard what he was doing. Being disrespectful in that meeting. And yes, Downie if he was present even by phone he could have chaired that meeting, not hand it off to the deputy mayor. I am pointing out is that if one standard of ethics are not being meant, then it should be applied to all...not just those who on the other side of the fluoride issue.
Her Answer: Fluoride issue isn't the issue here, its a government that doesn't seem to be working correctly. Needs a tune up.
And, I agree, should be applied to all.
I then asked if she cared to make further comments addressing my concerns, here is what she wrote:
Peter,
I have watched city council meetings since I was a teenager -- different cities -- and, never have I witnessed the council trying to chide, "shush" or gavel down citizens voicing their frustration. And, the politeness here is overwhelming (just to watch a contentious matter in Berkeley, CA or any major city). People have been very respectful, even though they are frustrated and upset with the decision of the majority council members.
Cherie's actions, acting a Mayor, improperly (the Mayor was on the phone, and we do have statues that deal with this on the city books) without a board action, with the posting of NO SIGNS which was also never discussed, and certainly, no rule is on the books. And, then, the interruptions, the rudeness, and the pounding of the gavel was just out-of-order.
Meanwhile, Mr. Downie trying to "reason" with the constituents in the audience (January meetings) was just crazy. Don't scold people. That is not the way that the council should act. He was ignoring the other Council members. Collins twice asked to speak, and then actually spoke to the City Manager, who replied (completely out of control council meeting) without Mr. Downie even aware. (Collins asked if Council could get training, soon, I believe referring to the MSRC training). Council member Whetham tried, unsuccessfully to speak, several times, but Mayor Downie just kept lecturing.
Calling an audience "bullies" "rude" "intimidating" is nothing that I have ever seen in a council meeting -- anywhere -- and compared to some meetings I've seen (with people marching around the chambers performing the Bellamy Salute, shouting down council, and assorted other shenanigans) our meetings are extremely "polite".
Democracy, even a Representational Democracy, is MESSY. It has always been messy. (Dictatorships are polite, by comparison, because everyone is afraid for their lives.) When we laid down our weapons, the weapon of choice became words. We don't do coups, we voice our opinions. If the opinion is fluoride, then so be it. However, that is NOT THE ISSUE.
In the Journals of the Continental Congress[1] Chauncey Ford Worthington cited: “...oppressive officers are shamed or intimidated, into more honourable and just modes of conducting affairs.”
I am angered and outraged for the insults to our Constitution. This isn't about fluoride. This isn't about not winning a city council race (which was fine, and we have a wonderful new Council member). The issue is that I care about the rights of ALL CITIZENS of Port Angeles. If we can't fix our local government, then what hope do we have of fixing anything in our country?
Marolee
Related Stories:
Ethics complaint filed against Port Angeles mayor amid fluoridation debate
Editorial Note: The report focused mainly those who spoke on the Fluoride matter during the two public comment sessions. There were two who didn't speak on that subject. One person spoke how he was concerned over the divisive atmosphere which the fluoride issue as caused, and how it had effected decisions on other matters that the city is facing, such as the landfill project, the harbor clean up, and the CSO projects. He was correct in saying that both the council, and audience should tune down the divisive rhetoric that had been going on.
I also spoke during the second public comment session. For a change, I didn't speak about my opinions regarding fluoridation. Instead, I talked about my little mishap Sunday involving my wheelchair, and rain poncho, I wanted to give thanks to the police, and EMT's who assisted me out of a bad jam. Earlier in the day during the County Commission meeting, I spoke there as well wanting to thank the Sheriff deputies who also was there on Sunday in giving me aid.
During the City Council meeting Tuesday Police Chief, Terry Gallagher had a retirement send off. I wanted to make sure during the public comment session which I was able to speak to not only say thanks to the police and EMTs for assisting me, but honor Gallagher who I count as a friend by directing the audience attending to give another round of applause.
I also thanked the mayor Pat Downie, for sending that note of good will, I told him though we didn't agree over a policy decision made regarding fluoride, I did appreciate the nice gesture on his part.
Latest Ethics Complaint against Mayor Pat Downie--PORT O CALL
PA City Recceives Fourth Complaint---KONP RADIO
Editorial note: Smith mentioned about how people don't like being lectured too by their elected officials. Well I been lectured to many times in my life, and still am, not because of policy differences, or the lack of knowledge on a subject. Some in society still are under the impression that anyone that don't fit in their little world as being "normal" are somehow inferior, to them simply because they have two good legs. Often treat disabled folks as children. So, I know the feeling of being treated as a child by those who think themselves as superior.
College professors, gives lectures every day, Church Ministers gives sermons in Church, and yes politicians gives lectures too countless times. But, how are those lectures are being presented, that's the issue I think is the point here. When you strip someone of their dignity, and talk down to them like they are children, that would cause anyone to lose their cool. I should know, I am often treated like a child because I happen to have a disability. Just something to ponder readers, before you go talking down on someone who is different that you are, how does it feel when it is done on you.
On another point in this, granted we do have the right to offend, but does it mean we should use it?
News From our Congressional Delegation:
Cantwell: Americans are frustrated ‘because we bailed out the Big Banks and everyone’s 401K and pension took it on the chin’
Cantwell, Murray Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Facilitate Travel and Commerce with Canada, Increase National Security
With Boost from Cantwell’s Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act, Federal Contracting Reaches Five Percent Goal for Women-Owned Small Businesses for the First Time in History
Murray Responds to Oversight Report on Education Department’s Student Loan Servicers’ Compliance Review
WHOLE WOMAN’S HEALTH: Murray Rallies for Women’s Constitutionally Protected Health Care Rights
Founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Introduce Bill to Help Stop the Spread of Toxic Stormwater Runoff
Quoting from the press release: " GSI uses natural and engineered systems to promote the uptake and filtration of stormwater at its source to protect habitats and reduce flood risks. Currently, when stormwater runoff moves through the drainage systems of larger municipalities it collects a wide range of toxic substances – from motor oil to septic waste – and carries it straight into the local watershed. The Seattle Times recently reported that GSI can play a critical role in removing these pollutants, which a joint National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Washington State University study found can kill coho salmon within a matter of hours. " ---Congressman Kilmer
Editor's Note: They should include fluoride as a toxic waste, not just motor oil.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Reminded me of the events in Paris France 2015, in January of last year. The reason why it did because I think it addresses much of what that magazine Charlie Hebdo was cited for so many times and some tried to censor, their right to offend.
The reason why this sort of reminded me of Charlie Magazine's message of the right to offend was this statement from Smith's speech:
The Court said:
“Our constitution reflects ‘a profound national commitment to the principal that a debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials’.”
Verbal attacks may be warranted. Part of the bargain in laying down arms and creating a civil society is that the people retain the right to verbally attack public officials who may be in the wrong. People retained the right to wound with words in exchange for giving up their right to wound with weapons. The very essence of First Amendment speech protections is to verbally humiliate public officials into complying with the law. --Marolee Smith quoting court ruling during speech.
Readers, I think that Feb. 2nd meeting had enough rudeness to go around, and not just from one or two city council members.
Full text of speech
Editor's Note: She recalls two meetings these violations accord during the two meetings in January:
In the meeting of 1/05/2016, the newly elected Mayor made admonishments to the public that included all of the following:
“the public comment is a democracy, that’s the irony for me, but these discussions we have had today, personal attacks towards a specific member of council, is out of order”
“we need to be a bit more civil a bit more, as a matter of fact.”
“we welcome the public, we allow you to talk, having said that, I hope in the future, in the second public comment tonight, and subsequently you avoid personal attack, out of order, does not further the discussion.”
In the meeting of 1/19/2016, the Mayor repeatedly admonished the citizens with long-winded, chiding lecturing, and threatening (to shut down public comment if the audience doesn’t “behave”). In a five minute lecture, which included finger waving, he said, in part, all of the following:
“I am deeply saddened we are at this point in our lives, we are getting these arguments, we have to stop. We have to stop. We aren’t moving forward with the cloud of bullying, angry voice, intimidation, that’s not how I rock and roll”
“It’s a matter of principal. I am not going to be intimidated. I am not going to be bullied.”
“I am not going to be intimidated in any way into a decision”
“so long as we have this cloud of threatening to turn our town upside down”
“Threatening and angry voices.”
“YOU can do better than this, ladies and gentlemen.”
“If you are going to disrespect ME, you aren’t doing yourself any favors.”
“You’ve taken hours of our time”
“You are disrespecting my right to speak”
She, then quotes MRSC: “Make sure elected members address colleagues and not the audience. Directly addressing the audience can result in loss of control of the meeting.”
“Don't belittle small but vocal sources of opposition. Don't label people.”
Editor's Note: Now, during the February 2nd meeting, another council member labeled the mayor as the "real" mayor, seemingly making the insinuation that the deputy mayor was "fake". Why has he yet to be cited by anyone other than me?
To be fair I emailed Marolee Smith, who ran during the last city council election unsuccessfully in November the follow questions regarding Council member Lee Whetham "real mayor" comments he made during that Feb. 2nd meeting:
Thanks Marolee,
In all fairness, don't you think Lee Whetham also should be held to ethical standards?
I'm sure you were there when he made that swipe at Kidd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOKjLqhBsM
time index 33:40 and on word.
Any comments?
Her answer: ..well, here is the thing... there was no motion to make Cherie the acting Mayor, and since the Mayor was connected via phone, he was technically "present". That omission was against the rules. So, Lee was making a valid point. The Rules of Order were not observed at that meeting -- and really any business done at that meeting should be struck down and re-done, because things weren't done properly. AND, the meeting was not adjourned properly.
...The whole thing was a mess.
Interesting to watch, but a mess.
I responded: Ill give you that, the meeting wasn't done correctly, and should be deemed illegal and re-done,. if Whetham was so concern following protocol , and Roberts rules of order he should have been the one calling for a redo of that meeting...but he didn't. You heard what he was doing. Being disrespectful in that meeting. And yes, Downie if he was present even by phone he could have chaired that meeting, not hand it off to the deputy mayor. I am pointing out is that if one standard of ethics are not being meant, then it should be applied to all...not just those who on the other side of the fluoride issue.
Her Answer: Fluoride issue isn't the issue here, its a government that doesn't seem to be working correctly. Needs a tune up.
And, I agree, should be applied to all.
I then asked if she cared to make further comments addressing my concerns, here is what she wrote:
Peter,
I have watched city council meetings since I was a teenager -- different cities -- and, never have I witnessed the council trying to chide, "shush" or gavel down citizens voicing their frustration. And, the politeness here is overwhelming (just to watch a contentious matter in Berkeley, CA or any major city). People have been very respectful, even though they are frustrated and upset with the decision of the majority council members.
Cherie's actions, acting a Mayor, improperly (the Mayor was on the phone, and we do have statues that deal with this on the city books) without a board action, with the posting of NO SIGNS which was also never discussed, and certainly, no rule is on the books. And, then, the interruptions, the rudeness, and the pounding of the gavel was just out-of-order.
