Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Three Way Tie for Last

Oh my stars and garters...Every time there's a new PDN article about the action in the County Courthouse, it seems to get more and more cartoonish and over the top. These are adults? Here are some standout lines (no paragraphs, please) from the most recent episode:

“My decision will not come until I am presented with some warrants to make sure the funds are being disbursed according to law," stated Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis.

The commissioners can fashion a solution “or do you want a solution to be fashioned by a judge?” said Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols.

Commissioner (Dim King Jim) McEntire said Barkhuis was “outside her lane” as treasurer by refusing to process the infrastructure grants.

Commissioner Bill Peach said that Barkhuis' actions are “not the behavior of a rational individual."

Commissioner Mike Chapman, who said later he plans to vote against the resolutions, seemed beside himself during the meeting, looking around the room as he pleaded with commissioners to add the grants to the 2016 budget.

The award of $285,952 to the city would pay for landscaping and other improvements to Phase 2 of the waterfront improvement project, a stage scheduled for completion in September.

“Enough is enough,” Deputy Mayor Patrick Downie said as he sat across from Chapman at the work-session table.

“Do the right thing. Do what you essentially agreed to do. Provide us the money," said Downie, badly imitating Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the movie "Jerry Maguire."

“We want to support your project, but you are talking to the wrong people,” Chapman told Downie.

Nathan West, city community and economic development director, said the delay would result in an incomplete project that could be more expensive in 2016.

“Help us find the solution,” Chapman responded.

“Have you asked her for a solution?" pleaded an increasingly desperate Chapman.

“I'm curious why you are still here asking for something you can't have," said Chapman, starting to sob.

Wow.

26 comments:

  1. All the commissioners have to do is follow the law. Instead, they want to set up a new precedent where they will never again have to follow the law. All they have to do is bludgeon the Treasurer with dirty tricks and threats and they think she will cave in. they don't know her very well. She has given them a couple of outs where they could save face but the commission does not want to save face they want to spend the taxpayers money willy nilly without any oversight. thanks Selinda

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  2. So, are we feeling good about how decisions are made by our elected representatives? The quality of analysis prior to spending millions of tax dollars? The demonstrations of fiscal prudency, and the refrain from engaging in personal attacks as a basis for important decisions?

    Did you appreciate the thoughtful discussion about the details of the business plan provided for this multi-million dollar business proposal? How well the Commissioners each demonstrated a working knowledge of what is being asked for?

    Amazing.

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    1. Gimme gimme gimme!

      Okay!

      Uh, do I demonstrate a working knowledge of how things work around here?

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    2. Hope Mark Ozias is paying attention. If he's got the guts McEntire is giving him so much to work with, enough to smash the McEntires base to bit.

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    3. Except McEntire's base is Republican and they actually think he's doing a good job--not because McEntire is working for a small, transparent government that respects the taxpayer and the law--no, that doesn't matter to the modern republican. McEntire is as far from being conservative as it gets, but that doesn't matter either. Crony capitalism, government waste, it's all good as long as he isn't a democrat. It's all how they spin things nowadays.

      When you've got the Koch brothers complaining about republican behavior, you know your party's got problems. Doesn't matter, they'll vote McEntire in anyway. Heckuva job, Jimmy!

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    4. McEntire has the power of incumbency and name recognition as well and that's what terrifies me, for all those for whom how they vote is based solely on that aspect. How can we best help Ozias succeed?

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  3. I remember in an earlier thread once, there was the idea of turning the Lincoln Theater into a cuckoo clock factory. Looks like they've already done that with the courthouse.

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  4. So much hubbub over a mere quarter million dollars worth of landscaping. Boy, what a load of fussbudgets! After all, it's only taxpayer's money.

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    1. It isn't WHAT the issue is. It isn't just about one government entity giving it's allotment of taxpayer money to another. It is the really pathetic public demonstration, coming directly from the mouths of the Commissioners themselves, of how these elected representatives OF the public care so little about the public's concerns.

      Really inflated egos, for all to see.

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  5. Speaking of using tax money for stupid proposals, those of us that follow the Revitalize scene know that fearless Leslie, with what seems to be the aid of city staff, is suggesting the group organize to put in a bid for lodging tax money. The idea is that they try to get more tourists to come to Port Angeles. They acknowledge that the Chamber is pulling out from promotional activities after a poll of businesses told them local businesses want the money spent to help local businesses.