Meanwhile, Mr. Downie trying to "reason" with the constituents in the audience (January meetings) was just crazy. Don't scold people. That is not the way that the council should act. He was ignoring the other Council members. Collins twice asked to speak, and then actually spoke to the City Manager, who replied (completely out of control council meeting) without Mr. Downie even aware. (Collins asked if Council could get training, soon, I believe referring to the MSRC training). Council member Whetham tried, unsuccessfully to speak, several times, but Mayor Downie just kept lecturing.
Calling an audience "bullies" "rude" "intimidating" is nothing that I have ever seen in a council meeting -- anywhere -- and compared to some meetings I've seen (with people marching around the chambers performing the Bellamy Salute, shouting down council, and assorted other shenanigans) our meetings are extremely "polite".
Democracy, even a Representational Democracy, is MESSY. It has always been messy. (Dictatorships are polite, by comparison, because everyone is afraid for their lives.) When we laid down our weapons, the weapon of choice became words. We don't do coups, we voice our opinions. If the opinion is fluoride, then so be it. However, that is NOT THE ISSUE.
In the Journals of the Continental Congress[1] Chauncey Ford Worthington cited: “...oppressive officers are shamed or intimidated, into more honourable and just modes of conducting affairs.”
I am angered and outraged for the insults to our Constitution. This isn't about fluoride. This isn't about not winning a city council race (which was fine, and we have a wonderful new Council member). The issue is that I care about the rights of ALL CITIZENS of Port Angeles. If we can't fix our local government, then what hope do we have of fixing anything in our country?
Marolee
Related Stories:
Ethics complaint filed against Port Angeles mayor amid fluoridation debate
Editorial Note: The report focused mainly those who spoke on the Fluoride matter during the two public comment sessions. There were two who didn't speak on that subject. One person spoke how he was concerned over the divisive atmosphere which the fluoride issue as caused, and how it had effected decisions on other matters that the city is facing, such as the landfill project, the harbor clean up, and the CSO projects. He was correct in saying that both the council, and audience should tune down the divisive rhetoric that had been going on.
I also spoke during the second public comment session. For a change, I didn't speak about my opinions regarding fluoridation. Instead, I talked about my little mishap Sunday involving my wheelchair, and rain poncho, I wanted to give thanks to the police, and EMT's who assisted me out of a bad jam. Earlier in the day during the County Commission meeting, I spoke there as well wanting to thank the Sheriff deputies who also was there on Sunday in giving me aid.
During the City Council meeting Tuesday Police Chief, Terry Gallagher had a retirement send off. I wanted to make sure during the public comment session which I was able to speak to not only say thanks to the police and EMTs for assisting me, but honor Gallagher who I count as a friend by directing the audience attending to give another round of applause.
I also thanked the mayor Pat Downie, for sending that note of good will, I told him though we didn't agree over a policy decision made regarding fluoride, I did appreciate the nice gesture on his part.
Latest Ethics Complaint against Mayor Pat Downie--PORT O CALL
PA City Recceives Fourth Complaint---KONP RADIO
Editorial note: Smith mentioned about how people don't like being lectured too by their elected officials. Well I been lectured to many times in my life, and still am, not because of policy differences, or the lack of knowledge on a subject. Some in society still are under the impression that anyone that don't fit in their little world as being "normal" are somehow inferior, to them simply because they have two good legs. Often treat disabled folks as children. So, I know the feeling of being treated as a child by those who think themselves as superior.
College professors, gives lectures every day, Church Ministers gives sermons in Church, and yes politicians gives lectures too countless times. But, how are those lectures are being presented, that's the issue I think is the point here. When you strip someone of their dignity, and talk down to them like they are children, that would cause anyone to lose their cool. I should know, I am often treated like a child because I happen to have a disability. Just something to ponder readers, before you go talking down on someone who is different that you are, how does it feel when it is done on you.
On another point in this, granted we do have the right to offend, but does it mean we should use it?
News From our Congressional Delegation:
Cantwell: Americans are frustrated ‘because we bailed out the Big Banks and everyone’s 401K and pension took it on the chin’
Cantwell, Murray Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Facilitate Travel and Commerce with Canada, Increase National Security
With Boost from Cantwell’s Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act, Federal Contracting Reaches Five Percent Goal for Women-Owned Small Businesses for the First Time in History
Murray Responds to Oversight Report on Education Department’s Student Loan Servicers’ Compliance Review
WHOLE WOMAN’S HEALTH: Murray Rallies for Women’s Constitutionally Protected Health Care Rights
Founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Introduce Bill to Help Stop the Spread of Toxic Stormwater Runoff
Quoting from the press release: " GSI uses natural and engineered systems to promote the uptake and filtration of stormwater at its source to protect habitats and reduce flood risks. Currently, when stormwater runoff moves through the drainage systems of larger municipalities it collects a wide range of toxic substances – from motor oil to septic waste – and carries it straight into the local watershed. The Seattle Times recently reported that GSI can play a critical role in removing these pollutants, which a joint National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Washington State University study found can kill coho salmon within a matter of hours. " ---Congressman Kilmer
Editor's Note: They should include fluoride as a toxic waste, not just motor oil.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
LAW & JUSTICE/ ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK REPORTS
LAW & JUSTICE
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE:
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at RSA Conference on Cybersecurity
Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates Delivers Remarks, Announcing Expansion of Violence Reduction Network
Former Fugitive Pleads Guilty in Florida Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
Chief Executive Officer of International Metallurgical Company Arrested for Exporting Aerospace-Grade Metals to Iran
Principal of Dietary Ingredient Companies Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud and Meth Precursor Scheme
FROM THE FBI FILES:
Putting the Brakes on Crime Getaway Driver Sentenced to 121 Years
FBI Tip Line
Web Portal, Created in 2001, Receives ‘Actionable’ Tips Daily
Director Comey Discusses Investigative Challenges in Light of New Methods of Electronic Communication
Medical Equipment Company Will Pay $646 Million for Making Illegal Payments to Doctors and Hospitals in United States and Latin America
INTERPOL meeting addresses terrorist threats across Asia-Pacific
In other Law and Justice headlines...
Apple, FBI stake out conflicting positions before Congress (AP)
For high-crime neighborhoods, a class in gunshot first aid (AP)
Ohio school district welcomes students back after shootings (AP)
Texas abortion case goes before shorthanded U.S. Supreme Court (REU)
Former Chesapeake CEO McClendon charged with bid-rigging of land leases (REU)
Supreme Court justices heap warmth, wit on Scalia (REU)
ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK
AIRDRIE-CALGARY: RESIDENTS DEBATE FLUORIDE ( FAO)
PROTESTERS BACK ARAB WATER WORKS ON FLUORIDE ISSUE (FAO)
Turning Your Pet Into a Therapy Dog--NY TIMES
Seattle Underbelly Exposed as Homeless Camp Violence Flares---NY TIMES
B.C.'s tent-city injunction bid faces opposition---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
HUD STREAMLINES RENT REGULATIONS
New rule to reduce burden on state and local housing agencies and private landlords
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
Job 23:10-11 NKJV
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE:
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at RSA Conference on Cybersecurity
Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates Delivers Remarks, Announcing Expansion of Violence Reduction Network
Former Fugitive Pleads Guilty in Florida Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
Chief Executive Officer of International Metallurgical Company Arrested for Exporting Aerospace-Grade Metals to Iran
Principal of Dietary Ingredient Companies Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud and Meth Precursor Scheme
FROM THE FBI FILES:
Putting the Brakes on Crime Getaway Driver Sentenced to 121 Years
FBI Tip Line
Web Portal, Created in 2001, Receives ‘Actionable’ Tips Daily
Director Comey Discusses Investigative Challenges in Light of New Methods of Electronic Communication
Medical Equipment Company Will Pay $646 Million for Making Illegal Payments to Doctors and Hospitals in United States and Latin America
INTERPOL meeting addresses terrorist threats across Asia-Pacific
In other Law and Justice headlines...
Apple, FBI stake out conflicting positions before Congress (AP)
For high-crime neighborhoods, a class in gunshot first aid (AP)
Ohio school district welcomes students back after shootings (AP)
Texas abortion case goes before shorthanded U.S. Supreme Court (REU)
Former Chesapeake CEO McClendon charged with bid-rigging of land leases (REU)
Supreme Court justices heap warmth, wit on Scalia (REU)
ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK
AIRDRIE-CALGARY: RESIDENTS DEBATE FLUORIDE ( FAO)
PROTESTERS BACK ARAB WATER WORKS ON FLUORIDE ISSUE (FAO)
Turning Your Pet Into a Therapy Dog--NY TIMES
Seattle Underbelly Exposed as Homeless Camp Violence Flares---NY TIMES
B.C.'s tent-city injunction bid faces opposition---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
HUD STREAMLINES RENT REGULATIONS
New rule to reduce burden on state and local housing agencies and private landlords
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
Job 23:10-11 NKJV
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
NATIONAL DIGEST: GROPING JOE SHOULD KNOW RIGHT?
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by the Vice President at the Academy Awards
Quote: " Good evening. Good evening, and thank you very much. Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many women and men -- on and off college campuses -- are still victims of sexual abuse. And tonight I’m asking you to join millions of Americans, including me, President Obama, the thousands of students I’ve met on college campuses, and the artists here tonight to take the pledge -- a pledge that says: I will intervene in situations when consent has not or cannot be given."---Vice President Joe Biden
REF: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/28/remarks-vice-president-academy-awards
Related stories:
Mea Culpa... I Forgot to Vote in the Oscars!---PJMEDIA
Oscars get 34.3 million viewers, lowest rating since 2008--CNSNEWS
NO MORE OSCARS FOR ME
Joe Biden is now leading the fight not only against cancer, but campus rape.---AMERCIAN SPECATATOR/ STEIN
VP Joe Biden pleads for end of rape culture at Oscars before introducing Lady Gaga and dozens of sexual assault victims on stage---NY DAILY NEWS
How the Oscars’ social activism took on Hollywood--REU
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2016/02/29/how-the-oscars-social-activism-took-on-hollywood/
In Other national news...
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor Presentation to Senior Chief Edward Byers, Jr., U.S. Navy
Related stories:
Navy Hero Dedicates Medal of Honor to Fallen Friend
SEAL Who Wrestled Gunman and Shielded Hostage Is Awarded Medal of Honor--NY TIMES
Navy SEAL who rescued American hostage awarded Medal of Honor--REU
FDA takes additional action to better understand safety of Essure, inform patients of potential risks
FDA providing $2 million in new grants for natural history studies in rare diseases
Super Tuesday: Clinton, Trump look to pull away from rivals (AP)
Obama to meet with GOP leaders on court fight (AP)
Before Trump, there was Jesse Ventura _ and a big victory (AP)
Rubio backers spend big in Texas ahead of Super Tuesday (REU)
House Speaker Ryan: Republican nominee must reject bigotry (REU)
Obama to press Republicans to fill Supreme Court vacancy at Tuesday meeting (REU)
Trump’s David Duke Amnesia (Fact check)
Trump orders Secret Service to remove black students from rally (THE HILL)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV
Quote: " Good evening. Good evening, and thank you very much. Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many women and men -- on and off college campuses -- are still victims of sexual abuse. And tonight I’m asking you to join millions of Americans, including me, President Obama, the thousands of students I’ve met on college campuses, and the artists here tonight to take the pledge -- a pledge that says: I will intervene in situations when consent has not or cannot be given."---Vice President Joe Biden
REF: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/28/remarks-vice-president-academy-awards
Related stories:
Mea Culpa... I Forgot to Vote in the Oscars!---PJMEDIA
Oscars get 34.3 million viewers, lowest rating since 2008--CNSNEWS
NO MORE OSCARS FOR ME
Joe Biden is now leading the fight not only against cancer, but campus rape.---AMERCIAN SPECATATOR/ STEIN
VP Joe Biden pleads for end of rape culture at Oscars before introducing Lady Gaga and dozens of sexual assault victims on stage---NY DAILY NEWS
How the Oscars’ social activism took on Hollywood--REU
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2016/02/29/how-the-oscars-social-activism-took-on-hollywood/
In Other national news...
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor Presentation to Senior Chief Edward Byers, Jr., U.S. Navy
Related stories:
Navy Hero Dedicates Medal of Honor to Fallen Friend
SEAL Who Wrestled Gunman and Shielded Hostage Is Awarded Medal of Honor--NY TIMES
Navy SEAL who rescued American hostage awarded Medal of Honor--REU
FDA takes additional action to better understand safety of Essure, inform patients of potential risks
FDA providing $2 million in new grants for natural history studies in rare diseases
Super Tuesday: Clinton, Trump look to pull away from rivals (AP)
Obama to meet with GOP leaders on court fight (AP)
Before Trump, there was Jesse Ventura _ and a big victory (AP)
Rubio backers spend big in Texas ahead of Super Tuesday (REU)
House Speaker Ryan: Republican nominee must reject bigotry (REU)
Obama to press Republicans to fill Supreme Court vacancy at Tuesday meeting (REU)
Trump’s David Duke Amnesia (Fact check)
Trump orders Secret Service to remove black students from rally (THE HILL)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV
Monday, February 29, 2016
MAYOR PENS NOTE OF GOOD WILL OVER PUBLISHER'S MISHAP ON SUNDAY
Readers,
As a curtsy I send these reports to all elected officials regarding local topics that make headlines.
One topic I wrote about yesterday was regarding my little mishap heading to church services on Sunday. I sent the article to all governmental types as a curtsy, but never expected this note from the Mayor:
As a curtsy I send these reports to all elected officials regarding local topics that make headlines.
One topic I wrote about yesterday was regarding my little mishap heading to church services on Sunday. I sent the article to all governmental types as a curtsy, but never expected this note from the Mayor:
Peter,
I am so glad you survived what could have been a much worse outcome on Sunday. That individuals, especially the police/sheriffs, were nearby when bad things began to happen, may well be attributed to Heavenly Father looking out for one his favorite children, who simply was on his appointed way to worship among other children of God.
Best regards,
-Patrick Downie
I wrote the mayor and thanked him for the kind words, and said I was thinking on those same lines that the Heavenly Father figures I am still of some use in this big world of ours yet.
WORLD NEWS DIGEST/ BUSINESS & FINANCE REPORTS
UN CALLS FOR CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN SYRIA, SOME DIDN'T GET THE MEMO.
Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2268 on the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
Quote: " There is some skepticism as to whether this cessation of hostilities – which is scheduled to go into effect in less than an hour, at midnight Damascus time – will be respected from the outset, or, just as important, whether it will hold with time. That skepticism is more than reasonable, given previous efforts that this Council and other multilateral institutions have undertaken to try to stop the monstrous violence and immeasurable suffering experienced by the Syrian people. Yet that record does not change the fact that this is our best chance, it’s our best chance to reduce the violence. Today, as in every previous effort, the only measure that matters is not the words on the page of this resolution, it is whether these commitments are actually put into practice and whether these commitments lead to real changes on the ground."---Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
ref. http://usun.state.gov/remarks/7156
Related stories:
UN chief says Syria truce holding despite growing breaches (AP)
Syrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from IS group (AP)
Opposition activists report airstrikes in northern Syria (AP)
Syrian opposition says government wrecking truce deal (REU)
UN plans aid for 154,000 besieged Syrians in next 5 days (REU)
The Latest: Erdogan Says Hostilities Continuing in Syria--NYTIMES
Turkish artillery hit Islamic State positions in Syria on Sunday, official says (REU)
News from the UN NEWS CENTER
South Sudan: UN deputy humanitarian chief calls for end to civilian suffering
UN report finds migrants play critical role in Asia-Pacific development
Yemen: Ban condemns apparent airstrike on Sana'a market; calls for prompt investigation
Ban urges all involved in Comoros electoral process to refrain from violence
In other world news headlines...
Iranian moderates win majority in parliament, clerical body (AP)
North Korea puts tearful detained American before cameras (AP)
Suicide bombing at Iraqi funeral kills at least 25 (AP)
As Europe bickers, police fire tear gas on migrants storming border (REU)
Major powers team up to tell China of concerns over new laws (REU)
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Fight Against Power Plant Rule Gains Steam---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Happy Leap Day! Here are 5 Examples of Regulators Not Looking Before Leaping---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Labor's Retirement Rule Would Throw Small Business Retirement Plans Out With the Bathwater--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
U.S. Government Enlists Hackers to Help Break Down Global Trade Barriers---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
US TREASURY DEPT: Remarks of Secretary Lew Before Meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
USDA Improves the WIC Shopping Experience to Better Serve our Nation's Low-Income, New and Expecting Mothers and Their Young Children
USDA BLOG: Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production
USDA BLOG: Tribal Conservation Partnership Provides Aquaculture Ponds for Walleye
IRS: March 1 Tax Deadline Nears for Many Farmers and Fishermen; New IRS Direct Pay Tool Offers Easiest Way to E-Pay Taxes
IRS Statement On “Get Transcript”
In other business and finance news...
'My taxes are none of your business': Mark Cuban--CNBC
Why Wal-Mart can't grow anymore---MOTLEY FOOL
Lumber Liquidators Falls as Turmoil Shows No Sign of Letting Up---BLOOMBERG
Why losing a home means losing everything---WASHINGTON POST
Why Mercedes is halting robots' reign on the production line---BLOOMBERG
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes ] [ A Song of Ascents. ] In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.
Psalm 120:1 NKJV
Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2268 on the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
Quote: " There is some skepticism as to whether this cessation of hostilities – which is scheduled to go into effect in less than an hour, at midnight Damascus time – will be respected from the outset, or, just as important, whether it will hold with time. That skepticism is more than reasonable, given previous efforts that this Council and other multilateral institutions have undertaken to try to stop the monstrous violence and immeasurable suffering experienced by the Syrian people. Yet that record does not change the fact that this is our best chance, it’s our best chance to reduce the violence. Today, as in every previous effort, the only measure that matters is not the words on the page of this resolution, it is whether these commitments are actually put into practice and whether these commitments lead to real changes on the ground."---Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
ref. http://usun.state.gov/remarks/7156
Related stories:
UN chief says Syria truce holding despite growing breaches (AP)
Syrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from IS group (AP)
Opposition activists report airstrikes in northern Syria (AP)
Syrian opposition says government wrecking truce deal (REU)
UN plans aid for 154,000 besieged Syrians in next 5 days (REU)
The Latest: Erdogan Says Hostilities Continuing in Syria--NYTIMES
Turkish artillery hit Islamic State positions in Syria on Sunday, official says (REU)
News from the UN NEWS CENTER
South Sudan: UN deputy humanitarian chief calls for end to civilian suffering
UN report finds migrants play critical role in Asia-Pacific development
Yemen: Ban condemns apparent airstrike on Sana'a market; calls for prompt investigation
Ban urges all involved in Comoros electoral process to refrain from violence
In other world news headlines...
Iranian moderates win majority in parliament, clerical body (AP)
North Korea puts tearful detained American before cameras (AP)
Suicide bombing at Iraqi funeral kills at least 25 (AP)
As Europe bickers, police fire tear gas on migrants storming border (REU)
Major powers team up to tell China of concerns over new laws (REU)
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Fight Against Power Plant Rule Gains Steam---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Happy Leap Day! Here are 5 Examples of Regulators Not Looking Before Leaping---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Labor's Retirement Rule Would Throw Small Business Retirement Plans Out With the Bathwater--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
U.S. Government Enlists Hackers to Help Break Down Global Trade Barriers---US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
US TREASURY DEPT: Remarks of Secretary Lew Before Meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
USDA Improves the WIC Shopping Experience to Better Serve our Nation's Low-Income, New and Expecting Mothers and Their Young Children
USDA BLOG: Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production
USDA BLOG: Tribal Conservation Partnership Provides Aquaculture Ponds for Walleye
IRS: March 1 Tax Deadline Nears for Many Farmers and Fishermen; New IRS Direct Pay Tool Offers Easiest Way to E-Pay Taxes
IRS Statement On “Get Transcript”
In other business and finance news...
'My taxes are none of your business': Mark Cuban--CNBC
Why Wal-Mart can't grow anymore---MOTLEY FOOL
Lumber Liquidators Falls as Turmoil Shows No Sign of Letting Up---BLOOMBERG
Why losing a home means losing everything---WASHINGTON POST
Why Mercedes is halting robots' reign on the production line---BLOOMBERG
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
[ Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes ] [ A Song of Ascents. ] In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.
Psalm 120:1 NKJV
Sunday, February 28, 2016
LITTLE MISHAP TRAVELING TO CHURCH SERVICES....
Readers,
Rarely does a member of the media makes news. This one probably won't even get mention. But thanks to an good Samaritans, I at least am able to tell the tale.
It happened this morning on my way to church services. Typically, when the whether is fowl and a mix bag of weather conditions, one moment rainy and windy, then the next sunny I stay home from services. I use my electric wheelchair to get around in town, and there is no bus services running on Sundays.