    I know. What a concept!

    But, here we go again, with another utterly stupid idea from the leadership of Revitalize. Once again, they demonstrate how poorly they understand the very problems they are trying to fix.

    Spend money to get more tourists to come here? Let's see. Over 3 million are coming here to visit the ONP. Given that Port Angeles is the biggest town in the county, and at least one of the primary entry points for the park (with a number of others close by), one would think Port Angeles would see some of that traffic. 3 million is a LOT! How many visit Hurricane Ridge, alone?

    But, as we know, that is not the only existing source for tourists in Port Angeles, right now. As has been pointed out repeatedly, the Coho brings another 400,000 tourists right into downtown Port Angeles every year.

    And, there are lots of other events like bike races, marathons, Esprit, festivals, and concerts that bring people to Port Angeles.

    But, it looks like Leslie and the Cheer Leaders think all those people aren't the RIGHT tourists. They want lodging tax money to try to find OTHER tourists, tourists who will love THEM. All year round.

    Once again, they do what they do best: put the blinders on, and ignore what they don't want to see. They are not going to hear or see that it is THEY that is not attractive to the many thousands of tourists already passing by.

    As the saying goes "50,000 Frenchmen can't be wrong". Or the other one "The customer is always right". Okay, to drive it home " People vote with their pocketbooks".

    Except when you're Revitalize PA. Then, their failures are every body else's fault.

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    1. @6:58 -- I read that post and all the comments. Whatever else they may be, the group is not organizing to pursue that contract, and Leslie never suggested it.

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    2. LOL! Too funny. So, here we go again. Deny reality.

      Okay. You can believe that. I read the posts. The wording is pretty clear. But, what ever.

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    3. I read the post, too. Really Anon 7:05, you're actually saying Leslie didn't suggest pursuing the contract?

      I joined the group thinking we were working together. Now I'm seeing there is some elite group within Revitalize Port Angeles who have secret conversations the rest of us are not privy to. Aren't the rest of us good enough for you?

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    4. Revitalize is Port Angeles United redux. Jim Haguewood's son in law is prez of the downtown assn so what do you expect. Find a way to clip the taxpayer is what they are all about.

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    5. The leader of Revitalize is also a "born and raised in Port Angeles" person, like Jim Haguewood's son.

      The next generation of the same types that have run this town, so far. Gee. I wonder why we see so much the same.

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    6. If we must stoop so low as to begging people to come here then let us please hire PROFESSIONAL destination promoters. We have none in town. We had several bid on the lodging tax money last year and Cherie Kidd funneled it all to the chamber (again). Please don't even think about putting this money into the hands of amateurs unless you really don't give a damn.

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  6. And now Norma Turner's on record as being "befuddled" by this whole mess. Imagine how it looks to the outside world, Norma. What a bunch of bickering hicks.

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  7. Who cares what Norma Turner thinks??

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    1. Maybe those of us who'd like a little accountability in our government?

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    2. Norma Turner has done more for this county than most. She saved us from having oil tanks lining Ediz Hook.

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    3. Norma forced onto the ballot (by first gathering over a thousand petition signatures) the question of whether Port Commissioners should continue to serve six year terms, or have their terms of office reduced to four years. Voters overwhelmingly voted to reduce the terms to four years.
      Norma has definitely done more for this county than most. She's bright and energetic and I admire her greatly.

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  8. Norma Turner does not want accountability, she wants attention!

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    Replies
    1. Unlike you, who writes junk like this in order to get... yes, attention.

      Is that you, Jim?

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  9. Can anyone explain how The Family Shoe Store stays afloat? Don't get me wrong I'm pulling for them as I used to get my kicks there as a child. I just cannot explain how in 2015 there is a need for that place. Wait. What about Budget Tapes and ? How can it work out? Thanks. :D

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    1. Coog has found out that he actually makes more money being open on weekends than he did when he was open six days a week. He does home restoration during the week. I know this, because I'm his drummer.

      FULL DISCLOSURE: Coog and I (along with the rest of the mighty MCFD) will be playing at Zak's with The MudBanks on the 22nd. I saw what the County Fair's excuse of a live-entertainment roster was and said to Coog, "We need to put together a real rock show on the weekend of the Fair."

      You're welcome.

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    2. Good for him. Adapt and overcome!

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