Anyway I put on my rain poncho, and those things aren't really designed for someone who uses a chair, at least the ones you get from the local stores aren't. They do have rain ponchos in specialty stores that caters to the needs of the disabled, but none of those types of stores are here that I know of. But, that is beside the point. I thought I tucked the edges of the rain poncho that would otherwise get got under my wheels of my chair securely enough, apparently not. The church I attend is on Front and Liberty, I live on east 6th. I make the track there every Sunday safely. Well not this week. I was traveling along South Peabody, thinking I tucked away the corners of the poncho, then suddenly a corner of the poncho got caught up on one of the front wheels, causing me to bend over and get trapped with the back of the poncho baring down on the back of my neck. The chair kept moving forward to a point, I could not shut off the chair because the controller was being being caught under the poncho as well, and I was bent over under the poncho, with it caught under the wheel, still going forward! I was being tipped in the chair ready to fall out of it, but couldn't even do that because the poncho was having a choke hold on me from the back. I could not even turn off the device. I was stuck! Being hanged as it were from my own chair, and poncho I was wearing. I yelled for help! Fortunately, a resident from the Manor apartments I think happened to hear my cries for help, and some cops were driving by, and they assisted me out of my situation I found myself in. I jokingly mention that members of the media never makes headlines! They Sheriff Deputies, and one local Police officer should be thanked for their assisting me. Along with the good Samaritan. The Paramedics were called and they checkout my neck, and back, and ticker. So thanks to them as well.
I managed to make it home alright, with a slight muscle strain of my back and neck.
So it goes to show there are goodhearted folks in our police and fire departments despite the bad press these folks get on the national level. My many thanks to the Clallam County Sheriff Deputies,City of Police, EMTS, and the Good Neighbor!
Rarely does a member of the media makes news. This one probably won't even get mention. But thanks to an good Samaritans, I at least am able to tell the tale.
It happened this morning on my way to church services. Typically, when the whether is fowl and a mix bag of weather conditions, one moment rainy and windy, then the next sunny I stay home from services. I use my electric wheelchair to get around in town, and there is no bus services running on Sundays.
Anyway I put on my rain poncho, and those things aren't really designed for someone who uses a chair, at least the ones you get from the local stores aren't. They do have rain ponchos in specialty stores that caters to the needs of the disabled, but none of those types of stores are here that I know of. But, that is beside the point. I thought I tucked the edges of the rain poncho that would otherwise get got under my wheels of my chair securely enough, apparently not. The church I attend is on Front and Liberty, I live on east 6th. I make the track there every Sunday safely. Well not this week. I was traveling along South Peabody, thinking I tucked away the corners of the poncho, then suddenly a corner of the poncho got caught up on one of the front wheels, causing me to bend over and get trapped with the back of the poncho baring down on the back of my neck. The chair kept moving forward to a point, I could not shut off the chair because the controller was being being caught under the poncho as well, and I was bent over under the poncho, with it caught under the wheel, still going forward! I was being tipped in the chair ready to fall out of it, but couldn't even do that because the poncho was having a choke hold on me from the back. I could not even turn off the device. I was stuck! Being hanged as it were from my own chair, and poncho I was wearing. I yelled for help! Fortunately, a resident from the Manor apartments I think happened to hear my cries for help, and some cops were driving by, and they assisted me out of my situation I found myself in. I jokingly mention that members of the media never makes headlines! They Sheriff Deputies, and one local Police officer should be thanked for their assisting me. Along with the good Samaritan. The Paramedics were called and they checkout my neck, and back, and ticker. So thanks to them as well.
I managed to make it home alright, with a slight muscle strain of my back and neck.
So it goes to show there are goodhearted folks in our police and fire departments despite the bad press these folks get on the national level. My many thanks to the Clallam County Sheriff Deputies,City of Police, EMTS, and the Good Neighbor!
PORT UNVEILS PORT COMMISSIONER APPLICANTS...
WHILE CITY STILL IN QUAGMIRE OF CONTROVERSY.
At least Dan Gase and I agree about one thing in all of this..See I told you so. (That is in regards to a quote that the PND mentioned sometime ago, about forming the ad hoc committee regarding the alternatives to fluoride, which he said, " I don't want another see I told you so.) A play on words folks. You'll have to look up the PDN article to get the jest of what I was referring to.
I told you readers if the city had put this issue of fluoridation as a ballot measure on November's ballot. I have a hunch none of what is going on right now would be happening.
And another see I told you so: Looks like those stories about transparency paid off, the Port seeing the light of day perhaps. Or was it the state assistance attorney's opinion, plus what was posted on the PDN, and here, that gave the Port something to ponder about being completely open and transparent?
Related stories:
District 2 Commissioner Candidates Identified and Interviews Set
Late Friday the Port of Port Angeles Board of Commissioners decided to interview all seven District 2 Commissioner candidates on March 4th beginning at 9am. Each commissioner candidate will be allotted approximately forty five minutes for their interview with the commission. Candidates will not be allowed to observe other commissioner candidate interviews before they are interviewed.
The Commission also decided to release the names, supplemental questionnaires and conflict of interest statements of each candidate after receiving verbal permission to do so from each candidate. The candidates are:
Mr. Brent Berry
Mr. Steven Burke
Mr. James Haguewood
Mr. Randall Johnson
Mr. Thomas Pope
Mr. Melvin Rudin
Mr. David Sellars
You can view each candidates supplemental questionnaire and conflict of interest statement by clicking on their name above.
ref. http://www.portofpa.com/DocumentCenter/View/640
Related news stories:
Meanwhile: City Council still stuck Quamire of flouride and ethics
Two points I want to make here, one now that the city attorney is facing a ethics complaint of his own, does his opinion on the matter of possibility changing the form of government have any baring? Secondly regarding the petition mentioned in the PDN article today, yes, I signed that petition of a change of the structure of the city government. To hopefully send a message to the council that you don't ignore the majority of the people, regarding a topic that conserns everyone clean drinking water. Do I really want to change the way the city is govern? NO! I think no one in their hearts of hearts really does. The council made the wrong moves in ignoring the citizen advisory poll, which mounted as being nothing more than a straw poll, and ended up being ignored anyway. They made the mistake of not putting this issue as a ballot measure back on November's ballot, they would not have so easily ignored the results of that vote, as they did with the "straw poll" they decided to do I would think.
Related stories:
2016. This one alleges that Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd and Councilmember Dan Gase violated
that code. This is the second of two complaints that center on events that transpired at Council’s February 2, 2016 meeting.
The Port Angeles Municipal Code directs that Council assemble a three-member Board of Ethics
to receive, investigate and make recommendations for disposition of the complaint. On February 16, Council chose Grant Meiner, Danetta Rutten and Frank Prince from a pool of pre-approved applicants to serve on the Board of Ethics to review the first complaint. That board is scheduled to meet on March 8, 2016. page I-1 of agenda packet
ref: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2836
Other News Commentaries:
Has Rubio Hurt Cruz More Than Trump for Super Tuesday?--PJMEDIA
No, Seriously, Trump Is a Fascist--PJMEDIA
Christie's Endorsement of Trump Is an About-Face--PATRIOT POST
Psst! ‘Plastics’ needs to be reformed--CSMONITOR
* OH PLEASE! This again? The environmental wackos still can't come up with an alternative solution in how are people going to depose of waste material without using plastic bags to depose of garbage. Supermarkets would have to get rid all of those plastic bags, and invest in these cloth bags for people to buy. Yet, there have been reports that those cloth bags if not routinely washed will contaminate food bought at the store. Meaning, the shopper will have to spend more money to replace the food that was spoiled. I mean really who is going to continually wash those cloth bags? Many people on fixed incomes and they are not going to buy cloth bags that don't carry very much to begin with, and spend money on washing them again, and again.
US Should Call ISIS Actions Against Christians What They Are, Genocide--CNSNEWS
The Inconvenient Facts the Media Ignore About Climate Change--DAILY SIGNAL
SOCIALISM, THE NIGHTMARE THAT NEVER DIES---AMERICAN SPECTATOR
World burns as Obama fiddles: Territory, power and victory are so 20th century--NY DAILY NEWS
Trump Won't Disavow David Duke, KKK Support, 'I Will Do Research On Them'---WEEKLY STANDARD
That Coke Can Is Back--NY TIMES
Chief Beck needs to explain why we need thousands of extra cops---LA TIMES
In Washington, D.C., reminders of America’s dark history of segregation---WASHINGTON POST
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Importance of Truth---Gospel Way
At least Dan Gase and I agree about one thing in all of this..See I told you so. (That is in regards to a quote that the PND mentioned sometime ago, about forming the ad hoc committee regarding the alternatives to fluoride, which he said, " I don't want another see I told you so.) A play on words folks. You'll have to look up the PDN article to get the jest of what I was referring to.
I told you readers if the city had put this issue of fluoridation as a ballot measure on November's ballot. I have a hunch none of what is going on right now would be happening.
And another see I told you so: Looks like those stories about transparency paid off, the Port seeing the light of day perhaps. Or was it the state assistance attorney's opinion, plus what was posted on the PDN, and here, that gave the Port something to ponder about being completely open and transparent?
Related stories:
District 2 Commissioner Candidates Identified and Interviews Set
Late Friday the Port of Port Angeles Board of Commissioners decided to interview all seven District 2 Commissioner candidates on March 4th beginning at 9am. Each commissioner candidate will be allotted approximately forty five minutes for their interview with the commission. Candidates will not be allowed to observe other commissioner candidate interviews before they are interviewed.
The Commission also decided to release the names, supplemental questionnaires and conflict of interest statements of each candidate after receiving verbal permission to do so from each candidate. The candidates are:
Mr. Brent Berry
Mr. Steven Burke
Mr. James Haguewood
Mr. Randall Johnson
Mr. Thomas Pope
Mr. Melvin Rudin
Mr. David Sellars
You can view each candidates supplemental questionnaire and conflict of interest statement by clicking on their name above.
ref. http://www.portofpa.com/DocumentCenter/View/640
Related news stories:
Meanwhile: City Council still stuck Quamire of flouride and ethics
Two points I want to make here, one now that the city attorney is facing a ethics complaint of his own, does his opinion on the matter of possibility changing the form of government have any baring? Secondly regarding the petition mentioned in the PDN article today, yes, I signed that petition of a change of the structure of the city government. To hopefully send a message to the council that you don't ignore the majority of the people, regarding a topic that conserns everyone clean drinking water. Do I really want to change the way the city is govern? NO! I think no one in their hearts of hearts really does. The council made the wrong moves in ignoring the citizen advisory poll, which mounted as being nothing more than a straw poll, and ended up being ignored anyway. They made the mistake of not putting this issue as a ballot measure back on November's ballot, they would not have so easily ignored the results of that vote, as they did with the "straw poll" they decided to do I would think.
Related stories:
- Summary: A complaint invoking the City’s Code of Ethical Conduct was filed on February 19,
2016. This one alleges that Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd and Councilmember Dan Gase violated
that code. This is the second of two complaints that center on events that transpired at Council’s February 2, 2016 meeting.
The Port Angeles Municipal Code directs that Council assemble a three-member Board of Ethics
to receive, investigate and make recommendations for disposition of the complaint. On February 16, Council chose Grant Meiner, Danetta Rutten and Frank Prince from a pool of pre-approved applicants to serve on the Board of Ethics to review the first complaint. That board is scheduled to meet on March 8, 2016. page I-1 of agenda packet
ref: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2836
Other News Commentaries:
Has Rubio Hurt Cruz More Than Trump for Super Tuesday?--PJMEDIA
No, Seriously, Trump Is a Fascist--PJMEDIA
Christie's Endorsement of Trump Is an About-Face--PATRIOT POST
Psst! ‘Plastics’ needs to be reformed--CSMONITOR
* OH PLEASE! This again? The environmental wackos still can't come up with an alternative solution in how are people going to depose of waste material without using plastic bags to depose of garbage. Supermarkets would have to get rid all of those plastic bags, and invest in these cloth bags for people to buy. Yet, there have been reports that those cloth bags if not routinely washed will contaminate food bought at the store. Meaning, the shopper will have to spend more money to replace the food that was spoiled. I mean really who is going to continually wash those cloth bags? Many people on fixed incomes and they are not going to buy cloth bags that don't carry very much to begin with, and spend money on washing them again, and again.
US Should Call ISIS Actions Against Christians What They Are, Genocide--CNSNEWS
The Inconvenient Facts the Media Ignore About Climate Change--DAILY SIGNAL
SOCIALISM, THE NIGHTMARE THAT NEVER DIES---AMERICAN SPECTATOR
World burns as Obama fiddles: Territory, power and victory are so 20th century--NY DAILY NEWS
Trump Won't Disavow David Duke, KKK Support, 'I Will Do Research On Them'---WEEKLY STANDARD
That Coke Can Is Back--NY TIMES
Chief Beck needs to explain why we need thousands of extra cops---LA TIMES
In Washington, D.C., reminders of America’s dark history of segregation---WASHINGTON POST
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Importance of Truth---Gospel Way
Saturday, February 27, 2016
DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH...HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?
COUNTY TO ISSUE PROCLAMATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?
1e Recognizing March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month
See agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
The proclamation is in the agenda packet: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
Editorial Note: With all those proclamations and lofty words spoken each year, has anything really change for the disability community locally as a whole? And, not just speaking of those who have Development Disabilities, but all who have a disability in some measure. There's been reports nationally that violence against people with disabilities are on the increase, discrimination is also on the increase. It's like, it is now acceptable to treat people with disabilities like second class citizens, much like was done because of race, and still is. The act of segregation has now passed to the disabled, as in, assuming that disabled folks should associate with their own kind. Much like what is being done along the racial divide. Though there as been no publish reports of outright discrimination against the disabled locally, it is still there just beneath the surface. Like for example: people making the assumption that if you have a physical or sensory disability that you have a developmental one. I heard that by some people around me. Or making the assumption since a person is disabled, they should know everyone who has a disability. That's like saying all black people are athletically inclined, or they should know everyone else who are of their race. As you see stereotyping isn't only a racial issue, it effects people in all walks of life.
The point is readers when you stereotype people as a group, the community as a whole is diminished.
References:
Reagons Proclamation
* It's Ironic it took a Republican President to do this.
The White House: Remarks by the President at "In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to Ray Charles"
Quote: Ray Charles Robinson’s childhood in the segregated South was marked by poverty and tragedy. Early in his life, he watched his younger brother drown, lost his eyesight, and lost his father. But Ray had two things going for him. One was a strong mother, Aretha, who insisted that her son not wallow in self-pity, but master self-sufficiency. And two, he had music.--President Obama
Editorial Note: A prime example of a disabled person who was black, breaking the stereotypes that society probably put on him before he became famous and renown.
Other disability related news
Federal Proposal Calls For Disability Hiring Quota--Disability Scoop
Study Offers Clues To Down Syndrome, Possible Treatment--Disability Scoop
Fight For Promotion Spurs Disability Rights Debate---Disability Scoop
Seven-month-old baby, who was born with rare birth defect, gets a life-saving heart transplant after going into cardiac arrest ---DAILY MAIL UK
Harvard Accessibility Lawsuit Moves Forward--Inside Higher ED
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with a Texas YMCA to Ensure Equal Opportunities for Children with Diabetes
Daily Devotional
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NKJV
1e Recognizing March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month
See agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
The proclamation is in the agenda packet: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
Editorial Note: With all those proclamations and lofty words spoken each year, has anything really change for the disability community locally as a whole? And, not just speaking of those who have Development Disabilities, but all who have a disability in some measure. There's been reports nationally that violence against people with disabilities are on the increase, discrimination is also on the increase. It's like, it is now acceptable to treat people with disabilities like second class citizens, much like was done because of race, and still is. The act of segregation has now passed to the disabled, as in, assuming that disabled folks should associate with their own kind. Much like what is being done along the racial divide. Though there as been no publish reports of outright discrimination against the disabled locally, it is still there just beneath the surface. Like for example: people making the assumption that if you have a physical or sensory disability that you have a developmental one. I heard that by some people around me. Or making the assumption since a person is disabled, they should know everyone who has a disability. That's like saying all black people are athletically inclined, or they should know everyone else who are of their race. As you see stereotyping isn't only a racial issue, it effects people in all walks of life.
The point is readers when you stereotype people as a group, the community as a whole is diminished.
References:
Reagons Proclamation
* It's Ironic it took a Republican President to do this.
The White House: Remarks by the President at "In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to Ray Charles"
Quote: Ray Charles Robinson’s childhood in the segregated South was marked by poverty and tragedy. Early in his life, he watched his younger brother drown, lost his eyesight, and lost his father. But Ray had two things going for him. One was a strong mother, Aretha, who insisted that her son not wallow in self-pity, but master self-sufficiency. And two, he had music.--President Obama
Editorial Note: A prime example of a disabled person who was black, breaking the stereotypes that society probably put on him before he became famous and renown.
Other disability related news
Federal Proposal Calls For Disability Hiring Quota--Disability Scoop
Study Offers Clues To Down Syndrome, Possible Treatment--Disability Scoop
Fight For Promotion Spurs Disability Rights Debate---Disability Scoop
Seven-month-old baby, who was born with rare birth defect, gets a life-saving heart transplant after going into cardiac arrest ---DAILY MAIL UK
Harvard Accessibility Lawsuit Moves Forward--Inside Higher ED
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with a Texas YMCA to Ensure Equal Opportunities for Children with Diabetes
Daily Devotional
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NKJV
Friday, February 26, 2016
ISSUES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
Readers, two news stories manage to catch my attention this week. Both stories fill the headline nicely this week, which deals with ethics and transparency.
But, before I get into this you may have noted I changed somethings in this posting. I now included news from the state, and reports from our US Congressional delegating. Oh, I'll continue make comments on some local news stories that already been published if they catch my eye, like the two stories that were posted by the Peninsula Daily News this time around. I have decided to mostly use the agendas and staff reports of various governmental sources locally as fodder for news commentary if a topic is worth making comment on. If not I'll just highlight the topics, like the gems I highlighted below. Some features will be moved to other reports, and some reports will be combined like this one.
I am hoping readers this will give you a better report.
So, without delay here is the low down for this week...
Quotes from article posted:
"The complaint “concerns the ethical conduct of [Bloor] in his capacity as city attorney . . . relating to his actions and in actions in connection with his role as a professional advocate for the city, which include his ethical duties owed to the public as his fiduciaries,” the 33-page complaint states."
"Without any council discussion or action, at the start of the meeting the mayor unilaterally and informally attempted to cede his powers and duties as chair of the meeting to [Kidd]” by asking her to do so, Perron said in the complaint."
ref. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160226/NEWS/302269973/third-port-angeles-ethics-complaint-targets-city-attorney
Editors Note: Apparently I wasn't the only one taking note on how the mayor who was sick, managed to be on the two way phone during that meeting on Feb. 2, and not able to assume his responsibilities leaving the deputy mayor preform the duties of the mayor during that meeting. If Downie was able to be on the two way phone during that meeting, he should have been well enough to chair that meeting using the two way, not hand off his authority as mayor to the deputy mayor. However, still while the ethic complaints filed cites one of the reasons as acts of behaving in a "professional" manner as one of the reasons for those complaints filed.
Why is it then, one council member who seemed to infer that the deputy mayor was the "fake" mayor, in his comments during that Feb. 2nd meeting has been getting a pass, by both the general public, and the main stream media? Is it because he just happens to be against fluoride he has been given a break?
I think there were a lot of wrongs being done during that meeting on Feb. 2. I think people have put blinders on to cover up miscues by those who have sided with the majority of us who are against the practice of fluoridating our water system. I'm hopeful that council member will do the right thing and offer a public apology to the deputy mayor for those remarks. It's one thing to disagree with someone on a topic, it's another to imply that a position on the council is inferior, or insinuate it's "fake".
Quote from article posted: Nancy Krier, state assistant attorney general for open government, said Thursday she urges government entities to make applications for vacant elected positions public. “The application process is the functional equivalent of a campaign,” she said.
ref. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160226/NEWS/302269987/port-of-port-angeles-to-evaluate-candidates-for-vacant-commissioner
See Port Commission agenda for today: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/02262016-132?html=true
“Once they take the position, they are in the same shoes as other elected officials.”
Editor's Note: I see I am not the only one that thinks that the names of the applicants should be revealed.
Now here is the quote from Port Commission McAleer letter she wrote to me last week, which I posted to full text earlier this week:
"Peter I respect the work you do and appreciate your involvement but you are wrong when you say the process has been "hush, hush" or insinuate a lack of transparency.
If you have a concern that we're not being transparent or being accountable to the public I'd like you to contact me. I'm absolutely committed to making the hard tough decisions publicly while we adhere to the OPMA and applicants rights to their privacy." ---From email letter last week
Now, I wrote to to McAleer this morning, (Friday) and asked her about the number of applicants that filed, she responded in saying that seven filed since that report I posted last week. I then emailed her for a response to the PDN's report and the statement by Nancy Krier, asked her if she had any response to that statement, she as yet to send an answer. To me readers, withholding names of applicants is just as much an issue of transparency as anything else.
From what I see there are others including an state assistant attorney general agrees with my assessment! That applicants names should be released not be withheld. So, yeah I might have botched up the numbers of applicants, but didn't botch up the notion of transparency extends to releasing names of applicants. Oh by the way one of the applicants did revealed his name on his own accord, according to the PDN article: Steve Burke, part-time executive director of William Shore Memorial Pool and treasurer of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, confirmed Wednesday that he has applied for the position. This leave me with this question will the other six who filed will be so forthcoming? If not, why are they hiding?
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK:
COUNTY AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHTS: 2a Agreement with Dale E. and Ann Cathrine Nichols for the purchase of an easement for the Carlsborg sewer project 2b Agreement with Duane I. Beland for the purchase of an easement for the Carlsborg sewer project.
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
CITY OF PORT ANGELES AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS:
Lodging Tax Event Grant Awards
Summary: The City Lodging Tax Committee considered seventeen (17) event grant
applications for Lodging Tax Funding. The Committee has forwarded a recommendation
to City Council for consideration. see page E 37 of agenda packet
2016-2017 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Re-appoint six (6) representatives to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for terms ending February 28, 2017.
Recommendations for filling the vacant positions are as follows:
Councilmember (1)
Cherie Kidd
Lodging Tax Collector (2)
Holly Dempsey – Olympic Lodge
Robert Utz – Red Lion Hotel
Lodging Tax Recipient (2)
Ryan Malane – Black Ball Ferry Line
Vicki Heckman – Sound Bikes and Kayaks
Citizen-At-Large (3) Non-voting
David Shargel
Vacant
PA Forward Representative (1) Non-voting
Vacant
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2836
Editorial Note: You have to wonder folks, with two ethics complaints Kidd is facing, is this a wise move to appoint her? Shouldn't she decline such appointments until she is cleared of any of the ethic complaints she is now facing?
Community Partner Program Application Deadline on Monday 2/29
Applications are due Monday, February 29th at 5pm for the Port of Port Angeles' Community Partner Program. The Port Commission approved the 2016 Community Partner Program in late January as a way to match funds for economic development programs in small cities and non-profits throughout the Port district. Information on the Community Partner Program can be found via the link below.---from the Port of Port Angeles webpage
ref: http://portofpa.com/Index.aspx?NID=295
From our congressional delegation to Washington DC:
With West Coast Salmon Hatcheries Under Threat, Cantwell Demands Accountability From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Agency’s bureaucratic delays leave majority of Washington salmon hatcheries vulnerable to lawsuits and closures
Murray Calls on Extreme Conservatives to #StopTheSham Ahead of Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt
OLYMPIA DIGEST: Press releases from state agencies, and politicians.
House construction budget ‘builds a better Washington’
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege Proposes Stronger Penalty Options for Public Disclosure Commission
Hargrove honored for helping families in poverty
New tools make it easier to open a restaurant in Spokane and Spokane Valley
Updating Yahoo!’s air permit for a data center in Quincy
Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards accepting nominations
Public meeting on salmon forecasts moved to new location
Gov. Inslee touts Washington state’s leadership as governors meet in nation’s capital
State disciplines health care providers
Workers who lose limbs will receive state-of-the-art care at new Center of Excellence for Amputations thanks to partnership between Harborview Medical Center and L&I
Wyman announces candidates for Presidential Primary
State fines excavator for digging with an expired utility locate
DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9 NKJV
But, before I get into this you may have noted I changed somethings in this posting. I now included news from the state, and reports from our US Congressional delegating. Oh, I'll continue make comments on some local news stories that already been published if they catch my eye, like the two stories that were posted by the Peninsula Daily News this time around. I have decided to mostly use the agendas and staff reports of various governmental sources locally as fodder for news commentary if a topic is worth making comment on. If not I'll just highlight the topics, like the gems I highlighted below. Some features will be moved to other reports, and some reports will be combined like this one.
I am hoping readers this will give you a better report.
So, without delay here is the low down for this week...
- Third Port Angeles ethics complaint targets city attorney--PDN
Quotes from article posted:
"The complaint “concerns the ethical conduct of [Bloor] in his capacity as city attorney . . . relating to his actions and in actions in connection with his role as a professional advocate for the city, which include his ethical duties owed to the public as his fiduciaries,” the 33-page complaint states."
"Without any council discussion or action, at the start of the meeting the mayor unilaterally and informally attempted to cede his powers and duties as chair of the meeting to [Kidd]” by asking her to do so, Perron said in the complaint."
ref. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160226/NEWS/302269973/third-port-angeles-ethics-complaint-targets-city-attorney
Editors Note: Apparently I wasn't the only one taking note on how the mayor who was sick, managed to be on the two way phone during that meeting on Feb. 2, and not able to assume his responsibilities leaving the deputy mayor preform the duties of the mayor during that meeting. If Downie was able to be on the two way phone during that meeting, he should have been well enough to chair that meeting using the two way, not hand off his authority as mayor to the deputy mayor. However, still while the ethic complaints filed cites one of the reasons as acts of behaving in a "professional" manner as one of the reasons for those complaints filed.
Why is it then, one council member who seemed to infer that the deputy mayor was the "fake" mayor, in his comments during that Feb. 2nd meeting has been getting a pass, by both the general public, and the main stream media? Is it because he just happens to be against fluoride he has been given a break?
I think there were a lot of wrongs being done during that meeting on Feb. 2. I think people have put blinders on to cover up miscues by those who have sided with the majority of us who are against the practice of fluoridating our water system. I'm hopeful that council member will do the right thing and offer a public apology to the deputy mayor for those remarks. It's one thing to disagree with someone on a topic, it's another to imply that a position on the council is inferior, or insinuate it's "fake".
- Port of Port Angeles to evaluate candidates for vacant commissioner position today--PDN
Quote from article posted: Nancy Krier, state assistant attorney general for open government, said Thursday she urges government entities to make applications for vacant elected positions public. “The application process is the functional equivalent of a campaign,” she said.
ref. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160226/NEWS/302269987/port-of-port-angeles-to-evaluate-candidates-for-vacant-commissioner
See Port Commission agenda for today: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/02262016-132?html=true
“Once they take the position, they are in the same shoes as other elected officials.”
Editor's Note: I see I am not the only one that thinks that the names of the applicants should be revealed.
Now here is the quote from Port Commission McAleer letter she wrote to me last week, which I posted to full text earlier this week:
"Peter I respect the work you do and appreciate your involvement but you are wrong when you say the process has been "hush, hush" or insinuate a lack of transparency.
If you have a concern that we're not being transparent or being accountable to the public I'd like you to contact me. I'm absolutely committed to making the hard tough decisions publicly while we adhere to the OPMA and applicants rights to their privacy." ---From email letter last week
Now, I wrote to to McAleer this morning, (Friday) and asked her about the number of applicants that filed, she responded in saying that seven filed since that report I posted last week. I then emailed her for a response to the PDN's report and the statement by Nancy Krier, asked her if she had any response to that statement, she as yet to send an answer. To me readers, withholding names of applicants is just as much an issue of transparency as anything else.
From what I see there are others including an state assistant attorney general agrees with my assessment! That applicants names should be released not be withheld. So, yeah I might have botched up the numbers of applicants, but didn't botch up the notion of transparency extends to releasing names of applicants. Oh by the way one of the applicants did revealed his name on his own accord, according to the PDN article: Steve Burke, part-time executive director of William Shore Memorial Pool and treasurer of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, confirmed Wednesday that he has applied for the position. This leave me with this question will the other six who filed will be so forthcoming? If not, why are they hiding?
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR NEXT WEEK:
COUNTY AGENDA ITEM HIGHLIGHTS: 2a Agreement with Dale E. and Ann Cathrine Nichols for the purchase of an easement for the Carlsborg sewer project 2b Agreement with Duane I. Beland for the purchase of an easement for the Carlsborg sewer project.
See full agenda: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_agenda.pdf
Agenda details: http://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/bocc_meeting_packet.pdf
CITY OF PORT ANGELES AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEMS:
Lodging Tax Event Grant Awards
Summary: The City Lodging Tax Committee considered seventeen (17) event grant
applications for Lodging Tax Funding. The Committee has forwarded a recommendation
to City Council for consideration. see page E 37 of agenda packet
2016-2017 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Re-appoint six (6) representatives to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for terms ending February 28, 2017.
Recommendations for filling the vacant positions are as follows:
Councilmember (1)
Cherie Kidd
Lodging Tax Collector (2)
Holly Dempsey – Olympic Lodge
Robert Utz – Red Lion Hotel
Lodging Tax Recipient (2)
Ryan Malane – Black Ball Ferry Line
Vicki Heckman – Sound Bikes and Kayaks
Citizen-At-Large (3) Non-voting
David Shargel
Vacant
PA Forward Representative (1) Non-voting
Vacant
See full agenda: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2836
Editorial Note: You have to wonder folks, with two ethics complaints Kidd is facing, is this a wise move to appoint her? Shouldn't she decline such appointments until she is cleared of any of the ethic complaints she is now facing?
Community Partner Program Application Deadline on Monday 2/29
Applications are due Monday, February 29th at 5pm for the Port of Port Angeles' Community Partner Program. The Port Commission approved the 2016 Community Partner Program in late January as a way to match funds for economic development programs in small cities and non-profits throughout the Port district. Information on the Community Partner Program can be found via the link below.---from the Port of Port Angeles webpage
ref: http://portofpa.com/Index.aspx?NID=295
From our congressional delegation to Washington DC:
With West Coast Salmon Hatcheries Under Threat, Cantwell Demands Accountability From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Agency’s bureaucratic delays leave majority of Washington salmon hatcheries vulnerable to lawsuits and closures
Murray Calls on Extreme Conservatives to #StopTheSham Ahead of Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt
OLYMPIA DIGEST: Press releases from state agencies, and politicians.
House construction budget ‘builds a better Washington’
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege Proposes Stronger Penalty Options for Public Disclosure Commission
Hargrove honored for helping families in poverty
New tools make it easier to open a restaurant in Spokane and Spokane Valley
Updating Yahoo!’s air permit for a data center in Quincy
Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards accepting nominations
Public meeting on salmon forecasts moved to new location
Gov. Inslee touts Washington state’s leadership as governors meet in nation’s capital
State disciplines health care providers
Workers who lose limbs will receive state-of-the-art care at new Center of Excellence for Amputations thanks to partnership between Harborview Medical Center and L&I
Wyman announces candidates for Presidential Primary
State fines excavator for digging with an expired utility locate
DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9 NKJV
Thursday, February 25, 2016
NATIONAL DIGEST
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON DC
Sen. Murray Urges WA Communities to Apply for Transportation Grants
With West Coast Salmon Hatcheries Under Threat, Cantwell Demands Accountability From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Cantwell, Washington State University & Everett Community College Students Discuss the Need to Make College More Affordable
Kilmer, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop the Outsourcing of American Jobs
Kilmer Applauds Kitsap Regional Library on National Award Nomination
The town hall tour--from Congressman Kilmer
In other national news headlines...
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by the President at "In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to Ray Charles"
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by President Obama and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan After Bilateral Meeting
THE WHITE HOUSE: FACT SHEET: White House Announces New Summer Opportunity Project
FDA Statement on Senate Confirmation of Dr. Robert M. Califf
FDA approves Briviact to treat partial onset seizures
EPA's FY 2017 Budget Request Increases Support for Communities to Deliver Core Environmental and Health Protection
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Testifies Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Senior Medical Leaders Testify on Defense Health Care Reform--DOD
Testimony of Counselor Antonio Weiss before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the Fiscal Crisis in Puerto Rico
Debate another chance for Rubio, Cruz to try to slow Trump (AP)
AP-GfK Poll: Support shaky for Sanders 'Medicare for all' (AP)
Obama weighs Republican for Supreme Court (REU)
Trump versus Rubio and Cruz at Houston Republican debate (REU)
Committee chair McCain vows to block contract for new Northrop bomber (REU)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV
Sen. Murray Urges WA Communities to Apply for Transportation Grants
With West Coast Salmon Hatcheries Under Threat, Cantwell Demands Accountability From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Cantwell, Washington State University & Everett Community College Students Discuss the Need to Make College More Affordable
Kilmer, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop the Outsourcing of American Jobs
Kilmer Applauds Kitsap Regional Library on National Award Nomination
The town hall tour--from Congressman Kilmer
In other national news headlines...
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by the President at "In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to Ray Charles"
THE WHITE HOUSE: Remarks by President Obama and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan After Bilateral Meeting
THE WHITE HOUSE: FACT SHEET: White House Announces New Summer Opportunity Project
FDA Statement on Senate Confirmation of Dr. Robert M. Califf
FDA approves Briviact to treat partial onset seizures
EPA's FY 2017 Budget Request Increases Support for Communities to Deliver Core Environmental and Health Protection
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Testifies Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Senior Medical Leaders Testify on Defense Health Care Reform--DOD
Testimony of Counselor Antonio Weiss before the House Committee on Natural Resources on the Fiscal Crisis in Puerto Rico
Debate another chance for Rubio, Cruz to try to slow Trump (AP)
AP-GfK Poll: Support shaky for Sanders 'Medicare for all' (AP)
Obama weighs Republican for Supreme Court (REU)
Trump versus Rubio and Cruz at Houston Republican debate (REU)
Committee chair McCain vows to block contract for new Northrop bomber (REU)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
WORLD NEWS DIGEST
NEWS FROM OUR US MISSION TO THE UN:
Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Debate on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
Remarks at a UN General Assembly Briefing by the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Remarks at a UN General Assembly Tribute to Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Remarks at the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations Opening of the 2016 Substantive Session
UN NEWS CENTER:
Burundi: Ban welcomes promise of ‘inclusive dialogue,’ release of detainees
UNESCO chief condemns murder of journalist in the Philippines
UN adviser calls for new mobile-industry partnership to achieve sustainable development
UN peacebuilding body highlights need to address root causes of conflict for sustainable peace
US STATE DEPT:
Budget Hearing - Department of State and Foreign Assistance (Video)
Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
Related Stories:
US DEFENSE DEPT:
DoD Submits Guantanamo Closure Plan to Congress
Guantanamo Closure Plan is Best Way Forward, Pentagon Press Secretary Says
Rebalance to Pacific Needs to Continue, Pacom Commander Says
In other world news headlines:
Hungarian leader seeks referendum on EU migrant quotas (AP)
French special forces waging 'secret war' in Libya: report (REU)
Russia gives a gift of 10,000 automatic rifles to Afghanistan (REU)
Egypt's Sisi, for first time, says Russian plane was brought down by terrorists (REU)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV
Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Debate on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
Remarks at a UN General Assembly Briefing by the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Remarks at a UN General Assembly Tribute to Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Remarks at the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations Opening of the 2016 Substantive Session
UN NEWS CENTER:
Burundi: Ban welcomes promise of ‘inclusive dialogue,’ release of detainees
UNESCO chief condemns murder of journalist in the Philippines
UN adviser calls for new mobile-industry partnership to achieve sustainable development
UN peacebuilding body highlights need to address root causes of conflict for sustainable peace
US STATE DEPT:
Budget Hearing - Department of State and Foreign Assistance (Video)
Cessation of Hostilities in Syria
Related Stories:
US DEFENSE DEPT:
DoD Submits Guantanamo Closure Plan to Congress
Guantanamo Closure Plan is Best Way Forward, Pentagon Press Secretary Says
Rebalance to Pacific Needs to Continue, Pacom Commander Says
In other world news headlines:
Hungarian leader seeks referendum on EU migrant quotas (AP)
French special forces waging 'secret war' in Libya: report (REU)
Russia gives a gift of 10,000 automatic rifles to Afghanistan (REU)
Egypt's Sisi, for first time, says Russian plane was brought down by terrorists (REU)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
LAW & JUSTICE REPORT/ ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK
News from the Department of Justice:
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at the National Association of Attorneys General Annual Winter Conference
Four Pennsylvania-Based Companies and Two Individuals Agree to Pay $3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Evaded Customs Duties
Justice Department Sues to Shut Down Houston Tax Preparer
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder Delivers Remarks at the Yale Global Antitrust Enforcement Conference
Head of the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at the Symposium on the Criminalization of Poverty at University of Michigan Law School
FROM THE FBI FILES:
Counterfeit Cabs Auto Broker Who Used Salvage Vehicles as Taxis Sentenced
Egg Donation and Surrogacy Scam California Woman Robbed Would-Be Parents of Money and Hope
Former Executive Director of Charity Sentenced to 21 Months In Prison for Stealing Over $1 Million From Employer and Laundering Over $220,000 of Proceeds
Atlanta Executives and an Internet-Based Promoter Charged with Scheme to Defraud Investors
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested and Charged with Defrauding Goodyear
INTERPOL: INTERPOL and Europol take steps against organized crime behind migrant smuggling
In other law and justice news...
Details only deepen mystery surrounding Kalamazoo shootings (AP)
4 arrested in Spain, Morocco for IS armed group ties (AP)
Meerkat expert cleared of assault in zoo love triangle spat (AP)
Cosby's wife deposed in sexual-assault defamation case (AP)
ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK:
Fight For Promotion Spurs Disability Rights Debate---DISABILITY SCOOP
Schools Doing Little To Ease Special Ed Paperwork Burden---DISABILITY SCOOP
Aging and ailing, homeless fear dying on the street
Hundreds die every year in the kind of squalor that is more commonly the hallmark of war zones and developing nations.---Boston Globe/STAT
Oregonians with disabilities sue state over failure to install sidewalk ramps--THE OREGONIAN
FLUOROSIS CRIPPLES LIFE IN MAYURBHANJ VILLAGES (FAO)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
Proverbs 14:22 NKJV
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at the National Association of Attorneys General Annual Winter Conference
Four Pennsylvania-Based Companies and Two Individuals Agree to Pay $3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Suit Alleging Evaded Customs Duties
Justice Department Sues to Shut Down Houston Tax Preparer
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder Delivers Remarks at the Yale Global Antitrust Enforcement Conference
Head of the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at the Symposium on the Criminalization of Poverty at University of Michigan Law School
FROM THE FBI FILES:
Counterfeit Cabs Auto Broker Who Used Salvage Vehicles as Taxis Sentenced
Egg Donation and Surrogacy Scam California Woman Robbed Would-Be Parents of Money and Hope
Former Executive Director of Charity Sentenced to 21 Months In Prison for Stealing Over $1 Million From Employer and Laundering Over $220,000 of Proceeds
Atlanta Executives and an Internet-Based Promoter Charged with Scheme to Defraud Investors
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested and Charged with Defrauding Goodyear
INTERPOL: INTERPOL and Europol take steps against organized crime behind migrant smuggling
In other law and justice news...
Details only deepen mystery surrounding Kalamazoo shootings (AP)
4 arrested in Spain, Morocco for IS armed group ties (AP)
Meerkat expert cleared of assault in zoo love triangle spat (AP)
Cosby's wife deposed in sexual-assault defamation case (AP)
ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK:
Fight For Promotion Spurs Disability Rights Debate---DISABILITY SCOOP
Schools Doing Little To Ease Special Ed Paperwork Burden---DISABILITY SCOOP
Aging and ailing, homeless fear dying on the street
Hundreds die every year in the kind of squalor that is more commonly the hallmark of war zones and developing nations.---Boston Globe/STAT
Oregonians with disabilities sue state over failure to install sidewalk ramps--THE OREGONIAN
FLUOROSIS CRIPPLES LIFE IN MAYURBHANJ VILLAGES (FAO)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
Proverbs 14:22 NKJV
Monday, February 22, 2016
BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT
News from the US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
Don’t Forget About the Pacific Trade Deal
The Cost of Regulations: Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
Here’s an Enormous Spreadsheet the EEOC Wants to Make Employers Fill Out
House Small Biz Leader: Entrepreneurs Need These Three Things from Congress
USDA:
USDA Expands Insurance Options for Farmers Transitioning to Certified Organic Agriculture
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on New Biobased Laundry Detergent
FACT SHEET: Overview of USDA's BioPreferred Program
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Research Showing Significant Improvement in Efficiency of Ethanol Production and Other Trends
Related news story: Pacific Northwest could become hub for methanol production---PDN
Editor's Note: Wouldn't that be something if we could get one of those plants to be here in Port Angeles? That would spark some much needed employment here, if we had ambitious leaders here that would pitch one of these proposed plants to be here. But they seem to embroiled in sort of controversy in something or another to even take notice.
US TREASURY DEPT: Sheets Op-ed: The Importance of China's Transition to Smarter Growth
US TREASURY DEPT: Treasury Announces Additional Investment in Hardest Hit Fund
In other business and finance news...
This is the internal email Apple's CEO sent all employees this morning (AAPL)---Tech Insider
Starbucks tightens rewards program rules (REU)
Lumber Liquidators’ Flooring Has Increased Cancer Risk, CDC Says---Bloomberg
Secrets of those Social Security benefit statements--CNBC
British pound plummets amid EU exit fears---USA TODAY
Kalamazoo shooting: A look at Uber background checks---USA TODAY
Goldman Sachs: 40% of lending to oil and gas firms is junk--BLOOMBERG
Republican Marco Rubio winning Wall Street fundraising race--BLOOMBERG
Lower oil and higher gold could be great for African investments--yahoo news
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NKJV
Don’t Forget About the Pacific Trade Deal
The Cost of Regulations: Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
Here’s an Enormous Spreadsheet the EEOC Wants to Make Employers Fill Out
House Small Biz Leader: Entrepreneurs Need These Three Things from Congress
USDA:
USDA Expands Insurance Options for Farmers Transitioning to Certified Organic Agriculture
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on New Biobased Laundry Detergent
FACT SHEET: Overview of USDA's BioPreferred Program
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Research Showing Significant Improvement in Efficiency of Ethanol Production and Other Trends
Related news story: Pacific Northwest could become hub for methanol production---PDN
Editor's Note: Wouldn't that be something if we could get one of those plants to be here in Port Angeles? That would spark some much needed employment here, if we had ambitious leaders here that would pitch one of these proposed plants to be here. But they seem to embroiled in sort of controversy in something or another to even take notice.
US TREASURY DEPT: Sheets Op-ed: The Importance of China's Transition to Smarter Growth
US TREASURY DEPT: Treasury Announces Additional Investment in Hardest Hit Fund
In other business and finance news...
This is the internal email Apple's CEO sent all employees this morning (AAPL)---Tech Insider
Starbucks tightens rewards program rules (REU)
Lumber Liquidators’ Flooring Has Increased Cancer Risk, CDC Says---Bloomberg
Secrets of those Social Security benefit statements--CNBC
British pound plummets amid EU exit fears---USA TODAY
Kalamazoo shooting: A look at Uber background checks---USA TODAY
Goldman Sachs: 40% of lending to oil and gas firms is junk--BLOOMBERG
Republican Marco Rubio winning Wall Street fundraising race--BLOOMBERG
Lower oil and higher gold could be great for African investments--yahoo news
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NKJV
Sunday, February 21, 2016
NEWS COMMENTARY: WHY IS ONE MISCONDUCT BEING IGNORED?
Why is Whetham getting a pass?
In today's edition of the Peninsula Daily news there's a report of yet another ethic violation charge this time not only on the Deputy Mayor, Cherie Kidd, but this time on Councilman Dan Gase. See PDN article headline: Second ethics complaint filed against Port Angeles deputy mayor, councilman.
Quoting the article posted: "Our Choice! attorney Gerald Steel, who wrote the complaint, said Gase was included because Gase was the only council member who left City Hall after Kidd adjourned the meeting."
Now, readers before anyone starts saying" There's Ripley picking on Lee Whetham again because he lost an election to him back in 2012. Let me stop you right there, if any other council member did what Whetham done during the meeting insinuating that the Deputy mayor ship was "fake", you barking up the wrong tree.
During after the first comment session Whetham use the phrase "real mayor" during his encounter with the deputy mayor, acting as mayor during that Feb. 2 meeting. Which by the way she was the "real" mayor during that meeting. Now, if Downie was sick, why was he on the phone? He should have assumed his postition as mayor if he could manged to be on the phone right? But this is beside the point. Why is Whetham's little swipe at Kidd being ignored by the local media outlets? Why hasn't anyone filed a complaint for his conduct during that meeting with that little exchange? Is it just because he is against fluoridation? If anything Whetham needs to make a public apology about inferring the deputy mayor's posting isnt "real" with that remark he made.
See public eye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOKjLqhBsM
Now while we are busy letting our emotions getting to the better of us, we can't just ignore other council member's conduct while in the course of a meeting, just because that one council member just happens to side with those of the majority who are oppose the practice of fluoridation.
IN OTHER NEWS COMMENTARIES
Did the Republican Fat Lady Already Sing in South Carolina?---PJMEDIA
The Forgotten Genocide: Why It Matters Today--PJMEDIA
Passive-Aggressive Media 'Emerged' Bernie Sanders' Civil Rights Arrest Photo--PJMEDIA
No, Mr. Trump, Bush Did Not Lie About Iraq War Intel--Patriot Post
It's a Miracle! Hollywood Finally Tells a Great Bible Story---PATRIOT POST
Dick Morris: Mayhem ahead in March---THE HILL
For the Mideast, an anniversary to remember--CSMONITOR
China Raises Stakes in South China Sea By Adding Surface-to-Air Missile Batteries--CNSNEWS
Obama’s Visit to Cuba Betrays America’s Commitment to Freedom---DAILY SIGNAL
TRUMPONOMICS — IS THERE SUCH A THING?
It's hard to detect what his policies would be. Let’s help him out.---AMERICAN SPECTATOR
To Keep America Safe, Embrace Drone Warfare---NYTIMES
Street dreams: The inner life of homelessness--LATIMES
My father, Antonin Scalia---WASHINGTON POST
Republicans, let's win this one for Nino--NY DAILY NEWS
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:9-10 NKJV
In today's edition of the Peninsula Daily news there's a report of yet another ethic violation charge this time not only on the Deputy Mayor, Cherie Kidd, but this time on Councilman Dan Gase. See PDN article headline: Second ethics complaint filed against Port Angeles deputy mayor, councilman.
Quoting the article posted: "Our Choice! attorney Gerald Steel, who wrote the complaint, said Gase was included because Gase was the only council member who left City Hall after Kidd adjourned the meeting."
Now, readers before anyone starts saying" There's Ripley picking on Lee Whetham again because he lost an election to him back in 2012. Let me stop you right there, if any other council member did what Whetham done during the meeting insinuating that the Deputy mayor ship was "fake", you barking up the wrong tree.
During after the first comment session Whetham use the phrase "real mayor" during his encounter with the deputy mayor, acting as mayor during that Feb. 2 meeting. Which by the way she was the "real" mayor during that meeting. Now, if Downie was sick, why was he on the phone? He should have assumed his postition as mayor if he could manged to be on the phone right? But this is beside the point. Why is Whetham's little swipe at Kidd being ignored by the local media outlets? Why hasn't anyone filed a complaint for his conduct during that meeting with that little exchange? Is it just because he is against fluoridation? If anything Whetham needs to make a public apology about inferring the deputy mayor's posting isnt "real" with that remark he made.
See public eye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOKjLqhBsM
Now while we are busy letting our emotions getting to the better of us, we can't just ignore other council member's conduct while in the course of a meeting, just because that one council member just happens to side with those of the majority who are oppose the practice of fluoridation.
IN OTHER NEWS COMMENTARIES
Did the Republican Fat Lady Already Sing in South Carolina?---PJMEDIA
The Forgotten Genocide: Why It Matters Today--PJMEDIA
Passive-Aggressive Media 'Emerged' Bernie Sanders' Civil Rights Arrest Photo--PJMEDIA
No, Mr. Trump, Bush Did Not Lie About Iraq War Intel--Patriot Post
It's a Miracle! Hollywood Finally Tells a Great Bible Story---PATRIOT POST
Dick Morris: Mayhem ahead in March---THE HILL
For the Mideast, an anniversary to remember--CSMONITOR
China Raises Stakes in South China Sea By Adding Surface-to-Air Missile Batteries--CNSNEWS
Obama’s Visit to Cuba Betrays America’s Commitment to Freedom---DAILY SIGNAL
TRUMPONOMICS — IS THERE SUCH A THING?
It's hard to detect what his policies would be. Let’s help him out.---AMERICAN SPECTATOR
To Keep America Safe, Embrace Drone Warfare---NYTIMES
Street dreams: The inner life of homelessness--LATIMES
My father, Antonin Scalia---WASHINGTON POST
Republicans, let's win this one for Nino--NY DAILY NEWS
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:9-10 NKJV
PORT COMMISSIONER MCALEER RESPONSE TO THE EDITOR'S POSTING
The following is a email response I got from Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer:
Peter,
I'm feel compelled to comment on your following item in your latest report
"PORT COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM:
Special Meeting - February 26, 2016 At 4 PM To Evaluate Qualifications Of Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates And Make A Decision On Which Candidates To Interview.
Editor's Note: They didn't release the names of the two candidates wanting to fill Hallet's posting, I have to ask, why the hush, hush? What happened to transparency?"
The deadline for application for District 2 Commissioner is Monday. An appointment application (similar to employment application) is protected based on the private information contained about the individual in the application. If the applicant wants to disclose that they have applied they have that right. But keep in mind Connie and I won't see the full list of who has applied until Monday or Tuesday. I have no idea how many people will apply. In 2011 I understand there were 15 applicants. I hope we receive that many again. You statement that there are two applicants is incorrect.
Here's the process:
Once all applications are in Connie and I will review the applications and narrow down the list to those we'd like to interview. We will make a final decision as to who we want to interview publicly on Feb 26th.
We will likely pick the top 2-5 applicants. Then we will publicly interview those finalists on March 4th. You are welcome to attend the interviews. We will come up with a top one or two and do some background checks most likely. We will then likely make a final decision on March 11.
I believe we have really done a lot to have two meetings now to reach out to entities like the City Council, Jim Hallett, PABA, Rotary, Clallam Pilots, PA Boat Haven Advisory Committee and the PA Chamber asking them to provide their input when we created the criteria and questions we'd ask.
We did not have to do that.
Peter I respect the work you do and appreciate your involvement but you are wrong when you say the process has been "hush, hush" or insinuate a lack of transparency.
If you have a concern that we're not being transparent or being accountable to the public I'd like you to contact me. I'm absolutely committed to making the hard tough decisions publicly while we adhere to the OPMA and applicants rights to their privacy.
Sincerely - Colleen
Colleen McAleer, CCIM
Commissioner
Port of Port Angeles
Editor's Note: I was going by what the agenda items:
A. Special Meeting - February 26, 2016 At 4 PM To Evaluate Qualifications Of Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates And Make A Decision On Which Candidates To Interview.
B. Special Meeting - March 4, 2016 At 9 AM To Conduct Interviews With The Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates.
( Apparently I misread what was posted, I took the Dist. 2 commissioner candidates wrong, I confused the number "2" posting position on the board, as actual two candidates have already submitted for the posting, my bad on that one. Should read these things more carefully, I apologize for that. However, I still feel if the get applicants of the number 2 position, they should share the applicants names to the public.
Peter,
I'm feel compelled to comment on your following item in your latest report
"PORT COMMISSION AGENDA HIGHLIGHT ITEM:
Special Meeting - February 26, 2016 At 4 PM To Evaluate Qualifications Of Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates And Make A Decision On Which Candidates To Interview.
Editor's Note: They didn't release the names of the two candidates wanting to fill Hallet's posting, I have to ask, why the hush, hush? What happened to transparency?"
The deadline for application for District 2 Commissioner is Monday. An appointment application (similar to employment application) is protected based on the private information contained about the individual in the application. If the applicant wants to disclose that they have applied they have that right. But keep in mind Connie and I won't see the full list of who has applied until Monday or Tuesday. I have no idea how many people will apply. In 2011 I understand there were 15 applicants. I hope we receive that many again. You statement that there are two applicants is incorrect.
Here's the process:
Once all applications are in Connie and I will review the applications and narrow down the list to those we'd like to interview. We will make a final decision as to who we want to interview publicly on Feb 26th.
We will likely pick the top 2-5 applicants. Then we will publicly interview those finalists on March 4th. You are welcome to attend the interviews. We will come up with a top one or two and do some background checks most likely. We will then likely make a final decision on March 11.
I believe we have really done a lot to have two meetings now to reach out to entities like the City Council, Jim Hallett, PABA, Rotary, Clallam Pilots, PA Boat Haven Advisory Committee and the PA Chamber asking them to provide their input when we created the criteria and questions we'd ask.
We did not have to do that.
Peter I respect the work you do and appreciate your involvement but you are wrong when you say the process has been "hush, hush" or insinuate a lack of transparency.
If you have a concern that we're not being transparent or being accountable to the public I'd like you to contact me. I'm absolutely committed to making the hard tough decisions publicly while we adhere to the OPMA and applicants rights to their privacy.
Sincerely - Colleen
Colleen McAleer, CCIM
Commissioner
Port of Port Angeles
Editor's Note: I was going by what the agenda items:
A. Special Meeting - February 26, 2016 At 4 PM To Evaluate Qualifications Of Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates And Make A Decision On Which Candidates To Interview.
B. Special Meeting - March 4, 2016 At 9 AM To Conduct Interviews With The Dist. 2 Commissioner Candidates.
( Apparently I misread what was posted, I took the Dist. 2 commissioner candidates wrong, I confused the number "2" posting position on the board, as actual two candidates have already submitted for the posting, my bad on that one. Should read these things more carefully, I apologize for that. However, I still feel if the get applicants of the number 2 position, they should share the applicants names to the public.
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